Saturn Ion Complaints (2003)

758 consumer complaints on file.

#10259331February 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTING THIS FALL, MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH NOT STARTING SOMETIMES. IT STARTS FINE IN THE MORNING NO MATTER HOW COLD, BUT SOMETIMES AFTER I DRIVE A LITTLE WHILE AND ENGINE IS WARMER, IT WILL NOT START BACK UP IF I RUN INTO THE STORE OR WHATEVER FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT TURNS OVER A FEW STROKES AND DIES COMPLETELY. IF I TRY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. I WILL NORMALLY WAIT 15 MINUTES (OR SO) AND IT STARTS PERFECTLY FINE WITH PLENTY OF POWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258478February 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON 3 OCCASIONS THIS WINTER, MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS FAILED TO START. AFTER THE FIRST 2, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. I NOW DOUBT THE BATTERY WAS FAULTY, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT AND THE ENGINE WOULD ROLL OVER, BUT NOT START. THIS MORNING (ABOUT 35 DEGREES), I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND IT WAS VERY SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT START. I ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE IT AND ENDED UP WALKING MY DAUGHTER 5 BLOCKS TO DAYCARE AND CALLING A RIDE TO WORK. WHEN I RETURNED HOME 3 HOURS LATER, IT STILL DID NOT WANT TO START AND THEN RAN SLUGGISH. ONLINE SEARCHES INDICATE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. THAT WILL BE MY NEXT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 98000 MILES. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1995 SATURN SC2 FOR 10 YEARS WITH 150000 MILES AND NO TROUBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258402February 11, 2009
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DUCT PORT, WHERE AIR TRAVELS THROUGH THE VEHICLE, FAILS TO TRANSPORT CORRECTLY AND BECOMES STUCK. THE INSULATION BETWEEN THE VENT LOOSENS AND STOPS SWITCHING BETWEEN HEAT AND DEFROST. THE FAILURE BEGAN AT 36,000 MILES. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS COULD FOG UP AND REDUCE VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE OCCURS IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258026February 9, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY. WAIT 10 MIN, CAR TURNS OVER THEN DIES. WAIT 5 MIN CAR WILL START (HIGH RPM'S AT FIRST) W/O PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257774February 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 SATURN ION LEVEL 1 IN APRIL OF 2006. BEGINNING THIS WINTER (APPROXIMATELY EARLY DECEMBER 2008), MY CAR DID NOT START. INITIALLY, IT WOULD SIMPLY CLICK, BUT ALL ELECTRICAL WAS WORKING PROPERLY, AND THERE WAS NO DRAIN OF POWER UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. A FEW HOURS LATER, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO START IT, AND IT TURNED OVER AS IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM PRESENT. SINCE THEN, IT HAS VERY RANDOMLY DONE THE SAME THING - FIRST TRY, NOTHING BUT ELECTRICAL COMES ON, BUT AFTER WAITING ANYWHERE FROM 5 - 30 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START ONLY TO DIE IMMEDIATELY, AND THEN FINALLY, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER, AND THE CAR WILL RUN PERFECTLY. THIS WINTER HAS BEEN BRUTALLY COLD, AND I HAVE A YOUNG SON. LUCKILY, HE HAS NEVER BEEN WITH ME WHEN I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE WHILE AWAY FROM HOME - SITTING IN A NON-RUNNING VEHICLE FOR UP TO HALF AN HOUR IN BELOW-ZERO TEMPERATURES IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO ME, BUT *EXTREMELY* DANGEROUS FOR HIM. I HAVE EVEN HAD OCCURRENCES OF THIS WHEN STOPPING AT THE STORE FOR A MERE 10 MINUTES (AFTER MY CAR STARTED PERFECTLY TO GET THERE), ONLY TO COME OUT AND FIND MY CAR COMPLETELY USELESS. THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT THE TEMPERATURE WAS LITERALLY 10-BELOW-ZERO), AND IT TOOK ME A SOLID HALF HOUR TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I HAVE DISCOVERED COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS REGARDING DUPLICATE SITUATIONS ONLINE FROM MANY, MANY ION OWNERS, AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS OF SATURNS. THE FACT THAT SATURN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR WHAT IS APPARENTLY REMEDIED BY REPLACING THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY AND HOUSING APPALL ME, EVEN THOUGH THEY ADDRESS IT AS "NOT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE." WHEN TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT I, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER ION OWNERS, COULD BE LEFT STRANDED FAR FROM ANY HELP OR MEANS TO ATTAIN ASSISTANCE, AT ANY RANDOM TIME OF DAY OR LOCATION, IN EVEN THE ABSOLUTE WORST OF WEATHER CONDITIONS MAKES ME DISAGREE COMPLETELY WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT IT DOES NOT IMPACT THE SAFETY OF SATURN OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT DESERVES A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257571February 5, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN THAT WILL NOT START WHEN IT GETS COLD, THIS HAS HAPPEN SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THIS CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING AND COSTLY WHEN I MISS HOURS FROM WORK OR TRYING TO GET MY CHILD TO SCHOOL. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IS THERE ANYONE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. WHY SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO SUFFER FOR TRUSTING A PRODUCT WITH YOUR NAME ON IT FOR RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.*TR KAREN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257627February 5, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AT TEMPERATURES OF 30 DEGREES AND BELOW, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED YET AGAIN AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VIN THAT WAS PROVIDED WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257286February 3, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION. I HAVE HAD IT IN 3 TIMES TO BE WORKED ON. SOME DAYS IT WILL START SOME DAYS IT WILL NOT. I HAVE HAD A FUSE REPLACED, MY STARTED, AND A CONNECTION TO THE STARTER. I KNOW 2 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. NOW I READ THIS ONLINE BLOG AND A TON OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THESE REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256921January 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENT DURING THE LAST 14 MONTHS REGARDING MY SATURN ION III NOT WANTING TO START IN COLD WEATHER & THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT ALLOWING ME TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO TRY TO DIAGNOSE, NEW BATTERY, TOWING ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256931January 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER (APPROXIMATELY 30 DEGREES OR LOWER). INITIAL ATTEMPT AT STARTING PUTS CAR INTO ANTI-THEFT MODE, AND YOU MUST WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN WITH NO GUARANTEE THE SAME THING WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256264January 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SATURN WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. STARTS FINE IN THE WARMTH OF MY GARAGE. BARELY TURNS OVER THEN DIES. HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES OR HAVE IT JUMPED. BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED AND ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. STARTER PROBLEM OR IGNITION PROBLEM. SAME AS MANY OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256289January 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THIS FALL I WENT TO START MY 2005 SATURN ION S2 IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCHED REPLACED. NOW IN JANUARY, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND DETERMINED THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FIXED PERMANENTLY BECAUSE THE PART IS BAD FROM SATURN. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP SPENDING $200.00 WHENEVER I HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256056January 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION THAT I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. WHEN THE WEATHER IS 32 DEGREES OR LOWER THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY JUST BE MY BATTERY BUT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH I WAS ABLE TO READ THOUGH ABOUT 150 CASES WHERE PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS REASON. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A FOUR MONTH OLD BABY AND TO BE OUT IN THE COLD WITH A VEHICLE THAT WONT START BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM IS REALLY SAD. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO THIS MATTER WITH THIS VEHICLE. EVERY DAY I CANT START MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER. PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. ALSO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE MANY CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256061January 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN
DOES NOT CRANK, DOES NOT START IN COLD WEATHER & LEAVES YOU STRANDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256161January 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING UP IN COLD WEATHER, BUT IT'S SPORADIC - SOMETIMES IT WILL START, SOMETIME IT WON'T. BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A "WHITE" WIRE THAT IS IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255828January 21, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS STARTING PROBLEMS. INTERMITTENT STARTING IN COLD WEATHER AND NOW STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER INSTALLED NEW IGNITION SWITCH ONE WEEK AGO FOR $230, BUT STALLING IS ONCE AGAIN A PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE STUCK IN A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255607January 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SATURN ION HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STARTING IN COOLER WEATHER. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND FOUND OUT ONLINE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH EITHER GOES BAD OR THE WRONG SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH A KEY CODE AND VOLTAGE. THIS HAS OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR A MONTH NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255714January 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 SATURN ION REFUSES TO START SPORADICALLY ON COLD MORNINGS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE EARLY FALL. MY CAR REPAIR SHOP ASSURES ME THAT THE BATTERY IN MY CAR IS FULLY CHARGED AND CAPABLE OF STARTING. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN 5-6 OF THESE ISSUES WITH SATURN IONS IN THE PAST MONTH, AND THAT I MUST TAKE IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. I LIVE IN A FAIRLY SMALL TOWN, THE FACT THAT MY SHOP HAS SEEN THIS MANY ISSUES WITH SATURNS IS ASTOUNDING. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND THE TEMPS IN INDIANA HAVE BEEN BELOW ZERO. I FEAR THAT I WILL HAVE THEM OUT SOMEWHERE AND BE UNABLE TO START MY CAR IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, OR THAT I WILL BE UNABLE TO PICK THEM UP FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE I CANNOT GET MY CAR STARTED. I HAVE READ ON THE WEB THIS MORNING, THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN MY ISSUES WITH MY SATURN ION. I REALIZE THAT NO ONE HAS DIED OR BEEN INJURED IN MY PARTICULAR SITUATION, BUT IF SMALL CHILDREN ARE STRANDED IN MY CAR IN SUB-ZERO TEMPS BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T START, IT SEEMS THAT, AT THE VERY LEAST WE HAVE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE HERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255556January 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. MY CAR DOES NOT COLD START IN TEMPERATURES UNDER 30 DEGREES. MANY SATURN OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT WHEN IT WAS I BROUGHT IT IN MANY TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SERVICE. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH TWICE AND STARTER ONCE. PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED. ITS WORSE NOW THEN EVER BEFORE IN THESE COLD DAYTON OHIO WINTERS. NOW THEY SAY THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTHER BOARD FOR MY CAR AFTER DOING ANOTHER DIAGNOSTICS TEST FOR A TOTAL OF @ $500.00. I FEEL SATURN IS NOT ONLY GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND BUT WILL GLADLY STILL TAKE MY HARD EARNED MONEY. PLEASE HELP. IM ABOUT TO BE A FATHER AND DON'T WANT TO BE STRANDED IN THE COLD WITH MY CHILD BY A COMPANY THAT JUST GOT MILLIONS LOANED TO THEM BY OUR GOVERNMENT. NOT FAIR, PLEASE HELP HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WRONGDOINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255469January 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DURING EVERY COLD SEASON SINCE THE PURCHASE OF 2003 SATURN ION, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER (USUALLY WHEN BELOW 25 DEG F). THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HOW THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS IS AS FOLLOWS: IN COLD WEATHER, WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, ENGINE FREQUENTLY (AT LEAST 25% OF THE TIME) WILL NOT "CATCH" AND RUN- JUST TURNS OVER. IF IMMEDIATELY TRYING TO START IT AGAIN AFTER A FIRST FAILED START, ENGINE TURNS OVER SLOWLY AND DIES (SIMILAR TO DEAD BATTERY SYMPTOM, HOWEVER BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE OK). AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR 5 MINUTES AFTER A FAILED ATTEMPT, TRYING AGAIN MAY RESULT IN A MOMENT OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE, AND MORE ENGINE TURNING, HOWEVER ENGINE STALLS. AFTER REPEATED WAITING AND START RE-ATTEMPTS (OFTEN 5- 10 TIMES, AND AN ELAPSED PERIOD OF TIME OF 30- 60 MINUTES OF RE-ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE WILL FREQUENTLY START AND REMAIN STARTED. HOWEVER THE INCONVENIENCE OF A 30-60 MINUTE DELAY IS DISCONCERTING, AND ON SOME COLD MORNINGS, REPEATED FAILED ATTEMPTS CAUSES BATTERY TO DRAIN AND NEED FOR "JUMP STARTING" THE CAR, AT OWNER EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE. AN INTERNET SEARCH ON 2003 SATURN ION COLD STARTING PROBLEM INDICATES A PERVASIVE AND SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM IN IGNITION SWITCH DESIGN, HOWEVER SATURN HAS NOT YET ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DESIGN FLAW IN A FORMAL RECALL. TODAY, REPAIRS HAVE TO BE MADE AT OWNER EXPENSE ($200-300 REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH SEEMS TO BE THE FEEDBACK). SEE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML MY REQUEST OF THE NHTSA IS THAT YOU URGE SATURN TO ISSUE A FORMAL RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR INPUTS AND INTENDED APPROACH ON THIS SITUATION. ALSO, IF YOU ARE AWARE OF OTHER AGENCIES THAT I SHOULD CONTACT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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