2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER FOUND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT GM ALLOWED THE COVER-UP FOR SO MANY YEARS. *JB

MY NAME IS [XXX] AND, MY 2003 SATURN ION JUST SHUTDOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I COULDN'T RESTART MY CAR SO ANOTHER MOTORIST HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP, I GAVE THEM MY NAME, MY CONTACT INFORMATION AND, MY VEHICLE INFORMATION. AND, CHEVY STILL TIL THIS DAY HAVEN'T RETURNED ANY OF MY PHONE CALLS, MY MESSAGES, AND THEY'RE REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. REPLACING THE TPS CURED THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL EITHER LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE. IT STATED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY, NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY FOB. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PART IS NO LONGER MADE FOR MY VEHICLE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RISK OF IGNITION FAILURE AS LONG AS THE DRIVER USES THE KEY ONLY. I HAVE FAITHFULLY FOLLOWED THAT SINCE RECEIVING MY LETTER. I AM TELLING YOU THAT INFORMATION IS FALSE. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME TONIGHT, I NOTICED THE ENGINE SOUNDED DIFFERENT. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AND MY BRAKES ONLY RESPONDED TO VERY HEAVY PRESSURE. BASICALLY I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM HOME. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND THEN BACK ON. IT WAS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM PANICKED NOW. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED AFTER I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AFTER RUSH HOUR. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN INTO THAT PARKING LOT WITHOUT INCIDENT IF THERE WAS HEAVIER TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED GM WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND TOLD THEM THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY. CUSTOMER SERVICE DIDN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGER. WE'LL SEE IF THEY FOLLOW UP. I HOPE YOU FOLLOW UP AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/20/2014 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT SHE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND COLD, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE WHEEL WOULD FEEL BUMPY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHEN TURNING, THE STEERING ASSIST WOULD MALFUNCTION, BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN THE CONTACT CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 7/16/14*CN UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT RE GM RECALL ( ATTN: AUBREY YANZITO CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL: AUBREY_YANZITO@TOOMEY.SENATOR.GOV, FAX AT 717-782-4920 OR PHONE: 717-782-3951 OR MAIL). *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNTIL APRIL 2014. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE FIXED. *JB

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. RG

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, MOVE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER RESTARTING BUT ONLY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS (DIFFERENT DATES, MOST RECENT WERE 1-26-2014 & 2-19-2014) ENGINE REVVED AND CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WITHOUT GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED. MOST SERIOUS OCCURRENCE, CAR ACCELERATED, BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT (PUSHED TO THE FLOOR), RAN RED LIGHT, WENT OFF ROAD, SLAMMED TRANSMISSION INTO PARK TO STOP. SHUT OFF CAR, THEN STARTED IT AGAIN, AND IT RAN NORMAL. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC. NO COMPUTER CODES. NOTHING MECHANICAL WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE INEVITABILITY OF A COLLISION WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND, WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *TR

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YRS AND HAVE HAS MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE VEHICLE REVVING AND SPEEDING UP WITHOUT EVER HITTING THE GAS. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE REACHED SPEEDS OVER 25MPH WITHOUT EVER HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION. USUALLY THIS HAPPENS WHEN I START THE VEHICLE INITIALLY BUT HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ALSO. THE RPM'S WILL GO HIGH AND IF I PUT IN GEAR THE CAR WILL JUST TAKE OFF. IT SOMETIMES WILL REV DOWN AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MINUTES OR IF I SHUT OFF AND RESTART AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES. WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING I HAVE HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND COAST TO A STOP AND SHUT CAR DOWN. THIS IS JUST A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION ALTOGETHER, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK WHEN PRESSED MORE THAN ROUGHLY 50% OF THROTTLE (~I.E. ACCELERATING TO MERGE OR PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE). WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL, I NOTICED THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I USED THE BRAKE AND STILL COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THEN I PROCEEDED TO REACH WITH MY HAND TO PULL UP THE GAS PEDAL, BUT I COULD NOT. AT THIS POINT, FACING AN IMMINENT CRASH INCIDENT, I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND LET THE CAR ROLL TO A STOP. I THEN PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO PULL THE GAS PEDAL UP BY HAND AND IT DID NOT WORK. RPMS WERE STILL RUNNING HIGH UNTIL FINALLY AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 SECONDS, I HEARD A 'POP' AND THE GAS PEDAL CAME OUT. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY, AS LONG AS I DON'T PRESS THE PEDAL DOWN TOO FAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE RADIO. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIO WIRES WERE BURNT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN LATE JANUARY , EARLY FEBRUARY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CHRISTENSON CHEVROLET 9700 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD HIGHLAND, IN 46322 I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD BE IN LATE MARCH EARLY APRIL. I THEN CALLED THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH AND I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD BE IN APRIL 5TH OR 6TH. I CALLED ON THE 8TH TO SET UP A TIME FOR GETTING ME VEHICLE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION ALL WINTER. ON THE 8TH I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED MY VIN NUMBER, MAKE OF CAR AND PHONE NUMBER SO THEY COULD ORDER MY PART. THEY COULD HAVE GOT THAT THE FIRST TIME I CALLED. I CALLED AGAIN ON APRIL 18TH TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY RECALL. I WAS RUDELY TOLD THAT I WAS ON THE LIST AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY WERE READY FOR ME. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF RECALL THAT WORKED IN THIS WAY. MY PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN FED EXED TO THEIR LOCATION SO IT COULD BE REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. WHY AM I STILL WAITING TO GET MY CAR FIXED WHEN IT IS HAVING PROBLEMS DURING A SAFETY RECALL? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14E021000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,111.

POWER STEERING LOST POWER WHILE DAUGHTER WAS PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING (REPEATED TURN OF STEERING WHEEL). POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON AFTER IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. HOWEVER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER A WHILE UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES (PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING). THE PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR DURING REGULAR DRIVING, BUT AGAIN IN FEBRUARY AND THEN IN MARCH WHILE PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING. A PRESS RELEASE FROM GENERAL MOTORS SAYS ALL SATURN IONS FROM 2004 ONWARDS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND SOME 96 THOUSAND 2003 MODEL YEAR IONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I AM TOLD MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED, EVEN THOUGH IT EXHIBITS THE SAME POWER LOSS TO THE STEERING AND HAS THE SAME POWER ASSIST MOTOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HORN WAS ACTIVATED IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. PLEASE TAKE THE RECALL SERIOUS, IT COULD SAVE YOUR L LIFE, AND OTHERS! *TR

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, WITH NO CRUISE CONTROL OPTION, IT'S UNSOLVED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE WORKS WHILE IT'S HAPPENING, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, THE MOST RECENT TIME I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, I COULD SMELL THE TRANSMISSION, I TURNED VEHICLE OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WENT TO OVER 5 RPM STILL, TURNED BACK OFF, SAT AND WAITED, IT WAS 2AM SO I COULDN'T CALL ANYONE. AFTER 10 MINUTES IT FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THAT WAS THE MOST SEVERE, IT'S HAD SLIGHTLY SIMILAR ISSUES AT LEAST 4 TIMES. FIRST MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, THEN I TOLD HIM I WAS LEAVING SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL. DON'T WANT HIM WORKING ON IT. 2ND ONE RAN COMPUTER CHECK, NO ISSUE FOUND. HOPEFULLY GM RECALLS THIS BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY ISSUES ME AND MY FATHER COULD FIX, IGNITION SWITCH, WIPER BLADE TRANSMISSION, COOLANT LIGHT BUT THIS ONE ISN'T EASY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED INCREASE OF SPEED. CHECKED ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOT STUCK. TAPPED ACCELERATOR WITH NO CHANGE. DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND VERIFIED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS IN IDLE POSITION. RESTARTED CAR AND VEHICLE RPM WENT UP TO 4000 AND STARVED FOR AIR AND SURGED UP AND DOWN AT THAT LEVEL. SHUT VEHICLE OFF AGAIN AND CONTACTED GM. SAME VEHICLE ALSO HAS PASSLOCK PROBLEMS.

I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR YEARS WITH MY CAR NOT WANTING TO START. I HAD THIS TO MANY GARAGES AND EVEN THE SATURN DEALER AND NO ONE COULD FIND A PROBLEM. FINALLY THE CAR JUST STOPPED STARTING, AND THEN I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS SEEMED TO WORK FOR 2 DAYS AND THEN MY CAR JUST DIED ELECTRICALLY ON FEBRUARY 21ST AND ON THE 26TH THE GARAGE REPAIRED THIS WHICH COST ME $309.00. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ANNOUNCED. WILL YOU REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR? THIS SEEMS APPROPRIATE SINCE THIS WAS ULTIMATELY THE FAULT OF THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND I AM JUST FORTUNATE THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS NOT INVOLVED SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2005. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BITSI CABLE FAILED AND AS A RESULT, THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,341. UPDATED 12/9/14*CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/03/15

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART AFTER THIRTY MINUTES OF WAITING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,497.

WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING OUR 2003 SATURN ION WE PURCHASED THE CAR THROUGH RIGHT WAY LOCATED IN LIVONIA, MI IN APRIL 2013. SINCE DECEMBER 2013 THE IGNITION TURNS OFF WHILE WE ARE DRIVING AND IT HAS STOPPED ON US FIVE OR SIX TIMES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC UNIQUE AUTO REPAIR LOCATED IN DETROIT, MI TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS...THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ALSO, A LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE PANEL; DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TO START THE CAR, MY FIANCE WOULD HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO START IT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS ITEM IS CALLED. THIS IS TAKING UP OUR TIME AND TIME OFF OF WORK WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT START. IT HAS ALSO SPARKED SEVERAL TIMES ON US; THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ME AND MY FIANCE HAS MADE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO ATLANTA, GA IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. WE WERE GOING TO USE OUR CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION; BUT WE DO NOT TRUST THE CAR AT ALL. WE NEED A LOANER (VEHICLE) TO TRAVEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR FAULTY IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UPON RETURNING TO HER VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED SHE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE REMOTE, SO SHE USED THE KEY, INSTEAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION AND DISCOVERED THE SLOT WAS NOT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE IGNITION NOT BEING IN THE OFF POSITION AND ENABLING HER TO PULL THE KEY OUT, AS THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT WASN'T UNTIL JANUARY 7, 2014, SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH THE IGNITION, AND THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR FUEL LINE HAD CORRODED, WHICH FORMED HOLES AND GAS WAS POURING OUT THE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES.

THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IS REALLY SCARY! THE GAS PEDAL STICKING IT GETS REALLY STIFF AND DOESNT WANT TO STOP . THE ONE TIME I WAS GOING 25 MPH AND IT WOULDN'T STOP SO I HAD TO SLAM IT IN PARK AND THE RPMS GOT UP TO 4 . IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT GETS COLD OUT . IT IS NOT LETTING UP AND I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS STRANGELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. IT DID FEEL A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME UP INSTEAD OF POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE WHO SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ONCE CHECKED, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY. HAPPENED AGAIN IN MARCH, LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE IT CAME BACK. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STAYED ON FOR A DAY, AND THEN TURNED OFF. SEARCHED ONLINE FOR OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND FOUND OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SAME THING, ONLY IT APPLIED TO 2004 AND LATER. MY 2003 IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THEIR'S. *TR

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, EVEN THOUGH HER DAUGHTER HAD IT FIXED IN DECEMBER 2013.*JB

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A REPAIR BILL FOR THE IGNITION DEFECT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD UPDATED 08/27/14 THE CONSUMER REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, WAS APPROVED. UPDATED 11/20/14 UPDATED 01/22/15. *JB UPDATED 01/27/15*JB STATUS UPDATE 02/12/15. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED GM NOW REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT. UPDATED 03/04/15.*JB UPDATED 04/13/15. *JB UPDATED 04/09/15*JB UPDATED 12/28/15.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO TURN OFF AFTER BEING PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO THE OFF POSITION AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE COVER UNDERNEATH THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REMOVED TO ACCESS A SPRING WHICH WAS TURNED IN A BACKWARD AND FORWARD MOTION IN ORDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION TUMBLERS AND GEAR SHIFT SENSOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A NEW IGNITION KEY WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AND HAS BEEN SOLD.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE KEY WAS SLIGHTLY TOUCHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING EVEN AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 6/17/14*CN

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 395 SOUTH NEAR EDSAL ROAD EXIT AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO INJURY TO MYSELF OR THE VEHICLE. *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS 2003 SATURN ION USED AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAIL WHEN DRIVING. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FIXING CARS WITH THIS ISSUE (2004-2007). THIS CAR HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS IN THE LATER MODELS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THE "SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT" ISSUED BY GM. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HOPE THEY CONSIDER THE 2003 FOR COVERAGE AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER RECEIVED AN INJURY TO THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FULLY REPAIRED. UPDATED 3/6/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BOULEVARD, I WAS DOING 40 MPH THERE WAS A POLICE CAR IN FRONT AND THERE WAS MAYBE ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTH DISTANCE FROM HIM. THE LIGHT HIT YELLOW AND I SAW HIM BRAKE SO I STARTED BRAKING AS WELL BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED INCREASING, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I WAS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES BUT MY CAR DID NOT STOP. MY CAR SLAMMED INTO THE POLICE CAR WITHIN SECONDS. MY CAR WAS DESTROYED. MY HOOD WAS BENT IN HALF, MY FRONT BUMPER SCRATCHED & PEELED. THE BUMPER STOOD ON THE CAR ONLY BECAUSE I KEPT TRYING TO BRAKE AND THE CAR WENT IN AN ANGLE WHERE IT WENT UNDER THE COPS CAR. BOTH MY SIDE FENDERS CRACKED AND MY FRONT LIGHT WAS DESTROYED. THE WHOLE CAR FRAME IS DESTROYED AND I WAS HELD AT FAULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. MY INSURANCE WENT UP, I DIDN'T GET NO MONEY TO HELP FIX MY CAR NOR CHECK THE PROBLEM. IF THERE IS WAY I CAN GET ANY TYPE OF HELP I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE IT. 5 MONTHS LATER THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED. IT WAS JUST ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I LEFT IT PARKED FOR A WEEK AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT WAS FINE. IM SCARED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LEFT LEG, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ON 7/17/14. ON 8/30/14 KEY WOULD NOT TURN IGNITION TO SHUT CAR OFF. PUT IN REVERSE THEN DRIVE THEN PARK AND KEY THEN TURNED TO SHUT ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9/18/14 & 10/20/14. USED SPARE KEY ON 10/21/14, AND NOW ON 11/03/14 ABOVE HAPPENED AGAIN. INFORMED GM OF THESE EVENTS, TODAY 11/3/14, THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT, AND WILL HAVE ATLANTIC CHEVY IN BAY SHORE CONTACT ME WITHIN 24 HRS. TO DISCUSS SOLUTION. *TR

AFTER MY CAR WOULDN'T START I CALLED CARR CHEVROLET TO ASK QUESTIONS AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM. HOWEVER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN CALIFORNIA BUT I LIVE IN OREGON. THE CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING AND I'M STILL PAYING ON IT. IF THIS IS A PROBLEM ON A RECALL I NEED HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,597. *TR