1997 Saturn SL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Saturn SL, 11% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a new 1997 Saturn , paid cash and 2 months after purchase, I had brake problems. Put brakes on, could not stop the car (6/7/97). Saturn did nothing regarding this. They said I was not use to the brakes. Tapped the back of a van. 2.) had grand child in car, backing into garage brakes did not hold again. Hit sand bags husband had in garage that stopped car. Some nut came from another state, sisn't drive even 2 miles and saidm there was nothing wrong with the brakes!!!!! I worked in a vocational high school (c.v.s.) in chicago, il, they told me that the inspection was not right. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082762, filed 2004-07, 10 miles“I have a 1997 Saturn sl2. The button on my parking brake handle popped off the other day (03/27/2006), releasing my parking brake. Luckily I was not on a steep hill and the transmission was in gear, otherwise the car would have rolled away. Its hard to believe that such a tiny piece of plastic is all that holds the parking brake in place. Once the button is broken, there is no way to engage the parking brake. I really think this warrants a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10154263, filed 2006-03“I purchased my car brand new in 1996. Since then, it has had numerous electrical problems all of which I am told if they can't find it they can't fix it. I stopped taking my car to them becasue that was what they told me - I have logged complaints to the Saturn customer service center online and they told me I can not have copies of those records - recently, I was left stranded again and when I took my car to the shop they told me I needed a new $3800.00 engine, my husband went and got the car - it works fine!!!!!!!!! No new engine needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #747465, filed 2001-06“Since 1999 the rotors on front have been turned and then replaced twice, along with 3 sets of new brakes that were bad when taken off, along with that tire replacement was done twice. Now there is a severe vibration then followed by a loss in power and RPM's go continuously up and down and the brake pedal hardens up.”
NHTSA complaint #751296, filed 2001-08“While driving vehicle w/emergency brakes on of had no knowledge. Was coming off freeway & was applying brakes, vehicle failed to slow down or stop. Started to suddenly accelerate. Turned vehicle off. Had it towed to dealer & found back brakes burnt out. Orginial brakes checked & was not burnt out. Owner has brake parts.”
NHTSA complaint #847508, filed 1999-09Brakes: 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 1997 Saturn SL
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Saturn SL
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