1994 Saturn SL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 16%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the brakes of the 1994 Saturn SL, 16% of the 286 complaints for this model year. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Re: brakes; I get a throbbing, pulsing sensation even though there is plenty of pad left; re: seats; seat is loose and many times the driver's side seat has collapsed backward when I put some pressure on it, I.e. Putting my hand into my pocket to get toll bridge change; re: radiator; it is rusted, even though I have properly servied the car w/ rcommended servicing (dealer found the problem but did not want fix)”
NHTSA complaint #711821, filed 1999-09“When I brake it brakes then lets go and then brakes again and keeps doing that until I come to a complete stop. Also when I am driving down the road my transmission I think jerks my whole car. And that also happens when I put thye car in reverse. I have talked to 4 other people who have a '9194 Saturn sl2 and they have all the same problems. I also got to drive one of them and there car does everything mine does and both of our glove box latch has broke and does not latch.”
NHTSA complaint #746010, filed 2001-05“Had the car for less than 4 months and had the breaks worked on twice. Replaced break pads both times and new rotors the last time. I was told the rotors are too thin on all of these cars, and that the metallic break pads are warping the rotors. Tried organic break pads, seemed to help, but still having the problem. Extreme surging when trying to stop now. I feel this is a manufacturers engineering defect. I cannot afford $200.00 every 6 months for new breaks, since my car is out of warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #703979, filed 1999-03“While in motion moving appoximately 25 MPH, consumer pressed on brakes to stop at an intersection, and brake pedal hit the floor. Vehicle did not stop. Consumer used emergency brakes, and lost power steering. Vehicle stopped by running into a house. Pedal has recovered, and dealer did not find any problems with brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #892062, filed 2001-07“Both front and rear rotor assemblies were replaced 2/13/96; left and right rear rotor assemblies were replaced 7/3/96; both front rotor assemblies were replaced 10/8/96; both front and both rear rotor assemblies were replaced 6/2/97; the front rotor assembly was replaced 7/8/97; front and rear rotor assemblies were replaced 9/13/2000.”
NHTSA complaint #731333, filed 2000-09Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 8% |
| 2001 | 13 | 12% |
| 2000 | 15 | 10% |
| 1999 | 34 | 19% |
| 1998 | 20 | 12% |
| 1997 | 24 | 11% |
| 1996 | 44 | 15% |
| 1995 | 56 | 16% |
| 1994 | 45 | 16% |
| 1993 | 36 | 21% |
| 1992 | 19 | 15% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1994 Saturn SL
49 complaintsSeats
48 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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