Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10430532October 17, 2011
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT APPROX. 15 MPH WHEN THE ALERT CHIME, PWR STEERING DISPLAY AND THE ACTUAL POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR JOLTED AS IF I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS ON THE ROAD; STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. I MANAGED TO TURN AROUND, HEADED HOME AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. I DROVE TO THE STORE AS ORIGINALLY INTENDED AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE PARKING LOT. SAME ISSUE - FULLY FUNCTIONAL WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON THEN GOES OUT AS I AM DRIVING. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. IS THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE BEING RECALLED? IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT IS A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ISSUE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430363October 16, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM SOUNDED FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POSER STEERING. RESTARTING THE CAR RESET THE POWER STEERING BUT ONLY FOR A COUPLE MINUTES. AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE IS "EXTREMELY" DIFFICULT TO STEER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430366October 16, 2011
STEERING
WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING SPACE I INSPECTED THE BELT- IT WAS INTACT- AND THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE- THERE WAS NO FLUID LOSS. STEERING THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE REQUIRED GREAT EFFORT. PROCEEDING ON THE ROAD, THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO RETURN. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE WITH A SHARP LEFT TURN, BUT NOT AT ALL ON A SHARP RIGHT TURN. FURTHER ALONG THE ROAD, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ALSO NORMAL POWER ASSIST WAS EXPERIENCE ON A LEFT TURN. I OPERATED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MORE SHORT TRIPS, STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE- THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT ITSELF, BUT I HAVE READ ONLINE AND IN NEWS REPORTS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER SATURN OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430383October 16, 2011
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING AND GOING AROUND A CIRCLE AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT WAS HARD TO STEER,A CHIME AND POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH,I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. I TURNED ENGINE OFF.OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK ON SERPENTINE BELT IF BROKEN, BUT THE BELT WAS GOOD. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN,AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN,AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT,I PULLED OVER TURNED ENGINE OFF,RESTART AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING WORKING OK,I CALLED THE GM DEALER SERVICE DEPT.AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL OR T.S.B. FROM GM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430186October 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I SHUT OFF MY CAR, THE IGNITION WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. THIS HAPPENS EVERY OTHER TIME I USE THE CAR. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING ASSY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430235October 14, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS, THE SATURN ION 3 POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITENTLY GO OUT. WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WORKS FINE, AND THEN AT ANY RANDOM TIME THE CAR MAKES A DING,DING NOISE AND THEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND TURNED BACK ON THE POWER STEERING IS FINE. THEN A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT TURNS OFF AGAIN, ALMOST EVERY DAY. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN CORNERS. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS IF IT IS DAMP OR COLD (BELOW 60) IN THE MORNING AT 8AM THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER OR START, UNTIL THE SUN COMES OUT AND WARMS UP THE CAR, BY NOON THE CAR STARTS JUST FINE. I CAN GET IT STARTED IF I PLACE TWO WARM BLANKETS ON THE BATTERY AND MOTOR AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES, THEN THE CAR WILL START. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOWS HAVE ALSO STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430243October 14, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN CROSS TRAFFIC. WAITED FOR A BREAK IN CARS TO GO. I HIT THE GAS AND IT MOVED THEN THE ENGINE DIED IN CROSS TRAFFIC. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT HIT FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON. I AM A MECHANIC FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO. I COULD SEE FUEL DRIPPING. I REMOVE FUEL TANK TO FIND LEAK. FOUND TO BE A CRACKED FUEL PUMP. THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430260October 14, 2011
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 99, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME TIGHT AND HARD. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH SATURN DOES KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ONLY ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY AND NOT A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429925October 12, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,961 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429302October 10, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THIS HAPPENED ON MY DAUGHTERS 2006 SATURN ION WITH LESS THAN 25,000 MILES. SHE HAD BEEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN A DOUBLE TURN LANE OFF AN ANGULARED INTERSECTION (ABOUT 60 DEGREES). SHE WAS IN THE OUTSIDE LANE WITH A SEMI-TRUCK MAKING THE TURN ALONG SIDE, LEFT OF HER. SHE WAS GOING APPROX. 25 MPH. WHEN SHE LOST THE POWER STEERING AND ALMOST VEERED UNDER THE TRAILER. THANK GOD SHE DIDN'T GO UNDER UNDER IT OR SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE EPS HAS FAILED 4 TIMES SINCE. I SEE THAT GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR OTHER MODELS AND POSTED RECALLS FOR THEM, BUT NOT FOR SATURN. 846 SATURN COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND 3,489 REPORTS TO GM AND NO RECALLS!!! HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO REPORT A CRASH OR SADLY ENOUGH, HAVE TO DIE, BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I'VE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR SOMETIME AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPORTED $1,000 REPAIR AT A DEALER THAT ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM. NHTSA AND OR GM, STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND DO SOMETHING. SINCE WHEN IS THE LOSS OF STEERING NOT A MAJOR ISSUE!!! *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429074October 7, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429096October 7, 2011
SUSPENSION
THE FRONT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES MAKE NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACES. THUMPING, RATTLING FROM FRONT OF CAR WITH SUSPENSION. THE CONTROL ARMS AND SHIFTS ARE WORN AND NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED WITH NEW BUSHINGS AND NEW BALL JOINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428916October 6, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE SATURN ION IS AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER BASED. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT EARLIER ABOUT HOW THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING TURNS. THIS MORNING AS I WENT TO WORK I WAS MET WITH THE AUTOMATIC STEERING NOT WORKING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS STILL UP. I CHECKED MY STEERING FLUID AND IT IS FULL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND TRIED TO MOVE THE WHEEL. NO DICE. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK FIGHTING WITH THE STEERING ALL THE WAY THERE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE TO GET MY CAR TO A SHOP. AFTER MAKING THE ARRANGEMENTS, I WENT TO TRY TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE VEHICLE SOMEWHAT SO THAT OTHERS COULD PARK BESIDE ME AND SO THE TOWING COMPANY COULD GET IT OUT. TO MY AMAZEMENT THE CAR STEERING WORKED FINE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY BEING REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUING TO RUN ANYWAY, AND THE SHUTTING OFF WHILE GOING OVER TRACKS AND MAKING TURNS WITH THE SATURN ION 2004-2007. PLEASE GET GMC TO FIX THESE ISSUES. WHAT MAKES ME REALLY ANGRY IS THAT THE COMPANY KNOWS, THEY SIMPLY ARE AVOIDING FIXING THE PROBLEMS AND ONLY FOCUS ON THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED SOONER OR LATER BTW THE SHUTTING OFF ISSUE OR THE STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. I HOPE YOU GUYS LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES AND DEMAND THAT GMC FIXES THEM BEFORE THEN. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428977October 6, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CREATED DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428981October 6, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME STIFF. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS RESET TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,817.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428449October 4, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2006 ION. STRONG GAS SMELL DEVELOPED OVER A WEEK IN SEPT 2011. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK. RESEARCH LEAD ME TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000. GM PERFORMED THE RECALL ON ONLY 53K CARS IN AZ AND NV IN OCT 2009. SEEMS THE FUEL PUMP MODULE CONNECTIONS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACK WITH HEAT AND ROAD VIBRATION. HOWEVER, A CALL TO SATURN REVEALED THEY ARE HIDING BEHIND A VIN SPECIFIC RECALL AND THAT THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF IONS WITH THIS SERIOUS SAFETY-DEFECT ARE ONLY COVERED BY GM FOR 10 YR/120K MILE "SPECIAL COVERAGE WARRANTY" EXTENDED TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART. HAD SATURN/GM INFORMED ME MY CAR MIGHT BURST INTO FLAMES BACK IN FEB 2010, WHEN THEY WERE TO NOTIFY THE 53K OWNERS IN AZ AND NV, I WOULD HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR DONE ASAP AS I WOULD STILL BE UNDER THEIR "SPECIAL COVERAGE" LIMITATION. I AM ANGERED AND OUTRAGED THAT GM SEEMS TO TAKE THE POSITION OF "LET'S WAIT UNTIL THE CAR BECOMES A DEATH-TRAP" BEFORE WE TELL PEOPLE THEY MIGHT BE IN DANGER AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. WITH NO NOTIFICATION, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY ION. NOW THAT THE CAR ACTUALLY HAS BECAME LIFE-THREATENING, I AM "NOT COVERED" BY GM'S SPECIAL COVERAGE. MY ION DOES NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE I AM OVER THIS ARTIFICIAL LIMIT IF 120K MILES. ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. THIS IS CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT. BET YOU MY MILEAGE WAS BELOW THIS ARTIFICIAL LIMIT IN FEBRUARY 2010. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DIDN'T SHOW UP UNTIL AFTER 200+ DAYS OF OVER 90 DEGREE DAYS IN EAST TEXAS - I HAVE TO PAY $600 TO REPAIR THEIR OBVIOUS DEFECT. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE UNFAIR, BUT THE SAFETY ISSUE SCREAMS FOR JUSTICE. I GUESS SOMEONE'S FAMILY WILL HAVE TO DIE IN A TRAGIC FIREBALL BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES GM TO TASK FOR THIS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS FUEL SYSTEM DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428707October 4, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE. WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. A POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE AND A WARNING BELL WOULD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428733October 4, 2011
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LOST OF POWER STEERING STARTED SOME TIME IN 2009,I HAVE NO RECORD OF THE DATE,BUT IN ONE OF THE INCIDENTS 06/10/2011 I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE DASHBOARD SHOWING THE DATE AND MESSAGE ON THE SPEEDOMETER. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE EVERY TIME THIS HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK TO POWER STEERING .THEN I HAD A SITUATION WHEN I LOST SPEED AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY AVENUE. THE CAR LOST SPEED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 35 MPH,IT MADE A ALARM OR WARNING SOUND AND DROP DOWN TO 10MPH AND I COULD NOT GET BACK TO 35MPH,I STOP THE CAR AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE,THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD RECOVER THE POWER ON THE ENGINE. IT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428248October 3, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE DRIVING. UPON RESTARTING CAR, POWER STEERING RESTORED, BUT THIS HAPPENS EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428134October 1, 2011
STEERING
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, ALL OF SUDDEN, COULD NOT STEER CAR AT ALL. HAD TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC. WHEN I TURNED CAR OFF AND WAITED A MINUTE AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON IT SEEMED TO WORK FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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