Parking Brake Problems of Saturn SL1

Saturn SL1 owners have reported 5 parking brake related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common parking brake problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's parking brake (5 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.

Table 1. Parking Brake related problems of Saturn SL1

Problem Category Number of Problems
Parking Brake problems
5

Parking Brake problem #1

The contact owns 1999 Saturn Sl1. The contact was driving 45 mph when the shift cable fractured and caused the vehicle to shift into neutral. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle. On a later date, the contact applied the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle. When he returned, the emergency brake had independently disengaged. The contact discovered that the emergency brake button was defective. The contact was able to order the necessary part from the dealer to make repairs himself. The contact was concerned that had he been parked on a hill, the vehicle could potentially have rolled away. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Parking Brake problem #2

My hand brake button suddenly popped out showing to be broken and I could no longer put the hand brake in place. Still trying to find a fix. Difficult to park on steep driveways.

Parking Brake problem #3

I have a 1996 Saturn Sl1. One day I went to pull up the parking brake and found that the little button had popped off and landed on the dash, the spring ended up on the floor. The button is plastic and one side that latched in to keep it in place apparently broke. To use the parking brake I would have to put the spring and button back on and engage the brake, then let it pop off again or just take it off. I haven't been able to replace it yet as I understand they don't sell just the part for the 1996 Saturn.

Parking Brake problem #4

Parking brake fell apart causing vehicle to roll backwards into street, the spring found on the floor.

Parking Brake problem #5

Parking brake switch failed.



SL1 Service Bulletins
SL1 Safety Recalls