NHTSA Complaint #10103758 — 2000 SATURN LS

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