Saturn Ion Complaints (2005)

573 consumer complaints on file.

#10168833September 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS STARTED AFTER ONE HALF HOUR AND MOVED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE AN UNDETERMINED PART WAS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168551September 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN IDLE STATE OR PLACED IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE EASILY RESTARTED AFTER STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OF ALL THE KEY CHAINS USED BY THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF ON ITS OWN. AFTER THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT, ONLY ONE KEY CHAIN WAS USED WHILE THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168053September 12, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE ACCESSORY JACK BECAME INOPERABLE, THE RADIO WOULD STOP PUTTING OUT SOUND, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ON YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF THEN THE ABS LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THE WARNING BELL WOULD GO OFF. FINALLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. UPON GOING TO MY CAR AFTER WORK IT WOULD NOT START. I THOUGHT IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY SO WE JUMPED THE CAR AND AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES IT STARTED. 1 WEEK LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AGAIN, BUT AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR IT WENT OUT. AGAIN WHEN I WENT OUT ANOTHER DAY TO START BY CAR AFTER MY LUNCH BREAK THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I CALLED SATURN AND REQUESTED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT AFTER 15 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER (CONTROL) BODY SYSTEM. THE NEXT DAY THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH IN THE IGNITION. IN JUNE THE RADIO AGAIN WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR IT WORKED AGAIN. I CALLED SATURN AGAIN TO COMPLAIN AND TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AT THAT TIME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES. 1 WEEK LATER THE RADIO AGAIN WOULD NOT WORK, SO I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT RESTARTING THE CAR SO THAT THEY COULD SEE THE PROBLEM IN ACTION. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RADIO ONLY AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. A NEW RADIO HAS BEEN ORDERED BUT DURING THIS TIME THE ABS SYSTEM AGAIN CAME ON WITH A WARNING BELL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE SYSTEM RESET ITSELF. 2 DAYS LATER AFTER LEAVING THE STORE THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN WITH THE BELL AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I RESTARTED THE CAR, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT STAYED ON THE ENTIRE TRIP HOME. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR SHOULD NOT RUN, BUT IT DID. I TOOK THE CAR IN TODAY FOR THEM TO "LOOK" AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE RADIO AND RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161049June 29, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING AND THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161047June 29, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154418April 3, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, DOWN AN ICY HILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, WHICH DETERMINED THERE WAS NO FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING OFF THE LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 05/22/06
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152545March 13, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION ON, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR 30 SECONDS. SECOND, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OFF THE TRACK AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO FALL INTO THE DOOR. THIRD, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE HEARD IN THE MOTOR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHT SEAL AROUND THE HEADLIGHT WAS BROKEN ALLOWING WATER TO GET INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152505March 12, 2006
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE: 2005 SATURN ION RED LINE I WAS DRIVING IN COLUMBUS, OH AREA TO MEET SOME FRIENDS AND I HAD STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I LEFT THE RED LIGHT I WENT THROUGH THE GEARS TO GET UP TO SPEED AND AS I CAME TO 4TH GEAR THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO IN. SO I LET OUT THE CLUTCH AND TRIED TO GO BACK IN. AS I PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AGAIN IT IMMEDIATELY FELL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL AT ALL AND I COULD NOT SELECT ANY GEARS. THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE REALLY BAD SO I PULLED OVER AT THE WALGREEN'S A FEW YARDS AWAY. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I NOTICED HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKING FROM THE CAR AND IT WAS SHAKING BADLY. SO I CALLED MY FRIENDS AND THEY CAME TO LOOK. MY CLUTCH HAD GIVEN UP BUT WE WERE NOT SURE HOW BADLY. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP NEARBY THAT ALSO SPECIALIZED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE FRICTION DISC IN THE CLUTCH HAD RIPPED COMPLETELY APART WHICH IN TURN SCORED AND WARPED THE FLYWHEEL. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE SLAVE CYLINDER TO OVER EXTEND WHICH IS WHERE THE FLUID LEAKED FROM AND DEBRIS FLYING AROUND WITHIN THE BELLHOUSING HAD CONTACTED THE FLUID FEED LINE TO THE SLAVE CYLINDER AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN IT. NEW PARTS WERE ORDERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND THEY CONSISTED OF THIS: 1 NEW FLYWHEEL, 1 NEW CLUTCH FRICTION DISC, 1 NEW CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE, 6 NEW CLUTCH PLATE TO FLYWHEEL BOLTS, 1 NEW SLAVE CYLINDER, 1 NEW THROW OUT BEARING, 1 NEW CLUTCH FLUID FEED LINE, 5 QUARTS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID, AND 1 QUART OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TOTAL LABOR CHARGED WAS FOR 8 HOURS OF WORK. THE TOTAL REPAIR COSTS FOR LABOR AND PARTS CAME TO $1,752. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS PLATFORM OF VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE CLUTCH FAILURE ISSUES. I DO STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR INSPECTION. I UPGRADED TO NEWER, STRONGER PARTS TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IN 4,500 MILES WHICH IS WHERE THIS HAPPENED. 4,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. HERE IS THE VISUAL OF WHAT HAPPENED. HTTP://WWW.INTENSE-RACING.COM/PICS/CHRISD/PAGE_01.HTM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151235February 26, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION2 AND THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH ON MY 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. AFTER TAKING IT IN FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE SLAVE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND ALLOWED AIR INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE BRAKES AND CLUTCH HAVE A SHARED HYDRAULIC FLUID RESERVOIR. I COULDN'T DOWNSHIFT BECAUSE THE CLUTCH FAILED AND I COULDN'T BRAKE BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED. THE WARNING SYSTEM FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL SOME FLUID IN THE SHARED RESERVOIR. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON WHEN THE SYSTEM IS OUT OF FLUID NOT WHEN IT IS RUNNING LOW. SCARY STUFF... I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHERS. LUCKY FOR ME I WAS NOT GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR ON A BUSY STREET. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP...*NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147968January 17, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL GAUGE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE MOTOR SHUT OFF INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TEST ON THE VEHICLE AND WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147177January 8, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I PURCHASED A 3005 SATURN ION COUPE 3 5/31/05 WITH IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS,THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES. THE DAY AFTER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE IN THE BACK. AFTER BRINGING BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE NOISE. MY SECOND TRIP THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE DRUMS. BECAUSE THEY WERE WARPED (FUTURE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SALES MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL, THAT IF THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW WEEKS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, THE DRUMS WILL WARP, WHICH LEADS ME TO THINK THAT SATURN SHOULD RE THINK THE QUALITY OF PARTS THEY USE.) SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A DEFECTIVE RADIO (WHICH WAS REPLACED) A DRIVERS WINDOW THAT WOULDN'T GO DOWN (MOTOR REPLACED) AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING (AFTER 2 TIMES, IT WAS REPLACED). I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE AREA MANAGER LAST WEEK AFTER I CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO LOG A COMPLAINT FOR THE SECOND TIME. HE OFFERED ME FREE BASIC MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATIONS) FOR 2 YEARS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANYONE AT SATURN HAD OFFERED TO DO ANYTHING FOR MY TIME/INCONVENIENCE. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE/SATISFACTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145916December 22, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH THE CONTACT'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND NO CODES WERE FOUND. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE HOOD BUCKLED AND THE GRILL WAS DAMAGED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LOOSE CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL 10 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL START. IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW MODULE. UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145931December 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO WARNING PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT. THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THE PROBLEMS WAS FIXED. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143896November 29, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE ALMOST CRASH: 1. DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD; 2. PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT DETERENT LIGHT CAME ON; 3. CAR STOPPED IN THE ROAD CAUSING DRIVERS TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION AROUND MY CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142601November 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141872November 6, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON 10-7-2005 . THE OTHER DRIVER WAS DRIVING A FORD PICK--UP TRUCK F-150 RANGER. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE TRUCK DRIVERS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY SATURN WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE VIN # IS AS FOLLOWS: [XXX]. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ION AIRBAG SAFETY . MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 ION COUPE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND INFORM ME OF RESULTS. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10139844October 17, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
DT: THE CONTACT BOUGHT A 2005 SATURN ION ON 12-10-04. THE FIRST 50 MILES HE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALER FIXED THE CRUISE CONTROL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD TO GET A NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR THE CAR. SINCE THEN HE HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR SPUTTERED AND DIED SPORADICALLY. THE LAST TWO TIMES WAS ON 9-26-05 AND ON 9-30-05, AND ON 9-26-05 THE DEALER REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BODY CONTROL, TCM, AND POWER TRAIN MODULE. REPAIRED ALL WIRING AND CONNECTORS. DURING TEST DRIVE, THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HE BELIEVED THE DEALER RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE CAR ON 9-29-05, AND ON 9-30-05 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE CAR ON 10-03-05. HE HAS ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR ONCE SINE THEN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOT YET COME BACK ON. THE CONTACT HAS TALKED TO A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FROM SATURN SEVERAL TIMES, AND HE TOLD HIM TO GOT TO THE OK DMV.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138987October 7, 2005
STEERING
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LINES ON MD I-97 NORTH BOUND FROM THE SLOW RIGHT LANE TO THE FAST LANE LEFT LANE. WHEN A CAR IN THE FAST LANE SPEED UP WHICH NEVER ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES, I CONTINUED TO TRAVEL IN THE SAME SLOW RIGHT LANE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE AFTER THAT ACTION OF THE ATTEMPTED LANE CHANGE, I EXPERIENCED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING ERRATICALLY AND TRYING TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR STARTED FISHING TAILING OR SWERVING. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, THE SENSITIVITY OF THE STEERING WHEEL OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE MINOR TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND BASICALLY TOOK OVER THE STEERING FROM ME. THIS ACTION OF THE CAR PLACED ME INTO A POSITION IN WHICH I COULD NOT FULLY RECOVER ON MY OWN AND MADE THE CAR SPIN OUT OF CONTROL FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND SUBSEQUENTLY Y CAUSING AN HEAD-ON COLLISION. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10136659September 15, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SHIFTER KNOB CAME DETACHED DURING STREET DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136102September 10, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED A 2005 SATURN ION 2 IN 12/04. 3 EPISODES OF CAR STALLING WHILE MAKING TURNS AT LOW RATE OF SPEED, TOOK CAR INTO DEARLSHIP IN JUNE 2. SATURN INSTALLED NEW PROGRAMMING. JUNE 13 (213 MILES LATER) CAR STALLS AGAIN. SATURN REPLACES ENGINE WIRING. JUNE 27, THE CAR STALLS IN REVERSE. SATURN RESECURED IGN. FUSE. ON AUGUST 21 CARS STALL TWICE IN ONE DAY. SATURN CURRENTLY HAS CAR. THROUGHOUT ALL THIS TIME HAVE ALSO HAD DASH INDICATORS GO OUT SEVERAL TIMES BUT WILL SELF CORRECT NEXT DAY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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