Tl* the contact owned a 2002 saturn l. The contact stated that the vehicle began to slow down without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The vehicle began to emit smoke from the hood and suddenly caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was totaled. There were no injuries and a report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Saturn LS fire or smoke problems
27 of the 1,458 owner complaints about the Saturn LS describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 90,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Headlights 5Wipers 2Tire blowout 2Loss of power 1Fuel smell 1Fuel pump 1Fuel leak 1Door locks 1
What owners say
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.
Smoke started coming from the turn signal switch in the steering wheel column it got worse and then the handle melted off and then in minutes the flames ignited and the car was completely inflamed. Right before this happened my daughter drove the car up the street to take my son to the bus stop when she brought it back home the smoke started from the steering wheel column. The car was parked in my driveway about 30 feet from my house
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.
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.
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.
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 l100. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as engine power began to reduce independently. The contact merged to the shoulder, shut off and then restarted the vehicle. The contact then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contact and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the brakes, fuel filter and fuel line would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000 and the current mileage was 168,000.
I own a 2002 saturn l200 with about 74,000 miles. My wife noticed a faint gas smell coming from the rear of the car. A visual inspection by my mechanic didn't show much. However within a few days the leak had gotten much worse so that gas could be seen leaking from the top of the tank. I hate to think what would of happened if my wife and children were in the car and the gas leaked a few more inches toward the muffler. On september 14, 2010 I had the fuel pump module (part 22710031) replaced at a cost of $655.87. I see other saturn owners have had the same dangerous problem. Why has this not be recalled? Last year the timing chain broke and wrecked the engine. Also a common, but as of yet, not recalled problem. At least that wouldn't have set the car on fire.
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.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: module
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l l4 (l61) engines, a failure of the ignition control module may cause deterioration in idle quality, reduction in overall engine power, and the vehicle may be hard to start. Continued operation of the vehicle after such an ignition module failure will result in the "service engine soon" light flashing, and may lead to secondary failures of the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and exhaust resonator.
- Risk
- Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will (1) replace the ignition control module, (2) replace the ignition control module and spark plugs, or (3) replace the ignition control module, spark plugs, and update the powertrain control module calibration. Owner notification began on august 4, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, prompt 3.
Recall number 03V231000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn LS fire or smoke
Which Saturn LS years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (10 complaints), 2000 (9 complaints) and 2002 (8 complaints).
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