Brake Light problems of the 2002 Saturn LS

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.

Recall NHTSA campaign id number 05v245000. Component: exterior lighting brake lights. I had my recall service done on Dec. 26 2005. On Nov. 27th 2009. I got pulled over by the police. My rear running and brake lights were out. No ticket because I was close to home. Took it to a mechanic the next day to find out that both light bulbs were broke. Plastic melted down and hit the bulbs. Tried to replace bulbs but the melted plastic was in the way. I took pictures of the melted plastic. Went to Saturn dealer to have them look at it and they said that a front driver side parking light was out and it had condensation under the lens. They said that shorted the rear lights. They replaced the bulbs by grinding the melted plastic out of the way. They said they did not but there was no way to get the bulb past the melted plastic. I took more pictures. So the lights work for now. But it won't be long before the plastic melts down onto the bulbs again. I do believe this has to do with the recall. It reads-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. Not a burned out parking light with condensation under the lens. This could become very dangerous. No tail or brake lights! tailgaiters! I now carry extra light bulbs and wait for the next melt down. Saturn has been no help. Just a bandaid.

Brake lights in the vehicle fail to work, checked both the bulbs and the fuses and both are fine. I believe it caused by the distorted sockets.

My upper brake lights keep burning out. I replaced 5 of these lights to get my inspection sticker. Right now only 2 are working. You can only get these bulbs at a Saturn dealer at a cost of $7. 00 each. I called the Saturn dealer and they say that there is no recall on this. This is part of the brake light system and I can't afford to keep spending $7. 00 each to replace them. I have also checked on the Saturnfans. Com web site and I'm not the only one who has this problem. I bought the car at Saturn of norwood,MA. I think that it maybe a short somewhere.

1)rear brake lights inoperative. 2)no consequences 3)Saturn replaced lights sockets for rear tail lights according to NHTSA recall #05v245000 but refused to replace light bulbs which were shorted out by the defective sockets.

Rear brake light assemblies finally replaced via a bulletin. However, the center brake light assembly mounted up near the top of the window continuously has one of the center lamps inoperative, one time the lamp had just fallen out. It has been fixed 5 times by the dealership.

Rear tailgate brake lights burn out frequently. I have had car for 5 years and had to have several replaced over 4 times.

: the contact stated recall letter #05v245000 concerning the brake lights was received in December 2005. However, the vehicle was not experiencing any problems and was not taken to the dealer for immediate repair. Recently, the contact was alerted by another driver that the brake lights were not working. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for inspection, and the dealer installed two tail lights, reinforced socket adapters and sockets under the recall. Also, the dealer determined the brake light switch needed to be replaced, but this work has not been completed. When the vehicle was taken from the dealer, the cruise control no longer worked, the gear shift became difficult to shift into drive, and the parking lights and brake lights no longer worked. The dealer informed the contact these items failed as a result of the need to replace the brake light switch. Updated 05/30/06.

: the contact stated there was a NHTSA recall, # 05v245000 concerning the exterior lighting that was performed however; numerous electrical problems evolved since the repair. The dash panel lights intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. Although the ignition was turned off the headlights illuminated which resulted in a battery failure. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the headlight high/low beam dimmer switch was replaced, but the problem persisted. Additionally, the vehicle stalled and was towed back to the dealer which determined there was a failure of the drive shaft and this was replaced. The ongoing electrical problems persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to await further inspection.

The contact heard about a NHTSA recall 05v245000 concerning the brake lights. The contact's has not experienced the symptoms as indicated in the recall, but was interested to find out if his vehicle was included in the recall. He had not received a recall letter. He contacted Saturn, and they informed him that this vehicle was included in the recall due to VIN. He has not taken the vehicle to a dealer, and no repairs have been made at this time. The consumer was told the parts were not available. Updated 11/16/05.

We purchased a 2002 l-300 Saturn new in February 2002. The left brake light stopped working recently, and the dealership in fort collins, CO replaced the brake light assembly under warranty, and informed us that there was an upcoming recall on this assembly.

This car has been nothing but trouble. I have had to have the drive shaft replaced, the motor mounts replaced, the tail light assembly replaced, the steering assembly replaced and I too have a problem with the dash lights dimming. The technicians at the local Saturn dealership are nothing but rude. They dont fix the problems you bring the car in for and you end up having to take it back the next day or even sometimes that same evening for a repair that wasnt done properly. I thought this was going to be a good car but it has been constant trouble and is constantly in the repair shop.

I purchased my '02 Saturn l300 from a highly recommended local used car dealership here in florida mid may '05. It was close to closing time when the final papers were drawn so the salesman and I walked around the car and I noticed then that the left rear brake lamp was out. He told me that the parts dept was closed so to come back the next business day. I came back that Monday and they fixed it no problem. Well a month or so later, on my way to work, I was pulled over by a state trooper and was told my left rear brake light was out. I informed her that I had just fixed it at the dealership so she gave me a warning and told me to fix it again. I set up an appointment with the dealership that day. While leaving work, I glanced into the windows reflection as I was backing up and saw that the light was working. I have been pulled over three times and all times was giving warnings. Is the next cop going to be so nice? it works when it wants to. I am always questioning whether or not its working. This is a $38 part. How many must I purchase? I did not know there was any kind of recall. The dealership did not notify me of any at time of sale. Is there anything I can do now? also, a friend who owned a smaller version of the l-series said he had to replace his tires constantly. Also saying he dealt with continuous obnoxious road noise. Is that a discrepancy? I have had my current tires balanced and rotated twice since may. Is this a problem? the front two do not match the rear two. They were that way at time of vehicle purchase. Vehicle has 36,000 miles. I tried to match them but it's just to expensive. The cheapest tire I could find in size p215-55-r16 is $98. . . ?????.

The headlights and dashboard lights flickered intermittently while driving at night. Dealer kept the vehicle for two weeks, however the problem continued. There was a squeaking noise only when the steering wheel was turned to the left. The suspension link was replaced. The service engine soon light illuminated on the vehicle and the ignition control module was replaced. The driver side window skipped when being rolled down. The right rear brake light bulb had burned out, the windshield wipers went across the window half way before it squirted any spray and then scratched the windshield.