Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10425966September 18, 2011
STEERING
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH TOWN APPROX. 25-30MPH WHEN THE DASH DINGED AND SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING ON DASH. CAR BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN PUTTING HER IN POTENTIAL DANGER. ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET RESET FRO A BRIEF MOMENT. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425872September 17, 2011
STEERING
PWR STR WARNING ON DASH. POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNS OFF. AFTER RESTART POWER STEERING ASSIST RETURNS. STARTED OFF AS ONCE A MONTH FOR 2 MONTHS THEN ONCE A WEEK THEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. NOW IT HAPPENS ABOUT 2 MINUTES AFTER EACH TIME I START IT. TOTAL OF THREE MONTH TO GET TO THIS STAGE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425721September 16, 2011
STEERING
SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES TOUGH TO TURN. DURING THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO COMPLETELY CUT OUT. IT HAS ALSO CUT OUT AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR RESTART FOR IT TO COME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2004-2007 IONS, BUT NOT FOR 2003. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AS IT IS THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425754September 16, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INITIAL SIGNS WERE A STONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND LONGER CRANK TIMES WHEN STARTING. THIS WAS FILLING OUR GARAGE WITH A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND RECOMMEND REPLACING AT A COST OF $650. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE IS A PLASTIC CASE THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. IT IS NOT ACCESSABLE UNLESS YOU TAKE THE FUEL TANK OFF. WE ARE JUST FINISHING A SUMMER OF RECORD SETTING HEAT. LOOKING ONLINE IT HAS CRACKED FOR PEOPLE IN HOT CLIMATES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM THAT SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR, GM RECALL NUMBER 090226. OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT LOCATED IN AZ OR NV. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425624September 15, 2011
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. ..UPDATED 09/29/11 *BF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/03/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425359September 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
I HAVE A SATURN ION 05 AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING ONCE ALREADY AND NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ONLY WORKS WHEN MY HAZARDS OR HEAD LAMPS ARE ON HAVE TESTED ALL FUSES AND REPLACED BULB TWICE THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT WHY ISNT IT BEING FIXED? *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425517September 14, 2011
STEERING, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING AT CITY SPEEDS (APPROX 35MPH), THE VEHICLE'S INFORMATION CENTER SOUNDED A "DING" AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE READING "PWR STR". THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE MESSAGE "PWR STR" INDICATES A POWER STEERING FAILURE, AN INDICATION CONFIRMED BY THE FACT THAT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, REQUIRING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BEYOND 1-2 DEGREES FROM ITS PRESENT LOCATION. I ESTIMATE THIS EFFORT WOULD EXCEED THE ABILITIES OF SOME DRIVERS, GIVEN THE SUDDEN ONSET AND DIFFERENCE IN EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE WHEEL BEFORE AND AFTER THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-65MPH) AND WHILE TRAVELING IN A PARKING LOT (5-15MPH). TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING IT SHORTLY THEREAFTER SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM; THE MESSAGE IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED AND THE STEERING WORKS AS EXPECTED. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED WITH THE RECENT INCIDENTS THAT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN ONLY FIXES THE PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE OF TRAVEL BEFORE THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. TO DATE, I HAVE MANAGED TO AVOID GETTING INTO A COLLISION AS A RESULT OF THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, HOWEVER I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURIES OR DEATHS IF THE PROBLEM WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE DRIVER IS ACTIVELY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL (E.G. TURNING, CHANGING LANES, NAVIGATING A PARKING STRUCTURE) OR IF THE DRIVER LACKS THE STRENGTH NECESSARY TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT FUNCTIONAL POWER STEERING. IT WOULD SEEM THIS PROBLEM IS ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ10004), AND I WOULD URGE YOU TO HAVE THIS COMPONENT RECALLED AS IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425027September 12, 2011
STEERING
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55 MILES PER HOUR, AN ALERT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH: "PWR STR." THE WHEEL JERKED AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT. IT WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL AROUND THE CURVE. SINCE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME, I DROVE SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY TO THE CLOSEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER HOOKING MY CAR UP TO THEIR COMPUTERS, THEY SAW THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, UNTIL I NOTICED THAT IT SAID "CANADA ONLY." WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS IS CLEARLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ION AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IN THE US. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424658September 11, 2011
STEERING, SUSPENSION
PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRY GM REPAIRED BEARINGS ON STEERING RODS AT NO COST. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRY RATTLING STARTED ON RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR. INDEPENDENT INSPECTION SHOWED ROD END COULD BE RATTLED BY HAND WHEN ON HOIST. FAILURE APPEARED IMMINENT. SWAY BAR CONNECTING BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. COULD HAVE CAUSED CONTROL PROBLEMS IF THESE PIECES OF JUNK WERE LEFT UNCORRECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424387September 8, 2011
STEERING
WE LOST OUR POWER STEERING,GOING AROUND A CURVE @ 45 MPH,ALMOST LOST CONTROL. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT RESET ON STARTING. IT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON FOR 100 MILES,REQUIRING US TO PULL OVER AND STOP AND START THE CAR EVERY TIME, UNTIL WE GOT HOME NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424273September 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. TWO YEARS AGO THE IGNITION WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECCURRED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424078September 7, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG FUEL ODOR WHILE DRIVING, LINGERS WHEN PARKED. LEAK NOTICED COMING FROM TOP OF GAS TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424176September 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423883September 6, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING IT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423928September 6, 2011
STEERING
MY 2005 ION LOST POWER STEERING AT 45MPH. PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF THEN IT CAME BACK. BEEN HEARING REPORTS THAT HIS HAPPENS TO A LOT OF THESE CARS. REALLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT AS IT SEEM TO BE EXPENSIVE. IF I HAD KNOWN, I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR. HOPE A RECALL IS ON IT, CAUSE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423777September 5, 2011
AIR BAGS
ALMOST A YEAR AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON. THIS LIGHT IS TELLING ME THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN A ACCIDENT. THIS LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY, MOST OF THE TIME IT COMES ON WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. PRIOR TO THIS LIGHT COMING ON I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING LOCKING ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING WAS A RECALL. I AM NOT SURE IF THESE TWO EVENTS HAVE ANYTHING TO DUE WITH ONE ANOTHER BUT THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IF A ACCIDENT AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP ON YOU WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423819September 5, 2011
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING MY SATURN ION 2004 THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD CAME ON WHILE I WAS ENGAGING IN A CURVE ON HIGHWAY 15, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE NO TO CRASH ON THE CONCRETE MIDDLE DIVIDER AND HAD TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE, STOP THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME FEW TIME PER YEAR OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS BUT NOW I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422922September 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND FOUND A FRACTURED LINE AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,601. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422618August 30, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ODOR AND A LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WHICH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. UPDATED 10/4/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS LIMITED TO CERTAIN STATES. UPDATED 10/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422351August 29, 2011
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY SATURN ION 2007. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND FAILED TO ENGAGE. IT HAS BEEN DISENGAGING FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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