2003 SATURN L200 — PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

I LEFT MY HOUSE (RELEASED MY PARKING BRAKE) AND WENT FOR A SHORT DRIVE 3-4 MILES. MY BRAKES FAILED AND THE REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT FROM THE WHEEL. MY MECHANIC AND I CHECKED THE CAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE SHOWED A COMPLETE CORROSION BREAKDOWN OF THE CABLE SHEATHING. THE CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW 2003, I HAVE OWNED THE ENTIRE TIME, NO ACCIDENTS OR ANY SERVICE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER. THERE IS NO CORROSION ON ANYTHING ELSE ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CABLE SEEMED TO BE INSTALLED WITH A LOOP WHICH POOLED MOISTURE AT A LOW POINT IN THE SHEATHING CASE OF THE CABLE. THE SHEATHING COMPLETELY CORRODED AT THAT POINT. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WAS NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING MY PROBLEM AND I WENT TO A PRIVATE SERVICE STATION. THE CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL NEED A NEW DRUM DUE TO THE OVERHEATING. *NM