Saturn Ion Complaints (2004)

898 consumer complaints on file.

#10230550June 11, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH OF ALL SATURN IONS ARE BAD. IT SEEMS THAT THE LUBRICANT USED FOR THE INTERNAL PARTS IS NOT WELL MADE AND STICKS TO THE INTERNAL PARTS IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, CAR WILL NOT START AND WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS ON EVERY SATURN ION YET SATURN WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED THUS MAKING THIS REPAIR USEFUL ONLY UNTIL THE NEXT WAVE OF COLD TEMPERATURES COMES ALONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229810June 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR DOES NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS VERY COLD. CHANGED BATTERY AND HAD ALTERNATOR CHECKED. TOOK IT IN TO ETNA BATTERY TO HAVE CHECKED OUT. CAR STARTED WHEN IT GETS WARMER OR THE SUN WARMS UP THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228265May 20, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT MONITORING THE FUEL, AND WAS INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS PUMP WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A FIRE HAZARD. THE REPAIR OF THE FUEL PUMP, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC PARTS AND LABOR WAS $900. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,800. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/16/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226504May 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LIKE MANY OTHERS I ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION AND IT WAS REPAIRED THIS PAST WINTER WHILE MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE SAME TIME THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY HEATER IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ITEM AGAIN. ALSO I HAD RECENTLY REPLACE THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET SINCE IT WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTING, (WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE) WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE ON. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH MY POWER STEERING TURNING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. MOST OF THESE ISSUES I HAVE FOUND ON HERE I HOPE SOMEONE IS REALLY LOOKING INTO THEM CAUSE SATURN CERTAINLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY DIDN'T CARE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225620April 24, 2008
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM: I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 SATURN ION SINCE NEW AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WILL TURN OFF RANDOMLY. IT STARTED TO HAPPEN VERY INFREQUENTLY, LESS THAN ONCE A DAY. NOW IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES IN ONE TRIP. IF I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE CAR, IT WILL WORK AGAIN, NOTWITHSTANDING ANOTHER FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS QUOTED ME 700 DOLLARS TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. CONSIDERING THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE ION AND OTHER SATURN MODELS (FROM SEARCHES OF VARIOUS SATURN FORUMS), I FIND THIS TO BE UNCONSCIONABLE THAT SATURN WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEM. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR AN UNSUSPECTING PERSON IF IT TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNERING TURN. THE FORCES REQUIRED TO TURN THE WHEELS AND THE FAILED STEERING ASSIST MOTOR ARE MORE THAN EXPECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225659April 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY FRUSTRATED GM OWNER OUT THERE. THIS IS REGARDING MY 2004 SATURN ION WHICH IS MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS... WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO START NOTHING HAPPENS. NO CRANK, NOTHING. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING, I QUICKLY KNEW IT WAS MY IGNITION. ONE WOULD THINK THAT LIVING IN CALIFORNIA THE WEATHER WOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT ALMOST EVERY DAY NOW FOR THE LAST MONTH MY CAR WILL NOT TURN ON IMMEDIATELY. SOMETIMES I WOULD WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND IT WOULD TURN OVER, SOMETIMES I WOULD WAIT OVER 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN OVER AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN LATE NUMEROUS TIMES TO WORK AND HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TWICE TO A MECHANIC WHO ULTIMATELY COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON PARTS THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; WITH THAT RESPONSIBILITY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT I BE CORDIAL AND ON TIME ALWAYS. I HAVE BEEN REPRIMANDED SEVERAL TIMES FOR BEING LATE AND I'VE PRETTY MUCH HAD IT WITH THIS CAR. IF SATURN SUPPOSEDLY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST NOTIFIED THEIR OWNERS AND OFFERED SOME SORT OF RETRIBUTION OR RECONCILIATION FOR COSTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225407April 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IT SEEMS THAT WITH THE SATURN IONS, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS A DEFECT WHEREIN ABOUT EVERY TWO YEARS IT WILL FAIL TO START WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING (DUE TO THE "CONNECTION" BETWEEN IT AND THE CARS SAFETY FEATURE). NOT A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE A HEATED GARAGE, OR EVEN A GARAGE PERIOD, OR LIVE SOMEWHERE WARM. BUT GOD FORBID YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS COLD WEATHER. THE LAST ESTIMATE I GOT FROM THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS OVER $200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224541April 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS AT 30 DEGREES F OR BELOW MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START DUE TO THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND COULD LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS STRANDED SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222666March 29, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START. SEEMS TO BE IGNITION SWITCH, AND/ OR RELATED CIRCUITS. LEAVES MOTORIST STRANDED, USUALLY IN BAD WEATHER. REPLACED BATTERY AT 18 MOS., WHICH WAS NOT PROBLEM. REQUIRED 'RESCUE' FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS MANY TIMES, IN LIEU OF TOW SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222011March 22, 2008
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SINCE 45,000 MILES THE CARS POWER STEERING WILL STOP WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN THE STEERING WILL WORK FOR A FEW MILES. TROUBLE CODE C0475 MEANS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ACCORDING TO THE TSB. CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND I REFUSE TO PAY $1000 FOR A POORLY DESIGNED GM PART JUST ASK THEY CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221474March 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT IS USUALLY WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO ROLL OVER. IT WILL ACT LIKE THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAVE ATTEMPTED REPLACING THE BATTERY AND THE SAME INCIDENTS OCCUR WHEN IT GETS COLD OUT. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. FROM WHAT THE MECHANICS TOLD THEM, AND THAT IT WAS AROUND A $500 PART TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221481March 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ON SEVERAL OCCASSION WHILE IT HAS BEEN COLD OUT, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AS A MATTER OF FACT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO ROLL OVER. THE ONLY WAY I COULD SEEM TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION WAS BY "JUMP STARTING" MY SATURN WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES IN THE WINTER THAT I FINALLY GOT SICK OF IT AND PARKED THE SATURN AND DROVE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I AM SO SICK OF MY CAR THAT I AM READY TO SELL IT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE. AFTER READING THE FIRST 20 SOME RESULTS AND SEEN THAT EVERYONE WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I WAS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS TOO AND AM GLAD THAT I HAVE NOT RAN INTO THEIR PROBLEM YET. IF SATURN DOES NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM REALLY SOON, I WILL SELL MY CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN. THEY ARE REALLY MAKING A BAD PRODUCT THAT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY NEVER SELL AGAIN. AFTER ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS, NEVER BUY A SATURN. IT IS NOT JUST THE ION. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220715March 10, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V547000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). HE REPLACED THE BULBS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID, AND THE ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220104March 5, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START AND WILL ONLY START AGAIN WITH NEW SPARK PLUGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220173March 5, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY FAILED. DRIVER'S SIDE PIVOT ARM IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BROKE SUDDENLY! CANNOT USE THE WIPERS AT ALL. DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219200February 26, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. MUST WAIT BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MINUTES AFTER EACH START ATTEMPT. POSTED BULLETINS RELATE THE PROBLEM TO A FAULTY PASSLOCK SWITCH/IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218730February 21, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2004 SATURN ION2 WILL NOT START IN VERY COLD WEATHER (SUB-ZERO AIR TEMPERATURES). AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS ARE MADE - WITH APPROX. 10-15 MINUTES BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT - THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP. THE IGNITION WILL NOT CRANK THE CAR, CAUSING IT TO NOT ROLL OVER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DISPLAY ON THE DASH READS "SERVICE VEHICLE". AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I'VE LEARNED THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I AM TOLD I MUST REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THAT THIS MAY NOT EVEN BE A PERMANENT FIX. I AM APPALLED BY SUCH FAULTY WORKMANSHIP IN AN AMERICAN-MADE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218606February 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS YEAR, MY 2004 ION WOULD NOT START DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED. MY OWN MECHANIC TOLD ME TO HAVE IT SERVICED BY A SATURN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ANTI THEFT CONTROLLER AND COULD ONLY BE WORKED ON BY THE DEALERSHIP. HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED (FOR $214.00).THE PARTS WERE ONLY $40.00.AS YOUR OWN WEBSITE(AND OTHERS)CONFIRM,THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM THAT MANY ION OWNERS EVENTUALLY WILL ENCOUNTER. DESPITE THIS "DEFECT", GENERAL MOTORS TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A LOGICAL STRATEGY TO HOLD ON TO AN ALREADY DWINDLING NUMBER OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218686February 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CAR BEGAN FAILING TO TURN OVER BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONTINUING TO TRY WOULD EVENTUALLY SUCCEED. SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED (EXCESSIVE MILEAGE) THE FAILURE REQUIRED SERVICE. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WAS 'STICKING' AND CAUSING A SECURITY LOCKOUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218431February 18, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
SEVERAL TIMES, AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN! AFTER TRYING SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF IT FINALLY QUITS. I AM AFRAID THAT SOME DAY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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