Saturn Ion Complaints (2005)

573 consumer complaints on file.

#10272475June 1, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A 2005 SATURN ION LAST AUGUST 2008. ON NOVEMBER 2008, I EXPERIENCED A DIFFICULTY ON STARTING THE CAR. SO I BROUGHT IT TO SATURN DUBLIN FOR A CHECK UP AND REPAIR, AND THEY DID ALL THE TEST FOR THE CAR AND INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION OF THE CAR AS THIS IS THE FINDINGS OF THEIR MECHANIC.. I AGREED AS I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE AUTHORIZED DEALER MECHANIC, I PAID FOR $700+, FOR REPAIR, LABOR AND PARTS.. BUT RECENTLY LAST WEEK, MAY 2009, MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN..I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT CHECKED.. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, IT STARTED WHEN THEY CHECKED AND THEY ASKED ME TO PAY $130 FOR THE CHECK UP..WHICH I PAID. A FEW DAYS AFTER I WAS AT WORK, WHICH IS IN UNION CITY, 22 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GO HOME,MY CAR WOULD NOT START GAIN.. SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE... HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED.. AS I RELAYED THIS TO MY BROTHER IN LAW... WE SEARCHED IN THE NET ON THE ISSUE AND CONCERNS AND FOUND OUT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD THESE PROBLEMS.. HUNDREDS OF US WERE VICTIMS OF THIS PROBLEM. NOW, I DID HAD A BAD JUDGMENT ON BUYING A SATURN CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272597June 1, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY OFF AT THE TIME AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BECOME DRAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED FOR THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT HER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269385May 19, 2009
STEERING
ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 3, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTARTED AND IT CAME BACK. I READ THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO LOSE POWER STEERING AT HIGH SPEED. POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICAL. ON MOST WEB SITES DISCUSSING THIS, IT SEEMS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH SATURN OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268589May 13, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WON'T START IN COLD WEATHER SECURITY SYSTEM KEEPS IT FROM STARTING. AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT CONTINUOUSLY. ON A 90 MILE TRIP IT GOES OUT 6 TO 10 TIMES. IT HAPPENS SO INCONSISTENTLY WITH DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266512April 23, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN THE OFF POSITION OF MY 2005 SATURN ION WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. HAD TO EVENTUALLY UNHOOK THE BATTERY TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY ENDED UP BREAKING THE KEY TO REMOVE IT FROM THE IGNITION AND THEN REPLACING THE ENTIRE IGNITION LOCK MECHANISM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266117April 20, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LETTERS "PWR STR" ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER THAT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,300 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263786March 31, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR, IT WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINS, TRY AGAIN AND IT WILL START RIGHT UP. WELL, ABOUT A WEEK AGO IT "SHUT DOWN" WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET IN MY CITY. AFTER ABOUT 4 HOURS OF IT SITTING, I WENT BACK AND DROVE IT HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN, A FEW DAYS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE RETURNING TO WORK FROM A LUNCH BREAK. I HAD TO LEAVE IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT A RIDE. AFTER WORK, I PICKED IT UP AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING ON I-10 EAST, IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN. ON THE INTERSTATE!!!!! IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I COASTED TO THE MEDIAN, EXCEPT GOD! MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. I LEFT IT THERE AND GOT A RIDE HOME WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SIT IN THE RAIN ALONE ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN I WENT BACK AT ABOUT 11:00 PM TO PICK MY CAR UP, IT WOULDN'T START. I WAITED 10 OR SO MINS AND IT STARTED UP. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE THAT WAS NEARBY AND LEFT IT THERE. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING IT TO SATURN, WHICH I HAVE DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE, SO I DID. THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. SO, I TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT UNTIL THEY FIGURE IT OUT BECAUSE I WILL NOT PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH GM AND SATURN AND NO ONE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. ITS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS CAR IS PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER. I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. AND NOW I AM PAYING A NOTE ON SOMETHING THAT I CANT DRIVE BECAUSE IT MAY STOP WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263217March 27, 2009
SEATS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS REAR ENDED AND SHOVED INTO A PICKUP ON 03/23/09 IN MY 2005 SATURN ION AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BROKE AND WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10259843February 24, 2009
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IN 2005 SATURN ION IN LESS THAN 16000 MILES BUT 8 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. POWER STEERING BECAME OPERATIONAL AFTER EACH RESTART, BUT FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES OF DRIVING. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER POSING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY WIFE. DEALER REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN APPROACHING $1000 IN REPAIR COST. IGNITION SWITCH HAS ALSO FAILED TO PERMIT CAR FROM STARTING ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER ALSO REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER RETURNED BOTH PARTS TO ME. I HAVE LEARNED THAT BOTH ARE COMMON FAILURES WITH THIS CAR AND OTHER GM COMPACTS. SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF REPEATED FAILURES OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLS OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE PREMATURE FAILURES. NO WONDER GM IS GOING BUST WITH A PRODUCT OF SUCH LOW RELIABILITY AND POOR DESIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258936February 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED LAST YEAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO SATURN AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THE NEW PART (OF COURSE) AND THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT TRYING TO GET IT TO FAIL. THEY GREASED THE KEY AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED, DID NOT REPLACE ANYTHING BUT BLAMED IT ON THE KEY WEARING DOWN... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258861February 16, 2009
TIRES
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES P195/60R15 TIRES, THAT HAVE 20,300 MILES. ON 2/16/08 I WENT TO A TIRE SHOP AS BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD LOST MOST OF THE AIR. THE MANAGER INSPECTED ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED ME THAT THE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AND HOW IT WAS WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. FOR SAFETY REASONS I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES. BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT AND FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258418February 11, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE DID NOT START FOR 4 NON-SEQUENTIAL MORNINGS. BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT CONTINUED HAPPENING. SATURN ION STARTED AND RAN WELL FOR REMAINDER OF DAYS IT REQUIRED A JUMP START. UPON 4TH DAY OF NOT STARTING, MECHANIC SUGGESTED TO CHANGE IGNITION SWITCH. SINCE DONE, CAR HAS NO PROBLEM STARTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258024February 9, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IT REQUIRED GREAT FORCE FOR THE CONTACT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256915January 30, 2009
STEERING
POWER STEERING ON MY SATURN KEEPS TURNING OFF WHILE CAR IS MOVING. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256452January 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2005 SATURN ION RECALL- I HAVE THIS CAR A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION. CAR WONT START ESPECIALLY ON A COLD WEATHER. I NEED TO WAIT FOR 15-20 MINS BEFORE IT STARTS. I'VE BEEN LATE AT WORK MANY TIME S ALREADY AND I'VE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS CAR BUT I THINK ITS NOT WORTH IT. AND ALSO, I CAN PULL OUT THE KEYS WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING,WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. WEIRD! YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK CONSMERAFFAIRS.COM--SEARCH SATURN ION TO CHECK ON THE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PASTED SOME FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT. THANK YOU AND I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. CAMERON OF GRAND RAPIDS MI (01/20/09) I ALSO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. I BOUGHT THE ION 04 BRAND NEW AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS. LATELY I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK AND MISSED OTHER APPOINTMENTS DUE TO THE ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOSE OF US LIVING IN THE COLD NORTH. IMAGINE YOUR CAR NOT STARTING IN BELOW ZERO TEMPS. I'M NOT WILLING TO FREEZE TO DEATH OVER THIS. IN THE SAME BREATH I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SATURN IS WELL AWARE OF AND BASED ON COMMENTS ON THIS SITE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. IF THEY ARE UNWILLING TO RECALL THESE CARS AND PARTS THEN I'M SURE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WOULD GET THEIR ATTENTION! LAURA OF TAMPA FL (01/19/09) I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION LOCK AS APPARENTLY MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS. I STARTED BY CALLING THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY CAUSED BY USING FAULTY PARTS. $171.83 WAS THE AMOUNT QUOTED TO ME. OBVIOUSLY I WOULD LIKE TO DO ANYTHING IN MY POWER TO ENSURE SATURN DOESN'T GET A SINGLE DIME MORE FROM ME. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (800-553-6000)TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE REASONING BEHIND NOT ISSUING A RECALL. I WAS GIVEN THE SAME LINE ABOUT IT NOT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255760January 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,100.
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
#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
#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
#10253686January 3, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A SATURN ION1. I HAVE 73,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING IT ON DAYS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 35 DEGREES. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND KEEP IT TURNED UNTIL IT CAN RUN WITHOUT ME HOLDING THE KEY AND REV THE ENGINE TO ATLEAST 3-4 RPMS. I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR 15-20 MIN. UNTIL IT CAN IDOL ON ITS OWN, BEFORE I DECIDE TO DRIVE OR THE CAR WILL NOT REMAIN ON. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF. NOW IF I MAKE A SHARP TURN IT TURNS OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACE ONCE. I ALSO HAD BEEN TOLD BY SATURN THAT MY KEYS WERE TOO HEAVY, SO I BEGAN DRIVING WITH ONLY THE KEY AND THE KEY RING. THE PROBLEM IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. LUCKILY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET. IT IS MY ONLY CAR AND I HAVE A LOT MORE TO PAY ON IT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR. I AM STUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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