Recall 05V245000: Brake/Tail Lamp Defect

MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:

Saturn/L-Series Sedan 2000-2002

Saturn/L-Series Wagon 2000-2004

MANUFACTURER: General Motors Corp.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V245000 RECALL DATE : May 31, 2005

COMPONENT: Exterior Lighting: Brake Lights

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 291652

SUMMARY:
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 a reinforcing socket adapter (and corresponding new socket) to the back of the existing lamp assembly. If necessary, the reinforcing socket adapter will be installed into a new lamp assembly and then installed in the vehicle. The recall is expected to begin in September 2005.Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

NOTES:
GM recall No. 05052. Customers can also contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.