2004 Saturn L300: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 75,000 miles · CA

I own a 2004 saturn l300; on several occasions over the past several weeks I have seen wisps of smoke coming from the steering column, followed by a strong smell of burning plastic. The area behind the steering wheel is extremely hot to the touch, and I am told it is a fire hazard and that the headlamp stalks need to be replaced for overheating, which may run up to $600 with labor. I have been forced to pull my car over on busy roads, in heavy traffic to let it cool before restarting, and am worried that the faulty wires will cause a fire.

Filed Jan 11, 2007 · Lights · 20,000 miles · IN

Tl* - the contact's 2004 saturn l300 with an odometer reading of 21000 miles, headlights, interior lights, and dash board lights flicker on and off while driving. The contact first noticed the failure in november of 2006, since the vehicle was driven mostly in the day time the failure may have been occurring previously. The contact took the vehicle to saturn of fishers in indiana, where after having the vehicle for two days he was told that a safety bulletin had been released about this issue and informed the contact that this is a normal condition for the vehicle. The contact believes this is a safety issue and may cause an accident. The contact is also worried that police may stop him due to the faulty lights.

Filed Dec 20, 2004 · Lights · 22,000 miles · TX

While driving headlights flashed from bright to dim. This occurred every 30 seconds. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that what was happening with the headlights was normal. Consumer later contacted the manufacturer, and they also said that what the vehicle was experiencing was normal.

Filed Oct 17, 2004 · Electrical · 500 miles · CT

Purchased on 9/17/04. After 1 1/2 weeks, noticed that headlights and dashboard lights intermittently dim on & off every 1/2 to 1 mile. Took to saturn, was told that this was a normal characteristic, they changed sun sensor thought to be the problem. This did not fix my problem and it appears that the problem has worsened. The saturn corporation has maintained that this is a normal characteristic in this car and refused to do any further repairs. I was also told that the problem with the headlights would not be noticeable to any traffic on the road. However due to my experiences and others I have read on the internet, that this is not true and could potentially become an extremely dangerous and lethal situation. I feel this is a serious safety defect, any saturn with this problem should be immediately taken off the highways until this situation is repaired. It has come to my attention now that saturn of hartford had in its possession notification since january 2004 from saturn corporation that the l300 series vehicle could have this flaw and that saturn refuses to repair it. I am extremely upset that I was not notified of this situation prior to buying the car because it would have changed my mind as to which vehicle I would have purchased. I am now scared to drive this vehicle at night.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Lights · 8,300 miles · CO

While driving at night headlights flickered on and off intermittently. *ak

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Lights · MN

Intermittently while driving at night with the headlightson they will cut on off for a length of time of 20 to 30 seconds, leaving consumer without vision of the road. Dealer was contacted, and stated we never heard of such problem, call the federal safety agency.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Lights · 11,000 miles · IL

While driving at night time both headlights glazed over, almost opaque, resulting in extremely reduced headlight visibility during the night. Thus, obstructing consumer's view. Dealership indicated to the consumer that headlights operated as designed by the manufacturer, nothing they could do.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Electrical · 8,700 miles · GA

Intermittently while driving at night the headlights and dashboard lightsblink on and off. The lights would stay off for a few seconds then come back on again. The dealer claimed that this was perfectly normal. This problem occurred four times in the last two weeks. *ak the consumer indicated tha the vehiclke also lost power while drivng. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to determined the cause of the problem.

Filed Jun 19, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 3,700 miles · GA

We have recently purchased an 04 l300 and have stated having problems with the headlights and dash lights. While driving at night, the headlights and dash lights have gone off and come back on. On one such occassion, a tractor trailer pulled over on us thinking we had notified him to do so. It was just by the grace of god we were not crushed. Later that same night, a police officer pulled us over wanting to know why we were blinking our head lights at him. We explained the problem and were told that he could right us a ticket but would not this time and to get the problems corrected. After taking this issue to our saturn dealership, we were told that according to a memo dated february 2004 that "this is normal characteristic" for this vehicle. The dealership and corp. Have refused to do anything to assist with correcting this problem. The car is only 3 months old and still under warranty but they suggested that we pay $450 for a new alternator and purchase another extended bumper to bumper warranty. All stating that this may not correct the problem. This is a serious safety issue that is going to result in someones death if not corrected. What does it take to get this handled? Please advise with assistance in pursuing a recall or having my car declared a lemon.

Filed May 25, 2004 · Lights · PA

We just recently purchashed our new car. We were driving on the highway at night. The lights (head lights and dash lights) kept getting dim almost as if they were going to go out. We thought maybe we had a wire that had not been tightened or that had come lose. Other cars think we are blinking our lights at them. What happens if a big truck thinks we are giving him the "all clear to come over in front of me"? The car was taken in to the service dept and we were told that it was "intermittent dimming (flickering) of headlamps and/or instrument panel lighting-normal characteristic. This may occur because of transient current loads on the electrical system during normal vehicle operation" per the tsb (technical service bulletin). Why werent we told about this before we purchased the car?? The lights dont "flicker" they get dim to the point they are almost going out! So how can this problem be considered "normal"? So much for a new car!

Filed Mar 21, 2004 · Electrical · 3,000 miles · OH

The headlights and dash lights dim almost all the way out unpredictably. The dash light dimming draws the driver's attention away from the road, while the headlights dimming draws the attention of other drivers and the police. Many drivers think that you are signaling them and this can lead to road rage incidents. Also, in many states signaling other drivers of a police presence is against the law. This is a safety issue as on many occasions I have lost sight of the road while driving. It is only blind luck that prevented me from being involved in a major accident.

Filed Nov 26, 2003 · Lights · WV

The headlights created a shadow on the road which caused poor visibility while driving at night. The dealer indicated to the consumer that the headlights could not be adjusted to remove the shadow. Please provide further details.