2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

RANDOMLY, MY 2003 SATURN ION-3 REFUSES TO START DUE TO THE WIDELY KNOWN YET UNRESOLVED IGNITION SWITCH PASSLOCK PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCES HAVE STEADILY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS PREVALENT ISSUE ARE BEING OVERLOOKED, AND IT SHOULD BE FORMALLY INVESTIGATED. ADDITIONALLY, IT RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT FAULTINESS IN OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE UNFAIR TO US CONSUMERS FOR THIS ADMITTEDLY FAULTY PART; IT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY RECALL. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION-2 GOES OUT JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY, AT RANDOM, WHILE I AM DRIVING MY CAR. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS AS THE ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER ONE YEAR AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR THE FAULTY POWER STEERING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES/FORUMS AND HAVE OBSERVED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO HOW UNSAFE IT IS TO DRIVE AROUND AND LOSE CONTROL OVER YOUR STEERING AT RANDOM. *TR

MY SATURN ION HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I CALLED GM AND RECEIVED A SPECIAL REQUEST NUMBER AND 48 HOURS LATER WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING. THE REASON THEY GAVE WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAS A SALVAGE TITLE. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE STATE OF MN AND NOW HAVE A PRIOR SALVAGE TITLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS COSMETIC AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POOR TRANSMISSION THAT GM SOLD TO THE PUBLIC. SINCE THEN I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT BAD NEWS STORIES ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION--SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

STEERING LOCKS UP IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *KB

THE CAR'S HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHUT OFF. WARNING LIGHTS SUCH AS "CHECK ENGINE", "ABS", AND "THEFT LOCK" ALL CAME ON AFTER PARKING THE CAR. THE HORN WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET HORN TO STOP. ATTEMPTED TO START THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WHILE RECONNECTING THE BATTERY THE HORN CAME ON AGAIN AND THE LISTED ABOVE LIGHTS STAYED ON. CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING IN INCLIMENT WEATHER, HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TURNS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,800.

SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES TOUGH TO TURN. DURING THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO COMPLETELY CUT OUT. IT HAS ALSO CUT OUT AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR RESTART FOR IT TO COME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2004-2007 IONS, BUT NOT FOR 2003. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AS IT IS THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL. *TT

THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SLOWS DOWN AND MAKES SOME FUNNY GRINDING NOISE. DOES NOT BLOW AS STRONG AS IT USED TO ON MY 2003 SATURN ION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BUT THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT TWO POWER FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IT CAUSED AN OVERALL COMPUTER FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A PINGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT HER EXPENSE FOR $90. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST MAY OR MAY NOT CONFIRM OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 08/04/11

I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LAMP CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE DAYS FOLLOWING THIS, I ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL POWER STEERING FAILURES UNTIL I HAD THE POWER STEERING BOX REPLACED ON MAY 10, 2011. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER 2003 SATURN ION'S OWNERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. I CONTACTED A GM REPRESENTATIVE AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. I HAD ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I HAD DECLINED REPAIRS ON MY POWER STEERING. WINEGARDEN PONTIAC INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT FURTHER CHECK THE CAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE PRESENTED A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAD THE POWER STEERING BOX REPLACED AT A COST OF $537.94 MINUS THE $127.00 DIAGNOSIS FEE! I STRONGLY FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND ALL WHO HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED OUT OF POCKET, SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AT GM'S EXPENSE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACCIDENT IN HOUSTON TEXAS! I WOULD NOT LIKE TO HAVE HUMAN LIFE LOST BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION! UPDATED 06/08/11 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, MANUALLY DEPRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD FROZE IN ACCELERATION MODE AND DISCONNECTED THE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,051.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND COIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

2003 SATURN ION WIPER FAILURE: THE WIPER LINKAGE AKA WIPER TRANSMISSION BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH IN A RAIN STORM. THERE WAS NOT ANY ICE AND THE WIPERS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE. THE WIPER PROCEEDED TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION. VERY DANGEROUS AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AGAIN THERE WAS NOT ANY ICE INVOLVED. *TR

THE ISSUE IS IN CONNECTION WITH A 2003 SATURN ION. RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING, THERE APPEARS TO BE A CLICK COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR, MOST LIKELY COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLICK, THERE IS THREE DINGS FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE ON THE DASH "PWR STR". AFTER THIS HAS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE LOSES ITS POWER STEERING ABILITIES, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT MORE FORCE TO BE USED WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. TYPICALLY THIS IS FINE WHEN ON A STRAIGHT ROAD BUT OFTEN THIS IS NOT THE CASE AS I DRIVE ON ROADS WITH SHARP CURVES LEADING TO THE RISK OF SIGNIFICANT DANGER IF I WAS TO LOSE POWER STEERING WHILE TAKING ONE OF THESE TURNS. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND THEN TURNED ON AGAIN THE POWER STEERING DOES BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN ALTHOUGH OFTEN THE EVENTS OCCUR AGAIN AND THE CAR LOSES POWER STEERING. *TR

I WILL BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (60 MPH OR MORE) AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WILL COME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. IF YOU SWITCH OFF THE CAR IT WILL COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE 2 YEARS AGO BUT THIS WEEK (MARCH 14-MARCH 17 - SO FAR) IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, EVERY DAY. LUCKILY SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR. I HOPE THAT I WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED SATURN (SERVICE REQ # [XXX]) BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. 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. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD FRACTURED DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,950.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS SHUT DOWN THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION II. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE PASSLOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING TWENTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS LOOSE. THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENED THE BOLTS THAT SECURED THE FUSE BOX. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY AND IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY FIVE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,165. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,500.

YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH ON THE SATURN ION. SINCE IT APPEARS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?? CAR WILL NOT START WHEN COLD, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. GM WHAT IS THE DEAL??? *TR

THE LOCKED AND COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN. *TR

I ALREADY HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT. I INADVERTENTLY GAVE THE WRONG VIN NUMBER. INSTEAD OF [XXX], IT SHOULD BE : [XXX]. MY ODI # IS 10616998. HOPE THIS DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SAFETY PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 4/15/2015 *JS

2003 SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCH BROKE; BECAME INOPERATIVE & COST $600.00 TO REPAIR & COULD HAVE BEEN ACCIDENT CAUSAL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY AT 60 MPH FOR APPROX 2 HOURS. WHEN FOOT WAS OFF GAS, CAR WOULD MAINTAIN SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH. EXITED ONTO EXIT RAMP ON RIGHT. EXIT RAMP WAS APPROX 0.4 MILES LONG, SNOW COVERED, AND UPHILL. APPLIED THE BRAKE ON & OFF WHILE APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP, CAR SLOWED TO APPROX 20 MPH WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. RPM'S WERE APPROX 4,000 WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. COULDN'T STOP, BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT AND CROSS BRIDGE OVER HIGHWAY. TRIED PUTTING FOOT UNDER GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK DOWN, BUT IT WAS NOT DOWN. CONTINUOUSLY TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR TO BELOW 20 MPH EVEN WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. ROADS WERE SNOW COVERED. WENT APPROXIMATELY 0.5 MILES ON PRAIRIEVIEW RD. NO CARS WERE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT ON PRAIRIEVIEW AS I APPROACHED. FULLY PRESSED AND HELD DOWN BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE COMING TO RED STOPLIGHT ON PRAIRIEVIEW RD & OAK ST/US-150. CAR WOULD STILL NOT GO BELOW 15-20MPH. TURNED RIGHT TO AVOID CROSSING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND BEGAN SPINNING ON THE SNOW. BRAKE WAS STILL FULLY PRESSED DOWN BUT ACCELERATING AT 3,000 RPM. CAR DID TWO 360'S ON OAK ST/US-150 CROSSING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WENT INTO DITCH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING, CAME OUT OF THE DITCH AND BACK INTO ANOTHER 360 ON OAK ST/US-150. THEN CAR WENT INTO THE DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR HIT WOODEN SIGN IN GROUND IN DITCH, KNOCKED IT DOWN, AND RAN IT OVER. CAR DROVE ANOTHER 20-30 FEET IN DITCH AND GOT STUCK IN BOTTOM OF DITCH. BREAK WAS FULLY PRESSED THE ENTIRE TIME CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL, BUT CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING. WHEN CAR BECAME STUCK IN DITCH, RPMS WERE STILL AT 3,000. WITH CAR IN PARK IT CONTINUED ACCELERATING AT 3,000 RPMS. TURNED CAR OFF. 5 HOURS LATER BEFORE CAR WAS TOWED, TURNED CAR BACK ON AND RPMS WERE STILL HOLDING ABOVE 2,000 - HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,333 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN

2003 SATURN ION TENDS TO NOT WANT TO START EVERY WINTER! IT HAS TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FREEZING UP. IT WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. IT IS PRETTY BAD WHEN YOUR CAR LETS YOU SITTING FOR 22 MIN. WITH A BABY WHEN ITS 22 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!! *TR

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND STATES NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DECLARED A LOSS, BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB

FAILURE TO START IN COLD WEATHER, AND KEY STICKING IN IGNITION. *TR

2003 SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCH. I CAN'T GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED MY KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. I OFTEN HAVE TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR UP TO 10MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RELEASE AND LET ME HAVE MY KEY. WHEN I AM ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR WITH DING.. LIKE THE SOUND IT MAKES WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOCK MY CAR USING MY POWER LOCKS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT IS THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SEEN RECURRENTLY IN SATURN'S CARS. EVEN GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED I WAS BACK TO WHERE I FIRST STARTED ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THAT THIS STILL TO THIS DAY HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED... THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! *TR

POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. NOTIFICATION SOUND BEEPS AND POWER STEERING TURNED OFF IS NOTED ON DASH BOARD. ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED, POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. *TR

POWER STEERING IN 2003 SATURN ION JUST WENT! NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,242 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,276.

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALER, 2003 SATURN ION HAD CONTINUOUS HIGH ENGINE IDLE AFTER BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE(PCM) COMPUTER RESET IT SELF. SATURN DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE BY RE-PROGRAMMING THE PCM( 10/21/10) AS PER A ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN OF 4/2004 . THIS DID NOT WORK. THEN THEY ADVISED A SPRING IN THROTTLE BODY (ENGINE) WAS BAD AND REPLACED SPRING ( 10/28/10). THIS ALSO DID NOT WORK, ENGINE STILL HAS HIGH IDLE AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK ON 11/2/10 TO THE SERVICE DEALER.. SERVICE DEALER THEN HOOKED UP CAR TO COMPUTER AND HAS SER TECH DRIVE VEHICLE FOR OVER 25 MILES, 2 TIMES ; AND THENFOUND ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER HAD A SHORT AND CAUSED A BURNED OUT COMPONENT IN THE COMPUTER. SINCE THE SATURN IS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCES, THE COMPUTER WHICH MUST BE REPLACED IS ON BACK ORDER; AND UNKNOWN WHEN PART WILL ARRIVE. THE SATURN SERVICE DEALER ( INGERSOLL AUTO IN DANBURY CT) ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE THE COMPUTER CONTROLS NOT ONLY THE ENGINE BUT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. AT THIS TIME UNKNOWN WHEN A PART WILL ARRIVE AS IT IS ON BACK ORDER. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM PERSON WHO ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER. I BELIEVE THAT GM/SATURN HAS HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM PRIOR; AND AS OTHER OWNERS OF SATURNS ARE HAVING THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM THEN GM SHOULD BE MAKING REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS COMPUTER MORE AVAILABLE TO SATURN OWNERS. INGERSOLL AUTO IN DANBURY CT HAS ADVISED ME THAT THEY DO NOTKNOW WHEN THE REPLACEMENT COMPUTER WILL BE AVAILABLE AS THERE IS NO PART AVAILABLE IN THE ENTIRE USA. PART WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BY GM AND UNKNOWN WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. SO MY 2003 SATURN ION MUST BE LEFT AT THE DEALER UNTIL A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER IS SENT BY GM , SO MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR

2003 SATURN ION. OVER THE PAST 3 WEEKS, POWER STEERING FAILS AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH TRIP. ONE SUCH OCCASION, IT OCCURRED WITHIN 100 YARDS OF A WIDE BEND ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH/INJURY. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

ENGINE GOES INTO HIGH IDLE RPM, 1500 TO 2200 RPM, AFTER BEING DRIVEN A PERIOD OF TIME AT HIGH SPEED. IF YOU SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART ENGINE IDLE RESUMES TO 800 RPM, BUT IF DRIVEN ENGINE IDLE WILL GO BACK TO HIGH IDLE AGAIN. DEALER REPROGRAMMED (PCM) POWER CONTROL MODEL AS PER SATURN FIX ALERT OF 4/2004; BUT THIS DID NOT WORK. *TR

2003 SATURN ION, THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION SWITCH TO BE REPLACED IN THIS CAR. ON THIS OCCASION THE KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SWITCH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH SATURNS..WHY NO RECALL? *TR

2003 SATURN ION3 WONT START WAIT 10MIN AND IT WILL START.... I WAS AT A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND WAS THERE WITH MY CHILD WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE FOR 4 DAYS. WE GOT IN TURNED THE CAR OVER AND NOTHING BUT SERVICE ENGINE. @ HOURS AWAY FROM HOME WITH A SICK CHILD THAT JUST GOT RELEASED CALLED MY HUSBAND TO COME HELP HE TRAVELED 2 HRS TO COME TO ME WHEN WE WENT BACK TO THE CAR AFTER SITTING AT THE HOSPITAL WAITING IT STARTED JUST FINE. FIRST TIME IT HAD EVERY DONE THAT TO ME. BUT NOW IT HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE BEEN AT THE GROCERY STORE AT THE DRS. TRYING TO LEAVE HOME TO GET TO WORK AND AT WORK WHEN IT HAS DONE IT. I WILL TRY TO START IT AND IT TELLS ME SERVICE ENGINE AND THEN 10MIN -20 MIN I GO BACK TO THE CAR AND IT STARTS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS WHEN I SEE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY THAT NEEDS FIXED. WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FIXING A FLAT OR SOMETHING AND THIS HAPPENS TO THEM. *TR

WENT THROUGH A LIGHT, THAT MUST OF CHANGED COLORS, AS I WAS UNDERNEATH IT AND THE OTHER CAR GOT A GOOD HEAD START AND HIT ME. SPINNING ME OUT AND ENDED UP ON THE SIDEWALK, WITH THE UTILITY POLE UNDERNEATH ME. THE OTHER DRIVER GOT CITED, I W AS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD NUMEROUS TESTS TAKING. *TR

POWER STEERING CUTS OUT SUDDENLY. *TR

THE CAR WONT START AND I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND HAD THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AND STARTER BOTH PASSED I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH CLICKS THEN STALLS, SECURITY SYSTEM KICKS IN READS "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AFTER ABOUT 20MINUTES THE CAR STARTS, HEAR RATTLING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION THIS IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME FOR THE PAST YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEY KEY SNAPPED AND WAS BROKEN INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AUGUST 23, 2010. SHE WAS TOLD TO GET A LOCKSMITH BECAUSE THE KEY BROKE IN THE IGNITION LOCK. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE DUE IN ON APRIL 1, 2010; HOWEVER, TO CALL ON NEXT MONDAY SINCE THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN THE RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUE MOVING THE KEY AROUND IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT IT WOULD COST HER $125 IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS AND THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000, AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SHE IS PAYING $7 PER DAY FOR THE RENTAL VEHICLE. SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST ADDING UP AND GETTING REIMBURSED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY 12 TO 13 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THE RECALL. HER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS. SHE WAS TOLD THE LETTER WOULDN'T COME UNTIL APRIL OR JUNE BUT SHE RECEIVED IT ON MARCH 14, 2014. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,131. UPDATED 6/26/14*CN UPDATED 07/09/2014 *JS

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION. THE KEY "JAMMED" IN THE "ON" POSITION LEAVING THE CAR RUNNING. TO SHUT IT OFF YOU HAVE TO RAISE THE HOOD, PULL A FUSE, THEN GO TO THE TRUNK AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR IS DRIVEN BY A COLLEGE, FEMALE. GAS STATIONS, CONVENIENCE STORES AND SMALL CHILDREN LEFT IN CAR, ETC... ARE A PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHIFTER, AND NOW THE IGNITION ($463) PLUS TAX FOR A LOCK CYLINDER ! *TR

POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2003 SATURN ION. CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IT ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL WITH THE COBALT. IT IS UNDER RECALL FOR SAME THING BUT LATER MODELS. ALL YEAR MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *TR

2003 SATURN ION POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. ONE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING RESET. THE INCIDENT CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND WOULD NEED NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE PARK AND NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,907.