Saturn Ion Complaints (2003)

758 consumer complaints on file.

#10247913November 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. MY 2003 SATURN ION IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I HAVE HAD IT HOOKED UP A SCAN TOOL AT OUR REPAIR SHOP IT SAID IT WAS THE SAFETY SWITCH, SOMETHING ABOUT IT HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH. WHICH IT HAD NOT, BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT THERE ALL THE TIME. IF I WAIT A FEW MINUTES IT WILL START I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS NOW, IT HAS WORKED EVERY TIME. HOWEVER IT IS BECOMING MORE OFTEN AND THAT IS WHY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOOKED UP TO A SCAN TOOL. 2. THE FIRST 2 YRS IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED 4 TIMES. WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. 3. YOU JUST NEED TO WAIT, WHEN IT DECIDES TO START IT WILL. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE COMPUTER THINKS THAT SOMEONE IS BREAKING INTO THE CAR, SO SHORTS OFF THE FUEL TO THE CARBURETOR AND IT WILL NOT START. IT WILL TURN OVER, WILL NOT START. IF YOUR TRY RIGHT AWAY NOTHING HAPPENS, SO YOU NEED TO WAIT.... TRY IT AGAIN, IT TURNS OVER, FIRES UP WILL NOT START, THE ENGINE WILL NOT GO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247968November 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
CAR WILL NOT START, DUE TO PASS-LOCK BEING INITIATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247852November 6, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION AND FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS MY VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD. I HAVE HEARD AND READ HUNDRED OF PEOPLE HAVING TO REPLACE THEIR IGNITION SWITCH ON THEIR IONS. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MANY OCCASSIONS IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT. SATURN HAS NOT OFFERED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IS JUST BANKING IN THE CASH FOR US TO REPLACE THEIR IGNITION SWITCHES AND GET OUR COMPUTERS REPROGRAMMED. SINCE SATURN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ITS CUSTOMERS THEN I FEEL IT IS SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246479October 23, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246303October 22, 2008
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE. THERE ARE REPORTS ON-LINE ABOUT MOST PEOPLE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO RECENTLY CRASHED ON THE 405 FREEWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246083October 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN MY 2003 SATURN ION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS CRUNCHED IN AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT UNHARMED, BUT IF I HIT THE OTHER CAR ANY HARDER I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT! I CALLED THE SATURN DEALERS HERE IN SYRACUSE AND THEY DID NOT SEEM VERY CONCERNED AT ALL WITH THE IDEA OF CHECKING THE SAFETY DEVISE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS! WHAT CAN BE DONE? *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245716October 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT ON COLD DAYS (AND SOMETIMES NOT SO COLD) MY CAR WILL JUST CLICK AND NOT START, OR WILL START AND DIE OUT. BUT IF I KEEP TRYING TO START IT AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE AND COME BACK, IT WILL START RIGHT UP. WHEN IT DOES THIS, THEY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT USUALLY COMES ON WHEN TRYING TO START IT, BUT WHEN I GET IT STARTED IT IMMEDIATELY GOES OFF. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER CHECKED AND THEY ARE FINE. IT ONLY HAPPENS USUALLY IN THE MORNINGS OR LATE AT NIGHT WHEN IT'S BEEN COLD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245581October 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO EXPERIENCE A NO START CONDITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LASTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD REPEATEDLY HOP AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. ON ONE OCCASION, THE WIPER FRACTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245080October 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT ON COLD DAYS (AND SOMETIMES NOT SO COLD) MY CAR WILL JUST CLICK AND NOT START, OR WILL START AND DIE OUT, RESULTING IN MY HAVING TO WAIT 9-10 MINUTES FOR THE PASSLOCK TO RESET AND HOPEFULLY ALLOW MY CAR TO START ON A SECOND ATTEMPT. ON SOME RARE OCCASIONS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH THIS 9-10 MINUTE CYCLE 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL START PROPERLY SO I CAN DRIVE. THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION. WHILE I AM ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, I CAN'T TURN THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO RESOLVE THIS ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS BY USING A SCREWDRIVER IN THE SMALL PANEL HOLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN AND MOVING A SMALL SWITCH TO RELEASE THE KEY. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2003 I HAVE HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR THAN ANY USED CAR I POSSESSED. MY HOOD LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH AND WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES. THE HEATING CONTROL KNOB WAS REPLACED 7 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY FUNCTIONED PROPERLY WITHOUT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242282September 15, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND MAKES STEERING DIFFICULT. THE FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240313August 30, 2008
EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES INSTALLED ON MY 2003 SATURN ION BY FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER FAILED A WEEK AFTER INSTALLATION RESULTING IN A AUTO ACCIDENT. I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO 4 FIRESTONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240317August 30, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 SATURN TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WITH AROUND 69000 AND SATURN REFUSED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY ON MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235246July 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START IN COLD WEATHER & RECENTLY HAS NOT WANTED TO START A FEW TIMES IN WARM WEATHER. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE JANUARY & ON AVERAGE IT DOES THIS 5-10 TIMES A MONTH. IF YOU PUT THE KEY IN TO START THE CAR, IT WILL EITHER MAKE A CLICKING NOISE & WONT START OR IT WILL START THEN THE IGNITION DIES IMMEDIATELY. SERVICE ENGINE SOON SCROLL LIGHT WILL COME ON. IT USUALLY TAKES 10-30 MINUTES TO EVENTUALLY GET THE CAR STARTED. ONE TIME IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER IT WOULD NOT START FOR 4 DAYS. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED & IT FAILED TO ACT UP WHILE THEY HAD IT. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235226July 21, 2008
VISIBILITY
TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOBS DON'T ROTATE AND IT RESTRICTS THE AIR FLOW PREVENTING THE CAR FROM DEFOGGING FRONT WINDSHIELD, DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS RESTRICTING VISIBILITY MAKING THE CONTINUE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235075July 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE IS OVERHEATING, I HAVE REPLACED THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234803July 18, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE TAKES OVER ONE HOUR TO START AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GMC IGNITION MODULE RECALL (NUMBER 03033-03C-06). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233339July 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232129June 24, 2008
TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE INFINITI TIRES, SIZE 195/60R15 (NA). ON THREE ISOLATED EVENTS, WITHIN A FIVE WEEK PERIOD, THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRES FAILED. THE TIRES LOST PRESSURE OVERNIGHT ON TWO OCCASIONS. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRE LOST COMPLETE PRESSURE AND THE CONTACT NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF ONE OF THE TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT THE MANUFACTURERS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED7/15/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232216June 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF LOCK UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE OCCURS WEEKLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS I NEEDED TO GET A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER THIS IS THE 2ND IGNITION CYLINDER I HAVE HAD TO GET SINCE PURCHASING MY VEHICLE, OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THEIR PARTS ONCE MY CAR RAN WITH OUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230077June 5, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1) TRY TO START SATURN ION 2) IT FAILED TO START 3) WAITED 10 MIN. IT STARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Saturn Ion