VehicleVerdict

1997 Saturn SL brakes problems

The 1997 Saturn SL has 27 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

27

Brakes complaints

9%

Share of year

4

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

EXITING STREET FROM DEAD END WHERE CONSUMER LIVED 11 YEARS, ATTEMPTED TO SLOWLY STOP, BRAKES REJECTED, THEN SLAMMED ON BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN, A CAR CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE, CONTINUED TO MOVE THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKES GRABBED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 15, 1997 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1997 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL brakes — 9% 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.