The consumer stated the brake pads wear prematurely. The part has been replaced five times within one year. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information.
Saturn SL premature wear problems
29 of the 2,211 owner complaints about the Saturn SL describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 29
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 43,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Vehicle rotors are warped.*mr the consumer stated the rotors warped so bad in 10,000 miles that the vehicle shook and vibrated. When maneuvering around a curve the vehicle was difficult to control. *ph
Brake rotors warped.
The vehicle brake rotor warp several times which caused vibration while braking. The dealer replaced the rotors. When the vehicle was moved from a stop the vehicle jerked forward. The vehicle also acts as if it want to stall when sitting idle. The dealer was unable to duplicate either concern. The radio light was inoperative therefore the dealer replaced the radio. *ak *cb
Steering wheel shakes when braking, especially at higher speeds. The dealer reports this is due to warped rotors due to "external forces" and not a warranty problem. The car has 30,000 miles and less than 2 years old. Driven mostly highway to and from work, 35 miles one way each day. Seems more like a defective part or engineering.
Consumer states while coming to a stop, the front end vibrates and makes noises, consumer states problem is getting worse, dealer has replaced warped rotors, front tires were bald at 28759 miles, possible front suspension problem. Air conditioner discharge hose was leaking, causing poor performance, dealer replaced the hose. Headlights were out of alignment, dealer reaimed the headlamps.
Rotors warped and were replaced 9 within 9 months after buying vehicle brand new, replacement part was defective and replaced one month later, in february of 2001, rotors were warped and replaced again.
The brake rotors warp easily, they are either insufficiently thick or cooled. Nlm
Brake rotors are prematurely wearing caused by a defect in the brake pads. Please give any further details.
Rotors warped, causing rocking of car during braking at 16,000 miles and again at 32000 miles.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.
- Risk
- If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
Recall number 99V231000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn SL premature wear
Which Saturn SL years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (6 complaints), 1996 (5 complaints) and 1998 (5 complaints).
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