Rear tail lights will not work. Have checked all fuses relays,and even changed the turn signal switch. My car is currently at the garage. Original appointment was only for inspection. Mechanic has not yet located the issue. Also has no dash lights. Parking lights. Had I known this in advance would have returned car immediately.
2002 Saturn LS lights problems
73 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000.
- owner complaints
- 73
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Headlights27
- Brake lights11
- Tail lights5
- Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch3
- Headlights: switch2
- Turn signal1
- Headlights: concealment devices1
- Brake 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 2002 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 2002 Saturn LS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While the vehicle is running and driving down the road the headlights will turn off along with all the dash lights and all the gauges will go to zero, the interior light will turn on and it will ding (it acts like you are shutting the car off and opening the door) a couple seconds later everything will turn on and quit dinging all the dash lights will be on (like when you start the car) back and forth on and off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn ls. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a turn, smoke emitted from the steering column and the turn signal lever was engaged. The failure occurred whenever the left or right turn signals were engaged. There were no flames present. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v231000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn saturn ls. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel began smoking, the headlights flickered, and the check engine light illuminated. In addition, the engine was smoking and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact stated that the rear lights were continuously burning out and the bolt was cracking. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was already repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v245000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact stated that the vehicles headlights continuously turned on and off while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealership where the technician stated the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,500 and the current mileage was 90,000.
The tail-light/brake light keeps losing contact and going on and off at random, now stays off on the passenger side all the time. There is a faulty connection and it seems like there has been problems with this issue in the past with these cars according to reviews.
Affected parts drop box not functional. Electrical system is defective. Noticed smoke from turn signal area. Pulled to emergency lane, pulled off rubber flap and smoke was pouring into cabin. Turned car off. Could not see flames, smoke stopped after a few minutes. Needless to say turn signals, headlight dimmer, radio, blower motor, door locks are now all malfunctioning. Already had to pay for bcm replacement as not covered under recalls. This make/model is dangerous and needs all complaints addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn l200. The contact stated she was made aware by a police officer that the tail lights were not illuminating. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the light bulb socket and plastic insert had melted. The vehicle was previously included and repaired under a manufacturer's recall for the exterior lighting. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Approx. March 2013 started having this problem, never before! Driving home as it got dark and head lights running on dusk to dawn "sensor" head lights all of a sudden started going from day time running lights to low beam and back to high beam the whole ride home which took approx. 1 hour. Has happened again off and on and had the car in the shop twice for this problem and they said they could not find anything wrong and that the e-mails they get says it is " normal operating conditions???" I don't think so when your lights keep going up and down ( high- low) and expecting someone thinking you are letting them out and pull out in from of you. Garage claims there is no solution, so this is why we are writing, what do we do?? Realize it is a 2002 but never had the problem and now it's not able to be solved?? Very scary when driving at night??
Questions about the 2002 Saturn LS lights
Does the 2002 Saturn LS have lights problems?
Owners have filed 73 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Saturn LS, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Saturn LS lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 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 2002 Saturn LS problems
Engine 242Electrical 102Fuel system 45Transmission 26Suspension 18Brakes 15Steering 12Tires 12Body 10Visibility 9Acceleration 8Airbags 6Driver assistance 3Locks 3Seat belts 3Wheels 2Seats 1
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