Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10332709May 28, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 SATURN ION1 WILL NOT START DUE DO PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT PROBLEM. THE POSSIBLE COMPONENTS CAUSING THIS ARE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR THE BCM. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AS GOOD. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY 2008 DURING A WINTER STORM AND HAS HAPPENED DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE, WITH THE LAST OCCURRENCE TODAY AND IT IS NEARLY 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT HAS PREVIOUSLY ONLY DONE THIS IN COLD AND WET CONDITIONS. THE CAR WILL CRANK ONCE OR TWICE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ENGAGED BUT THEN IT WILL DO NOTHING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE PASSLOCK ICON ILLUMINATES. AFTER WAITING 10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND IT WILL START. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THE REPAIRS ARE COSTLY AND NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE ACCORDING TO WHAT OTHERS ARE INDICATING ONLINE. THIS COULD EASILY PUT SOMEBODY IN HARMS WAY GIVEN AN UNSAFE OR HARSH ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332544May 27, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE STEERING FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 8 ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,561.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332331May 26, 2010
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING MOTOR ON MY 2007 SATURN ION FAILED AT VERY LOW SPEED WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS SAME MOTOR HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE CHEVROLET COBALT (MECHANICALLY IDENTICAL). THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO COVER ALL SIMILAR MODELS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED. GM IS ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT ITS MONETARY AND PUBLICITY EXPOSURE. THE NHTSA SHOULD NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS. ALL SAFETY ISSUES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH STRENUOUSLY BY NHTSA. YOUR APPROACH SHOULD BE: IF IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, GET IT FIXED. PERIOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332341May 26, 2010
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE, A CHIME AND THE PWR STR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. I HAD TO BRING THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT POWER STEERING. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, IT WAS FINE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, SAME EVENT. NOW CAN HAPPEN WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STARTING A DRIVE OR GO A DAY WITHOUT HAPPENING. IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON AND OFF FOR OVER TWO WEEKS NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332393May 26, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; AFTER RESTART, THE POWER STEERING RESET TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332424May 26, 2010
STEERING
I WAS TURNING INTO SAM'S CLUB AND THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND, BECAUSE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND THIS HAPPENED UNEXPECTEDLY, I ALMOST HIT THE CAR THAT WAS WAITING TO EXIT THE SAM'S CLUB LOT. I THEN PARKED THE CAR AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. I WENT SHOPPING, CAME BACK AND, WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED, I HAD MY POWER STEERING. I HAD ANOTHER FAILURE WITHIN TWO DAYS, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING FAILS EVEN JUST GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE (ABOUT 2 MILES). I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER WHO SAID TO BRING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHAT I READ ONLINE IS THIS IS A $1000+ REPAIR USUALLY REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I EVEN WENT TO AN AUTO SALVAGE AND WAS QUOTED $450 FOR THE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND INSTALLATION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH GM CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL FOR COBALT AND PONTIAC G6 CARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332131May 25, 2010
STEERING
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION 2 WITH APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES, 2 WEEKS AGO THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, ALMOST RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AS THE WARNING DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL AFTER THE FACT AND I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING A CORNER. INITIALLY THE POWER STEERING IS INTACT WHEN YOU FIRST START THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT FAILS AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, PERHAPS LESS THAN A MILE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL GM MODELS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, COBALTS AND PONTIACS, PERHAPS THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST FOR SOME OF THE SATURN MODELS, LIKE MINE AND THEY SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST? THIS IS A NEWER MODEL WITH LOW MILEAGE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $800 TO $1000 FOR THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM, I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT IF I PAY FOR THE REPAIR NOW AND THIS VEHICLE IS ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING THAT GM IS NOT OBLIGATED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE EXPENSE, THEREFORE HESITANT TO PROCEED AS GM STATES ITS SAFE TO DRIVE THERE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332146May 25, 2010
STEERING
2005 SATURN ION 64,000 MILES. POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT NOTICE. POWER STEERING IS NOT HYDRAULIC. IT IS VIA AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. NO FUSES BLOWN. STEERING WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL AND THEN FAIL AGAIN. MANY HAVE LOOKED FOR A SOLUTION ON-LINE BUT LITTLE HELP. ATTEMPTED REPAIR EVERYTHING FROM CLEANING ELECTRIC MOTOR BRUSHES AND INTERIOR OF MOTOR HOUSING TO REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF OVER $900.00. NOTHING DEFINITIVE. SAME SYSTEM AND SAME FAILURE ON GM CHEVY COBALT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. CAR IS USELESS AND CAN NOT EVEN BE SOLD DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. WE NEED URGENTLY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332177May 25, 2010
STEERING
2007 SATURN ION POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. FEELS LIKE THE CAR NO LONGER HAS POWER STEERING ANYMORE. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. BUT, NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331976May 24, 2010
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING A 2006 SATURN ION, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS AFTER THE SOUND OF A SMALL CLICK. THE DASHBOARD CHIMES WITH THE MESSAGE WARNING PWR STR. IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IT. MORE FORCE FROM THE DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MAKE TURNS. TURNING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED. AT FIRST THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED A FEW TIMES IN A WEEK. AFTER THREE WEEKS, THE POWER STEERING FAILS CONSTANTLY AFTER 30 OR 40 SECONDS OF STARTING THE VEHICLE. A FUSE WAS REPLACED, BUT NO CHANGE HAS OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331970May 24, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331982May 24, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332036May 24, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON MAY 10, 2010, THE POWER STEERING MODULE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MODULE WAS BURNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331873May 23, 2010
STEERING
POWER STEERING CONTINUALLY GOES OUT ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 4 CYLINDER. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN ONCE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331540May 21, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIRS FACILITY WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED TRAVELED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,046.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331548May 21, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER TO GET THE STEERING TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331554May 21, 2010
STEERING
WE HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING IT LOOSES POWER STEERING. SAME PROBLEM GM IS HAVING WITH COBALT. WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING THE SATURN ION'S. NUMEROUS CONCERNS AND VERY DANGEROUS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331577May 21, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331136May 19, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY A CHIME AND A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARM WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331248May 19, 2010
STEERING
MY SATURN ION 2006 POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. MY PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND THE 40,000 MILE MARK. THE COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH TO REPAIR OVER $1,200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Saturn Ion