Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from the steering wheel into the vehicle and the high beams activated without being prompted. The high beams failed to turn off causing the contact to detach the headlights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,680.
2000 Saturn LS: headlights failing or too dim
23 of the 382 complaints about the 2000 Saturn LS describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 77,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 3 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
I have a 2000 saturn ls 1 that I had bought in june 14 2012 @ the us truck & auto on us. 31 south here in traverse city michigan 49685. The salesperson's name is[xxx]. I was on craigs list looking for a reliable car and I came upon us truck & auto and wyane would not let me test drive the car and that the car is in perfect running condition until march 14,2014 my wheel came off at a stoplight getting to go on green but didn't move far. And when I got the car the dome light wasn't working and a wire had been disconnected from the daytime head lamp and burned out tail lights. Since I purchased it at a car dealership I took they had the vehicle inspected but learned later that wayne does not always have the vehicles inspected that he puts on his lots but sells lemons. He would rather sale a lemon or a vehicle that will in danger a person then to follow the laws and make sure the vehicles are road safe before he sells them. I needed a car because I have a friend that has issues with her back and legs plus we live 7 to 8 miles out of traverse city, mi and don't have much money to do much of anything right now. My friend and I love this car the engine and transmission are fairly new. We have tried to ask for help getting the car fixed from churches and other organizations but even they barely have the money to help. The buses here refuse to work for us and taxis are way to much money to take us shopping for food or doctor's appointments. Please help us get our car fixed or maybe even a different 4 cylinder car. Thank you for your time! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2000 saturn ls1 with smoke coming out of the steering column**cc the dealer stated the reason for the smoke was because the headlight switch had shorted out. The consumer also stated the tail lights were shortening out.
Customer has several questions about his saturn including ignition and tire replacement**cc the crank sensor was replaced, the shift light indicator in the drive position went out while the headlights were on. The AC was not cooling when the vehicle was in idle. The tires had sever cupping following four cross rotations due to a bad rear wheel alignment. The ignition would not unlock.
Brake lights fail when you push on the brakes when the headlights are on. The plastic welds holding the rear housing to the taillight reflector melt and the rear housing shorts out the brake light..
Exterior lighting - brake lights and cruise control. Brake lights randomly fail to work. When the headlights are on, brake lights, tail lights and cruise control do not work. We were able to adjust the lights slighty to get them to work for a period of time, but they would go off and on. We were not aware of this problem until driving at 10:30 p.m. And being told we have no rear lights. Have changed the light bulbs a few times and also have been to the dealer 5 + times on this issue. The last time they replaced the complete light sockets. This seems to have stopped the problem for now.
The headlights tend to pulse intermittently when on the road at night. Other drivers assume that this is an emergency vehicle, and tend to stop and pull over unexpectedly, which the owner anticipates that an accident can occur. Manufacturer contacted and was aware of the problem.*ak..consumer has almost been hit by 18 wheelers twice when they thought that consumer was flashing the headlights to signal okay to come over, but was actually beside the trailers. Luckily, consumer's vehicle was able to move over and avoid an accident. Saturn claimed that the lights were operating within normal parameters, and will not fix them. Consumer disagreed claiming that pulsing lights, when vehicle was cruising at 65 MPH, was not normal. Could be dangerous, and very distracting.
My 2000 saturn ls2 continually suffers from failing brake lights when the headlights are turned on. To alleviate the problem, I remove the brake light assembly and clean the electrical connections. Saturn refuses to correct this faulty design without charging me for the repair. My car is out of warranty, but saturn needs to step up and repair this safety design issue.
Faulty electrical tail lights; when headlights are on brake lights dont come on. Head lights off tail lights come on. Also, interior dashlights dim upon the depression of the brake. I have seen many other saturns with same problem...its only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
I noticed my brake lights and tail lights were not working all the time...upon further inspection it appears that the brake lights do not work when the headlights and/or tail lights are on. There is definitely a wiring problem... I have had several electrical problems with this vehicle, which is only 4 years old... The door locks and electric windows have been broken, and the intermittent wiper setting does not work properly.
There is an internal short in the tail light housings that results in no tail lights when brakes are hit or headlights are on.
Since car was bought problems with the electrical system. The car goes cuts off when it feels like it. Said it was a loose ground wire. They fixed it and not even two miles down the road it did it again. The if I would step on the brakes too hard the "service engine" light would go on. Usually the car computer would note a code if the service light would go on it didnt. Then a puff of smoke came from the stirring wheel and the dealership told me that it was from a piece of dust. No two months later the switch for the high beams would flash on and off and then it would stay on after you shut off the car. They turn on when they want when the car is off. We have also replaced the passenger airbag because the airbag started coming out of the dash board. The dashboard is also bubbling around the area where the airbag sits.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water...
- Information on intermittent dimming (flickering) of headlamps and/or instrument panel lighting-normal...
- Service wrench lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code P1811 maximum adapt and long shifts
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.
- Risk
- This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876.
Recall number 05V245000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." because of a problem in the hazard warning switch assembly, the turn signal lamps may not work or may work intermittently when the driver uses the turn signal lever or hazard warning switch. If the vehicle turn signal indicators are not flashing, then the turn signal lamps may not be flashing.
- Risk
- Other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning and a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch assembly.
Recall number 99V199000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2000 Saturn LS headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2000 Saturn LS?
23 of 382 owner complaints about the 2000 Saturn LS (6%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2000 Saturn LS?
There are 2 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2000 Saturn LS
Won't start 24Stalling 22Loss of power 21Engine failure 19Fire or smoke 9Ball joint 8Wipers 8Check engine light 7Jerking 6Tire blowout 6Door locks 5Knocking 5Misfire 5Premature wear 5Steering noise 5
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