Saturn Ion Complaints (2006)

1,235 consumer complaints on file.

#10244720October 8, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED HER TO BRING HIM THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF; THEREFORE, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS. HE TOLD THE CONTACT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING THE NEXT TIME THE FAILURE OCCURS. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CONTACT HEEDED THE MECHANIC'S INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS AND REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, WHICH ONLY COVERED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF SHE ONLY PAID $448, THEY WOULD COVER THE REMAINING COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244530October 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2006 SATURN ION FAILS TO START. LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC COME ON BUT WILL NOT TURNOVER. THIS MORNING AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES AND TURNING THE KEY OFF/OFF MULTIPLE TIMES, IT FINALLY STARTED. OTHER TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED I HAVE WAITED ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS HAPPENS WEEKLY AND I AM A SINGLE WOMEN AND I AM AFRAID I WILL EVENTUALLY BE STRANDED. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE COULD NOT GET IT TO FAIL. I TOOK IT HOME AND IT HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I CALLED HIM HE TOLD ME HE THOUGHT IT MAY BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244160October 1, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY HUSBAND CAME HOME AND WENT TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THE KEY WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I CALLED ON-STAR FROM MY CAR AND HE GOT A ROADSIDE ASSISTANT ON THE PHONE AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME OUT AND COULD NOT DISABLE THE CAR AND HAD TO TOW THE CAR, WHILE IT WAS RUNNING, TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS FAIRLY COMMON IN OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD THE NEXT DAY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HOUSING UNIT NEEDED REPLACED. I CALLED GM CORPORATE TO ASK IF THIS WAS A RECALL AND/OR IF SOMEONE WAS LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM AND ALL I WAS TOLD WAS THAT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS LIVID AND WILL NEVER DEAL WITH GM AGAIN FOR SUCH A LOUSY RESPONSE. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND WHAT IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH THEM IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING. TELL ME THAT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244818September 30, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
2006 SATURN ION - DRIVER'S HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE CAME UP CAUSING THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO BREAK WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NJ THE VEHICLE HAD PRIOR DAMAGE DUE TO A CRASH THAT OCCURRED THE SAME DAY. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 10-0658-91. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243356September 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE POWER STEERING, BATTERY, AND COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. UPDATED 10/21/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243251September 23, 2008
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CV DRIVESHAFTS FAIL ON THE HIGH PERFORMANCE REDLINE MODEL MADE BY SATURN AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER GM WARRENTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241840September 11, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL TANK. HE IS CONCERNED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. EVER SINCE THE LEAK OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS TO BE CRANKED FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO ANY DEALER; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000. PHONE INTERVIEW (AUGUST 4, 09): MR. HORNBACK REPAIRED THE FULE PUMP HIMSELF. HE SAID THAT ONE OF THE NIPPLES ON THE FUEL MODULE HAD CRACKED. MR. HORNBACK INSERTED A BRASS PIPE INTO THE BROKEN NIPPLE AND EPOXY IT IN PLACE. HE AGREED TO EMAIL ME PICTURES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. HE BELIEVES THAT THE CRACKED NIPPLE WAS FOR THE FUEL 'RETURN' SIDE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239790August 26, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP IN THE RUN POSITION COULD NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239117August 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY CAR IS PARKED, BUT I CAN'T TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE KEY COMES OUT, BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237854August 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY '06 SATURN ION IN JUNE '06. JUST LAST WEEK, I PARKED MY CAR AT A LOCAL STORE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE. THE IGNITION HAD LOCKED UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THE SITUATION AND HOW THEY CAN FIX IT AT A COST OF $300+. WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS, I AGREED AND THEY PROMPTLY FIXED IT WITHIN THE HOUR. HOWEVER, AS I PAID MY BILL I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE IGNITION LOCK WAS AND HE SAID IT WAS A FAULTY PART FROM SATURN AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. TO ME, THAT MEANS SATURN SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THE CHARGES AND THESE FAULTY PARTS!! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND A REPLACEMENT MADE BY SATURN!! I HAVE HAD TWO SATURNS AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD GOOD EXPERIENCES AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THEY HANDLED THIS "FAULTY" SITUATION! AND TO TOP IT OFF, ON MY RECEIPT, PARTS WERE LESS THAN $40 SO LABOR WAS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR LESS THAN 1 HOUR OF WORK FOR THEIR OWN FAULTY PART. UNREAL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237393August 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TOOK MY 06 SATURN INTO THE DEALER DUE TO STALLING. WAS TOLD BY THE MECH. THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING THAT THE PLASTIC ELBOW HAD A CRACK IN IT DUE TO THE ROAD VIBRATION MY CONCERN IS THAT TIS IS A LINE THAT IS UNDER APPOS 20PSI LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE AND DIRECTLY UNDER THE BACK SEAT. IF GAS IS BEING SPRAYED OUT OVER THE EXHAUST A SPARK IS ALL THAT IS MISSING TO HAVE A ROLLING FLAME THROWER. IN MY SIMPLE MIND THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE PRONE TO CRACKING BECAUSE OF NORMAL DRIVING. I STILL REMEMBER THE PINTO I HOPE SOME ONE WILL TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS THINK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236416July 30, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. I HAD TO PULL THE IGNITION FUSE TO GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED WITH THE CAR. IT COSTS $750 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFT LEVER CABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235840July 26, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, EQUIPMENT
THE 2006 SATURN ION IGNITION LOCKED ON WITH THE CAR RUNNING IN PARK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH SATURN IONS. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED. IT GETS COMPLETELY LOCKED IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS RUNNING, WASTING GAS AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF SOMETHING ELSE IS HAPPENING AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF QUICKLY AND CAN'T. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND PULL AN IGNITION FUSE. THE KEY REMAINS LOCKED IN PLACE. I'M PUTTING THIS UNDER 'FUEL SYSTEM-OTHER' BECAUSE THE IGNITION TURNS THE FUEL SYSTEM ON AND OFF. I ORIGINALLY PARKED AND TRIED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BECAUSE I SMELLED FUEL. LUCKILY IT WAS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WAS JUST IN THE AIR. BUT IT WAS SCARY TO SMELL FUEL AND NOT BE ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235384July 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING GREAT. I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK, AND STARTED THE CAR. I STOPPED AT A LOCAL GAS STATION TO GET GAS, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO PUMP MY GAS WITH THE CAR RUNNING, WHICH IS AN EXTREME HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHERS AROUND ME. I CONTINUED TO JIGGLE THE KEY TRYING TO GET IT TO MOVE, AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, AND CONTACT MY SATURN DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF I COULD GET THIS WORKED ON. THEY REPORTED THAT IT WOULD BE OVER A WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO IT. THE KEY CONTINUES TO BE JAMMED, THE DOORS WON'T LOCK, AND ANYONE COULD STEAL MY CAR AT ANYTIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, AND SEEMS TO ME A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH SATURN CARS. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234809July 18, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2006 SATURN ION WHICH WE BOUGHT USED LAST DECEMBER. LAST NIGHT WHEN PULLING INTO HER PARENTS DRIVEWAY WHILE ON VACATION THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION ONCE PUT IN PARK. THE CAR WAS STUCK RUNNING WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. FORTUNATELY I HAVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND IN MECHANICS SO WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT THE IGNITION RELAY SWITCH THEN DISCONNECT THE BATTERY(WHICH IS IN THE TRUNK, SO COULDN'T SHUT THE TRUNK EITHER OR I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONNECT THE BATTERY AGAIN) JUST SO THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT DRAIN THE BATTERY AS ALL THE ACCESSORIES WERE STILL ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS ENTIRE BILL OUT OF POCKET. WHEN AND WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL YET?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234133July 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GOING TO A DINNER AT MOTHERS HOUSE - STARTED THE CAR JUST FINE - ARRIVED AT DESTINATION - PUT THE CAR INTO PARK WENT TO TURN IT OFF - KEY WOULD NOT TURN IT WAS STUCK IN THE 'ON' POSITION AND NOT MOVING PERIOD...HAD TO PULL THE FUSE OUT FOR THE IGNITION - AAA WOULDN'T COME OUT ON A SUNDAY EVENING - NOWHERE IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TO DRIVE THE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE EVERYWHERE IS CLOSED - NOW - EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS OFF THE KEY IS STILL IN IT, AND I HAVE TO ESSENTIALLY PUT A PLASTIC 'KEY' INTO A FITTING UNDERNEATH/INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN OFF AND START MY CAR. ANYONE CAN WALK BY AND TRY TO BREAK INTO MY CAR BECAUSE THEY SEE KEYS IN THE IGNITION - IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE FRIEND THAT NEW SOMETHING ABOUT CARS MY CAR WOULD HAVE OVERHEATED AND PROBABLY CAUGHT ON FIRE, BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD COME OUT AND HELP ME. ...RIDICULOUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234290July 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING:RACK AND PINION, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT MY 2006 ION BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT NOW THE CAR IS AT 27K MILES AND NOW IT HAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, I HAVE TAKEN IN TO DEALER MANY TIMES THEY HAVE REPLACED 1) INTERMEDIATE SHAFT 2) LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING 3) CATALYTIC CONVERTER 4) STEERING RACK: AND ON TOP OF ALL THIS IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND MY CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH FOUND TSB'S FOR THIS BOTH OF WHICH THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY ALREADY DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233866July 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION AND CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233558July 8, 2008
STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEARLY CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH; HOWEVER, THE SPEED HAS VARIED. THE CONNECTING PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL OFF ONTO THE FREEWAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233567July 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EVERY NOW AND THEN MY KEY FELT 'ROUGH' IN THE IGNITION. ON 7/4/2008 I GOT IN THE CAR (IT WAS PARKED ON A STEEP INCLINE) AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WASN'T LOCKED, BUT EVEN AFTER TURNING THAT (IT NEVER DID SEEM TO LOCK), THE KEY STILL WOULDN'T BUDGE. IT EVENTUALLY TURNED OVER. BETWEEN 7/4/2008 AND 7/8/2008 THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME I STARTED MY CAR. THE ONLY TIMES WHERE IT WASN'T SEVERE WERE WHEN I WAS PARKED ON A COMPLETELY LEVEL SURFACE SUCH AS A GARAGE. I CALLED THE SATURN DEALER AND TOOK MY CAR INTO BE SERVICED. THE ENTIRE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY KEY STILL FEELS 'ODD' AND I DO NOT HAVE FAITH THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. MY CAR HAS 27,140 MILES AND WILL TURN THREE ON NOVEMBER 7, 2008. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO HAVING MY STARTER REPLACED IN EARLY JANUARY 2008. IN DECEMBER 2008 THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND DIED WHILE DECELERATING ON AN EXIT RAMP AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES STRAIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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