2003 Saturn Vue: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 7, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · GA

It started after turning on my headlights. I was driving home and seen and smelled like he smoke, it was coming from the ignition switch the wires were burning. I turned off car and called my boyfriend. He unclamped the ignition switch and checked, the wires were burned. Once I started the car again my dash lights were not on nor the tail lights but the headlights worked, hazard lights and blinkers all worked. So I drove home with my hazard lights on and my boyfriend following behind me. Had all fuses checked, replaced ignition switch, tail light wiring harness and the fuse box, still no dash lights nor tail lights. I did call your company for help and was told by the agent that he could not help. I did recently found out about some kind of recall. The information I found is below. Recall 05v245000 electrical & lights, october 17, 2005 original recall from the federal safety agency model year(s): 2001, 2002, 2003 manufacturer's report date: october 17, 2005 the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v245000 the federal safety agency action number: pe05010 component: exterior lighting:brake lights potential number of units affected: 291,652

Filed May 14, 2010 · Transmission · CT

The transmission was replaced last fall due to a problem that saturn was already aware of. The vehicle had been rolling back when stopped just like a standard. On 5/6/10, the vehicle started rolling back again, the windshield wipers started acting funny, and the service engine light came on. On 5/12/10, the vehicle was being driven, when the operator noticed a smell like burning plastic and saw smoke coming from the steering column. She pulled into a large parking lot, parked, turned off the vehicle, and called her sister-in-law, who advised her to call the fire department. The engine company responded, and, using a thermal imager, found the signal light / head light switch to be approximately 350 degrees. There was a small bubble of melted plastic and the insulation on some of the wires was melted. The part number found on the component was abd29790608 22679804.

Filed Dec 30, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 41,000 miles · IN

Purchased my saturn vue used in march 2005...at that time I had 6k miles left on the original warranty...in june 2005 took it to my local saturn dealership to take care of all normal issues & get a maint checkup...at that time they replaced the resistor- engine cooling fan (due to blowing hot air when air conditioner was on), head lamp assembly composite on front left (cracked where bolted to frame), obd system upgrade (recall), replacement of rear lateral link assembly (recall), and last the gear shift cable was replaced/adjusted & lubed due to going bad - at that time they never disclosed to me that the gear shift cable had already been replaced 3x's since jan 2003. On dec 24th @ 10:00am...my entire gear shift assembly failed and left me stranded...the car was towed to the dealership that I purchased it from...due to me being 5,000 over my warranty...they were not going to replace it...approx cost of $450. I went directly over to my local dealership....fort wayne, in saturn...a service consultant pulled up the history of my vue and displayed to me that the gear shift had been worked on 4 other times...his service manager stated he would not take care of it due to the warranty had expired & it was not his fault...I called saturn's corporate office informed them of the issue...they informed me that they would get it taken care of with no questions asked...waiting to see what is done...my vehicle is currently at the dealership....as for the service manager @ fw, in saturn dealership...I have heard numerous complaints about how he treats customers from friends that are also saturn owners... 8jb

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Lights · MN

Intermittently while driving at night the headlights failed. This caused poor visibility to the driver. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle , and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the body control module needed to be replaced and replaced it. However, the problem recurred , and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Oct 21, 2003 · Body, Lights · 4,000 miles · NY

The headlight and daytime run lights burn out when it rains... Instead of finding out the cause of the problem is, the dealer just replaces the bulbs and sends me on my way. The following rainy day, there I am back at the dealer with the same problem. So far this will be the third time, not including the problems with the drivetrain/rear diff that had to be replaced, the dash and cabin rattles that none can seem to fix, and the transmission that once left me stranded at a stop sign.

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Lights · CA

Consumer states that headlights are out of alignment, reducing visibility during night driving. Dealer has adjusted twice, but problem still exists.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Electrical · 8,000 miles · NY

There is an electrical issue in the lighting system on this car. When the headlights are turned on (not the daytime running lights) the turn signal/headlight control stalk will get hot to the touch in about 20 minutes. I contacted saturn via email and they told me to take it to my dealer. That's all well and good but saturn of rochester (new york) is a joke.