2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY SATURN ION QUAD COUPE INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGES OR FAILS TO ENGAGE WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT DOES NOT ENGAGE WHILE I AM PULLING INTO TRAFFIC I COULD BE HURT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND A "FIX" WOULD BE OUT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ON OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER RE THIS ISSUE (IMPLYING THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS WOULD BE REPLACED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM.) WHEN I CALLED THE COMPANY TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS, THE DEALER'S RESPONSE THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE, AND THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTENTS, THE RESPONSE WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT IF THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN, THERE IS NO PROBLEM--ESSENTIALLY, THEY SAID SOMETHING BAD HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE ACTION, AND THE DEALER DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. I THINK IT'S WRONG AND THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 2X PER DAY, NEVER IN THE SAME PLACE, NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT.*AK

THE AREA IN MY TRUNK ABOVE THE MUFFLER HAS STARTED GETTING EXTREMELY HOT. ITEMS STORED IN THE TRUNK ARE HOT TO THE TOUCH AND THE METAL IN THE TRUNK IS TOO HOT TO LAY A HAND ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER DROPPED ITEMS WHILE REMOVING THEM FROM THE TRUNK BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE FEBRUARY 2003. I HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND IT IS IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH TO MONTH AND A HALF BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL (4 TIMES), RADIO, INTERIOR FAN, TRANSMISSION, GEAR SHIFT, BRAKES, TIRES, HOOD LATCH, WINDSHIELD, ETC.

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCED DELAYED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL TWENTY SECONDS AFTER APPLYING THE PEDAL. *AK

WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 8 TIMES FOR PASSENGER FRONT SERVICE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT. THE BULB WAS REPLACED, MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING WAS FOUND.*AK

THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT ON COLD DAYS (AND SOMETIMES NOT SO COLD) MY CAR WILL JUST CLICK AND NOT START, OR WILL START AND DIE OUT, RESULTING IN MY HAVING TO WAIT 9-10 MINUTES FOR THE PASSLOCK TO RESET AND HOPEFULLY ALLOW MY CAR TO START ON A SECOND ATTEMPT. ON SOME RARE OCCASIONS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH THIS 9-10 MINUTE CYCLE 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WILL START PROPERLY SO I CAN DRIVE. THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION. WHILE I AM ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, I CAN'T TURN THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO RESOLVE THIS ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS BY USING A SCREWDRIVER IN THE SMALL PANEL HOLE IN MY STEERING COLUMN AND MOVING A SMALL SWITCH TO RELEASE THE KEY. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2003 I HAVE HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR THAN ANY USED CAR I POSSESSED. MY HOOD LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH AND WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES. THE HEATING CONTROL KNOB WAS REPLACED 7 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY FUNCTIONED PROPERLY WITHOUT PROBLEM. *TR

THE FRONT LEFT LIGHT OF MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS GONE OUT REPEATEDLY. UPON CAREFUL INSPECTION, THE BULB ITSELF IS NOT BURNT OUT. WHEN SIGNALING LEFT, THE BLINKER IN THE VEHICLE AND THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT BLINK VERY RAPIDLY. AS THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IS ALSO THE DAYTIME RUNNING LGHT, I HAVE A BURNT OUT LEFT DAYTIME RUNNUNG LIGHT WHICH IS A POSSIBLE SAFTEY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THE BULB WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THEY HAD JUST REPLACED IT. I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE AS I TRIED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE VEHICLE BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER BY TAKING THE RIGHT "GOOD" BULD AND SEEING IF IT WOULD TURN ON IN THE LEFT LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT DID NOT. THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY WOULD JUST REPLACE THW WHOLE ASSEMBLY AS THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEM. AFTER FOUR MONTHS THE PROBLEM RE-APPEARED AND I ONCE MORE HAD TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER. BEING THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT EXPIRED, I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCOURING SAFTEY FAILURE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DROVE THROUGH WATER ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCHES DEEP DURING RAIN, CAR STOPPED WOULD NOT RESTART, ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE, THE CAR WAS JUST ONE YEAR OLD.*AK

CAR HESITATES WITH NO WARNING WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP. ALMOST REAR ENDED. ALSO ALMOST STRUCK FROM SIDE IN INTERSECTION.*AK

I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT MY AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS ON AND I HAPPEN TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, MY AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AND THEY CAN NEVER SEEM TO FIND A PROBLEM. THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW. I EVEN CALLED SATURN AND THEY HAVE MY COMPLAINT ON FILE. *AK

HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT A BEAM AS FAR AS WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW. NIGHTIME DRIVING ON RURAL ROADS DURING DEER SEASON IS HAZARDOUS. SATURN DEALER HAS INSTALLED UPDATED WIRING HARNESS TO CORRECT REPEATED PREMATURE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILURES AND COINCIDENTLY OR NOT, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE PERFORMED POORLY SINCE THEN. DISCUSSED THIS WITH SATURN DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAS LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT POOR HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE FROM THE ION. I KNOW MY SATURN ION HEADLIGHTS PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY AT FIRST, BUT HAVE DEGRADED. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MY VISION ARE BOTH FINE. THE SUPENSION HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I REPLACED FACTORY HALOGEN BULBS WITH SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR 9007 BULBS AND ILLUMINATED FIELD IS BRIGHTER, BUT STILL DOES NOT EXTEND DOWN THE ROAD MUCH FARTHER. AT SPEEDS OVER 55MPH, ON A DARK RURAL HIGHWAY, I CAN OVERDIVE MY HEADLIGHTS. EMAILED SATURN AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF MY PROBLEM AND DID NOT OFFER A SOLUTION, BUT WILL LISTEN TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A "TREND". I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT. *AK

PERIODICALLY THE SATURN WILL LUNGE FWD WILL STOPPED OR EVEN DRIVING THE RPMS SPIKE WHILE DRIVING. BREAKS WILL NOT STOP THIS ISSUE. I'VE PUT MY CAR IN THE DITCH TO MISS MAJOR WRECKS ..THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YRS. ALSO THE LOSING POWER WHEN TURNING HAS HAPPENED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. BOUGHT A NEW CAR JUST FOR MY KIDS TO BE IN THEY AREN'T ALLOWED IN THE DEATH TRAP SATURN. WISH SOMEONE WOULD INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE AS THE YRS GO BY. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW..WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO SHOW ANYONE THESE PROBLEMS IF THEY WOULD SIT IN THIS DEATH WARRANT. *JS

MY 2003 SATURN ION 2 SEDAN HAS HAD AT LEAST EIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULBS FAIL SINCE THE CAR WAS DELIVERED IN FEBRUARY 2003. THE BULBS IN QUESTION ARE MANUFACTURED BY WAGNER, AND ARE TYPE 5702. FAILURE OF FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT, SINCE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAS NO INDICATION OF MY INTENT TO TURN. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE CAR ON THREE OR FOUR OCCASIONS, AND HAS FOUND NO OBJECTIVE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. REPLACING THE BULB CORRECTS THE PROBLEM, TYPICALLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT IN SEVERAL INSTANCES FOR LESS THAN A WEEK. THE BULBS IN QUESTION ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM NATIONAL PARTS CHAINS SUCH AS NAPA, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, AUTOZONE, AND PEP BOYS; THE ONLY SOURCE IS A SATURN DEALERSHIP, WHICH CHARGES APPROXIMATELY $8 FOR A REPLACEMENT LAMP. I HAVE SINCE EXPERIMENTED WITH USING A SYLVANIA 3157NALL, WHICH IS APPARENTLY IDENTICAL AND IS RATED FOR USE IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT APPLICATIONS. IT FUNCTIONS IDENTICALLY TO THE OEM PART, EXCEPT THAT IT APPEARS TO LAST MUCH LONGER (IT HAS YET TO FAIL AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS), AND IS READILY AVAILABLE FROM ANY AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORE FOR ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE COST. *LA

SUBJECT: LOOSE SATURN SEATBELT BOLT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY 2003 SATURN ION 3: I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT CHANGED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IN MARCH 2003. THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS PUTTING MY SON IN HIS CARSEAT IN THE BACKSEAT AND NOTICED MY FOOT JIGGLING SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR. WHEN I LOOKED CLOSER I REALIZED IT WAS THE RESTRAINING BOLT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT, AND THE BOLT WAS SO LOOSE THAT IT CAME OUT OF THE HOLE INTO MY HAND WHEN I TOUCHED IT. I WAS SHOCKED AND SCARED. TO THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT HAD BEEN KEEPING MY HUSBAND AND I "SAFE" WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD!!! I TOOK MY CAR INTO SATURN OF SALEM TODAY AND HAD THEM COMPLETELY GO OVER THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT LOCK-TIGHT HAD BEEN PUT ON THE BOLT WHEN THE NEW SEATBELT HAD BEEN INSTALLED BUT THE BOLT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED ENOUGH (TO SATURN'S SPECS). AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT! I AM TALKING ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MY HUSBAND, MYSELF AND MY CHILD, AND THE SERVICE TECH SEEMED TO ACT AS IF THE WHOLE SITUATION WAS NO BIG DEAL. I AM APPALLED. I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS RAISED THIS CONCERN, BUT I WISHED TO INFORM YOU OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. SINCERELY, DAWN YOUNG 503-485-8642 (WORK)

AFTER REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 45 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

SATURN ION 3 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. 2003. POWER STEERING-ELECTRIC: IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS PROGRAMMED TO GIVE MORE ASSIST IN A PANIC SITUATION. SENSORS DETECT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING MOVED RAPIDLY, AND IMMEDIATELY GIVE MORE ASSIST, MAKING THE WHEEL VERY EASY TO TURN. SINCE MOST PEOPLE OVER-CORRECT IN A PANIC SITUATION, THIS INCREASE IN ASSIST IS EXACTLY THE WRONG THING TO DO. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED REALLY ACCENTUATES THE EFFECT. I DO 90% OF MY DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SO THIS IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO ME. I NOW HAVE 20,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ODD STEERING BEHAVIOR SINCE ABOUT 2000 MILES WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL AND ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. IF THE CAR WAS STILL WITHIN THE 30 DAY, 1500 MILE BUY BACK PERIOD, IT WOULD HAVE GONE BACK. EVEN KNOWING THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS, AND OCCASIONALLY GIVING THE WHEEL A SHARP MOVEMENT SO THAT I KNOW HOW THE CAR REACTS, I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD-RAIL WHEN I WAS SURPRISED BY ANOTHER CAR DRIFTING INTO MY LANE ON THE DATE BELOW. I TELL EVERY SATURN ION OWNER THAT I MEET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A FRIEND'S SON DROVE THEIR ION OFF THE ROAD ABOUT A MONTH AGO UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. OWNERS WHO DON'T OFTEN VENTURE ON TO THE INTERSTATES ARE RELUCTANT TO BELIEVE THERE IS ANY SUCH PROBLEM WITH THEIR NEW CAR. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO. THEY SEND ME ON MY WAY, DRIVE A COUPLE OF MILES, TELL ME THEY DROVE 50 MILES AND THAT THE CAR IS PERFECTLY FINE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM, BUT I'M SURE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.*AK

THROTTLE FROZE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS WITHOUT CONSUMER FIRST PAYING FOR IT. ALSO, HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE COVERED WITH A FILM THAT MADE VISIBILITY DIFFICULT.*AK ON 3-7-04 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE GAS BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE THEN ROLLED OVER. THE DRIVER SUSTAIN DOUBLE WHIPLASH AND LEFT SHOULDER MUSCLE SPASMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOTALED. ON 6-16-04 THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. *NM

FRONT SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER IS MISSING OR DOES NOT SIT FLUSH TO THE OUTER DOOR PANEL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MPH FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE BLEW OUT. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT AT THE SAME SPEED. FIRESTONE, AFFINITY. *AK BOTH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *LA

THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO HEAR THE HORN. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ISSUED NEW KEYS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

2003 SATURN ION 1. DURING COLD WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FROSTS. THE CONTROLS ARE SET FOR DEFROST, AIR ON AND BLOWER MEDIUM HIGH. EVEN WITH THE BLOWER ON HIGH THERE IS VERY LITTLE AIR COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DEFROST OUTLET. A CO-WORKER HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HIS ION. THE DEALER SAID THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. 2. THE HOOD LATCH FREEZES AND THE HOOD CANT BE OPENED TO ADD WINDOW WASHER FLUID. SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET THE HOOD OPEN BUT YOU CANT RELATCH THE HOOD COMPLETELY WITHOUT PUSHING THE HOOD RELEASE HANDLE DOWN. A CO-WORKER HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HIS ION. 3. SOME THE EDGES ON INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS ON THE ARE VERY SHARP. THE WORST IS THE COMPARTMENT DOOR TO THE LEFT DRIVERS LEG. THIS POPPED OPEN AND HAD A SHARP ROUGH EDGE. AS I EXITED THE CAR I CUT MY LEG. I FIXED THIS MYSELF BY FILLING THE EDGE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT 69 MPH, CONSUMER HIT A RACCOON AND DAMAGED THE UNDERBODY, RADIATOR ,AND THE FRONT END. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY, 36 TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT LOSE POWER . THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, BUT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHERS DID NOT WORK. THE WEATHERWAS NOT A FACTOR.*AK

I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION. THE BATTERY WENT DEAD TODAY BECAUSE MY WIFE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON BY ACCIDENT. WHEN THE BATTERY IN THIS MODEL CAR BECOMES DISCHARGED TWO UNDESIREABLE PROBLEMS ARISE. I FEEL THAT BOTH OF THEM INTRODUCE SAFETY CONCERNS. FIRST, THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THROUGH NORMAL MEANS. SECOND, THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED! THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REMAINS IN THE PARK POSITION. I FEEL THAT A CAR DESIGNED SUCH THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE BATTERY FAILS IS A POOR DESIGN. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL PROVIDED WITH THE CAR MAKES NO MENTION OF THESE PROBLEMS OCCURING WITH A DEAD BATTERY. IN ORDER TO JUMP A DEAD BATTERY IN A CAR IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO MOVE THE CAR I N ORDER TO JUMP THE BATTERY FROM ANOTHER CAR. I FEEL HAVING AN INTENTIONAL DESIGN IN A CAR THAT PREVENTS IT FROM BEING MOVED BY THE OWNER CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN. REGARDING THE KEY SITUATION, MY WIFE LEFT HER ENTIRE SET OF KEYS IN THE CAR WHEN THEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. MANY IMPORTANT KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE CAR UNATTENDED. IT COULD HAVE MADE A BAD SITUATION MUCH WORSE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL IN THE CAR DISCUSSES HOW TO GET STUCK KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT NO MENTION IS MADE IN THE BOOK THAT KEYS WILL GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. I SPOKE TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AT SATURN REGARDING THIS CONCERN, BUT IT IS NOT SATURN'S POLICY TO RESPOND TO THIS TYPE OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINT. SINCE I FEEL THESE TWO PROBLEMS DO HAVE A SAFETY IMPACT, I DECIDED TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 100 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL HEAD ON. THE OWNER STATED THAT NEITHER THE FRONTAL NOR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *JB *NM

BOUGHT A SATURN 2003 ION 1 THIS PAST SUMMER ,JUNE 2003. IT WORK JUST FINE UNTIL COLORADO GOT ITS FIRST COLD SPELL, THIS IS WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACT-UP. THE CAR WILL NOT START UP IN THE EARLY COLD MORRINGS. WHEN I FIRST TRY TO START THE CAR THERE IS NOTHING, JUST A CLICKING SOUND. THEN AFTER TRYING FOR A WHILE THE CAR FINALLY STARTS UP, BUT IT IS A VERY ROUGH START. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY SATURN DEALSHIP FOR THE 3RD TIME AND TODAY WILL BE THE FOURTH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL NOT START UP IN THE EARLY COLD MORRINGS. I AM GETTING VERY TRIED OF THIS. I HOPE WITH THE FOURTH TRY THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. IF NOT, YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN.

MY SATURN ION QUAD COUPE IS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP, SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND AT TIMES COMPLETELY DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THIS HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MOST NOTABLY WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC LAST WEEK. I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED, THEN SUBSEQUENTLY DISENGAGED FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. I WAS NEARLY HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES, WHICH HAD TO TAKE UNSAFE EVASIVE ACTIONS TO AVOID PLOWING INTO ME. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT BEING SAID, SINCERELY URGE YOU TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. ALSO, THIS MAY NOT BE RELATED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE BETWEEN 1100 AND 1300 RPM DURING DECELERATION , A METAL GRINDING NOISE.*AK

THE TWO SATURN 2003 IONS I HAVE DRIVEN (INCLUDING MY CURRENT VEHICLE) HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE, WHEN ENGAGING IN THIRD GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL "FREEWHEEL" FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING WITH A LURCH. THE PROBLEM CAN BE CREATED BY ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD. THE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED IN MARCH/APRIL, 2003. *AK

I WAS IN AN HEADON COLLISION IN MY 2003 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE (PURCHASED 6/3/03) AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60MPH (THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT IS 65) WHEN I HYDROPLANNED OFF THE HIGHWAY FROM THE CENTER LANE INTO THE MEDIAN GUARDRAIL. *AK

I BOUGHT A ION QUAD COUPE IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT MOVING WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THEY WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED SOME PARTS. THE NEWLY REBUILT TRANMISSION STIL SLIPS AND HAS A HARD SHIFTING FEELING. I BROUGHT IT IN 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS ACTUALLY FIXED, AND STILL NEED TO GO BACK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF IT WAS TO NOT DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, OR FAIL WHEN I WAS DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN OVER A WEEK SINCE I BROUGHT IT IN AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT GIVE ME PAPERWORK ON MY CAR. I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT PARTS WERE EXACTLY REPLACED. PAPERWORK IS MISSING FROM OVER 2 WEEKS AGO FROM THE 2ND VISIT. *AK

WHEN MAKING TURNS, PARTICULARLY RIGHT TURNS, MY WIFE'S NEW SATURN ION QUAD COUPE, LOSES POWER AND HESITATES AFTER IT GETS THE TURN PARTIALLY COMPLETED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK SO IT IS TOUGH TO DUPLICATE BUT IT HAS CAUSED HER TO BE NEARLY HIT SEVERAL TIMES BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS THE WAY THE VTI TRANSMISSION IS DESIGNED TO WORK SO THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. SATURN IN SPRING HILL DID NOT DENY THIS WAS HOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED TO WORK. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY SERVICE BULLETINS THAT WOULD FIX THIS AND THEY SAID NONE WOULD ACTUALLY FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO MY CERTIFIED RETURN RECEIPT LETTER EVEN THOUGH I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED A WRITTEN RESPONSE. PEOPLE ARE TAKING THEIR CARS TO INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS TO BE FIXED. SATURN IS REIMBURSING SOME OF THESE CHARGES BUT THEY CALL IT STRICTLY A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUE". COMPLAINTS 10049664 AND 10049638 SOUND VERY SIMILAR. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU REQUEST THAT SATURN PROVIDE ALL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THEM ABOUT THE VTI TRANSMISSION, ESPECIALLY WHERE INDEPENDENT SHOPS DID REPAIRS. THOSE OWNERS/INDEPENDENT SHOPS COULD PROBABLY PROVIDE A WEALTH OF INFO ABOUT VTI TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND A RECALL IS WARRANTY. *AK

I WAS THE DRIVER OF A 2003 SATURN ION 2 INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE DID HAVE SEAT BELTS ON. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED WAS 30-35 MPH. NONE OF THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS WERE SERIOUS. *LA

THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM KEEP RECURRING. *JB

1. MY 2003 SATURN ION IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I HAVE HAD IT HOOKED UP A SCAN TOOL AT OUR REPAIR SHOP IT SAID IT WAS THE SAFETY SWITCH, SOMETHING ABOUT IT HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH. WHICH IT HAD NOT, BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT THERE ALL THE TIME. IF I WAIT A FEW MINUTES IT WILL START I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS NOW, IT HAS WORKED EVERY TIME. HOWEVER IT IS BECOMING MORE OFTEN AND THAT IS WHY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOOKED UP TO A SCAN TOOL. 2. THE FIRST 2 YRS IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED 4 TIMES. WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. 3. YOU JUST NEED TO WAIT, WHEN IT DECIDES TO START IT WILL. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE COMPUTER THINKS THAT SOMEONE IS BREAKING INTO THE CAR, SO SHORTS OFF THE FUEL TO THE CARBURETOR AND IT WILL NOT START. IT WILL TURN OVER, WILL NOT START. IF YOUR TRY RIGHT AWAY NOTHING HAPPENS, SO YOU NEED TO WAIT.... TRY IT AGAIN, IT TURNS OVER, FIRES UP WILL NOT START, THE ENGINE WILL NOT GO. *TR

OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE HORN IS VERY DIFFICULT AS THE ACTIVATION LOCATIONS ARE NOT PROMINENT ENOUGH TO FIND WHEN INVOLVED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IN FACT I BELIEVE THAT THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE ON ONE OCCASION WHEN POSITIVE ACTIVATION WAS ACHIEVED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN. ONE THAT MORE THAN LIKELY HAS OR WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *CB

WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE IT SAT FOR A LONG TIME. THIS PROBLEMHAS BEEN CONSTANTLY BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE IN EXTREME WEATHER. I WAS TOLD DURING ONE SHOP INSPECTION IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. WITH THIS CASE IT HAS SHUT MY RADIO ON AND OFF AND A BIG ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS WHEN I AM STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND JERK FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I'VE HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVES ME FROM HITTING ANYONE AT LIGHTS OR SIGNS IS MY SAFETY GAP BETWEEN ME AND A FRONT CAR. I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK, RUINED VACATIONS, BEEN STRANDED WITH AN INFANT IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER, AND WASTED A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE FOR THE PROBLEMS...YOU GUYS HAVE FINALLY STEPPED IN ON ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING NOW GM NEEDS TO ANSWER THE REST. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ONLINE YOU CAN PULL UP 100S OF ISSUES EXACTLY THE SAME. I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK IT ONTO SATURN DEALERS. NOW I HAVE DOORS THAT DON'T SEAL BUT I'M SURE THIS IS BECAUSE IT'S OLD OR OTHER EXCUSES. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY KIDS AREN'T SAFE IN IT. I CAN'T EVEN HAVE A CLEAN CONSCIOUS TRADING IT IN SO I STILL AM STUCK WITH IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE BUT NO ONE LISTENS. *TR

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2003. I HAVE HAD 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHAT SO EVER! THE LATEST TIME WAS AT THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT THOUGHT QUICK AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IT THE REAR BY A SEVERAL TON VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE ENTIRE POWER TO THE CAR DIES !! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND YOU THE ENTIRE CAR "SHUTS DOWN" AND YOU ARE STUCK IN FRONT OF ANOTHER CAR W/ ONLY THE PRAYER OF RESTARTING YOUR SATURN ION SO THAT YOU ARE NOT KILLED! THE FIRST PERSON I SPOKE WITH IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT HE HAD HEARD OF THIS IN A "COUPLE OF OTHER CARS" THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE "FIRST SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS TALKING ABOUT." I AM OUTRAGED THAT SATURN SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO GET THE CAR TO "DUPLICATE" THIS PROBLEM FOR THEM. I HAVE TOLD THEM THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EVERYDAY OR EVEN EVERY WEEK. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "WE CAN'T FIX WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW IS BROKEN" I AM GOING TO ASK THAT THE CAR BE RETURNED TO GMAC WHICH IS THE LEAN HOLDER! I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MYSELF AND MY SMALL CHILDREN. "I STRONGLY DISCOURAGE OTHERS FROM PURCHASING THE SATURN ION !!!! I FEEL AS IF I HAVE BEEN RIDING IN A DEATH TRAP!! *LA OUTRAGED UNFORTUNATE SATURN OWNER OF WINSTON-SALEM. *LA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LEAKS AT THE TOP. CONDENSATION GATHERS ON THE UPPER INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND DRIPS ON THE DRIVERS LEG, AS WELL AS ON THE POWER WINDOW/LOCKS SWITCHES, WHICH COULD CAUSE CORROSION OR A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LEFT FRONT BLINKERS AND REAR BLINKERS. *LA *MR

OUR 2003 SATURN ION II HAS STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURING A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE CONTINUED SINCE. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON THESE DATES: 10/3/03, 11/5/03, 5/24/04. WE ARE ALSO TAKING IT IN 6/28/04 FOR SERVICE FOR THE SAME REASON. THE SATURN HAS STALLED WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A STOPLIGHT, WHILE TURNING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, AND WHILE ENTERING A TOLL STATION. WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO BEING STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLES IN SEVERAL OF THESE OCCASIONS, BUT FORTUNATELY WERE NOT. WITH MY WIFE EXPECTING OUR FIRST CHILD, WE ARE VERY HESITANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFETY FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OTHERS WHEN IN THIS CAR. 10/3/03 - SATURN SERVICE DEPT. CHECKED THE BATTERY AND IT CHECKED OUT OK 11/5/03 - SATURN SERVICE DEPT. CHECKED FOR CODES AND FOUND P1599 STALL CODE IN HISTORY. CHECKED WIRING AND CONNECTORS AND FOUND JUNCTION BLOCK LOOSE UNDER HOOD. THEY TIGHTENED UNDER HOOD JUNCTION BLOCK CONNECTOR SCREWS. 2/19/04 - SATURN SERVICE DEPT. REPLACED FUEL FILTER (RECALL - 03068) 5/24/04 - SATURN SERVICE DEPT. TEST DROVE CAR AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. LOOKED FOR CODES IN SYSTEM OR TSB'S, BUT NONE WERE FOUND. WE FEEL NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY HAVING, AND ARE EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE WE HAVE RECEIVED. WE WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED OR SOME ACTION TO BE TAKEN. *AK

CONSUMER FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS THE HORNS BUTTON WHEN NEEDED DUE TO ITS LOCATION. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO WARN OTHER MOTORIST IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. ALSO, WHEN ACCELERATING ON WET SURFACE TIRES WILL SPIN BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. *AK

TO DATE, VEHICLE HAS HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE. 10 SERVICE VISITS IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND NO END IN SIGHT. PROBLEMS INCLUDE: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS/BLINKER LIGHTS INOPPERABLE (REPAIRED 6 TIMES); OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GUAGE MALFUNCTIONING (REPAIRED 3+ TIMES); AIR CONDITIONING INOPPERABLE AND COMPASS MALFUNCTIONING.*AK

I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE EXTERIOR FRONT LIGHTING ON MY NEW 2003 SATURN ION WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ON 5/15/03 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ALBUQUERQUE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE RUNNING LIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THEY REPLACED THE BULBS, BUT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON 7/18/03 AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 100 MILES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THEN AGAIN ON 9/29/03 I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT RUNNING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL REPLACED. I TALKED WITH THE SALES MANAGER BEN VIGIL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER JUSTIN GREENBERG. I COMPLAINED THAT I'VE SPENT MORE TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE THAN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND I WAS CONCERNED I HAD BOUGHT A LEMON. I TOLD THEM THAT IF MY TURN SIGNALS AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MR. GREENBERG TOLD ME THAT HE PROBABLY GETS TWO CUSTOMERS A DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (WHICH SHOCKED ME). HE SAID SATURN HAS SENT OUT NEW BULBS TO THE DEALERSHIPS WHICH THEY CLAIM WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE'LL SEE.

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD BOG DOWN AND STALL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY KNEE HAS ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE KEYS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. MY WIFE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN ONCE. I AM 6 FOOT 3 INCHES, MY WIFE IS 5 FOOT 6 INCHES. IN OTHER WORDS, NORMAL HEIGHTS. TWO OF THESE OCCASIONS HAVE BEEN ON A FREEWAY, GOING 65 MPH. LUCKILY TRAFFIC HAS BEEN LIGHT SO THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT. HAD TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVIER, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS. *JB

I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 9/9/03, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 9/11/03 I REAR ENDED A PICKUP TRUCK. THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR TOTALED $8400.00 AND IT WAS A DEAD-CENTER HIT TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR BENDING BOTH OF THE FRONT FRAMES AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT AND BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT WAS MORE THEN 50% MY FAULT MY LAWYER HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE ARE NO LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS THAT I NEED TO TAKE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS INSURE THAT THE WORD IS OUT THERE FOR CONSUMERS TO BE AWARE THAT THIS IS POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TO INSURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.