2000 Saturn LS brakes problems

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Brakes · NY

I am listing this vehicle identification number to fulfill your request on the safety complaint form, however I believe what I am about to share is an issue that applies to all vehicles on the road today, regardless of their source of motive power, if they have a hydraulic-brake system. I believe the current federal specifications for brake lines are too susceptible to corrosion, and although the materials brake lines are made of on most vehicles, probably meet Federal standards. Federal standards for this and other vehicle parts should evolve more frequently, sensitive to modernization and field experience. Corrosion-resistant brake lines are available and Federal statutes should be upgraded to specify they be constructed of more durable material and also be positioned in vehicles to increase their ease of replacement. Replacement of just the rusted sections of my rear brake lines cost me approximately $3000, and most of that cost was driven by brake line inaccessibility. Brake lines are typically one of the first components installed during vehicle assembly and several layers of components are then placed over them. Given the difficulty of replacement they should be one of the most durable components in the vehicle and calculated to last an appropriate multiple of the vehicle’s service life that is economically feasible.

Filed Feb 12, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 106,000 miles · MI

Car leaking oil - now engine trouble

Filed May 15, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · 138,000 miles · CA

My car drives like its coughing and sometimes it cuts off on me, and my brake lights work sometime, I have had people honk to tell me my lights not working then they will pop on when they get ready.

Filed Oct 21, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 102,012 miles · ME · 1 injury

I had just gone to the gas station to fill up my 2000 saturn lw2 when I was about two blocks from the gas station. I was right around the corner from my house, and had just turned right onto a street with a hill. Suddenly, my car started sputtering so I immediately tried to pull over. I wasn't completely out of the street when I suddenly lost all power brakes and power steering going down the hill at 25 miles per hour. I couldn't stop the car so I put it in park, which stopped it instantly, causing my neck to jerk, which has been sore from whiplash for the past four days so far. I had the car towed to the mechanic who found bits of my timing belt all through the motor, which blew the entire engine. After hearing that it would be over $3,000 for a used engine installed, we've been trying to determine our next move, financially.

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Brakes · 98,000 miles · NY

Right rear parking brake cable rusted through and snapped. Result: no parking brake (no hand brake). Local mechanics advised us that this is a very common problem with this model. It cannot be fixed. Saturn is no longer in business. Gm no longer sells this cable. None of the aftermarket companies make a cable that fits this make/model/year.

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · CA

The rear brakes slide off the wheel cylinder causing the brake peddle to go to the floor. If you look at the saturn 2000 ls1 the wheel cylinders has a flat surface which the brakes set on and after driving for a period of time the brakes slip off the wheel cylinder which then it goes to the floor. On the saturn 2000 sl1 the wheel cylinder has slots on the wheel cylinder which holds the brakes in place,they need to have the wheel cylinders replaced for ones with slots. It is totally unsafe to drive. It happends about every 6 months having to take apart and fix one day someone will get killed if it hasn't happen yet.

Filed Aug 3, 2009 · Brakes · 149,700 miles · GA

I would like to file a complaint about the self-adjusting brakes on the saturn 2000 ls. I have been very happy with this car for the last 7 years, except now this problem has come up and it continues, I believe not by wear and tear, but my faulty design. What happens is that a bracket on the rear brakes comes off the gear and no longer adjusts the brakes as you drive. The bracket has a spring pulling downward on it and nothing on the end of that bracket to hold it in place on the gear. Thus, every 3-4 weeks now, my father must pull the tires off and adjust them by hand. The point of the self-adjusting brake system is that they do just that: self-adjust. They should not be gradually coming off and endangering the brake system and thus my driving. I have taken my car to just brakes for brake repairs (replacing shoes, pads, calipers, etc.) and even for this problem. All they can do is adjust it a little tighter than my dad can. They agree that the self-adjusting brakes are a faulty design, especially since there is nothing to keep the bracket on the gear so that it can do its job of adjusting. This cannot just be from wear and tear on my car and I know others should be having problems with it too. Something must be done to protect the drivers of these saturn 2000 ls cars and the other drivers on the road. This past friday, july 31, 2009, I didn't really have any brakes to get home on in wet, curvy mountain roads of north georgia. The manufacturer should be responsible for fixing this problem and there should be a recall on this product so that others can get this fixed. To fix it there needs to be something to hold the bracket to the gear so that the spring does not pull it down off the gear and the brakes can continue to self-adjust!

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Brakes · 46,412 miles · TX

Dt: consumer took vehicle to dealer for service. Dealer done a safety check on vehicle and told consumer that front brake pads were 30 percent left, and front rotors below specs. Consumer declined to have front brake job done because dealer wanted about $300 to do work. He could do it for much less. Consumer's concern was that the rotors should not be worn out and needed to be replaced with 30 percent pads left and only 46412 miles on vehicle. Consumer always took vehicle to dealer for service, and this is was done regularly. Brakes were noticed by dealer on july 14, 2005. Dealer was saturn of houston north west 290, in houston, texas.

Filed Dec 31, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 62,000 miles · WI

Currently the blower motor for the heater/defroster is not working. I have had many many problems with this car, inparticular with the brakes and steering. The rack and pinion was repaired twice. I have had brakes replaced twice, and recently the brake drums, rotators and pads. I have had the power steering pump repaired and from time to time need to have the steering wheel lubricated when it starts to make noise again. I am wondering if I am the only one with these problems or are others with this same car having the same problems. I do not feel safe when I am driving this car. I have brought it to the dealer many times to have things checked with wheels and steering.

Filed Aug 17, 2004 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · NC

I own a 2000 saturn ls. When the car had 40,000 miles, I noticed that the front brake rotors where severely worn down (.90 inches) even though the brake pads had more than 50% life left. I called the dealer and they said that the rotors on the ls have been failing earlier than normal and that when the pads wear out, they also replace rotors. Rotors aren't suppose to wear out unless the pads wear out and the metal backing destroys the rotors. Most cars on the highway never have a rotor change for their entire life. Saturn will not do anything under warranty. Now, I have 60,000 miles on the car which is driven by my wife who drives very slow and brakes lightly and the rotors have lost over .120 inches which puts the rotor tolerance outside the safety limit by gm. Again, rotors are not suppose to wear to this extreme. This could be a serious safety problem. Don't you agree? Thank you for your time.