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Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem

42 messages,  Last post on Feb 17, 2013 at 9:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn Sky, Car Safety, Convertible

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#1 of 42 Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem by carguy916

Oct 25, 2007 (1:22 pm)

Bought my Sky 3 weeks ago. Right away I discovered a problem - the brakes don't work after the car has been sitting overnight in the garage. The engine has to warm up before the brakes work! I almost took out a side mirror backing out of the garage the first morning.
 
Saturn says it is common to turbos. Don't you think they would warn new buyers before they back into people and/or property?
 
Anyone else notice this problem?

#2 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [carguy916] by claires HOST

Oct 25, 2007 (11:37 pm)

Replying to: carguy916 (Oct 25, 2007 1:22 pm)
I don't own a Sky, but do have a turbo and don't have this problem; it seems kind of weird that there would be a connection. If you do a google search, you'll see that some people have had a "cold start = no brakes" problem.

#3 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [claires] by medicup

Nov 20, 2007 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: claires (Oct 25, 2007 11:37 pm)
I too bought an '08 Redline on Oct 26th of this year. Within 48 hours I experienced the same brake problem and promptly called Saturn to ask for a mechanic to take a look at it. I was informed this was "normal" and I needed to allow the car to 'warm up' first. I've built a few hot-rods in my time and I thought the brakes felt like the vacuum booster was failing. Upon furthing questioning the Saturn mech's admitted that the vacuum booster was indeed not functional after sitting for awhile and required a few minutes of running to become operational. I then contacted Saturn corporate asking for clarification and they sent me a bulletin they send to their mechanics stating that this vacuum booster failure was a "normal" thing and part of the design. They further state that a hydraulic booster is designed to assist with the problem but that drivers may "encounter a need for additional pedal force during low vacuum driving conditions". I countered them with "admitting you have a design flaw in your brakes doesn't alleviate you from the liability associated with that flaw, you need to get your engineers on a fix for this immediately". Then I got a phone call from the district PR person with the typical "we value your call" BS but no answers. The end result is this. Saturn, in 2008, is offering a $30+K car that has brakes which don't work when the car is started. I can't wait to hear about the first person that walks out, starts their new Sky, throws it in reverse and backs through a garage door, into a car, over their dog, over their child, over their neighbor, because they "didn't let the car warm up". The problem is made worse by the fact that if the engine is cold, it's running at an accelerated idle at the time and you almost can't stop the thing. Several times I've emergently thrown mine from reverse to neutral (automatic) just to get my "additional pedal pressure" to stop it. Those of you with manuals aren't seeing this as bad because you're inherently pressing on the clutch as you attempt to brake.
 
To add insult to injury, when I've "gotten on it" playing around I find the Stabilitrak is "Stabili-scary". You lay into a turn and romp on it and all of a sudden you feel various wheels braking suddenly placing the car into a rocking, countersteering mess. If you're gonna play around, turn that piece of junk off!
 
Sorry folks, the car looks good, it's very fast and sexy, but it's a dangerous car in my opinion. I can't recommend any of my friends purchase one until Saturn steps up and fixes this. I sure hope someone at Saturn got a demotion over this. If I could sell this thing and come out even I would do it today.
 
Sorry Saturn, this was my third car from you. I don't see a 4th in your future.
 
Disappointing to say the least.
WW

#4 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [medicup] by carguy916

Nov 21, 2007 (11:36 am)

Replying to: medicup (Nov 20, 2007 9:02 pm)
Medicup, you said you couldn't wait for someone to have an accident due to the faulty brakes, well it has already happened... go to the Sky Forum:
http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20867. Someone backed into a neighbor's tree. Good thing it was a tree and not a person.
 
Personally, I love my Sky, despite the brakes. I am actually enjoying driving again. I'm sure a fix will be forthcoming. In the meantime, we all need to file complaints with the NHTSA (the address is in the manual). Like you, it did me no good to complain to Saturn.
 
JJH

#5 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [carguy916] by saffy3

Nov 25, 2007 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: carguy916 (Oct 25, 2007 1:22 pm)
I have an early '08 Redline with this problem.
Actually it is not a turbo problem, it is a problem on late '07 & early '08 models - they changed the vacuum system for the brakes. But I have heard that they have changed it again.
It is being fixed on the affected models only if you make noise to the dealer & manufacturer.
The problem can also be avoided if you will just let the car warm up for a couple of minutes so the vacuum for the brakes can build up.

#6 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [saffy3] by carguy916

Nov 26, 2007 (10:31 am)

Replying to: saffy3 (Nov 25, 2007 5:58 pm)
Noise to the dealer and manufacturer have done nothing to date. I encourage all with these brake problems to file complaints - with Saturn (who will send you a "So Sorry" form letter) and with the NHTSA.

#7 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky - Brakes Problem [carguy916] by tinoonit

Nov 28, 2007 (8:52 am)

Replying to: carguy916 (Oct 25, 2007 1:22 pm)
Bought my car 3 weeks ago and have the same problem. It's so scary!!!
Last night took it to the dealer, they gave me a rent a car and now I'm waiting to see what happens.
I can assure you, I did NOT buy this car to have to warm it up every single time in order for the brakes to work correctly at start-up.

#8 of 42 Saturn Sky Brake Problems by tinoonit

Nov 28, 2007 (8:57 am)

My 08' Sky Redline is only a month old. This happens to me too! It's so scary! I filed complaints on www.NHTSA.com and I took it to the dealer last night. I now have a rent a car and await to see what they are going to say. Others say to let the car warm up each time to get the brakes to work properly. Like i'm going to do that each time. No way! If the car is not fixed, I may return the car. What if someone else were to drive the car or if I took it to a valet???????
 
Someone could be hurt, killed, or my car might be wrecked. I'm very upset.

#9 of 42 Re: Saturn Sky Brake Problems [tinoonit] by carguy916

Nov 30, 2007 (10:17 am)

Replying to: tinoonit (Nov 28, 2007 8:57 am)
Hey Tinoonit, let me know what the dealer finally decides. When I took my Redline to the dealer, they scratched their heads and finally called Saturn. Saturn's reply was - it's normal, just let it warm up before driving!!!! I told the mgr at the dealership. Now they warn new buyers. This is too much liability exposure for Saturn to continue to ignore forever. A fix must be forthcoming.

#10 of 42 Hey... by iluvmysephia1

Dec 07, 2007 (12:38 pm)

has anyone learned anything new about this Saturn Sky "no brakes are available until the car warms up" issue that would care to share it with the rest of us?

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