2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. NO CRANK OR START. AFTER 10 MINUTES, CAR SOMETIMES STARTS WITH ANOTHER KEY. CAR EVENTUALLY STARTS, BUT REQUIRES 10 MINUTE PAUSE BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT FOR SECURITY LOCK-OUT TO BE BYPASSED. *NM

WHEN MY 2003 SATURN ION IS IN WEATHER THAT IS 32 DEGREES OR UNDER, THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION FREEZES THUS TRIGGERING THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO LOCK THE CAR DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 15 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME DURING THIS WINTER SEASON. HAD I BEEN WITH A SMALL CHILD OR ELDERLY ADULT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS EVENT. SATURN IS MORE THAN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION CLAIMING THE FIX DOZENS OF CARS A WEEK AT 200+ A POP. THIS IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH SATURN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL. THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE SAID THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS PART IS IF PEOPLE WOULD FILE THE CLAIM ON THIS SITE. *JB

IN COLD TEMPERATURES MY 2003 SATURN ION 2 WOULD NOT START. ALL OF MY LIGHTS WOULD COME ON BUT WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WOULD BE LOCKED OUT OF STARTING MY CAR FOR THE NEXT 8-10 MINUTES DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND CODES B2930 B3033 WERE FOUND IN THE SYSTEM. THE IGNITION SWITCH SN 10392423 WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART WAS KEPT BY SATURN. *JB

DOES NOT CRANK, DOES NOT START IN COLD WEATHER & LEAVES YOU STRANDED. *TR

MY 2003 SATURN ION FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT PROPERLY READ THE KEY AND THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM LOCKS OUT THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND IN MARCH 2006 GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN IDENTIFYING THE IGNITION SWITCH AS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. SATURN HOWEVER REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT WITH MY VEHICLE. AS THIS FAILURE ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE AS I WORK LATE HOURS AND I RELY ON MY VEHICLE STARTING SO THAT I CAN TURN ON THE HEAT. SITTING IN THE FREEZING COLD IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS AN IDENTIFIED DEFECTIVE PART THAT WILL NOT START IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED. AS SATURN WILL NOT STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS I ASK THAT A SAFETY RECALL BE ISSUED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM

CAR WILL NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER. THEN I GET A SERVICE ENGINE MESSAGE AND THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER. HOWEVER, THE CAR ALWAYS STARTS WHEN IT IS NOT COLD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE (USUALLY AT OR BELOW 32 DEGREES) THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO START. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATES, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING, BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL ADVISORY (# 04-08-45-005D) DATED 15 MAR 2006 IDENTIFYING THE IGNITION SWITCH AS THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK MALFUNCTION ON MY CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST $250.00 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN PERFORMANCE OF MY DUTIES AS A FEDERAL OFFICER I RELY ON MY VEHICLE TO START WHEN I NEED IT TO. I AM OFTEN DISPATCHED TO REMOTE AREAS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC. HAVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF A RECOGNIZED DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IS UNACCEPTABLE; BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS INSULTING. THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE, IT IMPACTS THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT I HAVE SWORN TO PROTECT. FINALLY IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERY SATURN ION OWNER WHO DEPENDS ON THEIR CAR TO START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER WARM ENVIRONMENT AVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE (USUALLY AT OR BELOW 32 DEGREES) THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO START. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATES, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING, BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL ADVISORY (# 04-08-45-005D) DATED 15 MAR 2006 IDENTIFYING THE IGNITION SWITCH AS THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK MALFUNCTION ON MY CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST $250.00 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN PERFORMANCE OF MY DUTIES AS A FEDERAL OFFICER I RELY ON MY VEHICLE TO START WHEN I NEED IT TO. I AM OFTEN DISPATCHED TO REMOTE AREAS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC. HAVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF A RECOGNIZED DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IS UNACCEPTABLE; BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS INSULTING. THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE, IT IMPACTS THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT I HAVE SWORN TO PROTECT. FINALLY IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERY SATURN ION OWNER WHO DEPENDS ON THEIR CAR TO START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER WARM ENVIRONMENT AVAILABLE.

CAR WILL NOT START AT RANDOM TIMES. I WAIT 20 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP. *TR

1. TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 2. GREASE IN IGNITION SWITCH THICKENS AND CAR WILL NOT START. IT NORMALLY TAKES 10 - 15 MINUTES TO WARM THE IGNITION ENOUGH FOR THE CAR TO START. 3. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO REPAIR THE CAR AND BILL THE MANUFACTURER BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULDN'T REPAIR IT. 4. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. *JB

FOR THE PAST TWO WINTERS I'VE HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING MY CAR ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHEN I WENT OUT TO START IT EACH TIME IT WOULDN'T START. I WOULD WAIT ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES TO RESTART IT, AND LUCKILY IT STARTED. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE ON EVERY OCCASION, ALL THE WHILE BRAVING THE FREEZING COLD. *NM

THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH "PASSLOCK" SENSOR WENT OUT ON MY 2003 SATURN ION II, IT WAS NEAR ZERO DEGREES OUTSIDE, MY 2 MONTH OLD SON WAS ALONG, AND I WAS STUCK ON THE ROAD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY THAT A SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE GAS FLOW STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND THE CAR DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT INITIALLY DID NOTHING. I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES, CALLED FOR MY SON TO BE PICKED UP, THEN TRIED AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES IT STARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I LEARNED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND HAD A FAULTY "PASSLOCK" SENSOR. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE IGNITION IS TOO COLD, THE GREASE BEGINS TO HARDEN, CAUSING THE SWITCH TO BE UNABLE TO MAKE PROPER CONTACT. THIS MAKES THE CAR THINK SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STEAL IT, SO THE SECURITY SYSTEM KICKS IN AND STOPS GAS FLOW FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES. AFTER THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS AND YOU CAN ONCE AGAIN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IF THE GREASE HAS NOT WARMED UP ENOUGH BY THE, THE WHOLE THING STARTS OVER AGAIN. I HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY. THE SWITCH IS AGAIN GOING BAD. MY HUSBAND HAD TO BE TO COURT THIS AFTERNOON AND WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS TIME WE HAD TO WAIT AND TRY AGAIN 3 TIMES, WASTING 45 MINUTES. AT LEAST THIS TIME IT WAS ONLY TIME THAT WAS WASTED. LAST TIME IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. MY BABY COULD'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE COLD FOR TOO LONG WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY OTHER CARS IF I HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY. NOW THAT IT HAS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME TO OUR VEHICLE, I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS QUITE REGULARLY AND THAT SATURN HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE SEE: HTTP://WWW.AUTOWEB.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/5610 FOR MORE COMPLAINTS. *NM

VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK OR START AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING A SHORT OR LONG TIME. SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE VEHICLE. AFTER LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINS THE VEHICLE THEN STARTS AND SHUTOFF AGAIN AND IT TAKES ABOUT FIVE TRIES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. *NM

WILL DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION IN MY SATURN ION LVL 3 SLIPS AND I HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN KICK THE GAS PEDAL FOR IT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. ALSO WHEN I GO TO PARK THE CAR, I PUT IT IN PARK AND PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND I GO TO REMOVE THE KEY AND IT WILL ONLY GO AS FAR AS ACC MODE. IT WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TO WAIT 20 TO 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT RELEASES AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. IT DOES THIS ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY. *NM

IF THE WEATHER BECOMES COLD, THE CAR WILL NOT FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF SITTING IN THE CAR AND TRYING TO START IT OVER AND OVER. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP TWICE, BUT AT THE TIME, THE CAR WORKED PROPERLY. BOTH TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW BATTERY. I AM NOW SAVING THE MONEY TO HAVE THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. SATURN JUST KEEPS TELLING ME TO REPLACE MY BATTERY. HOW MANY DO I NEED? *NM

2003 SATURN ION. THIS CAR WILL NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE CAR WILL STALL. THIS WILL BE A RECALL ITEM ONCE WE GET TOGETHER AND SUE SATURN FOR THIS OBVIOUS NEGLIGENT BEHAVIOR. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AND IS CONTINUAL. PERHAPS WHEN SOME UNFORTUNATE SOUL IS STRANDED IN THE WILDERNESS AND DIES, THEN THE MANUFACTURER WILL PAY ATTENTION TO THIS COLD WEATHER START PROBLEM. THE PUBLIC IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SO IS SATURN. IT WOULD BE WELL WORTH IT FOR THE CORPORATE OFFICE TO CRUNCH THE NUMBERS AND DECIDE TO RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT THE DIFFICULTLY MAY HAVE TO DO WITH A TYPE OF LUBRICANT ON THE STARTER, WHICH HARDENS IN THE COLD WEATHER. THE CAR STALLS AS A RESULT, AND THEN THE PASSLOCK KICKS IN. AFTER 8 MINUTES, THE CAR MAY START, OR ONE MAY HAVE TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 8 MINUTES (OR MORE) FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH TO LOOSEN UP ENOUGH TO START THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THE CAR MAY STALL YET AGAIN---AND SET OFF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM YET AGAIN. SATURN IS NEGLIGENT AT THE VERY LEAST--AND CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT IF THEY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM---THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF IT---AND DO NOTHING. *NM

MY SATURN ION 3 HAD 4 OCCURRENCES OF SERVICE VEHICLE'S MESSAGE IN THE LAST 24 HOURS SINCE DEC 29, 2006. WHEN I TURN THE KEY, THE ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER. THE MESSAGE WINDOWS SHOWS "SERVICE VEHICLE" AND THE "SECURITY"/PASS LOCK SYMBOL ON THE DASH KEEPS FLASHING. I KEPT TRYING TURNING THE IGNITION, NOTHING HAPPNENED. THE AFTER APPROX. 10 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED AND RAN GREAT AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. *NM

SATURN 2003 ION WILL NOT START IN COOL TO COLD WEATHER. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES CAR WILL NOT START, BUT WILL THEN START AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEWER SATURNS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER OR WILL OCCASIONALLY TAKE MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND MADE MINOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I OWN A SATURN ION II 2003 AND EVERY MORNING THAT IT IS COLD IT WILL NOT START. AFTER GETTING A NEW BATTERY, WHICH IS WHAT THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME TO DO, IT STILL WILL NOT START ON COLD MORNINGS. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN 03 TO LATE 04 MODELS REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH NOT TURNING IN COLD WEATHER. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED. *NM

I HAVE A 5-SPEED MANUAL 2003 SATURN ION . EVERY TIME IT'S COLD OUTSIDE, THE CAR REFUSES TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATED LAST WINTER, AND HAS A COUPLE TIMES THIS FALL, ALSO. NOW, THAT THE TEMPERATURE IS STAYING LOW, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIME AND EFFORT REQUIRED TO MAKE THE CAR START. THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WORK FINE, INDICATING THERE IS POWER GETTING TO THIS EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OVER TO START, A MESSAGE POPS UP SAYING "SERVICE ENGINE." NOTHING HAPPENS AFTER THAT. ONE CAN ALMOST PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. IF THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW FREEZING, ONE MUST BE PREPARED TO SIT AT HOME UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE RISES, AND ALLOWS FOR THE CAR TO START. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION-3 AND IT WILL NOT START BELOW 40 DEGREES, THIS IS A RIDICULOUS PROBLEM. THERE IS A THREAD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT : HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/5610 THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, I AM JUST HOPING I CAN SELL THIS CAR ASAP BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM. *JB

2003 SATURN ION QUAD LEVEL 3, WILL NOT START WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS, OR STARTS AND IMMEDIATELY STALLS. THE PASSLOCK ICON BLINKS AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS SERVICE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY STATED TO TURN KEY ON FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES TO RESET THE PASSLOCK, THEN TURN OFF, REMOVE KEY, AND TRY THE START SEQUENCE AGAIN. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, CAR IS CURRENTLY IMMOBILE IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN. AN INTERNET SEARCH STRONGLY SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THAT ALL SATURN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT FOR RELIEF. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE (USUALLY AT OR BELOW 32 DEGREES) THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO START. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATES, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING, BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROPER KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL ADVISORY (# 04-08-45-005D) DATED 15 MAR 2006 IDENTIFYING THE IGNITION SWITCH AS THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK MALFUNCTION ON MY CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD COST $250.00 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN PERFORMANCE OF MY DUTIES AS A FEDERAL OFFICER I RELY ON MY VEHICLE TO START WHEN I NEED IT TO. I AM OFTEN DISPATCHED TO REMOTE AREAS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC. WAITING 10-30 MINUTES FOR THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM TO TIME OUT BEFORE I CAN START THE CAR HAS MADE ME LATE FOR ASSIGNMENTS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. HAVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF A RECOGNIZED DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IS UNACCEPTABLE; BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS INSULTING. THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE, IT IMPACTS THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT I HAVE SWORN TO PROTECT. FINALLY IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERY SATURN ION OWNER WHO DEPENDS ON THEIR CAR TO START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER WARM ENVIRONMENT AVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION THAT WON'T START IN COLD WEATHER HERE IN EASTERN OREGON, HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED AT, BUT EVERYONE SAYS THAT MY CAR IS OKAY. SO I DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM? ALSO, THERE IS NOT EASY SUGGESTIONS BY SATURN? *TR

I HAVE A SATURN ION 2003 AND SPENT THE WHOLE OF LAST WINTER HAVING TO GO OUT AND TURN MY KEY IN THE IGNITION 10 MINUTES BEFORE I NEEDED TO LEAVE ANYWHERE SO IT WOULD START. IT ACTUALLY STARTED IN 2006 AND THE CAR DID NOT START A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING THE WINTER. GEORGIA HAD A MILD WINTER THAT YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY, 2007 WAS MUCH COLDER AND MY CAR CONSTANTLY WOULD NOT START. I AM A SINGLE PARENT WHOSE FAMILY ARE 3000 MILES AWAY ON A DIFFERENT CONTINENT AND I CANNOT AFFORD FOR MY CAR TO NOT WORK WHEN I HAVE AN HOUR COMMUTE AND HAVE TO PICK MY CHILD UP BY A CERTAIN TIME EACH DAY. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY WEBSITES AND BLOGS AND REALIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL SATURN IONS. SATURN KNOWS ABOUT IT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE ANYTHING OUT EXCEPT I NEEDED A NEW ($80) BATTERY THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND AM NOT SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BUY AMERICAN CARS WHEN THIS IS THE TYPE OF RESPONSE THAT YOU GET FROM THEM WHEN THEIR PRODUCT DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. ARE WE SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST A SCHEME FOR THEM TO MAKE MONEY FROM PEOPLE? *TR

CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START IN COLD WEATHER. MUST PLAY WITH IGNITION SWITCH MANY TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY IN COOLER WEATHER, FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. AN APPOINTMENT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED WITH A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. THIS MOSTLY OCCURRED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS BUT WOULD ALSO OCCUR IN ABOVE 70 DEGREE TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND COULD IMMEDIATELY BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM

WHEN IT IS COLD OUT AND THE CAR HAS SAT, IT WILL NOT CRANK. I HAVE SEEN INFORMATION THAT IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE $590 FIX, OR THE IGNITION SWITCH $200 FIX. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE TIED TO THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. IF THE CAR DOES NOTHING, AND I LOCK AND THEN UNLOCK THE CAR IT WILL CRANK FOR 1/2 A SECOND THEN STOP. IT WONT CRANK AGAIN UNTIL I LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR AGAIN. EVENTUALLY AFTER DOING THIS NUMEROUS TIMES IT WILL START. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM BUT BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FOR EITHER THE BCM, THE IGNITION SWITCH, OR BOTH. *NM

2003 SATURN ION WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD. I AM SEEING ALOT OF PEOPLE POSTING ON DIFFERENT FORUMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IS ANYTHING GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *NM

DROVE TO WORK; USED SEATBELT GUIDE; GOT BACK IN CAR TO GO HOME GUIDE NOT THERE. SEAT BELT GUIDE ATTACHED TO HEADREST CRACKED AND BROKE OFF; CANNOT REACH TO WHERE SEATBELT ATTACHED TO CAR FRAME. CAR DEALERSHIP EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPLACEMENT. *NM

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE, BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED, AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 45747 MILES AS OF THE SERVICE DATE. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN, AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER MAY WANT TO CLAIM THAT SNOW CAUSED THIS FAILURE, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY SNOWFALL PRIOR TO THIS DATE (10-25-06). I NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WAS FOLDED OUTWARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE SUPPORT BRACKET WAS BROKEN. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO WAY TO OBTAIN THE SIMPLE BRACKET. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE WIPER MOTOR WHICH STILL FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS OF THE ASSEMBLY ARE A UNITIZED MODULE WHERE NO SINGLE PART CAN BE PURCHASED INDIVIDUALLY. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS ASSEMBLY (GM PART NUMBER 15221904 ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE) WAS $149.12 WHILE LABOR AND FEES MADE UP AN ADDITIONAL $100. OVERALL COST TO FIX WAS $250.91 WITH STATE TAXES. I ASKED FOR THE BROKEN PART, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO LOOK AT (I WILL TAKE DIGITAL PICTURES IF YOU SO WISH). ADDITIONALLY, WHILE MOST OF THE MECHANISM IS CONSTRUCTED OF METAL, THE HIGH STRESS POINTS (THE BRACKETS) ARE MADE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC. WHILE NO HARM CAME TO ME BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE, THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHE DOES EXIST. IF THIS MECHANISM WERE TO FAIL WHILE ONE WAS DRIVING, THEIR VISION WOULD BE OBSTRUCTED AND AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE IN MY CASE, WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WAS RENDERED VIRTUALLY USELESS. THIS DEFECT COULD EASILY BE CORRECTED. THE BRACKETS WHICH ARE BOTH MADE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC COULD BE REPLACED WITH A MORE RELIABLE METAL PART. TO SAVE PRECIOUS PENNIES, SATURN CHOSE TO CONSTRUCT THIS CRITICAL PART OF THE CAR WITH AN INFERIOR MATERIAL. THE RESULT IS A DESIGN FLAW POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF THOUSANDS OF UNSUSPECTING SATURN OWNERS. I ASK THAT CONSIDERATION BE MADE FOR THEM WHILE THIS COMPLAINT IS REVIEWED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO EXPERIENCE A NO START CONDITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LASTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD REPEATEDLY HOP AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. ON ONE OCCASION, THE WIPER FRACTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE TAKES OVER ONE HOUR TO START AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GMC IGNITION MODULE RECALL (NUMBER 03033-03C-06). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL KNOBS DON'T ROTATE AND IT RESTRICTS THE AIR FLOW PREVENTING THE CAR FROM DEFOGGING FRONT WINDSHIELD, DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS RESTRICTING VISIBILITY MAKING THE CONTINUE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. *TR

SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2003, THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED OCCASIONALLY UPON NORMAL ACCELERATION. WE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AT OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THIS WAS THE NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THE TRANSMISSION. FAST-FOWARD 3 YRS, 40,000 MILES, AND THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THOSE DRIVING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD, THE CAR ROLLED DOWN THE HILL INTO THE ROAD, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FARTHER ONCE ON A FLAT SURFACE. I AM LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS COMING TOO CLOSE OR FAST BEHIND ME, OR MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SUDDEN, UNAVOIDABLE ROADBLOCK FOR SURE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WITH HEAVY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. PEOPLE WERE SOMEHOW ABLE TO AVOID MY CAR, ALTHOUGH IT WAS A MAJOR HAZARD TO SAFETY. THESE WERE TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES, AND I IMMEDIATELY DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT NIGHT (I HAPPENED TO BE DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE DEALER WHEN THESE EVENTS OCCURRED). ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS VERY DARK, FLUID PUMP SEVERELY DAMAGED, AND THE 2ND GEAR CLUTCH AND COAST ASSEMBLY "BURNED UP". THE TRANSMISSION, PUMP, GEARS, CLUTCHES, AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1250, WHICH THEY CLAIMED WAS A GREAT DEAL FOR US, AS THIS WAS CLAIMED TO BE A $5500 JOB. I APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS AND ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, HOWEVER I AM STILL DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL, AND THE APPARENT LACK OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ENGINEERING OF THIS VEHICLE. NO ONE EXPECTS TO NEED TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION IN A CAR WITH 40,000 MILES. MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THIS VEHICLE, AND I HOPE THAT THE THE NHTSA TAKES THE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO PREVENT MORE LIVES FROM BEING PUT AT RISK OR LOST DUE TO THIS ERROR.

STEEL BAR IN HEAD REST IS NO LONGER PADDED. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION2. THE CONTACT STATED HIS POWER STEERING AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DID NOT OPERATE. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE BEFORE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE WOULD PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE MOTOR ON AND OFF AND IT WOULD RESETS ITSELF. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING AT A COST OF $300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE HEATER IS OPERATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY HIGH. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE FALL OF 2006. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES, THEN NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,300.

AIR CONDITIONG FAN STOP WORKING. THE WHOLE SYSTEM WENT OUT FROM THE TURN ON SWITCH TO THE FAN MODE SWITCH. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO DETERMINED THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER MUST HAVE DAMAGED THE MODULE. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THE MODULE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED AND AGREED WITH THE TECHNICIAN'S ANALYSIS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECOMES STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAUSES HER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 TIMES TO RELEASE THE KEY. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WILL OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEN THE FAILURE RECURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES OR WHILE MAKING TURNS. I TOOK MY 2003 ION 2 TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS BOTH OF MY CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. MY CAR IS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT, SO AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE UNTRUE. BUT, AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT MANY 2003 ION DRIVERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY SATURN DEALER AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP ME OR FIX IT. MY OTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, WHICH ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, IS THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. ONE DAY IT WILL BE ON, AND THE NEXT IT WILL BE FINE. *JB

WHILE THERE HAVE, BEEN NO ADVERSE DEATHS OR INJURIES THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT COULD LEAD TO DEATHS. I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION 2 TIMES. THE IGNITION LOCKS UP AND THE CAR WILL CONTINUE RUNNING EVEN IF I REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE CAUSING WIPER TO BE INOPERABLE. *JB

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN EXACTLY THIRTEEN MONTHS THE FIRST TIME WAS ON FEBRUARY 3, 2005. I ADJUSTED MY POWER DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY 61 AND HEARD A POP AND ALL MY LIGHTS INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT . MY FOUR WAY SAFETY FLASHERS ALSO WOULD NOT WORK I WAS DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ALMOST IDENTICALLY LAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ADJUSTED MIRROR HEARD A POP AND ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT. LUCKILY IN BOTH INCIDENTS NO ONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO THE FACT THEY COULDN'T SEE ME UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. NO ONE WAS KILLED OR INJURED BUT THAT WAS JUST PURE LUCK .. LAST YEARS INCIDENT I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO SATURN AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE BCM FUSE WAS BAD THEY REPLACED FUSE. OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM YOU WOULD THINK YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR POWER MIRROR WITHOUT HAVING ALL LIGHTS SHUT OFF INCLUDING DASH LIGHTS .. ONCE YOU PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK YOU CANNOT TURN IT OFF COMPLETELY THE KEY WILL ONLY GO AS FAR AS THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. THE ENGINE WILL RUN YOU JUST CAN'T MOVE THE VEHICLE. SOMEHOW I DO NOT THINK THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ENTIRELY WHEN THEY REPLACED THE FUSE. IT SEEMS TO ME YOU SHOULD NOT BLOW A BCM FUSE EVERY THIRTEEN MONTHS EXACTLY TO THE DAY. IT IS SUCH A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM THE CONSEQUENCES ARE TERRIFYING. MY 2003 SATURN ION-3 CAN NOT BE THE ONLY CAR OUT THERE WITH THIS HAPPENING ESPECIALLY TWICE IN THIRTEEN MONTHS. *JB

MY CAR WON'T START! AT LEAST EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ANYWAY. IT'S A 2003 SATURN ION. I BOUGHT IT USED ON 5/14/05 AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER, WHEN IT STARTED TO GET COLD IN GA., IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER ABOUT 10-30 MINUTES, IT WOULD FINALLY START AS IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM LEAVING ME FEELING LIKE I WAS GOING CRAZY. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE THE BATTERY, SO I REPLACED THAT (40.00 DOLLARS). IT STILL GAVE ME PROBLEMS THAT VERY NIGHT! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE (40.00 DOLLARS), THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AND BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF. DISCOURAGED, I LEFT AND GAVE UP. IT CONTINUED TO ACT UP 2 DAYS LATER, WHICH I JUST DEALT WITH. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP YESTERDAY FOR A OIL CHANGE AND GUESS WHAT? IT WOULDN'T START WHILE IT WAS THERE. THEY TOLD ME THAT WHILE THEY WERE ABOUT TO TAKE IT TO THE WASH IT WOULDN'T START, AND ASKED ME IF I HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I SAID YEA. THEY SAID THEY WERE SURE THEY'D LOCATE THE PROBLEM THAT DAY. CAME BACK AN HOUR LATER TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS THE TECHNICIAN FAULT, CLAIMING THAT HE HAD LEFT IT IN DRIVE WHILE TRYING TO START IT (HOW WOULD HE GET IT IN DRIVE IF IT WOULDN'T START?) ANYWAY, IT WOULDN'T START THAT NIGHT! AT THIS POINT IM GOING TO GET MY FUTURE FATHER IN LAW INVOLVED SINCE HE IS AN ENGINEER AND HAVE HIM STIR THE PUDDING. OH, AND HE BELIEVES IT A SHORT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SO WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM TO CHECK THAT OUT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN DECREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND ROAD TESTED WHICH INDICATED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND REBUILT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS 3 YEARS OLD. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. HAD TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,136.00. UPDATED ON 05/18/2006. *AK UPDATED 06/15/06. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AT TEMPERATURES OF 30 DEGREES AND BELOW, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED YET AGAIN AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VIN THAT WAS PROVIDED WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 65,000.