Saturn LS owners have reported 45 problems related to headlights (under the exterior lighting category). The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While the vehicle is running and driving down the road the headlights will turn off along with all the dash lights and all the gauges will go to zero, the interior light will turn on and it will ding (it acts like you are shutting the car off and opening the door) a couple seconds later everything will turn on and quit dinging all the dash lights will be on (like when you start the car) back and forth on and off.
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all problems of the 2002 Saturn LS
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The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Saturn Ls. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel began smoking, the headlights flickered, and the check engine light illuminated. In addition, the engine was smoking and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.
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.
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The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. The contact stated that the vehicles headlights continuously turned on and off while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealership where the technician stated the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,500 and the current mileage was 90,000.
2002 Saturn l100, 148000 miles, primary safety concern is headlights will shut off spontaneously while driving at night. Other issues include spontaneous/erratic actuation of wipers, dome light, and door locks, as well as flashing of high beams and drl lamps. Also erratic instrumentation anomalies, e. G. "security" lamp illuminates and shuts off, "change oil soon" lamp flashes, all gages flick from zero to normal, etc.
Headlights flicker at random times. I am the second owner purchased the 2002 model in 2003. This has happened for as long as I have had the car. I reported the problem to the dealership and was told this is a known problem, but it is normal / not major and nothing can be done to fix it. It is annoying and startling to me, especially when I am driving on a dark road. When it happens, I get an adrenaline rush and automatically fear there is a serious electrical problem and that the car might shut down at any moment. I have to remind myself that it is a known problem. I also worry that other drivers may interpret it as some sort of signal.
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn l200. While driving 20 mph, the instrument panel lights and headlights flash and flicker randomly. The instrument panel lights flicker in the daytime and the contact noticed the headlights flickering at night. She has taken the vehicle to the dealer and was given a handout stating that it was normal. The dealer was unable to remedy the failure. She filed a complaint with Chrysler. The current mileage was 49,700 and the failure mileage was unknown. The dealer stated that consumer hears a whistling noise upon acceleration, windows make chirping noise when rolling them up, and heater works intermittently. Updated 11/27/07.
Several times when transitioning from daytime running lights to normal headlights using the auto headlight function. The lights come on high beam and will not dim. The only action that will clear the problem is turn off the ignition and wait a few seconds. The dimmer switch then acts normally.
Without warning, headlights flash in a strobe-like fashion. In addition to the momentary lack of light, one obvious highway danger is that vehicles could believe that they are being signaled that is ok to pull into your lane. I guarantee that someone is going to get hurt or killed by this defect.
Security system is failing. While driving, security light will flash on and off. When this happens, lose headlights, dash lights. Also causes fuel gauge and temperature gauge to fail. Had auto part store access on board computer. No errors found. Problem happened again. Was unable to car into gear. Had to let car sit for awhile. Tried to disable alarm system per handbook. No success. Another result of this is my odometer reset to 000000 miles and now loses miles when it does work.
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. . . 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.
Headlight would constantly flicker while driving at night. It obstructed consumer's vision and that of other motorists when passing by on the opposite road. They would blink their headlight because they thought the consumer was doing the same thing. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that nothing could be done because that was the normal characteristic of that vehicle.
While driving at any speed headlights were dim. This made it hard for the consumer to see clearly during nighttime. Dealership was notified, but did not see a problem.
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all problems of the 2001 Saturn LS
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Headlights constantly flicker while driving. Saturn tells me this inherent to the vehicle. Totally unacceptable. Have filed a complaint w/Saturn who suggests I talk to the service manager of my local dealership. The dealership told me to contact Saturn! they both state this typical of this car.
1. My 2002 Saturn lw200 has intermittent flashing of head lights and dash lights, it has gotten worse with the age of the vehicle. 2. Happens multiple times while traveling at night on dark country roads, causing momentary loss of road visibility and gauges. This will happen up ten times consecutively after lifting off the accelerator pedal. This will occur nearly every time the car is driven, yet not knowing if it is happening on daytime driving lights. 3. The manufacture is stating this is a "normal characteristic" of the vehicle and will not service the car to correct it. This will happen on all 2000 my through 2005 my Saturn l100, l200, lw200 models. The manufactures bulletin number is as follows #04-08-42-001a and states that the cause of it is from "transient current loads on electrical system". However this doesn't seem to be "normal" if there is transient current loads causing the lights to flash the load is being absorbed by components in the system.
I have a 2002 Saturn l100. The headlights and dashlights flicker on a consistent basis. The dealer and the manufacturer have advised that this is "a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle". Saturn service bulleting 04-08-42-011a applies. I believe that this is an unsafe characteristic and that the government should require a recall and repair of vehicles suffering from this problem.
The headlights, dashboard instrumentation, and dome light of this autobile are constantly dimming and brightening (flickering). This is making night time driving extremely dangerous. Saturn has issued technical information bulletin 04-08-42-001 in February 2004 stating that this is a "normal operating characteristic". I believe it is a present danger and could also be a sign of a complete failure of the electrical system.
I was driving late at night and my headlights started to dimm almost to the point of going out and coming back on. It did it every 2 or 3 minutes for the entire time I was driving. I never had this problem before and I do alot of nite driving cause of the late hours I work. I took the car in for service and was told that they have had at least 100complaints of cars doing the same thing. They have a service bullitin about the lights "flickering". I advised that they don`t flicker , they go out and come back on. I was told by the service manager that they all flicker, the 100 of us are the unlucky ones that go out and come back on and Saturn is ignoring the problem. The car was checked and no problems found. I was advised by the service manager to call Saturn and complain. I did. Saturn told me to go to another dealership over two hours away for a second opinion. I called that dealership and was told by there service manager that I would be wasting my time to drive all the way up there, the problem can`t be solved . You can watch it do it and the computer says alls fine. Saturn has no idea why it does it to some and not all.
Like several other registrants to this site, my 2002 Saturn l200 sedan is experiencing intermittent headlight flickering (off). This problem started after some front work was necessary last year following a collision with a deer and restorative front end work including a new headlight, body and air conditioning/cooling components replacement. The headlights momentarily flicker off while driving. This was initially accompanied with the turn signal stalk becoming hot. We had the car into the dealership twice for the problem and they changed the stalk, but the problem with the headlights continues. They were unable to duplicate the problem and suggested that electrical consumption requirements in the vehicle cause momentary fluctuations. Of course, we never experienced these "fluctuations" prior to the repair work. The headlight flickers off at regular 27 second intervals intervals. It only does this when the air conditioning or defroster is on. I suspect that the defroster is connected to the a/c system to reduce moisture and inhibit window fogging.
The headlights and interior lights repeatedly dim during normal operation of the vehicle. This is unsafe as it can be interpreted by other motorists as a "go-ahead" signal or as a deliberate aggrevation. Upon bringing it to the dealer I was informed that this is a known issue and that it is acceptable and normal. Nothing was worked on or fixed. The car is still under warranty and has had this problem for as long as I can remember owning it. This information was not made apparant to us before purchasing this vehicle. If it were available, we would not have purchased this "defective" vehicle.
While driving at night headlights shut off. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
My 2002 l200 has a sporadic problem that causes the headlights and the dashboard lights to dim. This has happened when I've been driving on the freeway, which could cause a distraction and possible road rage. People in front of me wonder why I am flashing my headlights at them. I have had my vehicle in to the sevice department 10 times in the last year for this problem alone. They have replaced the alternator, the battery and the pcm computer. In February, 2004 a bulletin came out from Saturn stating that this "is considered a normal operating characteristic. No serivce is required for this condition. " I consider this an unacceptable response to a problem that could cause major injury or fatality.
The headlights and dash lights on my 2001 Saturn l200 dim or flicker. This is a distraction during night time driving and while driving in inclement weather. N one partucular occasion I had to stop the vehicle when I normally wouldn't have expected to due to the further reduction in visibility as the headlights. Dimmed. There is the possibility that other drivers may think that I am flashing the headlights at them. The headlights and dash lights dimmed since the vehicle was new. Saturn states that this is a characteristic of the vehicle and there is no repair.
When driving at night headlights shut off without warning. This forced the driver to pull off the road because of lack of visibility.
1)head lamp dimming intermitent on and off condition (flickering) a number of complaints such as mine have been showing up on message boards everywhere. ) consequences, other drivers are thinking I am an aggresive driver flashing my lights at them both oncoming traffic and people I am following, leading to them leaving their highbeams on at me. In the case of following behind someone they slam on their brakes trying to force me to rear end them. ) have dealt with the dealer several times only to have the problem persist. Saturn is aware of the problem but according to the dealer and the contact person a Saturn they do not have a fix for this. I consider the vehicle dangerous to drive at night time due to the false presumption of everyone around me thinking I am an aggressive driver.
While driving headlight and dashboard lights became dim. Just before the lights dimmed they blinked erratically. This caused visual problems.
Vehicle has been in for service on multiple occasions to correct intermittment problem which causes headlights and dashlights to flicker repeated while driving. To date problem has not been isolated or corrected.
Headlights blink for no apparent reason on 2002 l200 Saturn.
When air conditioner a/c compressor engages, usually when using defroster as compressor turns on and off during operation headlights dim for a short period of time. It makes the car look like I am flashing the headlights (can enrage other motorists, make trucks think they have a clear shot to change lanes).
When the ac compressor engages, headlights dim for a short period of time. It makes the car look like I am flashing the headlights. Has done it since, and a new car has 50k miles on it now.
While driving intermittently the headlights are blinking, in one mile will probably blink 20 times. Dealer inspected vehicle several times and could not duplicate or correct the problem.
My headlights blink while driving. . . Only when cruising or braking. This has caused people to be pulled over for flashing their headlights or drivers getting angry believing that you are flashing them to move over. I understand from Saturn there is no repair at this time. This condition concerns me very much and I would like to know if Saturn is close to a repair.
Since the car was new I have had times when the head lights & dash lights flicker or flash. It happens when you take your foot off the gas pedal (my car is a 4 cyl 5 speed). The flickering is enough that other vehicles that I am following slow down or pull over. My car lights will dim when electric motors are used such as power windows or the engine fan come on, also when the rear window deicer is turned on. Dealer response has basically been that Saturn acknowledges the condition as a normal condition of the car. Incident not only time.
Cars headlights intermittantly shut off for a brief second and then come back on. This can easily be seen when driving on darker roads. It's happened countless times. The dealer has seen the issue and is aware of the problem with my car and with others in the area. Saturn corporate claims this to be normal and has no intentions of seeking a fix. I will check with law enforcement, I believe it's illegal to drive a car in this condition. This is not a mere dimming of the lights, they go off completely for a second and then come back on. This is not normal for any car and happens when I'm just driving down the road. I'm not doing anything with any other electronics in the car when it happens. I'm hopeful that a fix will be found or they take the car back.
Since I purchased my vehicle the headlights blink off and on when ever I slow down or take my foot off the gas pedal. I have been pulled over by a state trooper traveling in front of me, as he thought I was signaling him that I was in trouble. I am afraid to drive down certain roads at night due to the fact someone in front of me will think I am flashing them to pull over or get out of my way and pull over in a case of "road rage" and hurt me. I work 3-11 as a nurse and do travel 50 miles home at night down dark deserted hwys and I am in fear that the lights will go out totally. Saturn has told me this is "normal" operation for this vehicle. I feel it is a threat to my safety and that of others.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Brake Light problems | |
| Headlights problems | |
| Tail Light problems | |
| Exterior Lighting problems | |
| Tail Light Switch problems | |
| Turn Signal problems | |
| Hazard Flashing Warning Light Unit problems | |
| Turn Signal Switch problems | |
| Headlight Switch problems | |
| High/low Beam Switch problems |