2001 Saturn LS lighting problems

The 2001 Saturn LS has 57 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Lighting complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

LS lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V245000LightingJune 2, 2005 · 291,652 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

“SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND THE SMOKE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 1, 2004 · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2001 Saturn LS have?

NHTSA has 57 complaints about the 2001 Saturn LS lighting — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Saturn LS lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 05V245000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.