Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10317197March 5, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, PROCEEDED TO PARK THE VEHICLE. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317222March 5, 2010
STEERING
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2007 SATURN ION COUPE ACROSS THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING CUT OUT 5 TIMES. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR AND THE STEERING WOULD TEMPORARILY GO TO POWER AND THEN BACK TO MANUAL. THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. SHE STAYED CALM AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A POWER STEERING ASSIST REPLACEMENT TODAY. THE COST WAS $500. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SINCE 2004. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAD A HIGH SAFETY RATING AND ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS. WE CONTACTED ONSTAR TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE STEERING. ONSTAR APPARENTLY DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO STEERING FAILURE..AT LEAST I WOULD KNOW THAT SHE GOT HURT WHEN IT FAILS AGAIN. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHY HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN ALLOWED TO GO ON FOR 6 YEARS. I SAW NO WARNING ABOUT THIS WHEN WE RESEARCHED THE CAR. WHEN I MADE A SPECIFIC INQUIRY ONLINE, THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS ARE REPORTED. MY DAUGHTER IS A 20 YEAR OLD COLLEGE STUDENT..SHE ISN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR, YET ON A CLEAR DAY ON A ROUTINE TRIP SHE COULDN'T KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317243March 5, 2010
STEERING
MY SON'S 2006 SATURN ION HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. IT INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING WHILE HE IS DRIVING, IT WILL ONLY START WORKING AGAIN IF YOU PULL OVER, TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. IF YOU LOOK AT ON-LINE FORUMS OUR VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY SATURN WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. SINCE THE ION IS THE SAME PLATFORM AS THE COBALT, WHY WOULD THE ION NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN GENERAL MOTORS RECENT RECALL OF SMALL CARS WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS? WOULD YOU ASK GENERAL MOTORS TO RE-EVALUATE THE SCOPE OF THEIR RECALL? SURELY LOSING POWER STEERING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN HAVING HEAVY STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316604March 4, 2010
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2007 SATURN ION WOULD CUT OUT RANDOMLY AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316663March 4, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER IN ONE DIRECTION TOWARDS A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH OUT A CRASH. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A 30 SECOND WAITING PERIOD. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316787March 4, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 12/09/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316813March 4, 2010
STEERING
MY 2005 SATURN ION HAS THE SAME POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AS IS BEING DISCUSSED FOR THE CHEVROLET COBALT RECALL -- PLEASE INCLUDE THE SATURN ION IN THE RECALL AS THEY SHARE THE SAME "PLATFORM" AS I UNDERSTAND. IN THE LAST YEAR, MY ION WOULD HAVE NO POWER STEERING AFTER STARTING THE CAR (THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES). THERE WOULD BE A CHIME SOUND AND THE DISPLAY WOULD SAY "POWER STEERING". I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT AND THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316824March 4, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED WHICH REQUIRED GREATER PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316827March 4, 2010
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 101N HIGHWAY THE OTHER DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A CHIME, LOOKED AT MY DASH AND SAW PWR STR MY STEERING WENT OUT!!!! IN A PANIC I MANAGED W/ ALL MY STRENGTH TO PULL THE CAR OVER. MY CAR HAS APPROX 50,000 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED! I CALLED THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY. A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY COST OVER $1000 TO FIX. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!!! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE!!!!! ODI NUMBER: 10316824. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316836March 4, 2010
STEERING
EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN DRIVING, I HEAR THREE DINGS AND A "PWR STR" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BUT COMES BACK AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR YET, AS THE COST OF REPAIR IS VERY HIGH, ABOUT $1000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316931March 4, 2010
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY 2004 SATURN ION REDLINE OFF & ON FOR THE LAST YEAR & 6 MONTHS. IT HAPPENS W/O WARNING ON THE FREEWAY, AROUND CORNERS, & SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT BACK TO BACK MANY, MANY TIMES IN A ROW. THIS IS THE SAME RECALL AS GM IS HAVING ON THEIR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTORS, IN FACT THE SAME PART #. THE CHEVY COBALT IS THE EXACT SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR, IN FACT THE SAME DRIVETRAIN. BUT FOR SOME REASON THE SATURN IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE. WE HAVE THE SAME ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WITH THE SAME PART # & THE SAME DANGER AS THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316182March 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURN THE KEY TO START, AND THE ON BOARD SECURITY SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) DISABLES THE CAR. I HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT STARTS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE IGNITION TURNS, IT'S THAT THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM SEES RANDOM KEY TURNS AS ATTEMPTS TO STEAL THE CAR AND DISABLES THE STARTER. VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT STRANDS YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316188March 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316235March 3, 2010
STEERING
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP GAVE OUT. IT STARTED IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS WORKING ON AND OFF AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT FINALLY GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316236March 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A CHIME ALSO ALERTED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. SHE USED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316249March 3, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION RESPONDED AS IF IT DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. NO MATTER WHAT KEY WAS USED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR 20-25 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $90 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THIS DIDN'T INCLUDE ANY OTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE CONSUME WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS BEING DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND WHEN WOULD SHE BE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 03/29/10 THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/04/14
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316273March 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH; A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE AND OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316320March 3, 2010
STEERING
1. POWER-STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 2. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES 2-3 TIMES A DAY AND OTHER DAYS, ONLY ONCE. 3. IF YOU TURN IGNITION OFF AN RESTART POWER-STEERING WORKS UNTIL THE POWER-STEERING FAILS AGAIN. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED AT THIS MOMENT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316307March 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE HAD TO USE FORCE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF ROAD. SHE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SHE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY ANOTHER DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45554.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316341March 3, 2010
STEERING
2007 SATURN ION HAS A REALLY BIG PROBLEM. POWER STEERING GOES OFF 3-5 TIMES A DAY. CAR DASHBOARD RINGS 3 TIMES AND POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND CARS POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF. CAR HAS 35000 MILES. CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG NOW WITH CAR SO I WOULD TO REPAIR THE CAR AND IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED THEN THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND MAKE A DECISION OR I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AND WHEN IT SHUTS OFF PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS 2010 NOT 1920 AND I DO NOT ACCEPT SHUT A RESPONSE FOR A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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