NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Saturn Ion. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
VEHICLE VIBRATED/SHOOK DURING BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO NOTICED RUST ON THE LEFT ROTOR, WHICH WAS TURNED, AND BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND READJUSTED. *AK
USUALLY I CHARGE MY CELL PHONE AT HOME OVERNIGHT. BUT ON MONDAY 9/20/04 I HAD FORGOTTEN TO CHARGE THE PHONE AND USED THE CELL PHONE CHARGER IN MY NEW 2004 SATURN ION 2 SEDAN. I NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WAS FLASHING QUICKLY. I STOPPED TO CHECK AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING AND THE NORMAL DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I WENT TO THE LOCAL SATURN DEALER. HE SAID I NEEDED UPGRADED RESISTORS AND CAPACITORS TO HANDLE MY CELL PHONE CHARGER. THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTEE IN 2 HOURS. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAPPENS WITH SOME BUT NOT ALL CELL PHONE CHARGERS. THE SATURN FACTORY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND PUT IN THE BETTER RESISTORS AND CAPACITORS TO HANDLE CELL PHONE CHARGERS IN CARS MADE AFTER 5 MONTHS AGO. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM IF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH NON WORKING FRONT TURN SIGNALS, IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO WONDER IF PEOPLE WITH THE OLD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIGHT SUFFER DAMAGE TO THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH CELL PHONE CHARGES OVER TIME WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN MY CASE I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHAT ABOUT SOMEONE WHO'S CELL PHONE CHARGER DOESN'T TURN OFF THE LIGHTS BUT JUST STRAINS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LEADING TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES. *AK
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR SATURN ION. WE PURCHASED IT IN 2004, AND WE HAVE HAD THREE BENT ALUMINUM WHEELS AND NOW WE HAVE A BROKEN WHEEL. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE FIXED TO SPACE COAST SATURN, WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR SATURN ONLY TO HERE EACH TIME THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR OUR SATURN BECAUSE IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT, IT IS OURS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR WITH OUR THREE CHILDREN. I AM AFRAID THAT WE COULD HAVE A BLOW OUT AND SOMEONE COULD BE HURT. *JB
SATURN ION 2004 I4, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WAS LOOKED AT ON 19TH SEPT 2004 BY DEALERSHIP. ON SEP 20TH I WENT TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND I COULD NOT. GAS SPILLED OUT OF THE CAR. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR, AS IT WILL NOW ALLOW ME TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I WAS STUCK AT HOME AFTER RETURNING FROM GAS STATION.*AK
I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2004 BRAND NEW. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE A HIGH IDLE CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. I MUST RESET THE BATTERY ONCE A WEEK TO RESTORE IT TO NORMAL. IT SEEMS TO BE FINE FOR A WEEK AND HIGH IDLE COMES BACK. I HAVE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE CAR IN THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I MUST TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON TO WARM UP THE BATTERY BEFORE TRYING TO START CAR. SATURN WAS NO HELP. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON! HELP! *TR
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH WAS NOT BOLTED DOWN, CAME OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE SHOE AND IT WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FLOORBOARD AND THE PEDAL. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SECURE THE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO END CAPS TO KEEP THE PEDAL IN PLACE. CONSUMER ASKED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE EQUAL IN VALUE TO THE ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED. DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A VEHICLE OF LESSER VALUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ONE OF THE SAME VALUE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED DIGITAL CLOCK WAS LOSING ONE MINUTE OF TIME PER MONTH. HE HAD TO LOOK AT HIS WRIST WATCH TO KEEP ACCURATE TIME. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK
RECEIVED FIRST SATURN ION 04 AND WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE CAR WAS DISPLAYING CLEAR SIGNS OF EITHER AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. WAS REPLACED WITH A SECOND ION O4. NOTICED A STRANGE CLUNKING SOUND. BROUGHT CAR IN AT 3600 MILES, AND IT WAS TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AXELS, AND BREAK ROTORS. CAR WAS RETURNED WITH A BROKEN PIECE IN THE INTERIOR, AND SMELLING OF BURNING PLASTIC. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE, AND SATURN REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN MAKE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THAT I SHOULD BE ISSUED A REFUND, DUE TO FAULTY CONSTRUCTION. *NM
THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 28-32 MPH. AT ALL OTHER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE IS QUIET. *NM THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW. NO ONE COULD GIVE THE CONSUMER AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB
MULTIPLE EPISODES WITH THIS CAR OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAS HAD TO START CAR FOR ME 2 TIMES. ANOTHER TIME THE CAR STALLED WHILE IDLING 4 TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTE DRIVE. TONIGHT THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PAGE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SATURN HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS ON THEIR COMPUTER. I WOULD LIKE TO FIGHT THIS WITH THE LEMON LAW BUT I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW THAT I WANT TO JUST GET RID OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *JB
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION , AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN VEHICLE WAS COLD . CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALERSHIP WAS DOING NOTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING, FEARING THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. *AK
TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WILL JUST SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH. WHILE DRIVING UP THE HILL VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UP TO 25 MPH. *AK
PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW SATURN ION-2 ON 11 AUG 04 AT 6:30 P.M. FROM THE SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE, NC DEALERSHIP. ROVE THE VEHICLE TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ON 12 AUG O4. 12 AUG 04, MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 56 MILES HILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON. IT REMAINED ON FOR 10-15 SECONDS. AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES PER HOUR, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND REMAIND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS. 3 AUG 04. VEHICLE MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 87 MILES THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FOR A SERVICE CHECK, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND REMAINED ON FRO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS.. VEHICLE MILAGE :102 AT TIME OF SERVICE THE SATURN SERVICE DEPATEMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NO INDICATION THAT THE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, BUT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN BRING IT BACK.*AK
WHILE DRIVING MOTOR FAILED. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE IS CALLED. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE WITHOUT AIR BAGS.*AK
ON JULY 21, 2004, I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE AND ON AUGUST 3, 2004, I EXPERIENCED TREAD AND BELT SEPARATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND DISCOVERED I HAD NO BRAKES EITHER, (THE TIRE HAD RIPPED THE BRAKE LINES). I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER HITTING A ROAD SIGN. THE TIRE IN QUESTION, CAME STANDARD ON THE VEHICLE (WHICH HAD 816 MILES ON IT) AND WAS A FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 03, (P205/55R16). I SUFFERED A FRACTURE TO MY RIGHT FOREARM, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS, APPROXIMATELY $6000 WORTH OF VEHICLE DAMAGE, (NOT INCLUDING THE IMMEDIATE DEPRECIATION OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE), AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF MY EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO NO TRANSPORTATION. I CALLED THE SATURN CUSTOMER SVC. CENTER AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE THERE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS, WHEN THEY HAD A SATURN REPRESENTATIVE FLY DOWN FROM TN TO TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH NOT ONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE, HOWEVER IN THE MEANTIME I MUST IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THEIR PREMISES!! I FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT AND SHIPPED THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE, PER THEIR REQUEST, ONLY TO BE TOLD 28 DAYS LATER THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF A "360 DEGREE SPIN CUT THROUGH THE TREAD". MY INSURANCE TOLD ME THAT IF I FILED THE CLAIM THROUGH THEM THAT I WOULD BE "HEAVILY PENALIZED" SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT. SO, I LOST MY JOB, SPENT ALL OF MY SAVINGS, GOT BEHIND ON ALL OF MY BILLS AND ALL I HAVE TO SHOW FOR IT IS A NEW CAR THAT IS NOT DRIVABLE! *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH CONSUMER BRAKED SUDDENLY TO AVOID A COLLISION AND HEARD A DISTURBANCE IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE GUARD ON THE SEAT SEPARATED, AND THE CHILD WAS LYING AGAINST THE FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED BY THE MISHAP.*AK
WHILE THE VEHICLE PARKED WHILE RUNNING THE VEHICLE IDLING HIGH ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND WOULD STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART,BUT WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGN. *NM (POSSIBLE VALVE STICKING) WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, THEN TAKE OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS WOULD ALSO OCCUR IN REVERSE AS WELL. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN ACCIDENTS WOULD ALMOST OCCUR. THERE WOULD BE HIGH RPM'S OF 6000 PLUS. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT WAS BELIEVED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VTI TRANSMISSION. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS: WIND NOISE WHEN SUNSHADE WAS CRACKED, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT CANCEL ON TURNS AND THE CHIME WOULD GO OFF AND WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH SEEMED LOOSE AND OR MISALIGNED, AND THE WIPERS WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOW. *SC
WE OWN A 2004 SATURN ION3 QUAD COUPE, IT HAS A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION THEN THE OTHERS. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 31, 2003. IT HAD 91 MILES ON IT. WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HESITATE A LITTLE GOING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE IN MARCH, WE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REPORTED BACK THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A 4 CYLINDER TO ACT THE WAY IT WAS. ASSUMING THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WE LEFT IT AT THAT. WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR PAINT DAMAGE THEY HAD CAUSED WHEN THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR THE OIL CHANGE, AND AGAIN ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION (ONLY ABOUT A WEEK LATER). THEY AGAIN REPORTED THEY TEST DROVE AND IT WAS FINE. NOW THIS PAST WEEK FOR IT'S SECOND OIL CHANGE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 29TH, WE AGAIN ASKED THEM BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. THEY AGAIN REPORTED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION. NOT A WEEK AFTER THAT REPORT ON SUNDAY, JULY 4TH AMIDST OUT 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WE DROVE A BLOCK AND A HALF FROM HOME AND TURNED A CORNER ONTO THE MAIN ROAD. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR REVVED AND DIDN'T SWITCH INTO SECOND GEAR. IT FOUGHT TO GO FASTER IN FIRST GEAR, BUT NEVER SWITCHED. WE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY AND TRIED PARKING AND AGAIN MOVING INTO DRIVE, THINKING MAYBE IT HAD DROPPED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. AGAIN THE SAME THING, WE SLOWLY TURNED THE CORNER AND PUTTED OUR WAY BACK DOWN THE BLOCK TO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MILES AN HOUR SO AS NOT TO FURTHER DAMAGE THE ENGINE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 7000 MILES ON IT AND A TRANSMISSION THAT DOESN'T WORK. WE MEET WITH THE DEALERSHIP TODAY TO DISCUSS RETRIBUTION. *NM
THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
ELECTRONIC ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM:RAVALING AT INTERSTATE SPEED - DESIGN FLAW.ESIGN FLAW RESULT - LOST CONTROL OF CAR DUE TO SUDDEN JERK OF WHEEL TO AVOID COLLISION WITH MOTORIST COMING INTO OUR LANE. DID 270 DEG SPIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. CAME TO STOP AGAINST MEDIAN GUARDRAIL AFTER CROSSING TWO LANES.PEED 65 MPH WITH TRAFIC FLOW. MISC. NOTES: 1) CAR OCCUPANTS = 3EA. 2) IT IS PREDICTED THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXPOSED TO NEWS REELS DETAILING FLAW RESULTING IN DEATHS, SATURN WILL BE FORCED TO RECALL. TIME TO GET BUSY TO MAKE RECALL EFFORT REALITY.*AK
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE RPM WOULD GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND NO PROBLEM WOULD BE FOUND BY THE SERVICE DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD ALMOST EXPERIENCED 2 REAR END COLLISIONS AND 1 BROADSIDE COLLISION. *SC *JB
I PURCHASED MY 2004 SATURN ION 3 ON THURSDAY JUNE 10, 2004. ON SUNDAY JUNE 13 THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL RAINS IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND I NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK WAS FULL OF APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER AROUND THE TIRE AND BATTERY. THE BOX OF BOOKS IN THE TRUNK ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS WERE DAMAGED FROM THE WATER. ON MONDAY JUNE 14, AFTER HAVING HAD THE CAR IN MY POSESSION FOR ONLY 4 DAYS I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED ME ON TUESDAY JUNE 15 THAT THE HOLE WHERE THE WATER IS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN OUT OF IF THE CAR HAD A SUNROOF WAS LEFT UNPLUGGED DURING MANUFACTURING RESULTING IN THE FLOODING OF THE TRUNK. I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP MY CAR ON THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY JUNE 16. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AS I WAS USING THE POWER OUTLETS IN THE CAR THE TURN SIGNALS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ORDER FOR MY TURN SIGNALS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO WORK I MUST UNPLUG WHATS IN THE POWER OUTLET AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR THEY ARE OPERABLE AGAIN, BUT IF I NEED TO USE MY POWER OUTLETS I MUST USE THEM KNOWNING THAT I WON'T HAVE TURN SIGNALS OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I EITHER HAVE TO GIVE UP THE USE OF MY POWER OUTLETS OR MY TURN SIGNALS AND RUNNING LIGHTS.*AK
DT: CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY CANT HELP CALLER.*AK
THERE IS A THUMPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END WHICH SEND A VIBRATION THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR WHILE GOING OVER DIPS AND STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES AND THE CURRENT DIAGNOSES IS THAT IT'S A NORMAL NOISE. CONFIRMED WITH OTHER DEALERS THAT THE NOISE IS NOT NORMAL. VISIT 1: REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. VISIT 2: REPLACED RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM VISIT 3: REPLACED RIGHT FRONT STRUT VISIT 4: REPLACED POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND BOTH TORSION BAR SUPPORTS VISIT 5: "IT'S A NORMAL NOISE" I'VE TEST DRIVEN OTHER NEW CARS AND THE NOISE IS NOT PRESENT. I WILL BE PERSUING THE LEMON LAW AT THIS TIME.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DAUGHTER WAS HIT BY A HARLEY DAVIDSON F150 TRUCK IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE SHE TURNED AND THE HARLEY HIT HER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE DAUGHTER DROVE 4 MILES, AND PARKED, THEN FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE BRAKES HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT OFF. *SC *JB (DUPLICATE REPORT - SEE ODI REF. NO. 10074368 *MJJ)
VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *AK
BY 3500 MILES (AFTER 1500MI WHEN WE COULD HAVE RETURNED IT), THE FRONT PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL BURNT OUT. THE CAR WAS ALSO SPUTTERING WHEN WE STARTED THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC FOUND A CRACKED HEAD, THAT WE WERE TOLD WAS PROBABLY PRESENT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR; HAD WE KNOWN WE WOULD'VE RETURNED THE CAR. WE WERE GIVEN A RENTAL CAR, BUT HAD TO DRIVE 45 MIN ONE WAY TO GET TO SATURN OF GREEN BAY. WITHIN A MONTH, THE FRONT DRIVER TURN SIGNAL HAD BURNT OUT. THE WIRING WAS REPLACED WHILE WE WAITED 2 HRS WITH OUR 3 YEAR OLD. WE HAD TO DRIVE 1 HR 1WAY TO SATURN OF APPLETON FOR REPAIRS. IN AUG 2004, THE CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE WHEN WE TURNED ONTO A STEEP GRADE. IN MI FOR VACATION, WE HAD TO DRIVE OVER 1 HR 1WAY TO SATURN OF TROY; THE SWAYBAR AND MOUNTING BRACKETS HAD TO BE FIXED. WE WAITED FOR OVER 2 HRS WITH OUR SON WHILE IT WAS FIXED. IN SEPT 2004, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL HAD TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR. WE DROVE 1 HR 1 WAY FOR THE REPAIR, AND HAD TO WAIT 2 HRS WITH OUR SON. WE HAD ASKED ABOUT THE CRUISE MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, BUT IT WAS CHECKED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS FINE. IN APRIL 2005, THE CRUISE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO BE FIXED. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK FOR THE PART TO COME IN, AND ALMOST 2 WEEKS FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED AT SATURN OF GREEN BAY. I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER 30 MINUTES EARLY, BE DRIVEN OVER TO MY SCHOOL WHERE I TEACH, WALK TO MY SECOND SCHOOL I TEACH AT, AND WAIT FOR A DRIVER TO PICK ME UP (20-40 MIN PAST WHEN I WAS DONE FOR THE DAY). DESPITE EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH WITH A NEW CAR THAT SHOULD NEED MINIMAL CARE AT THIS POINT, WE'VE BEEN BASICALLY TOLD THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE $2600 HIT TO BUY A NEW CAR WHILE THE DEALER BREAKS EVEN. THIS IS POOR SALESMANSHIP, AND WE WILL NOT BE PURCHASING SATURN PRODUCTS ANY LONGER.
INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED, THEY DID NOT CLOSE FULLY, THEY STAYED AJAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DOOR FLYING OPEN WHEN TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE. *JB
I BOUGHT A SATURN ION 2 IN JANUARY SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE ONLY GOT AN AVERAGE OF 22.5 MPG THAT IS 270 MILES PER 12 GALLON TANK (AND IT STILL CONTINUES). IN MARCH AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD, IT LURCHED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT BOGGED DOWN, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50MPH AND WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH, FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING A GOLF CART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RECALLS ON THE FUEL FILTER AND COMPUTER SYSTEM WERE COMPLETED. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WAS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPEATED. JUNE 10TH, THE CAR REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN, THEY DID THE 6,000 MILE SERVICE ON IT. PER MY RECORDS, EVERYTHING "CHECKED OUT". THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE CAR WAS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED. 3 WEEKS LATER, DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN, LURCHED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WENT FROM 65 40 MPH. THANKFULLY I DID NOT GET REAR-ENDED. I EXITED THE FREEWAY, HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT, THEN DURING A LEFT HAND TURN HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR FINALLY CORRECTED ITS PROBLEM, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED MY VALVE BODY AND NOW MY CAR IS RUNNING WORSE THEN IT WAS BEFORE. I STOPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP A DAY AGO, AND TALKED TO THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER, AND HE STATED THAT HE HOPES THEY REPLACE THE CAR, SINCE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO ME AND OTHERS AROUND. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NO LONGER COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND AS I HAVE READ OTHERS TOO, IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!*AK
WHEN I ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY THE CAR DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED, IT BUCKS THEN PUSHES ITSELF. THE ENGINE IS VERY LOUD. SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING OR WHIRRING. THEY HAVE HAD TO CALIBRATE THE VEHICLE 2 TIMES IN THE 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN TODAY. (3RD TIME). *AK
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS TOO COLD, MY CAR DOES NOT START. I EITHER HAVE TO KEEP TRYING TO START THE IGNITION EVERY 5 MINUTES AND THEN IN HALF AN HOUR IT STARTS OR I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE SUN COMES OUT FOR MY CAR TO START. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND I ONLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY. THESE ARE THE COLDEST MONTHS AND EVERY MORNING DURING THESE MONTHS I HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. *TR
VTI TRANSMISSION CAUSES SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION. *AK
WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY SUSAN'S MOTHER BRENDA O'BRIEN.*AK
THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING, 3 TIMES. THE SATURN DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS.*AK
I BOUGHT MY 04 ION2 IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD DOWNSHIFT WHILE BRAKING DOWNHILLS, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE RPMS TO ACCELERATE EXTREMELY HIGH. THE CAR WOULD THE JERK ITSELF BACK INTO THE GEAR IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN. THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND IS STILL OCCURING. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO SATURN OF SPRINGFIELD COUNTLESS TIMES. AT ONE POINT I WAS IN THERE MUTLIPLE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. NOT ONLY DID IS ACCELERATE GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT WON'T SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR GOING UP HILL, AND TO TOP IT OFF WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WONT SHIFT INTO 5 GEAR WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, I HAVE TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT. SATURN HAS TOLD ME COUNTLESS TIMES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I ONLY AVERAGE ABOUT 16 MILES TO THE GALLON NO MATTER IF IT IS THE HIGHWAY OR CITY. I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WERE SATURN CALLS ME THE NEXT DAY AFTER EVERY SERVICE CALL. OH AND I JUST HAD TO HAVE MY POSTIVE BATTERY CABLE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T STAY ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY WHICH WOULD'T ALLOW THE CAR TO START.*AK
3 DAYS IN A ROW 2004 SATURN ION 2 WON'T START. AFTER WAITING 10 MIN I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUR TEMP.HAVE BEEN AVERAGING -4 TO 13 DEGRESS.WILL BE GOING INTO THE DEALERS TUES.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PASS LOCK SENSOR SINCE I HAVE READ ON ANOTHER SITE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS IS CAUSING WITH SATURN NOT STARTING. *JB
BRAKES FAILURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE STEERING WAS ROUGH AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE MID APRIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175. THE MILEAGE OF 175 WAS REAFFIRMED BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES 2 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WOULDNT START, IT HAD HIGH IDLING PROBLEMS, AND MOST RECENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. THE BATTERY AND THROTTLE WERE BOTH REPLACED. UPDATED 05/29/2014* JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION ON 9/30/03. WINTER OF 03-04 CAR FAILED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. SATURN PUT 2 NEW IGNITION SWITCHES IN (WARRANTY) 2004. THIS WINTER (08-09) SAME STARTING PROBLEM. FAILS TO START IN COLD TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF POORLY ENGINEERED IGNITION SWITCH COMMON IN THE SATURN ION. *TR
A BRAKE PAD FELL OFF THE TRAILER IN FRONT AND STRUCK HIS VEHICLE DAMAGING THE TIRE.
THE LITANY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE VEHICLE IS LONG AND VARIED. MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING, ETC.. GM AND SATURN KNEW OF THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES CONCERNING THE VTI TRANSMISSION, YET THEY CHOSE TO CONTINUE TO PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK BY DENYING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. THE ONLY REAL WAY, IN MY OPINION, TO MAKE THIS RIGHT IS TO FULLY RECALL AND REPLACE THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN LATE 2003 AND CONTINUES TO BE A HAZARD. PLEASE FORCE GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TT
IN OCTOBER OF 1993, I BOUGHT A 2004 ION 2 QUAD COUPE FROM SATURN OF LARCHMONT. I TRADED IN MY 1997 SC1 FOR THIS CAR. IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, I NEEDED TO HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT BULB REPLACED BECAUSE IT BURNED OUT. IN JANUARY, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE AND TWO RECALLS. IT ALSO TO MADE A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH. THIS FIRST TIME, THE LINK AND TORSION BAR SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED. I RETURNED ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER WITH THE RATTLE AND AN ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT. THE CAR HAD STALLED WHILE DRIVING IT. I WAS TOLD THAT A BOOK UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WAS MAKING THE RATTLING NOISE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE STALLING COULDNT BE DUPLICATED, SO THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I RETURNED ONE WEEK LATER WITH THE SAME RATTLING PROBLEM. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND DROVE IT OVER SIXTY MILES. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS. FINALLY, THE NOISE STOPPED! IN JULY I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SATURN OF WHITE PLAINS. THE CAR HAD STALLED AGAIN AND STARTED STUTTERING WHEN STEPPING ON OR RELEASING THE GAS PETAL. AGAIN NO CODES WERE FOUND TO INDICATE WHY IT STALLED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE STUTTERING WAS NORMAL FOR THE VTI ENGINE BECAUSE OF ITS NEW TECHNOLOGY. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THE RATTLING STARTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO SATURN OF WHITE PLAINS AGAIN. TWO DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT, THE RADIO HAD RESET ITSELF. ON THE DAY OF MY APPOINTMENT, THE TECHNICIAN TOOK THE CAR OUT AND SAID HE HEARD NO NOISE AND FELT NO RATTLING. HE TOOK ME OUT WITH HIM AND SAID WHAT I HEARD WAS NORMAL. AGAIN A TEST WAS RUN AND NO CODES WERE FOUND. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SATURN OF LARCHMONT ON JULY 30, 2004 BECAUSE THE RATTLING CONTINUED AND THE RADIO RESET ITSELF AGAIN. BOB LINDER, THE SERVICE MANAGER, TOOK HIS TIME AND LOGGED MY ISSUES FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO ADDRESS THEM. THE STABILIZER LINKS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. A NEW RADIO WAS ORDERED TO REPLACE THE ONE IN THE CAR. THE BANGING UNDERNEATH THE CAR HAS RETURNED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ALSO HAVE A DISTRICT SPECIALIST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE SOMEONE'S DEATH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE 2004 SATURN ION HAS A MALFUNCTION. THE CAR IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. UPON CALLING THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD, PA THE SERVICE RECEPTIONIST WAS ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT I HAD TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO HALF AN HOUR AND THEN TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN TO SEE IF IT WILL START. GM AND SATURN KNOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY WHICH IS PROVEN BY THE FACT THAT THE RECEPTIONIST KNEW HOW TO START MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING FOR ME WAS ON NOVEMBER 19TH WHEN I TALKED THE RECEPTIONIST AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON DECEMBER 6, 2008 THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BROUGHT IN TO BE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THIS IS A DEFAULT OF THE CAR. *TR
2004 SATURN ION RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT KIT WAS REPLACED. ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE USED FOR THE REPAIR CAME FROM SATURN. THE VEHICLE STRUT BRACKET THAT WAS WELDED TO THE STRUT WHICH HELD THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD BROKEN OFF AND CUT INTO THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *BF *NM