Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Saturn LS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE SIGNAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL CANCEL CAM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,704.
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.
I HAVE A 2000 SATURN LS 1 THAT I HAD BOUGHT IN JUNE 14 2012 @ THE US TRUCK & AUTO ON US. 31 SOUTH HERE IN TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN 49685. THE SALESPERSON'S NAME IS[XXX]. I WAS ON CRAIGS LIST LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND I CAME UPON US TRUCK & AUTO AND WYANE WOULD NOT LET ME TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT RUNNING CONDITION UNTIL MARCH 14,2014 MY WHEEL CAME OFF AT A STOPLIGHT GETTING TO GO ON GREEN BUT DIDN'T MOVE FAR. AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR THE DOME LIGHT WASN'T WORKING AND A WIRE HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE DAYTIME HEAD LAMP AND BURNED OUT TAIL LIGHTS. SINCE I PURCHASED IT AT A CAR DEALERSHIP I TOOK THEY HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BUT LEARNED LATER THAT WAYNE DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE VEHICLES INSPECTED THAT HE PUTS ON HIS LOTS BUT SELLS LEMONS. HE WOULD RATHER SALE A LEMON OR A VEHICLE THAT WILL IN DANGER A PERSON THEN TO FOLLOW THE LAWS AND MAKE SURE THE VEHICLES ARE ROAD SAFE BEFORE HE SELLS THEM. I NEEDED A CAR BECAUSE I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS ISSUES WITH HER BACK AND LEGS PLUS WE LIVE 7 TO 8 MILES OUT OF TRAVERSE CITY, MI AND DON'T HAVE MUCH MONEY TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING RIGHT NOW. MY FRIEND AND I LOVE THIS CAR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE FAIRLY NEW. WE HAVE TRIED TO ASK FOR HELP GETTING THE CAR FIXED FROM CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BUT EVEN THEY BARELY HAVE THE MONEY TO HELP. THE BUSES HERE REFUSE TO WORK FOR US AND TAXIS ARE WAY TO MUCH MONEY TO TAKE US SHOPPING FOR FOOD OR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS. PLEASE HELP US GET OUR CAR FIXED OR MAYBE EVEN A DIFFERENT 4 CYLINDER CAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WASN'T IN A ACCIDENT THANK GOD BUT I BOUGHT THIS CAR GOING ON A YEAR FROM A AUCTION AND IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO NOTICED THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT AND THEN JUST WOULDN'T COME BACK ON I TRIED EVERYTHING. AD OF 10/6/2013. I CHANGE THE FUSES THE BRAKE. LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ONE NIGHT AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.SO NOTICED THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS. AND I WANTED.TO SEE IF I COULD STILL GET IT FIXED ON THE RECALL BECAUSE I CANT DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED. AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS CAR AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL AND THIS IS SERIOUS AND ANY OTHER RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT NEED TO BE FIXED I NEED IT. *TR
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND STARTS BLINKING ALSO THE TAIL LAMP BULB MELTS THE PLASTIC ON BULB. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TURNING SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR-ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BREAK LIGHTS FAILED TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER THAT SHE WAS BRAKING. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
THE SATURN LS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED WHEN IT COME TO TAIL LIGHT, REVERSE, AND BLINKER LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THESE LIGHTS, AND NOT TO MENTION COSTLY WORK. THERE IS NO WIRING FROM THE LIGHT TO THE VEHICLE THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THE BULB. MY REVERSE LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND SO I DID WHAT MOST CAR OWNERS WOULD DO, BUT SOMEHOW REPLACING A BULB DOES NOT WORK WITH THESE VEHICLES. AS A BUYER WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN SIMPLE LABOR. FOR INSTANCE, CHANGING A TAIL LIGHT! THESE LIGHT COMPONENTS NEED TO BE REVIEWED, FOR THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY CAR OWNER. *TR
THE 2000 SATURN L-SERIES HAS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SATURN REFERS TO IT AS #00-C-03, JAN. 4, 2005); HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE VIN SERIES FOR THAT RECALL. NEVERTHELESS, MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL (TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE; HAZARD WARNING SWITCH SOMETIMES MADE A LOUD "BUZZING" SOUND, ESPECIALLY IN VERY COLD WEATHER); I CONTACTED SATURN; HOWEVER, SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE RECALL VIN RANGE, THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AS A RECALL ISSUE (I WOULD HAVE HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY FOR THE SERVICE MYSELF). INSTEAD, I ACQUIRED AND INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT HAZARD WARNING SWITCH FROM A SATURN DEALER AND INSTALLED IT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTIONS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR
2000 SATURN LS1 WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN**CC THE DEALER STATED THE REASON FOR THE SMOKE WAS BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD SHORTED OUT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE SHORTENING OUT. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD ACTIVATE, BUT THEN DEACTIVATE. ON OCCASION, THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD FAIL TO ACTIVATE COMPLETELY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 99V199000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2005, REGARDING THE TAIL LIGHT. LETTER WAS MISPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO HAVE COPIES OF THAT LETTER AS WELL AS ANY RELATED RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SEND COPIES.
DT: WHILE DRIVING HOME AND GIVING LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH ,BUT THEY CHARGE D THE CONSUMER FOR THE WORK. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005. *AK
DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WERE PINS MISSING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER SAID SATURN WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TAILLIGHTS THAT MAKE THEM GO OUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HITS A SLIGHT BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE CONSUMER CAN TIGHTEN THE TAILLIGHT AND IT WILL WORK PROPERLY FOR A WHILE THEN STOP. CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. *JB
WHILE USING TURN SIGNAL THE BRIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND SOMETIMES WOULDN'T GO OFF FOR AWHILE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED TWICE AT MY COST SEEING AS HOW THE VEHICLE HAD JUST GONE OUT OF WARRENTY THE FIRST TIME
TAIL LIGHTS FAILED ON SATURN 2000 LS TWICE. 2004 REPLACED ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. APRIL 2005 REPLACED REAR ASSEMBLY AGAIN . I WAS TICKETED TWICE FOR THIS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE OUT. ALSO, THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN RURAL AND SUBURBAN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE A FEW OR NO STREET LIGHTS.*AK
THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS REAPEATEDLY FAIL TO WORK CORRECTLY. THE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. SATURN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT HAS FAILED TO RECALL THE ASSEMBLIES. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THE LAMP SOCKETS ARE STARTING TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. I'VE REPLACED THE SOCKETS.*AK
TAILLIGHTS CONTINUE TO WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION.
TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2000 SATURN LW2 INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN MARCH 2000. THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED WHEN THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER, SO THE DEALER DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
THE HEADLIGHTS TEND TO PULSE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. OTHER DRIVERS ASSUME THAT THIS IS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE, AND TEND TO STOP AND PULL OVER UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH THE OWNER ANTICIPATES THAT AN ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK..CONSUMER HAS ALMOST BEEN HIT BY 18 WHEELERS TWICE WHEN THEY THOUGHT THAT CONSUMER WAS FLASHING THE HEADLIGHTS TO SIGNAL OKAY TO COME OVER, BUT WAS ACTUALLY BESIDE THE TRAILERS. LUCKILY, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. SATURN CLAIMED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE OPERATING WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS, AND WILL NOT FIX THEM. CONSUMER DISAGREED CLAIMING THAT PULSING LIGHTS, WHEN VEHICLE WAS CRUISING AT 65 MPH, WAS NOT NORMAL. COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND VERY DISTRACTING. *AK
MY 2000 SATURN LS2 CONTINUALLY SUFFERS FROM FAILING BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM, I REMOVE THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND CLEAN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. SATURN REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY DESIGN WITHOUT CHARGING ME FOR THE REPAIR. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT SATURN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND REPAIR THIS SAFETY DESIGN ISSUE. *AK
CURRENTLY THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATER/DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, INPARTICULAR WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPAIRED TWICE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, AND RECENTLY THE BRAKE DRUMS, ROTATORS AND PADS. I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPAIRED AND FROM TIME TO TIME NEED TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL LUBRICATED WHEN IT STARTS TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN. I AM WONDERING IF I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS OR ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME CAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN I AM DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE THINGS CHECKED WITH WHEELS AND STEERING. *AK
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. TAIL/STOP LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILURE ON BOTH SIDES BEGAN ON 05/2003 WITH LEFT SIDE. REPLACED SOCKET/BULB. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED ON 06/2003, AND REPLACED ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $84.37. REPLACED SOCKETS ON BOTH SIDES 3 MORE TIMES. STOPPED BY POLICE TWICE, AS RECENT AS 12/2004 FOR NO TAIL/STOP LIGHTS ON RIGHT SIDE. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH ONLY WITH TOP SOCKET/CIRCUIT. SERVICE AND PARTS MANAGER AT TEMPLE SATURN, 1-800-460-7688, WAS WELL AWARE OF PROBLEMS, AND SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ONLY FOR 2000-2002 VEHICLES. CONTACTED SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, STATED THE PROBLEM, AND WAS GIVEN CASE REF #1-14090108. ALSO, WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR THEM TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST. THE PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS AT TEMPLE SATURN - HEATH GREEN/CHUCK GREEN COULD PROVIDE INFORMATION. BASIC PROBLEM WAS THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH WAS PLACED WITH PLASTIC HOLD DOWNS MELTED AND CAUSED THE METAL TO MOVE AND SHORT OUT. *AK
I NOTICED MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME...UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS AND/OR TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON. THERE IS DEFINITELY A WIRING PROBLEM... I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD... THE DOOR LOCKS AND ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAVE BEEN BROKEN, AND THE INTERMITTENT WIPER SETTING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF NEAR MISSES BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL.*AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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