Saturn Ion Complaints (2004)

898 consumer complaints on file.

#10491972January 9, 2013
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400 4305 /B12 TIRES (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER, THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BUT IT WAS STILL ABLE TO HOLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490745January 2, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ENGINE
WHEN STARTING THE SATURN ON A COLD MORNING, THE IGNITION FAILS TO START THE CAR. I GET A SERVICE MESSAGE. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AS IF THE SECURITY WAS RESETTING ITSELF. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. GM WILL NOT OWN UP TO A FAULTY PRODUCT THAT LEAVES SATURN OWNERS COMPLETELY STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES, EVEN ON WARM DAYS. A RECALL MUST BE APPROVED FOR THIS MASSIVE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY THE CARS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN MINUTES OR STALL OUT IN UNSAFE AREAS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THIS IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED BASED ON HUNDREDS OF TESTAMENTS. I HAVE REPLACED MY STATER AND BATTERY BEFORE REALIZING THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT NUMEROUS OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE OF DEALING WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484771November 15, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483821November 9, 2012
STEERING
MY POWER ASSIST STEERING WILL GO OUT SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IONS FROM THAT YEAR, BUT THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483491November 6, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I STARTED MY CAR, PULLED FORWARD THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, DIDN'T REVERSE. HEADED DOWN WESTHEIMER AT ABOUT APPROX. 35 MPH. I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE WHEN I HEARD THE WARNING CHIME AND MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD BEING IT WAS ABOUT 1 AM. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON SUDDENLY IT WAS BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482321October 26, 2012
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HOW LOOSE THE WHEEL WAS WHEN IT WAS COMING DOWN FROM THE LIFT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE SHOP AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY EASY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479638October 10, 2012
STEERING
WHEN I WAS GOING SOUTH ON I-95 IN GEORGIA I HEARD A WARNING TONE FROM MY SATURN AND SAW A WARNING ON MY DASH THAT WAS FOR THE POWER STEERING. IMMEDIATELY I COULD TELL I HAD LOST MY POWER STEERING BECAUSE CHANGING LANES FELT SLUGGISH AND A BIT DIFFICULT. (NOT PHYSICALLY DIFFICULT BUT MORE DIFFICULT THAN USUAL) THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. THEN IT IS LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. AT SLOWER SPEEDS THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FORCE THAT IS REQUIRED TO TURN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS NOT FOR ME BUT FOR MY WIFE WHO CANNOT PHYSICALLY CONTROL THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478505October 3, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AS THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478551October 3, 2012
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WE HEARD A TONE INDICATING SOMETHING WAS WRONG, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND WE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WAS UNABLE TO QUICKLY MANEUVER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER TRAVELING A FEW MILES. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME AND NOW THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN EVERY FEW MINUTES. CAR IS UNSAFE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO MAKE QUICK MANEUVERS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHEV. & PONT. CARS WITH SAME EQUIPMENT AND COMPLAINTS WERE RECALLED. SATURNS SHOULD BE ALSO. THERE IS AN OPEN ACTION NUMBER OF EA11014. *TR ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SATURN VOLUNTEERED TO REPLACE A PORTION OF THE STEERING THAT CONTROLLED THE POWER STEERING AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 12/12/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478020September 30, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION WOULD NOT ENGAGE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AT 400.00 COST. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE KEY NOW WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WE WERE ABLE TO PULL ENOUGH FUSES TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THEY SAY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SAME SYSTEM AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS FROM GM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS SYSTEM AGAIN AT A COST OF 400.00 PLEASE HELP ME WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477968September 29, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
OUR CAR, 2004, SATURN ION3, CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY ON IT'S OWN ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN HOME ON 4 NOV 2011. NO DRIVER - NO KEY IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. I SUBMITTED AN INITIAL REQUEST FOR REVIEW TO GM CLAIMS ALONG WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION THAT WE HAD VIA EMAILS AND OUR CLAIM WAS DENIED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477971September 29, 2012
STEERING
OUT OF THE BLUE, THE CONSOLE MADE ALERT NOISES AND THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AS THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND NOT THE HIGHWAY, INTERSECTION OR OTHER DANGEROUS AREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477187September 26, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
EXCESSIVE BRAKE CHATTER IN FRONT BRAKES WHEN WET FROM A HARD RAIN OR RAIN PUDDLES. HARD TO STEER CAR, CAR SHUDDERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10476639September 21, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WARNING CHIME BEGAN TO SOUND. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10476588September 20, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER, EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,755. AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,756.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475550September 16, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE PARKING LIGHTS AND FRONT TURN SIGNALS STARTING BLINKING REALLY QUICK LIKE STROBING. I CAN TURN MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON AND IT WILL BLINK INSIDE HEARING THE NORMAL TICKING. IF I TURN MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON IT THE ARROW ON THE INSIDE BLINKS SLOWER AND MAKES NO TICKING SOUND.IF I PUSH ON MY BRAKE THE LIGHT WORK PROBABLY AND THE TICKING SOUND ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INSIDE STARTS. IF I PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON IT WORKS PROPERLY. THE STROBING OF THE FRONT OUTSIDE PARKING LIGHTS STOP. IF I TURN MY PARKING LIGHT ON AND DRIVE WITH THEM ON EVERYTHING WORKS PROPERLY. I KNOW THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. IT IS EFFECTING MY CAR SO BAD THAT MY RADIO DISPLAY LIGHT BLINKS ALSO. SO IT IS GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I HAVE A WRECK. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 CHILDREN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472520August 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
FOR THE SECOND TIME THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BROKE. TODAY WE UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. WE HAD TO REMOVE FUSES TO KILL THE ENGINE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE WERE STUCK IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START. IN BOTH CASES WE HAD TO BREAK THE IGNITION LOCK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE LOCK CYLINDER. WITH THE CYLINDER REMOVED WE CAN USE A SCREW DRIVER TO START THE CAR. THE SCREW IS MUCH MORE RELIABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471588August 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND AT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED FOR THE WINDOWS AND THEY BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. A PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE NEW FUSE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO ENSURE THAT NO ELECTRICAL FIRES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470849August 15, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME UP. VERY HARD TO STEER NO POWER ASSIST. TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING IS BACK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING EVENT SINCE 6/2010. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469920August 9, 2012
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING, WHEELS
TODAY 8/8/12, I JUMPED INTO MY 2004 SATURN ION AT 5PM AFTER WORK & IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL AS I EXITED THE PARKING LOT, I HAD TO SWERVE HARD TO MY RIGHT TO BY AVOID A COLLISION WITH TWO CARS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I WAS TERRIFIED! MY DISPLAY SHOWED "PWR STR" I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, I LEFT MY CAR DIAGONALLY PARKED, SINCE IT WOULD NOT MOVE WENT FOR ASSISTANCE, A PASSERBY LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD FOR A WHILE THEN TURNED MY CAR ON AND THE DISPLAY WAS BACK TO MILEAGE AND MY WHEEL WAS WORKING FINE!! I DROVE MY CAR HOME AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT IT COULD BE AND HOW I COULD FIX IT, I FIND OUT THAT THEIR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING! I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTERS AT ALL. MY CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE UP UNTIL NOW. IT HAS CLOSE TO 150K MIL (MILEAGE IS AN ESTIMATE ON THIS FORM) SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A GM PROBLEM, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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