All four head lights out of nowhere just started to flash and it went from a flash to out not coming on at all and I have checked all fuses relays and lightbulbs just driving down a dry road no water at all
2006 Saturn Vue electrical complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 103, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Ignition key falls out while vehicle is running and in gear, driving down the road. Automatic transmission.
On the first start of the day, at or below 24 degrees f, the interior items flash on and off until the electrical system warmed up. I also learned that if the ignition was on for about 3 minutes it was the same as if it was running. I live in nashville and for the last 3 years it only occurred when the outside temp was 24 degrees or below. The flashing on and off of the lights and equipment is the body control module protecting them when the charge rate is too high. It was considered an intermittent problem and who can troubleshoot at or below 24 degrees? A month ago (july) it started all the time, no flashing, no steering, no dash instruments, etc. Longer story short with the plug removed from the alternator (it controls the field voltage through the ECM/PCM) the alternator was still putting out 18.5 volts. This definitely should not occur but something was bad wrong inside the alternator. It was boiling the acid out of the battery too. Once the alternator was removed (bench checked failed) and replaced it all went away. It will be interesting to see what happens when the weather gets below 24 degrees again. This alternator is manufactured by gm, is discontinued and no longer available from gm. Only remanufactured units from china are available at the aftermarket parts stores. There is no troubleshooting procedure in the maintenance manual for this problem. The alternator plug can be disconnected without any disassembly. This was the second failure of the alternator on this vue the first occurred at 87,000 miles. It seems there is a design flaw in the components of this alternator.
While I was sitting in my car waiting for my daughter to get out of work, the car was running, when there was smoke pouring from the steering column. I immediately shut the car off and the smoke dissipated. This was 2 days ago and now my wipers do not work. My mechanic said that the air bag wires had caught fire and burned out the wipers.
I thought I received a recall notice about the ignition switch. When I'm driving along, it's possible to pull the key out of the ignition, and that shouldn't happen! When stopped, the key can also be pulled completely out before the ignition switch has come to the off position. It is very hard to then get the key back in.
Sitting in traffic at a light in drive with brakes applied not moving,1989 chevy pick up truck ,hit my back bumper,the light on my dash indicated the air bags deployed,and a light on my dash said passenger air bag is off,the air bags did not deploy.took my car to the nearest chevrolet dealer kendall of nampa idaho,they said code# boo92 5256 came up and they said the heating element for the passenger seat went out (no one was sitting in the passenger seat , and I never use the heated seats ) the dealer said the heated seats are connected to my air bags and my air bags can't be turned on until the heat element for the seat is repaired. I thought that a federal law was passed in the early 1990's that the air bag system was to be on it's own circuit so it can not be turned off by any other circuits? I can't believe this is true I bought this car in 2006 brand new ,and I feel the chevrolet corporation should be responsible for the repairs. Please respond as fast as you can because I have only one car, and the guy that hit me his insurance is looking into it .thank god I wasn't hurt or the guy that hit me,thank you for taking the time to look into this matter for me. Have a good day.
Upon initial startup, electrical systems do not work in the dash and light and power steering. After it warms up, it will begin to work. Sparks and burning smells have come from the dash area. This problem is particularly bad in cold weather. If you attempt to drive it before the electrical systems warm up and start to work the sparks are really bad and you have no power steering. This problem appears to be very common as I have seen several posts about this issue and other complaint boards. This problem has been occurring for at least a year and a half but it's particularly noticeable in the winter..183k miles.
The key falls out of the ignition. The key system is unsafe.
Smoke coming out of steering wheel, while in motion on a city street.
I was stranded several times by the ignition switch refusing to turn or engage to start the engine. I checked recall notices and noticed that other years, like the 2004, had received recall notices to have the ignition lock cylinder replaced. I never received a recall and I would like to know if I missed a recall notification. I had to pay $332.30 (including labor) in july, 2016 to have the ignition lock cylinder replaced, including having the lock cylinder rekeyed to my original keys. My mechanic told me he had just had another person in the previous week with the exact same issue. Is there any recourse for me?
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a puff of smoke and an abnormal odor emitted from the steering wheel without warning. In addition, the high beam indicator flashed on and off independently. The contact also stated that on another occasion, the high beam and low beam headlights operated independently and failed to shut off as the vehicle was off. The contact was able to shut off the lights by starting the vehicle and then shutting it off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,007.
7-25-2016, I wakeup to use bathroom, then looking out to my backyard I see my lights on my saturn vue are on. So I quickly get my keys and try turning lights off but they wouldn't turn off, then I go outside to vehicle to turn them off but they still wouldn't go out. So my husband wakes up and comes outside and turn vehicle on and switches switch back and forward and then they go out. But what is going on with this vehicle why is this happening?
When you try to start the car when it's cold, all of the interior and exterior lights come on, radio comes on, and then the lights and radio go off and the power steering stops working. After a few attempts and about 5 minutes pass, it works properly. Some times, unexpectedly, all the lights in the car start flashing, I replaced the ignition switch, body control module, the alternator, and have a brand new battery (2 in 6mo). Nothing changes.
When it is cold, it is very difficult to turn the key in the ignition. Its takes approx. 30-45 minutes to try and get the key to turn over. Also, once the car is on it is extremely easy for the key to come out of the ignition while the car is running. My transmission also shakes uncontrollably in the park of brake position. When going up and hills or driving on rough roads my speed decreases with out my control. My check engine light comes on at least once a month. I have had to go it checked but, was told that the problems they are mentioned are not problems at all and they can not understand why the engine light keeps coming on.
When you try to start the car when it's cold, all of the interior and exterior lights come on, radio comes on, and then the lights and radio go off and the power steering stops working. After a few attempts and about 5 minutes pass, it works properly. Some times, unexpectedly, all the lights in the car start flashing, the locks on the doors lock and unlock repeatedly while driving. We've replaced the transmission, the ignition switch, the alternator, and have a brand new battery (2x in 6mo). This car is possessed! I worry for the safety of my teenage daughter while driving this car.
You know this is a problem but your not doing a thing about it doors are not able to open inside or out no one can get out in a collision they are stuck to die. Mostly rear where children are mine wont open from any side manually or elcronically im not alone many posting of trapped people. With the roll over rating of this SUV its a must to get those doors open to escape recall these things an make gm fix there mistake lives depend on it . The doors are stuck shut will not open no matter what you try read other post im not alone many people trapped in these suvs
Passenger seat sensor defective. Indicator light says air bag is off even when occupied by an adult. When seat-belt is unbuckled, does not indicate passenger is unbuckled as programmed. Able to clear problem by unbuckling, raising up out of seat, forcibly sitting down, and re-buckling.
Door latch failure rear passenger door will not unlock, door stuck closed. Lock mechanism failure. This is a hazard as it makes it so children can not escape a vehicle in the event of an accident. This should be recalled just as the 2008 model has been. This appears to be a common saturn problem as stated on the saturn fans discussion groups.
Intermittant airbag fault indicter in instrument panal when key turned on and off. Passenger present airbag ilndicator goes back and forth intermittantly from on to off again on ignition turning on and off..
I was driving down the highway at about 60mph when my instrument cluster and radio/dash lights went out. I felt the car stall and lose power steering. I was able to exit the highway and stop on an off ramp. I then smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood but could not find exactly where the smoke was coming from. I had the vehicle towed and then discovered in the morning that the electrical wires under the fuse box caught fire. The fuse box was damaged pretty severely and the car is inoperable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the seat belt and air bag warning lights illuminated. In addition, the passenger side air bag was not activated when the seat was occupied. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
On 1-19-2015 I started my car (after it had been sitting for 2 days/it was very cold) and the exterior lights, interior lights, dashboard, radio, blinker signals, all began flashing. It would stop for a second and start again, during this time the car seemed like it was going to conk out, but didn't. This went on for about 5 minutes. When I pressed the gas pedal the flashing would go faster. Also the seat controls and door locks would not work. After about 5 minutes it stopped and the car was fine. That same thing has happened roughly 4-5 more times, lasting 5-10 minutes each time. The car has only stopped running 1 time (luckily in front of home) and started fine the next day. Took video and went to local mechanic. They checked the battery and alternator (both fine-no $ charge), also checked recalls for car (nothing). Told me to go to dealership or electrical mechanic. Thought perhaps the alarm system, due to flashing. After going online, I have found alot of people that have had the same problem and it is not cheap to fix. This vehicle needs to be recalled to have the problem fixed. I could cause a severe, deadly accident if this happened while driving, also the doors would be locked because they lose power.
The date and mileage I entered are approximate. For several months, I have been able to remove the key from the ignition switch when the key is in the run position. At times, I have turned off the ignition and removed the key; and then had difficulty inserting the key the next time I went to use the vehicle. The key slot position is not in the off position, but in the run or accessory position. This seems like it could lead to a problem if the key should come out of the switch when I am driving. I assume I would be surprised, and instinctively reach to pick up the key. This could lead to an accident while I was distracted looking for the key. I believe this is not acceptable, and gm should replace the defective ignition switch.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. The contact stated that the key was stuck inside the ignition. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v490000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. When the vehicle was started, the key disengaged from the ignition. In addition, when the vehicle was turned off, the key failed to disengage from the ignition. The dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Have been able to remove key when not in off position for years. Frightening that this could happen also while driving. Also have had some scary incidents where the key would be stuck in the ignition. It took a lot of pulling and tugging and sweat to get it out. Why hasn't this been recalled for 2006 vue's??!! This is extremely dangerous.
It is difficult to turn the key in the ignition at times. I am forced to rotate the wheel to the locking position, turn it to the middle of the lock and turn the key with excessive difficulty. In other situations, it is incredibly easy to remove the key when the ignition is not in the off position.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. The contact stated that the key was able to be removed from the ignition switch although it was not in the off position. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Able to take key out of the ignition while driving. Bells go off opposite of what they should; when key is out after car is parked the alarm rings when door is opened. Passenger airbag reads off always. Passenger rear door will not close unless using extreme forse.
When ignition is locked and engine is off, you can move the gear shifter to any gear. Also while operating the vehicle the key can be removed.
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