Having trouble with brake lights bulbs and 3rd brake light
2001 Saturn LS lights problems
52 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,253. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 59,253
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Tail lights13
- Brake lights13
- Headlights6
- Turn signal2
- Headlights: switch2
- Turn signal: switch1
- Turn signal: flasher unit1
- Tail lights: switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Saturn LS lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Saturn LS lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
Related investigations
Headlamps flicker off and on
This pe was opened based on six odi complaints that headlamps flicker off and on, and two odi complaints that the switch is hot to the touch.the investigation has found no occurrences of headlamps going out.the complaints are due to sporadic dimming (flickering) of the headlamps as a result of variation of the voltage to the headlamps.gm has shown that a 1.5 -2.0 voltage drop occurs when other electrical devices are activated, however at no time do the headlamps turn completely off.with respect to allegations that the headlamp switch is hot to the touch, gm reports that the ambient temperature of the switch is 35 degrees c which is not hot enough to burn a finger or hand.in may 2001, gm modified the headlamp switch crimping operation to eliminate the occurrence of hot switches.odi evaluated the complaints and warranty returns and found no evidence of melting or burning. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE03017
What 2001 Saturn LS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
2nd owner of vehicle, tail lamps had over heating issue, the federal safety agency 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.
My brake lights have again gone out at the same time. Last time the mechanic stated it was an electrical issue.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency complaint (#05v245000) already filed (but not found at the federal safety agency) with mfg campaign #05052 for 2001 l200 sedans, but no VIN #'s ranges avail.}
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.
Questions about the 2001 Saturn LS lights
Does the 2001 Saturn LS have lights problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Saturn LS, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Saturn LS lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,253 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Saturn LS lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 05V245000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Saturn LS have the most lights problems?
The Saturn LS model years with the most lights complaints are 2002 (73 complaints), 2000 (63 complaints) and 2001 (52 complaints).
Other 2001 Saturn LS problems
Engine 339Electrical 80Transmission 30Steering 29Suspension 29Fuel system 24Brakes 22Airbags 16Acceleration 12Tires 11Seats 5Visibility 5Body 2Seat belts 2Locks 1
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