2000 Saturn SL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 10%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Saturn SL, 10% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was traveling on the freeway at 75 MPH (speed limit.) the truck in front of me hit the brakes. I applied my brakes as I should have had enough distance to slow down enough. My brakes locked-up and I slid into the pick-up truck in front of me at about 65 MPH. The seat belts worked, but the air bags did not deploy. My car was totaled. I was injured and taken by ambulance to the hospital.”
NHTSA complaint #10173835, filed 2006-11, 89,000 miles“Rotors needed to be turned at about 25000 miles due to vibration when stopping, this was done under warranty, I was told they would only due it once. The car now has 62000 miles on it and it has the original pads, they are do not need to be replaced due to wear. But the rotors need to be turned again, looking at other problems on this site, I am not the only one with this problem. I had a honda with over 200000 miles on original rotors?”
NHTSA complaint #10058981, filed 2004-02, 25,000 miles“There is no issue with my brake light bulb it is not burnt out. All the fuses have been checked over by qualified salesperson who had shown me that my that my brake light was still working, and yet my brake light does not work. I am afraid of driving at night, and worry constantly that I will be stopped during the day, as I don't have any explanation as to why this one driver's side brake light does not work. I read somewhere on a Saturn forum that there had been a recall over this issue, but I am unable to locate.”
NHTSA complaint #10875003, filed 2016-06“For 3 years I have been complaining to Saturn about my Saturn s series cars. One is an sl2 the other is a Saturn wagon. In both cases when the weather has been either snowy or rainy or the roads have been slick when I try to turn the corner in the cars the brakes do not engage initally. I hear a clunking like noise which Saturn has yet to be able to reproduce & then my attempts to engage the brakes do not work as soon as they should. …”
NHTSA complaint #10124156, filed 2005-06“The vehicle has had the rotors replaced twice and the rotors resurfaced 8 times. All of this within 1.5 years. My truck is a 1996 and I have only changed the rotors once. I haul and tow things with my truck on a weekly basis. They are trying to say it is operator use on my car. Explain this one to me please.”
NHTSA complaint #756150, filed 2001-12Related recalls
- 99V231000Aug 24, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were…Covers: Saturn SL 2000, SW 2000, SC 2000
Related service bulletins
- 10111927Feb 12, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find…
Brakes: 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 2000 Saturn SL
35 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsTires
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 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