Five problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2000 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Saturn LS based on all problems reported for the 2000 LS.
Car leaking oil - now engine trouble.
I had just gone to the gas station to fill up my 2000 Saturn lw2 when I was about two blocks from the gas station. I was right around the corner from my house, and had just turned right onto a street with a hill. Suddenly, my car started sputtering so I immediately tried to pull over. I wasn't completely out of the street when I suddenly lost all power brakes and power steering going down the hill at 25 miles per hour. I couldn't stop the car so I put it in park, which stopped it instantly, causing my neck to jerk, which has been sore from whiplash for the past four days so far. I had the car towed to the mechanic who found bits of my timing belt all through the motor, which blew the entire engine. After hearing that it would be over $3,000 for a used engine installed, we've been trying to determine our next move, financially.
I am listing this vehicle identification number to fulfill your request on the safety complaint form, however I believe what I am about to share is an issue that applies to all vehicles on the road today, regardless of their source of motive power, if they have a hydraulic-brake system. I believe the current federal specifications for brake lines are too susceptible to corrosion, and although the materials brake lines are made of on most vehicles, probably meet federal standards. Federal standards for this and other vehicle parts should evolve more frequently, sensitive to modernization and field experience. Corrosion-resistant brake lines are available and federal statutes should be upgraded to specify they be constructed of more durable material and also be positioned in vehicles to increase their ease of replacement. Replacement of just the rusted sections of my rear brake lines cost me approximately $3000, and most of that cost was driven by brake line inaccessibility. Brake lines are typically one of the first components installed during vehicle assembly and several layers of components are then placed over them. Given the difficulty of replacement they should be one of the most durable components in the vehicle and calculated to last an appropriate multiple of the vehicle’s service life that is economically feasible.
Right rear parking brake cable rusted through and snapped. Result: no parking brake (no hand brake). Local mechanics advised us that this is a very common problem with this model. It cannot be fixed. Saturn is no longer in business. Gm no longer sells this cable. None of the aftermarket companies make a cable that fits this make/model/year.
The brake pedal goes all the way to the floor causing extended stopping distance. Dealer has been notified. Ph.