VehicleVerdict

1996 Saturn SL brakes problems

The 1996 Saturn SL has 53 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

53

Brakes complaints

14%

Share of year

9

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

SL brakes complaints by model year80 complaints1991: 2 complaints1992: 25 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 52 complaints1995: 80 complaints1996: 53 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 36 complaints2000: 16 complaints2001: 16 complaints2002: 10 complaints
SL brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOUT 35 MPH CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FORNTAL COLLISION ON WET PAVEMENT, BRAKES NEVER REALLY WORKED ON THE CAR, MANUFACTURER NOT CONTACTED. *AK DEALER REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS THREE TIMES IN 22 MONTHS, DUE TO PADS AND ROTORS BEING RUSTED. CONSUMER STATED PADS AND ROTORS.*JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 29, 1996 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 53 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL brakes — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.