Saturn SL brake failure problems

Filed Jul 26, 2014 · Brakes · 94,000 miles · PA

While accelerating from a light up to ~20mph there was the smell of brake fluid/rubber burning. When traffic slowed again brakes had no response even when press all the way to the floor. Car was stopped in time to avoid accident by application of emergency brake and placing the car in neutral. Pumping the brakes failed to regain pressure though after driving to the side of the road with ebrake and restarting car a hard pump of the brakes had some resistance. Further cautious driving and pressure rebuilt. After inspection at the shop no explanation for the event could be found.

Filed May 12, 2008 · Brakes · 12,300 miles · HI · crash

1 incident and 1 crash. Left emergency brake on by accident when driving and went to apply brake to slow down, but had no brakes. Could not stop..no accident first time it happened. But 2nd time caused multiple car accident w/an injury. After I stopped driving, the brakes began working again. I had my brakes checked but they did not need replaced.

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · RI · 1 injury

Tl* - the contact would like to make a complaint concerning the brakes on 1996 saturn sl2. The contact stated that she was driving 35 MPH when she was cut off by another car. She then applied the brake pedal which gave no resistance. The contact stated that before being cut off the brakes did work. The contact stated that the car finally stopped after she pumped the brakes. The contact continued to drive at approximately 5 MPH until she reached her destination and had the car towed to a saturn dealership. The contact stated that this brake failure occurred approximately december 5, 2006. The contact stated that it was a nice day, and that the weather was not a factor. The contact pulled muscles in her body, and was currently on muscle relaxants. The contact asked the saturn dealer for the damaged parts and was told that the parts were thrown away. The contact also stated that she has had problems with the brakes pulsating and going all the way down to the floor since she purchased the car. The contact stated had brake work done in 2001 at 36,000 miles, the brake calipers had failed. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency by the rhode island state attorney's office.

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Brakes · MO

While applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor vehicle was unable to stop on its on. Driver was able to stop by turning off the vehicle for fifteen minutes, then restarted it and drove to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that ABS control unit system needed to be replaced.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · Airbags, Brakes · MI · crash · 1 injury

When the consumer applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a car head on. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer seeked medical attention the next day. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · WI

While applying the brake pedal brakes failed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that rotors needed to be replaced, and replaced them four times. However, the problem recurred.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · CA

While applying the brake pedal it went to the floor. Consumer pumped the brakes, and the they malfunctioned. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it home. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection the next day. Mechanic determined that brake lines needed to be replaced. *ak it was later determined that the battery leaked acid on the brake line. The consumer believes the brake failure was due to the faulty design which located the battery over the brake lines.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Brakes · TN · crash

Vehicle experienced brake failure.*mr while driving the consumer brake pedal went all the way down to the floor, as she was attempting to stop the vehicle at a traffic signal. It had resulted in a collision with the vehicle in front of her. About $600 worth of damages occurred not including the cause of repairs for the consumers vehicle.

Filed Jul 15, 2003 · Electrical · 131,788 miles · NC · fire

Our vehicle caught on fire while we were on our way to vacation on highway 95. No warning was given. We were approached by another vehicle that the car was on fire. At this point we saw smoke coming from under the hood of the car, and immediately, the car was filled with smoke from under the dashboard of the car. Visibility in the car was almost impossibile. We tried to stop the car, but we had no brakes, nor any emergency brakes. We tried putting the car in park, but the gear shift had been melted down as well. We had to cut the car completely off and let it coast towards a ditch to stop it.we jumped out and ran over a ditch. The fire department was there within two minuets from another burning car. Everthing under the hood was melted. We were told by the firemen that under the car was also melted down.

Filed Jun 24, 2002 · Brakes · TX · crash

When brakes were applied at 35 MPH pedal went to the floor, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in a rear end collision. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further infromation.