Saturn LS brake failure problems

Filed Aug 7, 2010 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · IL

In november of 2009, the brakes on my 2002 saturn 200l suddenly gave out. They went all the way to the floor. After pumping them several times, they came up a little. I thought the brakes needed changing, so I had that done. A few months later, it happened again. It has happened a total of 4 times. I go to stop and suddenly there are no brakes. They always work ok after several pumps. This is a serious safety problem and I see on mycarstats.com that there are several complaints about this same problem.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Engine · 108,000 miles · UT

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn l-series. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the power steering and brakes failed as well. She pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and, after several attempts to restart the vehicle, it was towed to a local saturn dealer. The dealer stated that the cause of the failure may be computer related. A mechanic stated that the failure was the timing chain, which damaged the valves. The repairs would cost $2,700. The contact was informed of a possible recall and, through online research, she called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. No repairs have been made. The failure and current mileages were 108,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2008 · Engine · 100,020 miles · MO

Driving on the highway around 55 m.p.h in my 2000 l-seize saturn when engine suddenly shuts down. Coasted to the side of the highway after nearly being rearended had vehicle towed to a mechanic. Was told by mechanic timing chain had broke destroying the engine. Was also told by mechanic this was very common for saturns as there is a defect in the oiling system causing premature wear in the timing chain. Contacted local saturn dealership they are aware of problem and could install a new engine for around 10,000.00$. Currently car is still broke due to shortage of this engine. No surprise with all of them breaking. Very lucky with no power steering,no brakes, and no power to make it to the side of the road.

Filed Dec 7, 2006 · Transmission · MA · crash

Ltr fm (ma) believes the accident he had was caused by a defect in the wheel assembly of his 2002 saturn l100. *ts the vehicle began to shake and consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was running along the guardrail and the consumer was unable to move it because there was no steering. The consumer attempted to apply the brakes but the pedal went to the floor. When the vehicle finally came to a stop the consumer noticed that non of the front or side air bags deployed. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility who determined that the entire transaxle assembly had been smoothly sheared off.

Filed Nov 8, 2006 · Transmission, Wheels · MA · crash

Letter from congressman on behalf of his constituent regarding a traffic accident that occurred when his vehicles wheel assembly detached. *ts the consumer stated he suddenly felt the vehicle shake and then he began riding along the guardrail. There was no steering and the consumer couldn't accelerate away from the guardrail and when he hit the brake, the pedal went to the floor. *jb the entire right wheel assembly including tire, rim, brake asembly, rocker arms, axle and strut were missing.

Filed Sep 23, 2005 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · NJ

Dt: the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200 that had complete brake failure. While traveling 60 MPH , and when applying the brakes there were no brakes. The contact had to pump the brakes about 4 times before had any braking capability. The contact drove the vehicle 40 miles experienced no problems since this incident. The service dealer could not find the cause of the problem. The service dealer examined the brake pads/rotors/ calipers, but there were no problems. No warning lights illuminated. The only clue that there was something wrong with the brakes was approximately two weeks ago,there was a high pitch ringing in the rear end of the vehicle while driving at high speeds and the noise would stop when the consumer applied the brakes. The contact examined the rear wheels, but did not find anything and the noise stopped for a few days. The noise started again right before the contact's vehicle had brake failure. *ak the vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected. They claimed that everything looked normal and that there was no loss of fluid.

Filed Jun 5, 2005 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · MA

Rear brakes failed and entire units needed to be replaced, both drivers and passenger rear disk brakes inoperable

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · TN · fire

The car was brought into the saturn dalership in dec 2003 to fix a recall on the electrical system: ignition: module. The recall on our vehicle was closed. The vehicle had not shown any problems since that time until recently, march 2, 2005. I went to start the car on the 2nd of march and the car was difficult to start. Once started, the car ran very rough and lost power when I tried to give it gas. When my husband tried to drive the car later, the car backfired and seemed to be missing. We had our mechanic come look at initially that night, and he asked us to bring the car to his shop. Although we would have to drive it very slow, he didn't see any reason why the car could not be driven to the shop instead of having it towed. My husband took the car to the shop and en route, the car lost power, the brakes went out, it then began to smoke so much my husband could barely see. He was able to pull the car over and bring it to a stop with the emergency brake. After stopping the car all he could do was get out and run before the car was engulfed in flames. It was a total loss. The recall on the car and the consequences of not fixing the recalled parts reads like a book of the events that occured. The fire is currently being investigated by our insurance company.

Filed Jan 10, 2005 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · WI

While driving 35 mphand upon trying to stop the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated, and the brakes failed. Consumer stated that she had both feet on the brake pedal, trying to stop the vehicle. She then pulled the emergency brake. Contacted the dealer, and was told the brake would always over power the engine. Please provide any further information. Also, provide vehicle identification number, and make corrections where needed.

Filed Oct 14, 2004 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · NY

I have a year 2002 saturn model l200 with 47000 miles on it. On five occasions, when I have applied the brake, I have no brake pressure, and the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor. If I pump the brakes I can then build up pressure, but there is a definite problem with loss of brake pressure. When this occurs it is usually after driving on the highway (55 MPH) for between 30 and 60 minutes. There are no warning or brake fail lights illuminated, and no code is stored in the onboard computer. Then the problem goes away after a few minutes, or after stopping the car and shutting it off for a few minutes. Each time this has happened the dealer has been unable to find the cause, as by the time I get the car to the dealer the problem is gone. They have replaced the brake master cylinder twice to no avail. There are no fluid leaks. The dealer claims the brake system is in fine condition but clearly there is an intermittent problem. As of the last occurence the dealer has run out of ideas and has told me they have a call into the saturn factory to determine what to do next, and I have not heard back from the dealer in several days. I would like this problem fixed, even if it requires the installation of a completely new brake system, as loss of brake pressure represents a significant safety issue. The dealer has tried to fix this, but saturn needs to take an involvement now and fix this!