2001 Saturn LS: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn ls. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH the cruise control independently engaged and the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence; however, the following day when the contact started the vehicle, the windshield wipers independently engaged. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Electrical · 221,744 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn ls200. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, smoke started to emit from the ignition switch. The switch then burst into flames. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition control module and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure and current mileage was 221,744.

Filed Dec 21, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I replaced the heater control switch, blower motor, and resistor due to the fact that the heater blower would not work. After doing all the above, the heater still did not work. It appears that the wiring harness behind the heater control was the problem. Two of the prongs in the white plug were burnt and did not allow the dc electric current to go into the heater control unit. It is lucky that the fan went out before it had caught fire. There are two children who ride in the car, one 5 years old and one 9 years old. I was surprised that the 40 amp fuse did not blow even though the circuit kept coming on and off. We had already changed the engine 3-4 years ago because the timing chain broke and saturn would not fix.

Filed Apr 21, 2008 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · AZ · fire

The blinker / light handle on the left hand side of the steering wheel, which also controls the bright lights. When I turn the blinker on either turning left or right, the bright lights come on, and causes the blinker electrical wiring to arc and cause a small fire in the steering column area, which emits smoke into the cabin of the vehicle, also an odor of burning wires. At one point there was a small fire in that area, which caused me to have to pull over and blow out manually (do not have a place for a fire extinguisher in the vehicle). Ever since that day, it has done this, arcing and causing the smoke in the cabin. One time only has it flared up with visible flames and it did not destroy the vehicle, nor caused any other damage of any sort. However it still does cause the arcing in the wiring and cause the smoke to fill part of cabin.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Brakes · 48,700 miles · NY

Noticed a burning rubber smell from the rt rear of the vehicle and then from the left rear tire of the vehicle. Hubcap very warm after a short travel distance, back brakes made a grinding sound. Went to use parking brake, could not lift up brake. Parking brake inoperable. Took to get repaired, was told that the parking brake cable was bound up, due to corrosion, causing the connection cables to bind up both rear brakes, unable to be released, which caused the brake shoes to melt on both rear wheels, causing the pad to rub against the rotor and, metal to metal, heat up and cause burning smell. Need to have new back rotors, brakes shoes, brake pads, parking brake fixed, new cables, and spring clips replaced. All parts need to be new as the rotors are damaged due to brake hangup. Back rotors have had to be replace 3 times on this vehicle so far.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Electrical · NC · fire

The consumer received a recall notice( 03c06) replacement ignition switch. While driving,the consumer noticed smoke was coming from the steering column. The vehicle caught fire. The driver extinguished the fire. The driver has contacted the dealer for a appointment and inspection. The driver informed the mechanic this problem has not been resolved after the recall was fixed. *jb

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Electrical · NC

After repairs,steering wheel started smoking. *bf the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs to the ignition module. About a month and a half after the repairs the vehicle caught on fire in the area around the steering wheel. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer who did the recall repairs, but they indicated that the consumer would have to pay for any diagnosis and repair.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Electrical · 45,500 miles · FL · fire

While parked vehicle caught on fire which started underneath the dashboard.

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Seats · 39,281 miles · IL · fire

Traveling home from work in rush hour traffic smoke started coming up from under the drivers side seat. I was in the left lane of traffic and had to work my way across to get off the highway. While crossing lanes the back of the seat started giving away and lowered to a reclining and almost laying down position. I thought the car was on fire and especially the seat. I made it to the road side, got out of my car and frantically called the saturn dealer for help. The person on the phone told me my car was out of warranty and she could not help me. She suggested I call my insurance agency. Not only am I frightened over what I just went through but now I'm stranded because saturn does not give roadside service help if you are just out of warranty.

Filed Jun 21, 2001 · Electrical · WA · fire

After being drivenvehicle stopped, and flames were coming from engine. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer's technician did not know what caused the fire.