Saturn Ion Complaints (2003)

758 consumer complaints on file.

#10553356November 22, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING CUTS OUT SUDDENLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550835November 4, 2013
STEERING
WE PURCHASED THIS 2003 SATURN ION USED AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAIL WHEN DRIVING. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FIXING CARS WITH THIS ISSUE (2004-2007). THIS CAR HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS IN THE LATER MODELS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THE "SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT" ISSUED BY GM. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HOPE THEY CONSIDER THE 2003 FOR COVERAGE AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10550115October 30, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WIFE AND CHILDREN RIDING DOWN ROAD WHEN CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF AND LOOSES ALL POWER. SHE WAS LUCKILY ENOUGH TO MERGE ACROSS 2 LANES AT A COAST WITH NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THEN IT TOOK UP TO 30 MIN OF SITTING ON THE SIDE OF VERY BUSY I-16 TILL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND SHE COULD CONTINUE HER WAY HOME WITH MY 2 AND 8 YEAR OLD KIDS IN THE CAR. NOW ALL THE CAR WILL DO IS FLASH THAT PASSLOCK LIGHT AFTER I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH,STARTER,BATTERY,ALTERNATOR AND MANY FUSES ALSO FOLLOWING THE RELEARN PROCEDURE EACH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549523October 25, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY RECUR DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM WAS RE-WIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533929August 6, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,597. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525071July 16, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,710.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525247July 16, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I AM NOT SURE IF THE POWER TRAIN IS THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN, CAUSING IT TO LOOSE SPEED INCREDIBLY FAST ALMOST TO THE POINT OF STOPPING. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION, BUT GM NOW SAYS THERE WAS NOT. EVEN THOUGH WHEN I FIRST CALLED, THE GENTLEMAN THAT ANSWERED SAID THAT THE SYMPTOMS FIT THE RECALL STATS. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH THE PERSON THAT WAS HANDLING THE CLAIM, SHE SAID IT WAS PAST 8 YEARS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE RECALLED PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE GARAGE, AND TRANSMISSION COMPANY TELL ME THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS ON A RECALL, JUST BY CHECKING THE VIN #. GM NOW REFUSES TO FIX IT AND DENIES SAYING IT WAS ON RECALL. THE AUTO DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SOLD OTHER SATURNS, SAME YEAR. I SPOKE WITH THE GIRL THERE THAT "ENTERS THE VINS INTO THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CAR"...AND SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS CAR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS 4 OTHER RECALLS LISTED FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS, I FIRST CALLED A LOCAL SATURN DEALER, AND THEY BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT WAS JUST "STUCK" (THE TRANSMISSION) I KEPT DRIVING IT THINKING I WAS WRONG IT WAS STUCK LIKE THEY SAID, WHATEVER THAT MEANT. IT GOT WORSE, I ENDED UP CALLING GM AS REFERRED TO BY MANY GARAGES AND AUTO PARTS STORES, AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL ON TRANNY, THEN FLIPPED IT AROUND . WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR WHETHER IT IS ON THE HIGHWAY OR A STREET, IT WILL SUDDENLY ALMOST STOP WITHOUT HITTING THE BREAKS, AS IT WILL DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. THIS ALMOST CAUSED MORE THAN ONE ACCIDENT. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524823July 15, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS SHUT DOWN THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523556July 7, 2013
STEERING
STEERING LOCKS OR BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE FOR PARKING AND THEREAFTER IN DRIVE FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY MORE AND MORE WORSE. HAVE HAD THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR REPLACED, THE ELECTRIC MOTOR REPLACED AND PROBLEM BECOMES MORE NOTICEABLE. BEGINNING TO EFFECT DRIVING AND THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE CAR WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514611June 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SATURN ION 2 MODEL YEAR 2003 WAS SERVICED FOR 2004 TURN SIGNAL RECALL BACK IN 2005; IN THE PAST 16 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL BULB CHANGED 4 TIMES BECAUSE IT STOPS WORKING, AND HAVE CHANGED IT 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE THE MOST RECENT SERIES OF INCIDENTS. AS OF TODAY I CHANGED IT A 5TH TIME AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION PARTICULARLY SINCE IT FAILS REPEATEDLY. NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR HUNDREDS OF SATURN OWNERS; THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE RE-OCCURENCE OF THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510086May 6, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SEEKS VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND PUT THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. THE CONSUMER BACKED THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY HE TRIED IT, AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. FROM SEPTEMBER 2012, UNTIL JANUARY 2013, THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE GOING FORWARD. EACH TIME, IT WOULD WORK AGAIN AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE. THEN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS, THE SHIFTING WORKED. AFTER DRIVING THREE BLOCKS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE SHIFTING WENT OUT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND THE PARTS ALONE WOULD COST $3,982.58.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505763April 10, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SIGNIFICANT RUST AND STRESS FRACTURES ON FUEL LINE RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL OF INCENDIARY INCIDENT IN THE CASE OF COLLISION. AFTER VEHICLE MESSAGE BOARD QUERIES THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WITH UNUSUAL FREQUENCY IN SATURN IONS SPANNING 2003-2007. PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE FUEL LINE REPLACED; WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I WANTED TO REPORT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503835March 20, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SWITCH WILL NOT TURN BACK TO RELEASE MY KEYS. AT TIMES TRYING TO START THE CAR THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN, AS WELL. EVENTUALLY IT WILL TURN, FOR NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503444March 18, 2013
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER IN OCTOBER 2012 THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SATURN WENT DEFUNCT BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2006 AND AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MOTORS THAT A RECALL WAS PROPOSED ON THE CHEVY CRUZ AND GM SAYS THEY ARE NOT COVERED OR NO COVERED UNDER THE SATURN PROGRAM. NOW OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH GM KNOWS HAS PROBLEMS HAS SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ALLOWING THE DISENGAGING OF THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF AND PARK. AGAIN GM SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THEY HAVE RECALLS ON OTHER GM VEHICLES. I HAVE SPENT UPWARDS OF $700 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AND BATTERIES AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I'VE READ OF THE MANY NIGHTMARE ON THE INTERNET AND WONDER IF YOUR BUREAU CAN DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATIONS. THANKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500161February 26, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START, BUT THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW WIRE HARNESS FOR THE ALARM SYSTEM AND A NEW IGNITION LOCK TUMBLER WITH THE DIELECTRIC GREASE IN IT. THIS FAILURE ACROSS MORE OFTEN WHEN COLD. UPON MAKING SHORT ERRANDS, THE VEHICLE MUST BE LEFT RUNNING IN ORDER TO AVOID SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES. UPDATED 06/3/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492761January 16, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR LOCKS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOORS UN-LOCKED, THE FLASHER STARTED TO FLASH AND THE AIR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A NEARBY GARAGE AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE SOLUTION AT THAT TIME WAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RE-START IT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 16TH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART REQUIRED WAS A SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AT A COST OF $ 399.99. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE MECHANIC, THAT A PART TRY TO BE LOCATED AT A JUNK YARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491890January 8, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD INTERMITTENTLY BE REMOVED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487708December 7, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED PASS THE ACCESSORY MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480581October 15, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DETECTED SMELL OF GASOLINE. CHECKED RECALLS. THERE ARE SOME RECALLS FOR THIS CAR BUT NOT THIS VIN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD RUSTY GAS LINE REPLACED. PAID FOR PARTS AND WORK DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479669October 10, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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