2002 Saturn LS: complaints, problems and recalls

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. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000259 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000768 at NHTSA ↗

SAFTEY INTERLOCK FOR SHIFT LEVER IS BYPASSED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN THE ACC (ACCESSORY MODE). DOES THIS CONSISTENTLY.

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003136 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, SO THEY HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004830 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE VIBRATES SIGNIFICANTLY AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS, STABILITY, SAFETY AND ENJOYMENT ARE SEVERELY IMPAIRED. SEAT PAD AND COVER COME LOOSE REPEATEDLY.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008119 at NHTSA ↗

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. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010867 at NHTSA ↗

THE IGNITION COIL FAILED. MR. *AK *JB *TS

Owner-reported narrative. 39,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015288 at NHTSA ↗

THE HORN WOULD SOUND INTERMITTENTLY ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT PRESSED BY THE DRIVER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015503 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

Reported: 2005-04-20 (April 20, 2005)

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Reported: 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)

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.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.