Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10369526December 7, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
PASSLOCK MALFUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSES NO CRANK AND ACTIVATION OF 10 MINUTE RELEARN SEQUENCE. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40 DEGREES. HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR JANUARY 3RD, 2009. FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE HAS INCREASED, AND I'M SCARED THAT IT WILL CAUSE A CRASH IF I HAPPEN TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. THE REMEDY TO THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN NUMEROUS TECHNICAL FORUMS ON THE INTERNET - ALL OF WHICH POINT TO REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAUSE IS THOUGHT TO BE EXCESSIVE GREASE APPLIED TO THE INTERNALS OF THE SWITCH. I THINK GM SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED UNITS EXHIBITING THIS PROBLEM AND PROVIDE NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS AGGRAVATING AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS TECHNICAL FAULT. GM IS IGNORING THE ISSUE AND OFFERING SATURN OWNERS ABSOLUTELY NO ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IF GM DOES NOT ACT, THE LAW OF AVERAGES SAYS THAT EVENTUALLY SOMEONE MAY BE INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION. PLEASE HELP US. THIS ISN'T FAIR AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369342December 6, 2010
STEERING
WAS DRIVING 2006 SATURN ION ABOUT 40MPH AND THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN WITH A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF IT. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE BUT 2 MORE TIMES SINCE THE POWER STEERING HAS SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TAKING TO A SHOP SOMETIME THIS WEEK TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369116December 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A CHIME INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT EXERTED EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE SAME FAILURE REOCURRED THREE TIMES BEFORE REACHING THE DESTINATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368652December 2, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITHOUT WARNING UNTIL COMPLETELY BECOMING INOPERABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST HAD FAILED AND THAT THE POWER ASSIST MODULE AND STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368587December 1, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MY STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD AFTER DRIVING FOR SO LONG AND IN THE MESSAGE CENTER PWR STR COMES ON. IN THE MORNING DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL NOT START AND WILL SAY SERVICE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR HAS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368302November 30, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368338November 30, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION QUAD COUP. A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED WHICH WAS A RECALL ITEM. LAST WEEK THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT THE KEY WOULD COME OUT. I WAS ABLE TO STALL THE ENGINE TO STOP IT FROM BURNING GAS. THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. MY EXTENDED FAMILY HAS TWO OTHER IONS. A 2003 ION AND A 2005 WHICH ALL HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE 2005 LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION AND THE 2003 IS HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEY OUT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. I BELIEVE IF A CAR CANNOT BE SHUT DOWN THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE. FURTHER, THE ODDS THAT 3 OUT OF THREE IONS ALL HAVE THE SAME IGNITION ISSUE IS EYE CATCHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368366November 30, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY; THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368369November 30, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368405November 30, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368418November 30, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368445November 30, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2007 SATURN ION'S IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IS BROKEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS, AND FIXING THE PROBLEM ONCE IS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN BACK, HOWEVER, WE COULD COMPLETELY REMOVE THE KEY, AND WE COULD TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR BY PULLING A FUSE FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH AND A LOT OF WASTED GAS. WE PURCHASED A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FROM THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOW LEARNED WE ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS MANY SATURNS SHOULD BE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK.HTML HAS OVER 50 PAGES OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368111November 29, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368129November 29, 2010
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2007 SATURN ION IN AUGUST 2007. APPROX 1-2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, AND THEY PROMPTLY FIXED THE PROBLEM; SO I THOUGHT. NOV 28, 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. BECAUSE IT WAS EARLY SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC. BUT THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE TURNED TRAGIC. I REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE MADE INTO THE 2007 SATURN ION. EVEN THOUGH GM CLOSED THIS PRODUCT LINE (WISH I WOULD'VE KNEW THEIR PLAN BEFORE MY PURCHASE), I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THIS SINGLE INCIDENT, AS THERE COULD BE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS IF IT IS FOUND THAT THE IONS ARE DEFECTIVE. IF I JUST GOT A LEMON CAR...THEN SO BE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368203November 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO ADVISED HER TO CALL NHTSA AND THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368247November 29, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION THAT WHEN IT GET COLD OUT IT DOESN'T LIKE TO START. I HAVE STUCK OUT IN THE COLD FOR A HOUR AT TIMES LATE AT NIGHT FREEZING MY BUTT OFF. I HAVE BEEN TO SATURN ABOUT THIS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368263November 29, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN I FIRST GOT MY 2006 SATURN ION, I WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER BOUGHT IT FROM THE SATURN DEALERSHIP WITH LESS THAN A 50 MILES ON THE CAR. BEFORE 30 DAYS OF OWNING THE AUTOMOBILE IT QUIT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION ENDANGERING MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAVE CLAIMED TO FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE AUTOMOBILE, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THEY THEN REPLACED THE KEY. THEN MONTHS LATER MY ALARM STARTED GOING OFF SPONTANEOUSLY, THE BATTERY WENT DEAD ON THE AUTOMOBILE WHICH I HAVE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT AGAIN I HAD TO REPLACE THAT MYSELF OUT OF POCKET IN MARCH OF 2009. STILL AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED TWICE, AND HAVING THE ELECTRICAL PARTS LOOKED AT THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. IF I GET GAS WHY THE CAR IS NOT CRANKED IT WILL NOT CRANK BACK UP FOR HOURS!!! IT WILL GO DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING ON A FREEWAY DOES THIS ALL THE TIME! THIS SATURN ION HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT MONEY AND PROBLEMS SINCE I'VE HAD IT I PURCHASED A ADDITIONAL WARRANTY ON THE AUTOMOBILE WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR FIX ANY OF THE WORK ON THE AUTOMOBILE WHEN I ONLY HAVE GOTTEN MY CAR SERVICED WITH SATURN THEY DO ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES, AND MAINTENANCE AND CHARGE ME A ARM AND LEG TO MAINTAIN THE MAINTENANCE ON THE AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE HAD TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS AUTOMOBILE FOR MAINTENANCE THAT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE A ISSUE AT THIS TIME MY CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 84K ON IT YET. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SHAKE WHEN THE CAR SITS STILL, THE CAR QUITS IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING WHEN YOU GET FUEL, THE CAR QUITS AT RED LIGHTS, THE CAR POWER STEERING GETS REAL HARD TO TURN WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SATURN ION IS DEFINITELY A DUD! YOU CAN SMELL GAS SOMETIMES COMING FROM THIS AUTOMOBILE, AND THE BATTERY IS IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR...SO WHEN IT DRAINS MY BATTERY GOES GO DEAD. THE DEFECTS ON THIS AUTOMOBILE WILL KILL SOMEONE ONE DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367978November 27, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2003 SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCH. I CAN'T GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED MY KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. I OFTEN HAVE TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR UP TO 10MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RELEASE AND LET ME HAVE MY KEY. WHEN I AM ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR WITH DING.. LIKE THE SOUND IT MAKES WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOCK MY CAR USING MY POWER LOCKS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT IS THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SEEN RECURRENTLY IN SATURN'S CARS. EVEN GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED I WAS BACK TO WHERE I FIRST STARTED ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THAT THIS STILL TO THIS DAY HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED... THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367778November 24, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LATCH MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367257November 23, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THEN WHEN I RE-START THE CAR, IT WILL WORK FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN. ABOUT 60K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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