1997 Saturn SC1 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 15%of 61 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Saturn SC1, 15% of the 61 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my Saturn in for routine maintenence and requested they check my brakes. Upon inspection they found both front rotors with many cracks. The bearings nor spindle were replaced, and brakes were fine. I suspect manufacture defect. They said possibly I could have been on long trip which would heat up rotors and driven thru puddle of water which could have cause steel rotors to crack. Luckily I caught this in time before an accident could have occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #707034, filed 1999-05“At 21,000 miles the brakes started to pulsate. The dealer replaced the warped rotors and scored pads. At 42, 000 miles the same thing occurred however the dealer would only pay half of the cost. They replaced the rotors and said the pads were fine. Now at 51,000 miles the brakes are again beginning to pulsate”
NHTSA complaint #714494, filed 1999-11“While driving with cruise control activated the vehicle was braking and the vehicle accelerated up to 80 MPH. The braking system was inoperative, causing a frontal accident with the barriers in which the driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, failing to protect the occupants in this accident.”
NHTSA complaint #827766, filed 1998-09“While driving about 40 MPH on highway and upon depressing brake pedal pedal went straight to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance , and resulting in vehicle veering into another lane. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #8003090, filed 2002-01“When driving at 50 MPH and upon making a normal stop brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in vehicle running into a field over a railroad. Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #861129, filed 2000-04Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Saturn SC1
14 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Saturn SC1
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology