1999 Saturn SL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 19%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Saturn SL, 19% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 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 used Saturn on 8/23/08 from desert inn motors, too many problems after 3 months , new battery, brake bad, motor problem too expensive to repair, so I told them I'm not making anymore payments, they told me to bring the car back and they would replace the car, they repo my vehicle, shady business practices.”
NHTSA complaint #10250683, filed 2008-12, 134,440 miles“In 2003 my daughter bought a 1999 Saturn with 47000 miles that had just been turned in from a lease from a dealer and it started smoking and using a quart of oil per 1,000at which time we contacted this agency and GM because the car was alaways dealer serviced and had not yet reached it's half life. Saturn told us that this was normal howver, the condition has only worsed over time and it's now using 1.5 qt's per 1000 miles and smoking worse. I bet the epa would like to know that. …”
NHTSA complaint #10120135, filed 2005-05, 4,700 miles“I purchased a 1999 Saturn sl2 w/ 23,000mi. At 60,000mi I began to feel a judder/vibration from the steering wheel. I took it to a Saturn dealer and was told the rotors we're warped and needed to be replaced. I went to a repair shop and had non-oem brake rotors installed and after approxiametely 65,000mi, began to have the same problem. After leaving the car with the repair shop, they could not find anything wrong, but my rotors keep warping. The repair shop cut the rotors slightly and now at 70,000mi I still have the same problem. There is definietly wrong with the design of the brake system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052540, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“Hand brake release button and spring popped out after parking the vehicle. Had this happened while the vehicle was unattended and parked on a hill (as it typically is), this car could have caused serious bodily harm or structural damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10401594, filed 2011-05, 164,012 miles“When the brake pedal was depressed while coming to a complete stop motor revved, but vehicle failed to stop. This resulted in extended stopping distance.”
NHTSA complaint #10040051, filed 2003-09, 29,000 milesBrakes: 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 1999 Saturn SL
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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