2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON THE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN SECONDS SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED TO HAVE A HOLE IN THE BLOCK, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE UNTIL IT IS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP AND IS AWAITING AN ADJUSTER FROM THE CAR COMPANY TO INSPECT IT BEFORE THEY WILL BEGIN TO REPAIR IT. *NM

2003 SATURN TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WITH AROUND 69000 AND SATURN REFUSED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY ON MY CAR. *TR

I OWN A SATURN ION 3. ON 1/8/06, I HEARD A SCREACHING, RUBBING SOUND FROM FRONT BRAKES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 1/9/06. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. THE CAR ONLY HAD 35,925 MILES ON IT AND THE BRAKES HAD BEEN CHECKED BY THE DEALER AT 28,900 MILES. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS DOCUMENTED THAT THE PADS HAD 40% LEFT. THE SERVICES REP. STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, THAT THE ION WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE STYLE OF BRAKES USED. SINCE BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS COST ME $484. I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THE REPAIR AS I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH THE FAULTY BRAKES. I AM NOT HARD ON BRAKES, THIS IS MY 3RD SATURN VEHICLE, AMONG OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED AND I HAVE NOT HAD THIS HAPPEN AT ALL, MUCH LESS AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. SATURN DEALER REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS WITH GENUINE SATURN PARTS AT MY EXPENSE, WHICH I ASSUME WILL NOT HOLD UP ANY LONGER THAN THE LAST ONES. *NM

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR 4 TIMES SINCE I GOT IT IN MAY 2003. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE CAR WILL REV AND/OR ACCELERATE (SOMETIMES IN PARK, SOMETIMES IN DRIVE) ON ITS OWN. IT HAS ACCELERATED, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WITH MY TODDLER IN THE CAR. IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING, & SATURN HAS TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY EACH TIME. THE THROTTLE IS REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT THERE IS A RECURRENT PATTERN EVERY 4-6 MONTHS, AS SHOWN ON RECORD WITH SATURN. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN THAT THEY INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE, ONLY FINDING IT IN ONE OTHER CAR. BEING AS THAT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED WITH THE OTHER CAR, & BEING AS MY CAR WAS JUST FIXED AGAIN, THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *JB

BOUGHT VEHICLE IN APR. 05, DEC 06 PROBLEM STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER LATE FOR WORK, DEALER REPLACED PASSLOCK2 SYSTEM DEC 06, VEHICLE FINE UNTIL DEC 07, PROBLEM CAME ABOUT AGAIN, JAN 08 CALLED DEALER SAID TO BRING IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC, DID SO DEALER SAID IT'S THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM FOR SHORT), PRIOR TO FINDING THAT OUT REPLACED STARTER AND BATTERY TO TRY AND FIX PROBLEM. CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SUPPORT JAN OR FEB, THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC FAILING WAS MY FAULT AND I HAD TO FIX PROBLEM. SITTING IN THE COLD WAITING TO START MY CAR HAS RESULTED IN LOSE OF DEXTERITY AND FEELING IN FINGER TIPS DUE TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUB-ZERO TEMPS TRYING TO START CAR. SATURN HAS A BULLETIN #1787659 SAYING THAT IF OWNERS COME IN REFERRING TO THEIR CAR NOT STARTING IN COLD WEATHER "NO CRANK, NO START WITH COMPLETE POWER". SATURN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND WONT FIX IT CAUSE THEY DEEM IT "A NON-SAFETY ISSUE". *TR

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE FIRST IN 2005 WITH APPROX 12,000 MILES AND AGAIN IN 2010 WITH APPROX 52,000 MILES. NOW VEHICLE HAS 73,000 MILES AND IS HAVING SAME ISSUE,WHICH DRAINS DOWN BATTERY. NO OTHER KEYS ARE ON KEY RING. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AND INCLUDED IN GM RECALL AS MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING AS AFFECTED, AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO ME AGAIN AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. FAULTY IGINITION SWITCH.*AK

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE C-LINE (THE HOSE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE SLAVE CYLINDER. I TALKED TO ANOTHER SATURN OWNER AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE LEAKING HOSE. SINCE THIS FLUID CONTROLS BOTH MY CLUTCH AND MY BRAKES, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *JB

CAR WILL NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START SECURITY LIGHT TURN ON AND WON'T START FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THAT'S NOT THE SOLUTION. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. ITS HORRIBLE BEING STRANDED OUT IN THE COLD WHEN IS BELOW ZERO FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. SATURN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING OUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

(1) HIGHWAY DRIVING (2) FOUND OUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NO LONGER WORKED ON ANY SETTING AFTER SOME WATER SPLASHED UP ON MY WINDSHIELD. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT FROM INABILITY TO SEE. FOUND OUT AFTER I STOPPED THAT THE TRUNK RELEASE ALSO NO LONGER WORKED. (3) CONTACTED SATURN VIA EMAIL. ACTION IS PENDING. *NM

UNRESOLVE PROBLEM (7/2004 - 7/2005) VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. SUDDENLY STALLS AND STOPS WHILE ON HIGHWAY CREATING HAZARD FOR TRAFFIC FOLLOWING AT 65 MPH. RETURNED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY CAN NOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM AND CAN NOT REPAIR.

ONGOING PROBLEM 7/2004 - 7/2005 VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO REACT TO STOPPED VEHICLE. (LATEST 7/15/05) RETURNED TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS. (LATEST 7/18/05) COMPUTER HAS NEVER SHOWN CODES AND THEY'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

MY 2003 SATURN ION CONSISTENTLY IDLES AT BETWEEN 1200 AND 2000 RPM. CAR DRIVES ITSELF WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. CAR WILL DRIVE 5-10 MPH WITH FOOT OFF THE CASE. I HAVE COMPLAINED AT EACH SERVICE BUT THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE IDLE IS DETERMINED BY SOFTWARE. ETC. *JB

MY DAUGHTER (17 YEARS OLD) HAD AN ACCIDENT FOUR DAYS AGO. SHE HIT A TREE - HEAD ON GOING SOMEWHERE AROUND 40 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL - AGAIN - WERE IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND AWE. THIS IS OUR FOURTH (4TH) GM VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A "TOTAL LOSS" ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

AT THE TIME MY SATURN WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IT WAS UNDER 30,000 MILES AND STILL UNDER WARRENTY. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK. AT THE TIME I COULD NOT SEE WHAT WAS HOLDING DOWN MY ACCELERATOR. IT WAS A PIECE OF PANEL THAT CAME OFF PARTIALLY THAT WAS HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR REALLY HARD AND IT WAS STUCK MAKING MY PEDAL STUCK ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BREAKS AND THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO NO AVAIL. I DIDN'T TURN THE IGNITION OFF BECAUSE I HAD CARS ON ALL SIDES OF ME GOING 50-70 MPH. IT WAS WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THAT I REALIZED MY CAR WASN'T GOING TO STOP AND I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HIT AN SUV AND MY CAR KEPT TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THE SUV OUT OF THE WAY. THAT IS WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION BEFORE ANOTHER ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE SUV WAS DAMAGED. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE I AM WAITING FOR SATURN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, SO THAT THEY COULD LEND ME A RENT-A-CAR WHILE IT IS IN THE SHOP. BUT, I CANNOT GET THEM TO GIVE ME A CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR IN THE SHOP OR SUPPLY A RENT-A-CAR. A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR INSPECTED MY CAR ON FRIDAY AND AGREES THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. HE SUPPLIED THE INFORMATION TO SATURN AND STILL THREE DAYS LATER I CAN'T EVEN GET A COURTESY CALL. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON JUNE 16, 2005. I COULDN'T GET THEM TO CALL ME TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT MY OPTIONS WERE UNTIL THE WEEK OF JULY 1, 2005. THEN AN INVESTIGATOR JULY 8, 2005. THEY HAVE NOT MADE ONE EFFORT TO WORK WITH ME ABOUT GETTING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME THE TIME OF DAY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SATURN SHOP LOCATION TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND SO THAT THEY COULD SUPPLY A RENT-A-CAR.

FREQUENT INABILITY TO START VEHICLE DUE TO IGNITION CYLINDER WEAR. SATURN CLAIMS SECURITY SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DUE TO INTERNAL IGNITION SWITCH NOT BEING ABLE TO "READ" CHIP IN SATURN VEHICLE KEY. FAILURE OF SUCH PROCESS RESULTS IN OPERATOR OF VEHICLE HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL SECURITY SYSTEM "RESETS" (10-15 MINS.) SATURN WILL NOT HONOR THE FACT THAT THIS MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW, AND HOLDS OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR $200 REPAIR. THIS OWNER IS JUST GLAD THE STEERING WHEEL HASN'T FALLEN OFF THE DASHBOARD YET. GOOD CAR ! *JB

I PURCHASED A SATURN ION IN JUNE OF 2003. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2004. IT WOULD NOT START AND WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. THERE WAS POWER TO ALL ACCESSORIES SO IT WAS NOT A BATTERY FAILURE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, IT WOULD FINALLY START ONCE AGAIN (ROUGHLY AT FIRST) AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE NEARBY SATURN DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND WAS TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY "WERE TOO BUSY". I TOOK IT THERE THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT EXCEPT FOR AN OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. I DROVE IT HOME. IT DID IT AGAIN TWICE IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. I THOUGHT THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK UNTIL THIS PAST WEEKEND (APRIL 2005) WHEN IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING. I TOOK IT TO SATURN ON TUESDAY AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER CAR FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE MY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE BACK. I CONTACTED SATURN CORPORATE AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WOULD GET ME A LOANER FOR A FEW DAYS BUT IT WAS DOUBTFUL THAT THEY COULD GET IT TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AS IT IS INTERMITTENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO NOT START IT THE NEXT TIME AND JUST HAVE IT TOWED TO SATURN. THAT'S FINE EXCEPT WHAT IF IT DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND I AM AWAY FROM HOME WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN? MY VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND I SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY DISTANCE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED! *NM

THE AIR BAGS OF THE CONSUMER'S 2003 SATURN ION 3 DID NOT INFLATE DURING ACCIDENT. *BF *NM

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER WAS DRIVING AND HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AT A FOUR WAY STOP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP TO 3,000 RPM AND SURGED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS ADJUSTED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. HOWEVER, DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE TAKES 2-5 MINUTES FOR IT TO IDLE DOWN FROM 2500 RPM'S. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEFOSTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HOOD WOULD NOT ALWAYS CLOSE PROPERLY.

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION COUPE. WHEN I WOULD DRIVE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND LET THE CAR WARM UP, THERE ARE INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS WHERE I WILL SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHANGING OF A STOP LIGHT, AND WHEN I EITHER COME TO THE STOP OR WHEN I ACCELERATE AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD IN ESSENCE STALL OUT AND TURN OFF. HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP WHEN I PUT IT BACK IN PARK. IT HAPPENED ONCE, MAYBE TWICE B4 I HAD A CHANCE TO REALIZE IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ON THE 12TH OF JANUARY IT STALLED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HANG TURN AT AN INTERSECTION AND BECAUSE OF THIS, I LOST POWER STEERING AND HIT THE MEDIAN AND A ROCK BED ON THE MEDIAN. THERE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND IT IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE SHOP. I DO NOT KNOW AT THIS POINT IN TIME THE EXACT REASON FOR THE STALL. JUST THAT I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND SEE NO REASON FOR IT DO THIS. *NM

OVER THE PAST 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OUR 2003 SATURN ION. THE CAR WOULD NOT START LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND WENT VERY QUICKLY. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN LATER WITH NO PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL SATURN SERVICE TECH ADVISED US THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN WITH OTHER IONS AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION THAT IS HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, MY DAUGHTER ORIGINALLY HAD THE CAR, AND DROVE IT, WITHOUT ME KNOWING SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT SHIFTING. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR EVALUATION. I HAVE HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DON'T UNDERSTAND GM NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALSO THE SEAT BELT LOCKS AND YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF IT. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I HOPE THE ADDRESS IT. YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO CRAWL OUT OF THE BELT. *JB

WHEN IT IS TOO COLD, MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS MY SECURITY SYSTEM AND I HAVE TO WAIT A LONG TIME BEFORE MY CAR STARTS. SATURN HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL ADVISORY (# 04-08-45-005D) ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL (EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT). MANY OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL IN COLD WEATHER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 88,500. UPDATED 01/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED WHO WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

2003 SATURN ION HAS PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD. MULTIPLE WEBSITES DOCUMENT DOZENS OF CASES OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ALL RELATING TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED SPORADICALLY THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS BUT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON. SATURN IS WILLING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT AT MY EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT OF THE CAR. *TR

WHEN WEATHER TURNS COLD CAR WILL NOT START, AFTER 20 - 30 MINUTES CAR STARTS. AFTER FIRST VISIT TO DEALER WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND, A YEAR LATER AS WINTER RETURNS SO DOES THE PROBLEM AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND THE PASSLOCK SENSOR BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR EVEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED. I HAVE HELD OFF ON REPAIRING AS WE HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE WE CAN USE AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ALL THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS, ONE DISTURBING SYMPTOM IS THAT SOME GM VEHICLES EXPERIENCE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND OR STALLING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YET.

WHILE ON LOCAL INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE SATURN ION 3 QUAD COUPE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE RPMS REACHED ABOUT 6,000 WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED AND PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT. AFTER A BRIEF FULL STOP (WHILE IN DRIVE), THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED PROPERLY AND DID NOT SLIP. UPON TAKING THE NEXT EXIT, THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK AND WAS IDLING. EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING SMELL WHICH WAS QUITE SIMILAR TO A CLUTCH SLIPPING IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. NO FLUIDS WERE SEEN DRIPPING AND THERE WAS NO COSMETIC DAMAGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RETURN TO DRIVE. DESPITE PRESSING THE BRAKE AS REQUIRED, THE CAR WAS 'LOCKED' INTO PARK. A STRANGE CLICK WAS HEARD FROM THE AREA NEAR THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. THIS WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL CLICK THAT IS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED IN PARK. HE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE CAR WOULD PROPERLY ENTER DRIVE AND THE ABNORMAL CLICK WAS NOT PRESENT.THE LOCAL SATURN DEALER REPLACED THE "INPUT" AND "OUTPUT" FILTERS IN THE TRANSMISSION PER DIRECTION OF SATURN CORPORATION. TRANSMISSION HAS NOT SLIPPED AGAIN SINCE THIS REPAIR. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS OR NOT START AT ALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE NON SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY SINCE THE REPAIR, LAST YEAR; THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE REPAIRS WERE MADE.

WHILE DRIVING. UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT TO TAKE THE CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION RUNNING. THE DOORS LOCKED, AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET HER CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY UPON EXITING DRIVER'S SIDE. ADDITIONAL SERVICE INCLUDE, THE A/C AND HEATER FUNTION FAILED DUE TO FAULTY CONNECTION FROM SWITCH TO RESISTOR CARD, COLLAPSE OF HORN COVER CAUSING LOSS OF AIRBAG. IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LAMPS WERE INOPERATIVE. *BF

SATURN ION 2003 IGNITION SWITCH AND IGNITION CYLINDER BAD 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2003. I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SWITCH, AT ABOUT $300., EACH TIME. NO ONE BUT A GM DEALER CAN REPLACE THIS SWITCH, WHICH FAILS ONCE THE TEMP. DROPS, BECAUSE OF GM NOT RELEASING THE COMPUTER CODES. THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS BAD, BUT AT A COST OF $100. JUST FOR THE CYLINDER AND ANOTHER COST OF $100 FOR THE LABOR, I HAVE TO LEAVE A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES IN THE RUN POSITION, SO I CAN START MY CAR. SATURN HAS ADMITTED TO THESE BEING FAULTY PARTS, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE CARS, SO THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO PAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. *TR

INTERIOR ROOF AROUND SUN ROOF - VERY LOSS AND WIRES ARE EXPOSED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND FAILED TO FIX ISSUE. POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH WIRES EXPOSED TO GETTING WET. CEILING HAS STARTED TO HANG LOWER BECAUSE THE MATERIAL/GLUE HOLDING IT IN PLACE IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF CEILING SHOULD BE DONE BUT COMPANY HAS NOT.*AK

I HIT ANOTHER CAR IN ITS LEFT SIDE HARD, IT SMASHED MY FRONT END COMPLETLY TO THE WINDSHIELD, THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED SO BADLY THAT IT WAS TOTALLED BY THE INSURANCE CO. YET NO AIR BAGS WAS ACTIVATED.*AK

FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB 'BRIGHT' / 'HIGH' ELMENT BURNED OUT. BULB WAS OEM WAGNER 5702KA. BULB BASE WAS BLACKED, HAD SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. BOTH LEFT AND FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY OUTER LENSES HAVE CHANGED FROM CLEAR TO TRANSLUCENT IMEDIATELY ABOVE TURN SIGNAL BULBS, PERHAPS DUE TO OVERHEATEING. DEALER SAID A PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND FIXED IN THE LATER 2003 IONS. DEALER OFFERED TO DIAGNOSE AND INSTALL A 'RESISTOR AND HARNESS' KIT AT MY EXPENCE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN ERROR AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT SATURN'S EXPENCE. MAY BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN SURGED FORWARD. *AK

I CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR HEAD-ON IN MY SATURN IN (2003). THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED UP TO THE WINDSHIELD, YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE. IT WAS CRUSHED SO BAD THAT THE INSURANCE CO. TOTALLED MY CAR,YET WITH A WRECK SO BAD THE AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE??*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FROM 5 TO 20 MILES ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB THE DRIVER HAS ELECTRICAL WINDOWS AND LOCKS FAILED. THE WINDOW WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE DOOR LATCH WOULD DO THE SAME. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THESE PROBLEM CONTINUE TO OCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE DRIVER HAS INFORMED THE MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ON SATURN ION. *BF *SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

POWER-OPERATED WINDOW,." THE POWER WINDOWS ARE INOPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED *CN THE REVERSE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK!!! HAVE BEEN REPLACED MANY MANY TIMES *CN

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND GOING DOWN A HILL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 5,000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

SATURN ION CONTAINED SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS, AND NEITHER DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *BF *SC (LAWYER ILIANA RUIZ REPRESENTING MARCIAL GARCIA, CONSUMER) WHEN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE THAT RAN A STOP SIGN, THE CONSUMER SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES AND ENDED UP STRIKING A FENCE. *JB

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. TAKEN FOR REPAIR TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED EVEN AFTER THE COMPUTER HAD BEEN RESET.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS WHEN IT HIT THE OTHER CAR IN FRONT. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AND IT SURGE FORWARD. *BF *NM

2003 ION HAS HAD BLOWER FAN, CLUTCH SWITCH, CYLINDER CABLE HOOD LATCH, BRAKE LIGHT BULB, WIPER MODULE ALL REPLACED WITH IN MONTHS APART FROM EACH OTHER. *TS THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE TAIL LAMP FAILED. *JB

2003 SATURN ION WILL NOT START IF WEATHER IS UNDER 50 DEGREES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2/2004. THE SATURN DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT IS NOT A RECALL. CAR DOES EVENTUALLY START HOWEVER IT SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO 20 MINUTES AND I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AT WORK, UNABLE TO ARRIVE AT WORK ON TIME AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN DANGEROUS AREAS OF TOWN. *TR

ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT I THOUGHT WAS MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I BEGAN TO TRY TO ESTABLISH THE PATTERN OF THE NOISE AND VERIFIED THAT IT PRIMARILY OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS OF 20-25MPH OR HIGH SPEEDS OF 50-55 MPH WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. I TOOK MY CAR INTO SATURN DEALERSHIP 9/18/04 TO HAVE IT 'CHECKED OUT'. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT I EITHER HAD A FAILING WHEEL-BEARING OR I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY TIRES. THE MECHANIC ASSURED ME THAT THERE WAS NOT IMMANENT DANGER OF DRIVING THE CAR. EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD AND THE WHEEL COMES COMPLETELY OFF. UPON PERSONAL INVESTIGATION, I FIND THAT ALL FOUR LUGNUTS HAVE BROKEN OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY "DID NOT KNOW WHY THE TIRE CAME OFF, AND THERE APPEARED TO BE NO DAMAGE, SO THEY OFFERED TO PLACE THE TIRE BACK ON AND 'SEND ME ON MY WAY'. I CHOSE TO LEAVE MY CAR UNREPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE REGIONAL ENGINEER COULD LOOK AT IT, CONVENIENTLY, THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE ENGINEER SUPPLIED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE NO REASON FOR THE LUGNUTS TO HAVE BROKEN AND THE TIRE TO HAVE COME OFF. THE ENGINEER OFFERED TO FURTHER TEST THE TIRE AND 'TAKE A CLOSER LOOK' AT THE PARTS THAT HOLD THE TIRE ON. THE ENGINEER TOLD US HE HAD PLACED THE TIRE ON ANOTHER CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM A PLUG THAT HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE TIRE OVER A YEAR AGO. HE ALSO STATED HE STILL DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE LUGNUTS TO BREAK AND THE TIRE TO COME OFF. HE STATED THAT SATURN WAS NOT LIABLE DUE TO ME HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED OVER A YEAR AGO BY AN OUTSIDE COMPANY. HE SUGGESTED HE COULD "FIX" MY CAR IF I WERE WILLING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES INCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT. HE ALSO SUGGESTED I FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY VEHICLE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK

APPARENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAS LED TO FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. MANUFACTURER'S AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR.*AK