2003 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT; WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD; TURNED CAR OFF, THEN RE-STARTED IT. IT DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN HAD NO POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO GAS STATION. MECHANIC CHECKED FLUID LEVEL WAS GOOD AND DID NOT HAVE BURNT SMELL. TRIED TO START CAR AGAIN - MADE LOW WINDING NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER MOVED. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR HAS 90,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN ION WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE, TURNED OFF THE CAR, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 20 SECONDS. I HAD TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW AND BARELY MADE IT HOME. MY CAR IS ONLY AT 62,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. GM DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN CASE OF A RECALL. I HAVE READ THIS WILL COST ME $1000 TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STARTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK INSIDE OF THE IGNITION WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THAT FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO COST THEY OPTED TO REPROGRAM THE KEY SO THAT SHE COULD REMOVE IT NO MATTER WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW SHIFTER WHICH WAS CAUSING THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. UPDATED 06/20/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH THE CONTACT TO DETERMINE IF ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,085.

BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 2 AND IT WILL PERIODICALLY LOCK OUT THE IGNITION SYSTEM SO YOU HAVE TO WAIT 8-10 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. WE HAVE REPLACED, THE IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER, BATTERY, AND A FEW OTHER PARTS TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS ONCE IN JAN. OF 2010 AND THEN AGAIN IN MARCH, BUT NOW IN JUNE IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 DAYS. I READ ON A FORUM THAT PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IN COLD WEATHER CLIMATES DURING WINTER, BUT HAWAII IS A MODERATE CLIMATE YEAR ROUND, NO EXCUSE. *TR

I AM REALLY GETTING TIRED OF THIS PART BREAKING AND GM NEEDS TO FIND A FIX AND RECALL THIS CAR AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FOUND 44 PAGES OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THIS SAME CAR ON THIS WEBSITE: (HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK.HTML) I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION SEDAN. MY IGNITION IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE ONLY WAY I CAN SHUT MY CAR OFF IS TO PULL THE FUSE TO THE ECM. THE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION AND WILL PULL OUT OF THE SOCKET WITH THE CAR RUNNING. I HAVE HAD THIS IGNITION PART CHANGED 4 TIMES ALREADY. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE KEY WOULD PULL OUT WITH CAR RUNNING, THE SECOND TWO TIMES I HAD TO PAY FOR. THE LAST TWO TIMES IT WOULD NOT LET ME START THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT WON'T LET ME TURN IT OFF. I KNOW THIS IS AN OLDER CAR, BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH... [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 WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND THE FRONT WINDOWS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD DECIDE IF THEY SHOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 SATURN ION AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STARTED RAINING. I HAVE VERY POOR VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER BLADE FLEW OFF THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED SATURN ABOUT THIS CONCERN, WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. IT SHOWS THE CONNECTIVE JOINT ON THE WIPER BROKE LOOSE AND AFTER READING SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT IS APPARENT THAT SATURN KNOWS OF THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, BUT CHARGES HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. MANY INJURIES AND POSSIBLY DEATH COULD RESULT FROM THIS DEFECT AND I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH SATURN'S LACK OF CONCERN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I CAN ONLY DRIVE MY CAR WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD 481.00 TO FIX WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE PLASTIC MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD CAVITY IS NOT SUFFICIENT OR SAFE FOR ANY VEHICLE. PLEASE ATTEND TO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO RESET AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES THAT WOULD COVER THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR A FEE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

THE CAR WILL BE RUNNING JUST FINE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT ACCELERATES AND WANTS TO GO FAST. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. THEN THE ACCELERATION STOPS BY ITSELF AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS MISSING A GEAR. IT DOES THIS PROBABLY ABOUT 2 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE WAS A SAFETY ALERT LETTER ISSUED NOVEMBER OF 2009 FOR 2003 SATURN ION OWNERS WITH STIPULATIONS CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE IN SERVICE FOR 5 YEARS OR LESS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE PART REPAIRED AT NO COST. NO ONE FALLS UNDER THIS CRITERIA CONSIDERING THAT THIS ALERT WAS SENT OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 2009, REFER TO SAFETY ALERT #09280. MY CAR HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT AND A TRANSMISSION IS NOT AN EXPENSE THAT A SATURN CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE TO BE PAYING IN MY OPINION. THEY DO OFFER A 50% OFF DEAL WHERE THEY TAKE CARE OF HALF THE COST. IT'S A $5000 JOB AND HALF IS $2500, STILL A VERY HIGH COST FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A RECALL. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON A CAR THAT I HAVE A CAR PAYMENT ON. PLEASE ASSIST THE SATURN OWNERS IN FINDING OUT HOW THIS DID NOT BECOME A RECALL. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS UNFAIR TO HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR A DEFECT IN THE SATURN ION AND VUE'S TRANSMISSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION3. THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING IN WARMER WEATHER. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS ABOVE FREEZING MY POWER STEERING STARTS ACTING UP. IT WILL GO OUT 3-4 TIMES A WEEK, WHICH IS ALL THE DRIVING I DO IN A WEEK. THE CAR HAS 88,000 KM ON IT. *TR

INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH VEHICLE NOT STARTING. INSERT KEY INTO IGNITION, TURN AND NOTHING. VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS COME ON, BUT NOTHING TURNS OVER. WELL-KNOWN ISSUE AS NOTICED ON SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS. PER SATURN AND OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR THE WIRING HARNESS NEED TO BE REPLACED - WHICH COST A LOT OF MONEY. THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO "RESET" ITSELF AFTER 10 MINUTES - HOWEVER UP TO 24 HOURS PASSES WITHOUT THE SYSTEM RESETTING ITSELF.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE DURING AND SOMETIMES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET ITSELF TO NORMAL. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,225. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ

2003 SATURN ION COUPE WILL NOT START IN COLD HUMID WEATHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CRASH WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SECOND CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

SATURN HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2003 SATURN ION L SERIES AND I EXPERIENCED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION INVOLVING THE WIPER MOTOR. WHILE TRAVELING ON AN EXPRESSWAY DOING ABOUT 60MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPLETELY FLEW OFF THE RANGE OF THE WINDOW. UPON SAFELY GETTING OFF, I PULLED INTO A MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE WIPER MOTOR JUST FAILED. I CONTACTED SATURN TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE L SERIES AND THAT THIS CAR DEMONSTRATES THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED NOT ASSISTANCE OR EVEN CARED ABOUT THE FACT THE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING HARD AND THE MOTOR WENT OUT. SOMEONE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION . WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM NHTSA TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 15-20 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED .THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74500.

2003 SATURN ION-3 PURCHASED NEW BEGAN NOT STARTING IN 2009. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES THE CAR STARTS UP. TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE CAR NOT STARTING. WENT ON-LINE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WROTE A LETTER AND SENT COPIES OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS TO GM IN JANUARY 2009. A SERVICE REP. CALLED ME SAYING THEY HAD NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT BY GM. STARTING HAVING MANY MORE INCIDENTS OF THE CAR NOT STARTING IN 2010, BUT WAITING THE 10-15 MINUTES AND THE CAR THEN STARTING. SENT AN E-MAIL TO GM REGARDING THIS ISSUE. AGAIN A SERVICE REP. CALLED AND SAID DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR I SHOULD TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE REPAIR, IF THEY COULD FIND IT, WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS ISSUE CAN BE QUITE SERIOUS SINCE YOU CANNOT START YOUR VEHICLE AND ARE LEFT SITTING THERE IN CONDITIONS THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS (VERY COLD WEATHER, LATE AT NIGHT, ETC.) LATELY THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED 6-8 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS. IT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP IF GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND WOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

CAR HAS FREQUENT INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS (ABOUT ONE IN 4 STARTING ATTEMPTS IS A NO-GO). INTERNET RESEARCH BRINGS UP MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH SENDING THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER WHICH IN TURN ACTIVATES THE SECURITY SYSTEM (PASSLOCK, IN GM SPEAK) AND PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. GM RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE IN TSB #3493A WHICH RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE TO GM, I BELIEVE THE SWITCH REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE MANUFACTURER'S COST, NOT THE CONSUMER'S COST. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE AND CONSUMERS ARE FORCED TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR'S COMPUTER (BCM) HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED AFTER THE SWITCH REPLACEMENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION AND IT HAS THE SAME STARTING PROBLEMS REPORTED EXTENSIVELY ON THIS WEBSITE. ON COLD DAYS, THE CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES. IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT THE MOST IMPORTUNE TIMES AND LOCATIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THERE IS NO NOISE AND NO CRANKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION KEY ON. HOWEVER, WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR ABOUT 5 TO 15 MINUTES LATER, IT STARTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. THE ALTERNATOR CHECKS OUT FINE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE, BUT THAT IS A GUESS ON MY PART BASED ON THE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS BY OTHER SATURN OWNERS. THERE IS ONLY ONE AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALER/SERVICE FACILITY LEFT IN THE HOUSTON. THE TECHNICIAN THERE TOLD ME HE HAS SERVICED NUMEROUS SATURNS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT REPLACING THE IGNITION MODULE SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH NOT IN EVERY CASE. HE SAID THAT GM HAS NOT ISSUED A BULLETIN OR RECALLED SATURNS TO REPAIR THE UNITS. GM'S DENIAL OF A POTENTIALLY LETHAL PROBLEM IS NOT UNLIKE THAT OF TOYOTA IN ADDRESSING STUCK ACCELERATORS AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. MAYBE GM DOES NOT CARE BECAUSE IT IS CLOSING DOWN ITS SATURN DIVISION. I CAN SEE WHERE SATURN OWNERS, WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THE EXTENT OF THE STARTING PROBLEM, WIND UP HAVING THEIR BATTERIES, ALTERNATORS AND OTHER COMPONENTS REPLACED AT ENORMOUS COST AND INCONVENIENCE BEFORE SATURN SUGGESTS REPLACING THE IGNITION UNIT. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT IS RIPE FOR EXPLOITATION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD NEEDS TO WEIGH IN ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO GET HURT. *TR

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THIS BEGAN 3 MONTHS AGO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WINTER SEASON, UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL I WAS LET GO FOR SHOWING UP LATE TO WORK (APPARENTLY, A CAR THAT PROBLEMATIC WAS INCONCEIVABLE). I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT MOSTLY IN THE EARLY MORNING OR LATE EVENING WHEN IT'S COLDEST OUTSIDE. THIS PAST WEEK ALONE, MY CAR WOULDN'T START 3 TIMES. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN SATURN ION'S (2003-2006 MODELS). SOME COMPLAINTS HAVE SUGGESTED IT'S THE IGNITION, THE PASSLOCK KEY, OR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AND MY MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO THE FUEL PUMP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC DOESN'T READ A PROBLEM IF THE CAR IS STARTING, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE BY THE TIME THE MECHANIC'S SHOP OPENS (WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FAIRLY GOOD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON MOST DAYS). THE OTHER DAY, MY CAR HAD STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, THANKFULLY ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL STREET, BECAUSE IT DID NOT WANT TO RESTART. IT TOOK 10 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW DISASTROUS THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR BUSY CITY ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY GM. I HAVE ALSO MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE FTC & TO SATURN. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, REPLACING THE PART DOESN'T EVEN HELP BECAUSE ALL OF THESE ION PARTS ARE FAULTY. PLEASE SEE TO IT THAT CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED. THANK YOU. *TR

CAR WON'T START WHEN THE TEMP IS BELOW 20 F, HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN FOR ANTI THEFT TO RESET AND THEN TRY AGAIN. SOME TIMES HAVE TO TRY 3 OR 4 TIMES. DEALER SAY IT'S A KNOW PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

2003 SATURN ION WILL NOT START DUE TO THE PASSLOCK TIMING ME OUT. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES AND YESTERDAY I HAD TO WAIT 3 HRS FOR MY CAR TO START. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND WANTED TO FILE A WRITTEN COMPLAINT. *TR

2003 SATURN ION. THIS CAR WILL NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE CAR WILL STALL. I HAVE READ THAT THE DIFFICULTLY MAY HAVE TO DO WITH A TYPE OF LUBRICANT ON THE STARTER, WHICH HARDENS IN THE COLD WEATHER. THE CAR STALLS AS A RESULT, AND THEN THE PASS-LOCK KICKS IN. AFTER 8 MINUTES, THE CAR MAY START, OR ONE MAY HAVE TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 8 MINUTES (OR MORE) FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH TO LOOSEN UP ENOUGH TO START THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THE CAR MAY STALL YET AGAIN---AND SET OFF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM YET AGAIN. *TR

MY 2003 SATURN ION REFUSES TO START WHEN IT IS COLD BUT AFTER 10 MINS IT WILL DECIDE IT WANTS TO START. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AND PUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MECHANIC NOT SEEING THE PROBLEM. PUT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH IN THE CAR AND STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB MANY SATURN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND SATURN IS REFUSING TO DO SO. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO A BASKETBALL GAME AT A SCHOOL AND AS I TURNED INTO THE SCHOOL, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT WAS UNEXPECTED. I DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE SCHOOL TO STOPPED THE CAR. I WASN'T GOING FAST BUT I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IF THERE HAD BEEN KIDS OUT THERE SOMEONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT. *TR

2003 ION, WILL NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE ERROR NOTED ON THE DISPLAY NOTES THEFT INTERLOCK, IF YOU WAIT 10 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START. AT TIMES THE KEY WILL STICK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT, AT TIMES THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THIS INTERLOCK NEEDS TO BE A SATURN RECALL. *TR

I NEED HELP, I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION, THE FRONT END IS BROKE. IT SWERVES ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY RECALLED MANY AND KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MINE THEY WILL NOT FIX AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S VERY UNSAFE AND THEY RECALLED SEVERAL MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX MINE. THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AND I GET NO RESPONSE FROM ANY AGENCY. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A FEW YEARS AGO AND THEY KNOW ITS A FACTORY PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T FIX MY CAR. PLEASE HELP, I'M JUST A HARD WORKING GUY TRYING TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY. MY WIFE IS DISABLED AND I STRUGGLE TO GET BY AND I CAN'T GET ANY HELP FROM THE CAR COMPANY. UPDATED 01/28/11

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN I START THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STOP WORKING. POWER STEERING LIGHT MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE MESSAGE SCREEN, BUT ERROR CODE CAN BE FOUND. THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER GM MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2003 ION. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR FOR THE RECALL. *TR

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY 2003 SATURN ION STARTING IN THE COLD WEATHER. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER CHECKED ALONG WITH SEVERAL BATTERY REPLACEMENTS, YET THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A STOP TO THIS ISSUE. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE FOR SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE AND UNFORTUNATELY NO ONE HAS A SOLUTION ONLY COMPLAINTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF SATURN ION'S AND GM DOES NOT SEEM TO FEEL THE NEED TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. I HAVE READ ABOUT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN BEING STRANDED BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO START THEIR SATURNS IN THE COLD WEATHER AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYONE IN THE VICINITY TO HELP THEM OUT. THE CAR USUALLY TAKES ABOUT A HALF HOUR TO START AFTER INITIALLY TRYING - WHICH NO CAR SHOULD HAVE TO DO. PLEASE GET ON GM/SATURN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR

PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS (GENERALLY COLD CONDITIONS) PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM STARTING FOR TEN (10) MINUTES PRIOR TO NEXT ATTEMPT. THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD/RISK TO AN INDIVIDUAL IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION DUE TO THE NEED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT (IE., WOMAN IN LABOR) OR AN INDIVIDUAL FLEEING A DANGEROUS SITUATION (IE., MANDATORY EVACUATIONS). THIS IS A SECURITY FEATURE AND NOT REQUIRED FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AS SUCH; IN LIEU OF THE NUMBER OF MALFUNCTIONS WITH SAID SYSTEM, THE OWNER OF SAID VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF HAVING SAID SYSTEM DISABLED AT THEIR DISCRETION INCURRING LITTLE OR NO COST BY THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER. *TR

I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES THAT A LOT OF ION OWNERS ARE HAVING. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD AND THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM KICKS IN. ONCE THIS KICKS IN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORIES POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES, PASSLOCK WILL THEN SHUT OFF AND YOU CAN RETRY.IF IT DOES NOT START YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 10 MINUTES TO TRY AND START. SUPPOSEDLY THIS IS BECAUSE OF GREASE THAT IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS GREASE FREEZES UP WHEN COLD. IT DOES SEEM TO HELP IF YOU WARM UP THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A HAIR DRYER OR LIGHTER.I DON'T KNOW WHY GM DOES NOT RECALL THIS. THEY ARE PASSING THEIR SCREW UP ONTO THE CONSUMER. THIS PROBLEM HAS LEFT MANY PEOPLE STRANDED. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME TILL SOME ONE IS IN A REALLY BAD SITUATION BECAUSE OF THIS. 'SORRY YOUR HAVING A HEART ATTACK MAYBE I CAN START THE CAR IN ANOTHER 10 MINUTES'. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF SOMEONE FROZE TO DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THE VERY LEAST I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE MISSED MANY HOURS OF WORK. ANYWAYS, I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH TO SEE IF THIS WORKS. I ALREADY BOUGHT A REMOTE START WHICH BYPASSES THE PASSLOCK WHEN REMOTE START BUT NO ONE WILL INSTALL THIS ON A MANUAL CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE TIMING BELT BROKE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST SHOULD BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW FREEZING MY 2003 SATURN ION WILL NOT START. I SAT IN THE CAR AND TRIED TO START THE ENGINE FOR OVER 20 MINUTES THIS MORNING BEFORE GIVING UP AND CALLING OFF THE INTERVIEW I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO. IT IS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE, AS THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY CHARGED. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ROUGHLY 15 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, OFTEN LEAVING ME STRANDED WITHOUT A WAY TO GET HOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE IT TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115000.

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION 1 THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH. SUDDENLY ON THE FIRST COLD DAY OF THE WINTER IT HAD TROUBLE STARTING. AFTER THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTING GLOWING. I HAVE SPENT OVER $350 REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES AND THE AIR FILTER. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL FOR THE SATURN L SERIES FOR AN IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. I'M STILL NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM BUT IF IT IS IT WILL COST $650 TO FIX IT. I MAY NOT HAVE AN L SERIES CAR BUT THEY WERE MADE WITH THE SAME ENGINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN BE DESTROYED SO QUICKLY (UNDER 100,000 MILES) WITHOUT SOMETHING BEING WRONG. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SATURN ION 2003 AND IT AT TIMES DOESN'T START. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER. AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTS UP. I CANNOT HAVE A CAR THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAVE ME STRANDED MILES FROM MY HOUSE IN THE COLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A USED 2003 SATURN ION WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. TWO WEEKS LATER, IN COLD AND RAINING TEMPERATURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,221. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FREEZING AND/OR HARDENING SO THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED SO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND GREASE CAN BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 2-3YRS, THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 3,500RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IF I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (UP TO 25MPH). I'VE HAD MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS INSPECT AND TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT NONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON OUR 2003 SATURN ION. VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. *TR

THE EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WAS DRIVING 3 MILES FROM WORK TO BABYSITTERS. THE FAILURE IS THE CAR REFUSES TO TURN OVER AFTER TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS COMMONLY IN COLDER WEATHER. BATTERY WAS REPLACED, STARTER WAS REPLACED, AND THEN AFTER RESEARCH LEARNED THIS IS AN IGNITION ISSUE SATURN IS AWARE OF. *TR

I'VE BEEN HAVING COLD STARTING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 SATURN ION. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIX BY DEALER 3 TIMES IN THE PAST. AT 620.00 A POP THAT'S HARD . NOW AFTER TALKING TO A TECHNICIAN THAT USED TO WORK FOR SATURN BEFORE THEY CLOSED ,THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY OIL THAT RELEASES FROM THE PART WHEN COLD AND LEAKS DOWN FROM THE IGNITION TO THE PASS LOCK SWITCH THIS SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE THIS BURNS SOMEONE UP AND KILLS THEM . THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FIX ALL THESE CARS .DO IT RIGHT AND STOP CHARGING PEOPLE FOR SOMETHING THAT REALLY CANT BE FIXED SIMPLY BY REPLACING A PART THAT WILL CONTINUE LEAKING OIL WHEN COLD. I AM REALLY SURPRISED THIS HASN'T ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. I CAN ONLY WAIT TO SEE IF THIS HAPPENS THEY NEED TO PAY ,I CANT AFFORD TO GO BUY A CAR WITH WORK SLOW SO SATURN AND GM SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. ALL THIS IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR AND IF A FIRE STARTS WITH YOU IN IT AT THE WHEEL YOU LOSE A CAR AND POSSIBLE A LIFE OR MORE IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THIS LOCKS DOWN YOUR CAR. IT'S NOT ONLY ME ITS MY KIDS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT DANGER IT'S ALL WHO DRIVE A SATURN ION 2003. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. DURING COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SINCE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE RESETS TO A SECURITY MODE AS IF IT HAS BEEN STOLEN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SWITCH; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD USE THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WHEN THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

SATURN ION 2003 DOES NOT START WHEN COLD, COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY PEOPLE. *TR

2003 SATURN ION SERVICE BULLETIN # 040845005. NHTSA ITEM #: 10007431. NO CRANK NO START WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES WHEN COLD. HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS WITH MINOR ISSUES BEGINNING AS DESCRIBED ABOVE LAST WINTER SEASON IN 2008. NOW THE ISSUE IS FREQUENT, MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY IF WEATHER IS COLD. I LIVE IN THE NORTH EAST IT GETS COLD HERE OFTEN. I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 14 MONTHS AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE $270 SATURN IS CLAIMING TO REPAIR THIS SITUATION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE OWNING THE SATURN ION, SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS AND IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. WHY CAN'T THIS BE RECALLED? IT LEAVES ME STRANDED IN AWKWARD AND UNPLEASANT WEATHER CONDITIONS. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO HEAT UP MY CAR KEY WITH A LIGHTER TO MAKE IT WARM ENOUGH TO HEAT UP THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GREASE INSIDE. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO? THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION LEVEL 1. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN OR WHEN STRIKING A BUMP THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, TO RESET THE ERROR CODE. HER MECHANIC GAVE HER TSB 06-02-32-00. HE THEN ADVISED HER TO BE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AT AN EXPENSE OF $400.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 12/8/09 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR. UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB UPDATED 05/28/10.*JB

SATURN ION 3 HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS; IT'S BEEN CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WITH IGNITION SWITCH WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE A SHORT OF SOME KIND. CAR STARTS, THEN SHUTS OFF, THEN WHEN TRYING TO RESTART, APPEARS DEAD, WAIT 5-10 MINUTES AND IT STARTS AGAIN. NO AUTOMOTIVE TECH COULD DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *TR