Saturn Ion Complaints

4,344 consumer complaints on file.

#10255401January 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
BOUGHT THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY, NO CRANK/NO START BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM. SATURN "REBOOTED THE COMPUTER" (SATURNS WORDS). THIS WAS IN MAY OF 06. STRANGELY, THE CAR HAS "DIED" IN AT LEAST 3 DRIVEWAYS AS THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A GARAGE AND HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. RECENTLY, WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE CAR WILL NO CRANK/NO START AND THROW THE PASSLOCK CODE. ON THE DASH, SOMETIMES IT SAYS SERVICE ENGINE IT MAY OR MAY NOT RESET AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE AS I AM NEVER SURE IF I AM GOING TO GET TO WORK ON TIME OR NOT. I CALLED SATURN LAST WEEK. APPARENTLY SATURN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THEY ARE GOING TO INCONVENIENCE ME TO DRIVE 200 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN CHARGE ME $100 TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR LAND THEN ANOTHER $1000 ON TOP OF THAT TO "FIX" THE CAR' THEY KNOW THEY ARE MAKING MONEY OFF THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME MY CAR CONTINUES TO NOT START IF IT IS ZERO DEGREES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255414January 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WONT START DUE TO PASSLOCK/IGNITION PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER. HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS YET AS FUNDS ARE LIMITED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255440January 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE CAR USES THE GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM. OFTEN AFTER SEVERAL INSTANCES OF WAITING 10 MINUTES, AND TRYING AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255445January 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 SATURN ION PASSLOCK FAILURE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ABOUT 25 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. LIGHTS COME ON, RADIO WORKS SO THERE IS POWER, EVEN WITH ANOTHER CAR TRYING TO JUMP START THE SATURN IT WILL NOT START. YOU HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO START. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME, HOME, GAS STATION, ETC. HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_97661_4.HTML. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255458January 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. IT WON'T START WHEN IT GETS COLD AND THE CHAT ROOM SAYS ITS A COMMON THING .IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT IT BUT KEEP RIGHT ON CHARGING US TO REPLACE SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE DOING .AS ITS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2003 ION AND STILL IS ON THE 2007 ION.. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL SATURN IONS GM KNOWS BUT DON'T CARE. AND THEY WANT US TO BUY GM THAT'S A JOKE . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255279January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION WHICH THIS MORNING WOULD NOT START AFTER I LEFT A CONVENIENCE STORE. IT WAS A LITTLE HESITANT IN STARTING ABOUT A WEEK AGO. BOTH TIMES WERE EXTREMELY COLD COMPARED TO NORMAL THIS TIME OF YEAR. THIS MORNING I FIGURED IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. WELL AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH IT WOULD SEEM THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD AND EVERYONE ELSE'S DESCRIPTION ONLINE DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENED ME TO ME PERFECTLY. WOULDN'T START, WALKED THE MILE HOME, CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, GOT BACK, STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NOT PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255289January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD. IT IS DUE TO THE FAULTY DESIGN OF THE IGNITION SWITCH/PASSLOCK ERROR. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK, END EVERY MORNING IT IS BELOW 34 DEGREES. I HAVE HAD A NEW BATTERY, FUEL FILTER AND STARTER REPLACED IN THE PAST WEEK. AFTER TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES IT STARTS, BUT TODAY AFTER FORTY FIVE MINUTES IT STILL DID NOT START. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255292January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. IT DOES NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER (AROUND 36 DEGREES F AND BELOW). I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER AND TWO MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. MY MECHANIC ASSURED ME THE BATTERY IS TOP OF THE LINE AND GUARANTEED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT START YESTERDAY IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER. ALL LIGHTS TURN ON BUT CAR DOES NOT CRANK. DOES NOT EVEN MAKE NOISE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS THROUGH VARIOUS DISCUSSION BOARDS AND MOST OF THEM AGREE THAT THERE IS A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE IGNITION THAT LEAKS LUBRICANT. WHEN THE LUBRICANT FREEZES, THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT ALARM DOES NOT GET IT'S ELECTRICAL SIGNAL SO IT ACTIVATES AND PROHIBITS FUEL FROM BEING USED SO THE CAR DOES NOT START. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, BUT I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG IN THIS SITUATION. IF THIS IS THE CASE OF A FAULTY SWITCH, SATURN / GM SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND FORCED TO DO A RECALL WITH AN UPDATED SWITCH DESIGN. FOR THE AMOUNT THAT CARS COST TODAY MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT JUNK PARTS AND EXPECT CONSUMERS TO SIT BACK AND TAKE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255318January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH IS BAD. THE CAR WILL NOT START,THE COMPUTER WILL NOT DISARM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255320January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WENT TO START MY CAR AT 7:30 AM THE 1ST WEEK OR SO IN DECEMBER, WOULDN'T START. WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINS LATER, STARTED. IT HAS KEPT HAPPENING UNTIL I WENT TO SATURN IN REGINA SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, AND THEY WENT AND REPLACED MY IGNITION SWITCH, THAT WAS LAST WEDNESDAY SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN JAN. 7TH 2009. SO FAR NO MORE PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255317January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING THE COLDER DAYS MY PASSLOCK SYSTEM DENY MY CAR TO START. I OR MY WIFE WILL HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO TRY IT AGAIN. IF IT DOESN'T START ATE THE 10 MINUTE MARK WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. WE HAVE WAITED A 1/2 AN HOUR FOR IT TO START BEFORE. I HAVE NO TRUST IT WILL START AT ANY POINT. WE NEED TO WAIT THE 10 MINUTES NEARLY EVERYTIME FROM END OF NOV TO FEB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255321January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I HAVE 2 2003 SATURN ION'S WHICH HAVE STARTER PROBLEMS WHICH BOTH HAVE HAD STARTERS REPLACE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT GM/SATURN CONTINUE TO IGNORE. WHEN YOU GET A TEMPERATURE CHANGE THE CARS SOMETIMES START AND SOMETIMES DON'T. SATURN SHOULD RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255332January 16, 2009
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH THE IGNITION IN HER VEHICLE. DURING COLD TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER SEASONS, THE KEY WOULD FAIL TO START THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. SHE READ INFORMATION CONCERNING WARMING UP THE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE INFORMATION STATED THAT SHE MUST SOMEHOW HEAT UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER SHE FOLLOWED THIS ADVICE, THE ENGINE STARTED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT SHE SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHE FEELS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR IN PREVIOUS WINTERS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING PARKED IN AN OUTSIDE PARKING LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. ALSO THE ANIT-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255339January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
AFTER OWNING MY 2004 SATURN ION FOR 8 MONTHS, IT DEVELOPED A RANDOM STARTING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD START NORMALLY AND OTHERS NOT AT ALL. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE IGNITION SWITCH SAID IT IS COMMON TO NEED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. AFTER ALL OF THOSE NEW PARTS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A FORUM WHERE DOZENS OF OTHER ION OWNERS WHERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE ONLY REMEDY THAT SEEMED TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WAS TO DISABLE THE VEHICLES ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM BY CUTTING THE PROPER WIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO START EVERY TIME, BUT ALSO GIVES AN ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT THE DISABLED SYSTEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURS FOR ION OWNERS IN COLD WEATHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255350January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TEMPERATURES IN FORT WAYNE HAVE BEEN BELOW FREEZING LATELY (WIND-CHILL WAS -35 TODAY), AND MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN I TURN MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A MINUTE, I TRY TO START IT AGAIN, ONLY NOW IT WON'T EVEN TURN OVER; IT JUST CLICKS. I THOUGHT MY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH HELP TODAY IN DEALING WITH IT. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR ADVICE, AND I CAME ACROSS A CAR REVIEW WEBSITE WITH SEVERAL REVIEWS AND COMMENTS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME 2003 SATURN ION PROBLEM I'M HAVING. FROM THE REVIEWS AND COMMENTS, I FIGURED OUR PROBLEMS ARE ONE IN THE SAME- THE CARS HAVE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. I TRIED TO GET MY CAR FIXED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR, AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. I'M JUST NOW DISCOVERING THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 IONS- NOT JUST MINE. AS FAR AS I KNOW, SATURN IS DOING NOTHING TO HELP ITS CUSTOMERS IN THEIR GREATEST TIME OF NEED. THANK GOD MY CAR DIED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND NOT IN SOME LOCATION WHERE I WOULD BE STRANDED IN THE FRIGID TEMPERATURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255136January 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SATURN ION WILL NOT START. SPORADICALLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY ISSUE WITH IGNITION SWITCH PASSLOCK SYSTEM. AFTER WAITING A PERIOD OF TIME (10 MINUTES?) SYSTEM WILL START VEHICLE. HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255163January 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SATURN ION 2004, BOUGHT SEPT. 2007 FROM CARMAX, FREQUENTLY DOES NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS ABOUT 33 DEGREES THIS MORNING AND EVEN WHEN I JUMPED IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LAST WINTER- MY FIRST WINTER HAVING THIS CAR. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, I DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT I AM GOING TO GET THE STARTER CHECKED TODAY. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. AS AN EDUCATOR, I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AS I HAVE READ PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE ALREADY DONE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, AS A TEACHER, I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LATE TO SCHOOL WHENEVER IT IS COLD. I AM VERY HOPEFUL THAT MY EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS COMPLAINT WILL RESULT IN A RECALL FOR THE CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. READING THE ONLINE FORUMS, IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION/STARTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255177January 15, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OR LESS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 020209 *BF UPDATED 02/03/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255236January 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER AT NIGHT WILL START IN DAYTIME IN COLD NOT A POWER ISSUE, NOT STARTER OR ALTERNATOR SOME KIND OF ODD WIRING ISSUE CAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN DAYTIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255245January 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. HE INSERTED THE OTHER KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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