Livingston, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HAVING TROUBLE WITH BRAKE LIGHTS BULBS AND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11030708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 Saturn LS headlight problems
57 of the 708 complaints about the 2001 Saturn LS are about the lighting — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 58,876 miles.
57
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Tail Lights
13
22.8%
Brake Lights
13
22.8%
Exterior Lighting
12
21.1%
Headlights
6
10.5%
Interior Lighting
4
7.0%
Switch
2
3.5%
Turn Signal
2
3.5%
Switch
1
1.8%
Flasher Unit
1
1.8%
Switch
1
1.8%
Lights across every Saturn LS year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Ecorse, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE SATURN L SERIES WHEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE WILL STALL CAUSING IMMINENT HARM TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD AT NIGHT IS SO DIM THAT IT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER. THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11011455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 miles
Salem, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I'M HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS RECALL 05V245000. EXAMINING MY CAR CONFIRMS THIS WAS NOT REPLACED. IT HAS SHORTED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES HAVING ME DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME WITH NO LIGHTS! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10970631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,800 miles
Kihei, HI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HAD BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THE TAIL-LIGHT ASSEMBLY AROUND THE BULB OPENING TO MELT AND PREVENT THE BULB FROM BEING PULLED OUT. I CHECKED THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT MELTED BUT THERE WAS BLACK BURN MARKS ON THE WIRE HARNESS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB PLUGS INTO. FIVE OF THE SIX CENTER-HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHTS HAD ALSO BURNED OUT BUT NO MELTING OR CHARRED MARKS WERE NOTED. I ALSO HAVE A CRACK IN THE CENTER PART OF THE VANITY TRUNK ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER, HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS IN THE ASSEMBLY SO IT IS NOT A BIG CONCERN FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10565007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stoneham, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, TAIL LAMPS HAD OVER HEATING ISSUE, NHTSA ISSUED RECALL ON 2 JUNE 2005, SATURN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING AUTO IS TO OLD. DATE FOR FIXING ISSUE IS 10 YEARS FROM DATE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. WAS TOLD BY A SATURN "CUSTOMER CARE REP." THAT ADAPTERS WERE INSTALLED IN FEB 2009. AUTO WASN'T REGISTERED IN 2009, AND NO ADAPTERS HAVE EVER BEEN INSTALLED. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN LIVING ON A VERY MEAGER MONTHLY INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS. I AM DRIVING THIS AUTO WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ASIDE FROM ANTI-COLLISION LAMP AT TOP OF REAR WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THIS LETTER HAS MORE IMPACT THAN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, AS OF TODAY. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10563367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 miles
Mechanicsville, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE AGAIN GONE OUT AT THE SAME TIME. LAST TIME THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10350357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Haven, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY 2001 L200 SATURN HAD A PROBLEM WITH DASH LIGHTS/AND GAUGES DIMMING AND AT TIMES I HAD NO INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS....IT ENDED UP BEING A MAIN MODULE WHICH COST ME $595. SEEMS LIKE READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THEY HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS A SATURN PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS FOR FREE. I HAVE REPLACED THE STEERING BOX, STRUTS FRONT/REAR...STABILIZER REAR BAR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE.....I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I HAVE PUT MORE MONEY IN THIS THAN MY OTHER TWO SATURN'S WHICH I HAD ONLY NORMAL THINGS; TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. I WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT THIS 3RD ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10329460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 miles
Moorhead, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY DAYTIME LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING. THIS EVENTUALLY LED TO FLICKERING OF MY NIGHT LIGHTS, THEN MY BRIGHT LIGHTS. IT TOOK MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP 6 HOURS TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THEY CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR THE PART, WHICH THE REPAIR SHOP DID NOT EXPECT THEM TO HAVE. SURPRISINGLY THEY DID. THE COMMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS THEY FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SHORT IN THE RELAY; THE REPLACEMENT FIXED THE FLICKERING OF THE NIGHT LIGHTS. IN ORDER TO FIX THE DAYTIME & BRIGHT LIGHTS, MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE AND A RE-SETTING OF THE COMPUTER, COSTING OVER $700. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE SPECIALIZED COMPUTER THEY HAVE FOR THE SATURNS. MY LIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO FLICKER AS I REFUSE TO PAY $700 FOR A "COMMON PROBLEM" THAT SATURN HAS NOT RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10255077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,363 miles
Diamond BAR, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR BRAKE LIGHT (LEFT) GOING OUT YEARLY. HOUSING WARPED/MELTED--EXTREME DIFFICULTY REMOVING BULBS. SERVICE DEALER R. CONFIRMED CHANGING BULBS AND HARNESS BUT NOT THE PLASTIC HOUSING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY (03-11-2006: PAPERWORK AVAIL.) {GOOGLED PROBLEM:FOUND A SITE THAT STATES NHTSA COMPLAINT (#05V245000) ALREADY FILED (BUT NOT FOUND AT NHTSA) WITH MFG CAMPAIGN #05052 FOR 2001 L200 SEDANS, BUT NO VIN #'S RANGES AVAIL.}
NHTSA complaint #10229409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,253 miles
Ambridge, PA
1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL (BURNING) ODOR WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE. THE MULTI-FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS VERY HOT ALL THE TIME AND WHEN I REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, IT TOO IS VERY HOT, TO THE POINT OF IT BURNING MY LEG THROUGH MY PANTS POCKET. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASE IT FROM FOR ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION AND ADVISED THE SERVICE TECH OF THIS. HE LATER CALLED TO ADVISED ME THAT THE TURN SIGNALS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SWITCH WAS SMOKING DURING THEIR TEST. HE ADVISED ME THAT THE SWITCH NEED REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $117. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 59,000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THAT THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY/FIRE HAZARD AND THAT THESE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND WEAR PREMATURELY.
NHTSA complaint #10165579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Helena, MT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
SATURN HAS A RECALL ON TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE A 2001 L SERIES SATURN. BOUGHT IT FROM OLDS DEALER IN HELENA MT. THERE ARE NO SATURN DEALERS IN MONTANA. I CALLED THE 800# IN THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY SAID TO GO TO UNDERRINER OLDS IN BILLINGS, APPROXIMATELY 240 MILES AWAY. I BOUGHT IT AT AN OLDS DEALER TWO MILES FROM MY HOUSE. SEEMS TO ME THEY COULD AUTHORIZE THAT OR PAY ME A COUPLE OF DAYS WAGES, GAS, MOTEL, PER DIEM OR HAVE IT FIXED IN HELENA!!! THIS IS REALLY STUPID, BECAUSE MY TAILLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND KEEP WIGGLING LOSE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10144185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Helena, MT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
SATURN HAS A RECALL ON TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE A 2001 L SERIES SATURN. BOUGHT IT FROM OLDS DEALER IN HELENA MT. THERE ARE NO SATURN DEALERS IN MONTANA. I CALLED THE 800# IN THE RECALL LETTER AND THEY SAID TO GO TO UNDERRINER OLDS IN BILLINGS, APPROXIMATELY 240 MILES AWAY. I BOUGHT IT AT AN OLDS DEALER TWO MILES FROM MY HOUSE. SEEMS TO ME THEY COULD AUTHORIZE THAT OR PAY ME A COUPLE OF DAYS WAGES, GAS, MOTEL, PER DIEM OR HAVE IT FIXED IN HELENA!!! THIS IS REALLY STUPID, BECAUSE MY TAILLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND KEEP WIGGLING LOSE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10144185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,365 miles
Whittier, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING RIGHT. RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IS MELTING AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T CONSISTENTLY WORK WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10139690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,343 miles
Wilmington, DE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE INSIDE OF CAR. CAR SMOKING.
NHTSA complaint #10137807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
FYI - COMMENT NOT A COMPLAINT THE ISSUE OF THE TAIL LIGHT GOING DIM OR JUST OUT. SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE STARTING A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT ON THE 00-02 L SERIES STARTING IN OCTOBER. IF THE TAILLIGHT PROBLEM IS CAUSING TO MANY PROBLEM - YOU LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT NO COST REPLACE WITH THE SAME TAIL LIGHT, BUT YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO HAVE YOUR TAIL LIGHT REPLACED ONCE THE NEW DESIGN ONES COME IN. WANT MORE INFO - CALL SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-553-6000.
NHTSA complaint #10135861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 miles
Duncan, SC
Crash
1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. CAR REAR ENDED DURING EARLY MORNING PILE UP ON I-85 DUE TO TIRE FAILURE ON CAR TWO POSITIONS IN ADVANCE. INVESTIGATE CAUSE OF LIGHT FAILURE AND FOUND MELTED/BURNED LIGHT SOCKET AREA. TRIED TO REPAIR THEN CALLED SATURN FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY. INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL IN OCT 05 BUT THAT I COULD PURCHASE THE NEW LIGHT ASSEMBLIES MYSELF AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSEMENT LATER. COST OVER $350.00 PER ASSEMBLY! UNABLE TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT IMMEDIATELY SO I PARKED THE CAR UNTIL THE RECALL LETTER COMES!
NHTSA complaint #10135734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
THE TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2001 SATURN L200 WORK ON AND OFF, MORE OFTEN OFF THAN ON. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED AT LEAST $350.00 TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. ONE OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THAT THE TAIL/BRAKE LAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE SO I'M WONDERING WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS OR ACCIDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PRODUCT RECALLED. FOR OVER A YEAR I WAS BUYING REPLACEMENT BULBS AND THINKING THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING INSTALLING THEM WHEN IN ACTUALITY IT'S NOT THE BULB AT ALL, I'M WONDERING HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE MADE MY MISTAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10124268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1.) LEFT BAKE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT 3 TIMES IN LAST 6 MONTHS. BROUGHT IT IN TO A SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A CIRCUIT PROBLEM ON THE TAIL LAMP CURCUIT BOARD. 2.) NOTHING YET, UNTIL I WOULD GET PULLED OVER FOR A TAIL LIGHT OUT 3.) I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS 3 TIMES, THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. SATURN DEALER SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO HAVE THE CURCUIT BOARD REPLACED, WICH WOULD ROUGHLY BE $140
NHTSA complaint #10122347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,250 miles
Mesa, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AFTER REPEATED REPLACEMENT. NOTICED SAME MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10121711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 miles
Adams, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
LEFT TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. NOW BOTH TAIL LIGHTS AND THE DASH (CONTROL PANEL) LIGHTS HAVE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. FUSES CHECKED & REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT ALL GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS (EXCEPT PARK) ARE LIT UP SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS!
NHTSA complaint #10116466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 miles
Adams, NY
INTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. NOW BOTH TAIL LIGHTS AND THE DASH (CONTROL PANEL) LIGHTS HAVE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. FUSES CHECKED & REPLACED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT ALL GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS (EXCEPT PARK) ARE LIT UP SIMULTANEOUSLY. I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE TRAFFIC TICKETS FOR INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS!
NHTSA complaint #10116466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,068 miles
Whitwell, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TIE ROD END- DRIVERS SIDE. LSO HAVE PROBLEM WITH LEFT BRAKE LIGHT- REPLACED BULB AND KEEPS GOING OUT IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP NOW ENGINE AND COIL PACK BLOWN-- ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO ALERT OF IMPENDING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10116432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 miles
Douglasville, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE CLEARLY DURING NIGHTTIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10117093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 miles
Kyle, TX
1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FAILING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE JAN 2002.
NHTSA complaint #10114851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,300 miles
Charlotte, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
1) REAR LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. RIGHT ONE HAS ALSO FAILED WITHIN THE YEAR. 2) CIRCUIT BOARD SHORTS OUT, RESULTING IN NO BRAKE LIGHT IN FAILED ASSEMBLY WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.*AK 3)ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED, ROUGHLY A $450 REPAIR. OLD PART IS WITH CARMAX ON SOUTH BLVD IN CHARLOTTE, AS THEY ARE MAKING THE REPAIR TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10108357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,425 miles
Nutley, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO LIGHT UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED SOCKET WITH PART SN 21019709. FIRM BELIEF THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW IN THIS SOCKET/TAILIGHT CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10106167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 miles
Miami, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON MY 2001 SATURN L100 HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. GM RECALLED OTHER PRODUCTS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE BULB HOLDERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE ASSEMBLIES ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THESE ASSEMBLIES ARE FAILING SOONER THAN WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF LIGHTBULBS INTERMITTENTLY WORKING FOR ABOUT 1 AND HALF YEARS NOW. IT SEEMS APPARENT THAT THE SYSTEM USED IS INFERIOR IN QUALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10105937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsboro, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
REPEAT TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CIRCUITRY AT POINT WHERE SOCKET ATTACHES HAS FAILED AGAIN, RESULTING IN REPEAT REPLACEMENT OF TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE ASSEMBLY FAILS, VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10104176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herndon, VA
Fire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND THE SMOKE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10101963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,850 miles
Newnan, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS MY WIFE'S 2001 SATURN L300 TURN SIGNALS HAVE BEEN WORKING AND NOT-WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. WE HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL, AND THINK THAT THE SAME AND/OR SIMILAR PROBLEM MAY BE OCCURRING WITH HER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10100527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.