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.
WAS GUARANTEED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ORIGINALLY GOT A 2007 FORD ESCAPE BY TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND 500 CASH. THEY WANTED ME TO PUT DOWN AN ADDITIONAL 900 DOWN WHICH I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DO. SO THEY OFFERED TO PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS CHEAPER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY ON. THE 2004 SATURN ION I RECEIVED ON 08/23/2016 NOT ONLY HAD CLUTCH ISSUES WHICH I SAID I WOULD FIX, BUT THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MECHANICALLY. WE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SO NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY YARD AND I AM OUT MY ORIGINAL VEHICLE AND THE 500 CASH I USED ORIGINALLY PLUS TOWING CHARGES AND A VEHICLE I HAVE TO PAY ON THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. I WANT THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND GIVE BACK THE 500 I WASTED ON TWO JUNK VEHICLES. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS PRETTY MUCH STUCK TAKING THIS VEHICLE SINCE I LIVE TWO HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO OTHER WAY HOME.
MARCH 2015 - DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RECALLED IGNITION. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WOULDN'T START A FEW TIMES, AND I REPLACED THE STARTER. JUNE-JULY 2016 - THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. AFTER RESETTING THE PASSLOCK (LEAVE THE IGNITION TURNED TO THE RUN POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES) IT WOULD START IMEDIATELY. JULY 11, 2016 - TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM IT STARTED AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CHANGED. TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BODY CONTROL MONITOR ($829). REPAIRS FINISHED JULY 15, 2016. AUGUST 4, 2016 - CAR TAKEN BACK FOR TROUBLE STARTING ONCE MORE. AUGUST 8, 2016 - IGNITION CHANGED ONCE MORE, BUT CHARGED AGAIN BECAUSE GM WOULDN'T COVER IT. I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL I HAD A PART CHANGED DUE TO A RECALL, AND NOW THAT REPLACEMENT WAS FAULTY AND I'M BEING CHARGED FOR IT!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
THE STARTER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE LEAK STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BECAME LODGED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR DUE TO THE IGNITION DUE TO AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF AND GO MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAS THE SAME CAR AND GOT IT FIXED. I JUST PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2016 AND DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED IT.
NO POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED OR AFTER MORE THAN 5 MINUTES DRIVING. VERY HARD TO STEER. NO CONTROL OF THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,600.
POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. LUCKILY, WAS GOING SLOW AT THE TIME & WAS ABLE TO COME TO A CONTROLLED STOP. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR OTHERS.
ANY TIME THE FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING, FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK A RUNNING DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. LEAVES ABOUT 12" PUDDLE ON THE GROUND AFTER RUNNING 10 TO 30 SECONDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT REACHED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FELT FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,714.
FUEL LEAK. CHANGING FUEL LINE AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIX WORKS. SAME THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING ON OUR 2006 SATURN VIN [XXX]. FRUSTRATING READING ALL THE YEARS OF COMPLAINTS WITH LIMITED RECALLS. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED A GAS SMELL REALLY STRONG IT GOT WORSE WHEN THEN I NOTICED THAT I WAS GOING THREW GAS LIKE CRAZY AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY . ONE DAY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG WHEN I GOT OUT THE CAR I LOOKED UNDER THAT CAR AND SAW THAT ONE OF LINES WAS LEAKING GAS I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I DO HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR AND THAT ITS A BAD DANGER CHANCE OF FIRES TO START
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB
FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT NEAR FUEL FILTER AND DIRECTLY ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON GROUND AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, FUEL CONTINUED TO FLOW OUT OF RUSTED FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.
AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION AND PREPARING TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR COULD NOT STEER TO THE LEFT. AS HE CAR DRIFTED FORWARD THE STEERING BECAME EASIER AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE TURN. AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED, THE STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL UNTIL APPROACHING ANOTHER 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN (1/2 MILE AWAY FROM THE STOP IN WHICH IT WAS HARD TO TURN). NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE VEHICLE, HE SLOWED DOWN TO NEGOTIATE THE RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE CAR FAILED TO STEER RIGHT LEADING HIM STRAIGHT THRU AND INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP ONE WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING OCCURRED. THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR AND OUR INSURANCE PICKED UP THE COST OF THE OTHER DRIVERS DAMAGES. THIS WAS OUR SONS FIRST CAR AND A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY GM TO A DEALERSHIP THAT DEAMED THE CAR SAFE. HE SAID THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS RUSTY WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WE HAD A CLAIM THRU GM DUE TO THE STEERING RECALL AND THEY DENIED US SINCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR DEEMED IT TO BE SAFE. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE THAT TOLD US THAT IT IS NOT SAFE AND NOT TO PUT OUR SON BACK IN IT UNTIL WE SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPLACED, BUT OUR SON CANNOT!!! HE WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT MORE SEVERE. WE WILL NOT PUT HIM OR ANYONE ELSE BACK IN THAT CAR IF NOTHING IS DONE TO PREVENT IT AGAIN. WE DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S OUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO US IN REGARDS TO THIS SITUATION. WE ARE DISSATISFIED WITH GM AND THE DEALER THAT SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE. OUR SONS LIFE IS AT STAKE AND THE POOR DECISIONS OF THE DEALERSHIP AND GM HAVE CREATED A POTENTIALLY CRITICAL SITUATION. THANKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AT APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO USE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EFFORT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
ON THE 20TH OF JULY I NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. I CHECKED THE GAS CAN FOR MY LAWN EQUIPMENT AND IT WAS NOT THE SOURCE ON THE ODOR. I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL PUDDLE OF GAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE MY REAR TIRE WAS. AS THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AT THE SUSPECT LOCATION AND NOTICED STEADY DRIPS COMING FROM UNDER A PLASTIC CLIP WHICH HELD THE FUEL LINES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH RIGHT AT THAT CLIP. AFTER READING UP ON THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS BOTH ION AND COBALT VEHICLES SINCE I BELIEVE THEY ARE "DELTA" BODIES. DUE TO THE NATURE AND THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I DO NOT HAVE THE 400-500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE THE LEAK IS SCANT INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THEREFORE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. GM SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. MA 10/2
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
AFTER HAVING MY EMISSIONS TESTED IN WI IN WHICH IT PASSED AT THE TIME ON OR ABOUT MAY 27, 2015. ABOUT A WEEK LATET, I BEGAN TO SMELL A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE DIIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR, AFTER I DROVE IT AND THEN PARKED IT AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING DRIPPING FROM THE CAR TO THE GROUNC, I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BECAME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 17, 2015 WHEN THE SMELL WAS SO GREAT AND I HADNT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR WELL OVER A WEEK BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID SOMETHING WAS LEAKING OR WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. MY BROTHER SMELLED IT ALSO WHEN I BACKED UP AND PULLED FORWARD. WE CHECKED UNDER HOOD, BUT NOTHING AND NO SPOTS ON THE GROUND. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC AND OWNER SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. NEEDED REPLACING AND R WHICH COST APPROXIMATELY $263 .. I ALSO LOOKED UP INFORMATION BY A MECHANIC WHO STATES THAT EVERY SIGNGLE COBALT AND ION HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM SINCE THE CARS WERE BUILT. HE GAVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT TAKES TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. WHENEVER I TOOK OUT THE CAR, THAT CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED OR STARTED AN ENGINE FIRE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE INVOLVED THE LOSS OF NOT ONLY THE VEHICLES, BUT PEOPLES LIVES. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THESE VEHICLES ON RECALL FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL TANK, FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES AND BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS ON THE CARS AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS SITUATION.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE A/C WENT OFF FIRST THEN EVERYTHING WENT OFF. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. MY IGNITION ALSO GETS STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION(EVEN AFTER TWO IGNITION RECALLS) ON A REGULAR BASIS SO GLAD I WASN'T FIGHTING THAT AT THAT PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME. CALLED GM DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT BRING IT IN, THEY WON'T PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BUT WILL GIVE ME A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I LIVE WITHIN 10 MILES.
THE WIPER ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTING FLOPPING--IT WAS NO LONGER SEATED FULLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS MISSING SOMETHING SIMPLE, LIKE A PIN. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED IT WASN'T THAT SIMPLE. I WAS QUOTED P&L FROM THE DEALER @ $364. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER SEEN A WIPER ARM POP OUT. ONE DAY IN A DELUGE, THE ARM HYPER-EXTENDED OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD BLIND WONDERING IF I WAS GOING TO RUN INTO A DITCH. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THE REASON THIS HAPPENED IS DUE TO USE OF PLASTIC PARTS BY GM AND THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR WIPER ASSEMBLY MORE THAN ONCE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND PLACES A GRAVE DANGER ON USERS OF THESE AUTOS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE!
2 RECALLES.,THEY INSTALLED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRIC POWER STERING ASSIST MOTOR PLUS 3 DIAGNOSTICS AND $ 877.43 LATER AND OUR ORIGINAL PROBLEM OF INTERMITANTLY WONT START STILL EXISTS.WE WERE TOLD TO CUT OUR LOSSES BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR CAR. THIS IS A 2004 SATURN ION. WE WANT OUR CAR FIXED FIRST OR OUR MONEY BACK. WE FEEL THE DEALER SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THERE CAR. WE FEEL THERE MAY BE A RECALL THEY ARE NOT TELLING US ABOUT LIKE RECALL #03V231000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES PREMATURELY RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUEL FILTER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ABILITY TO STEER SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,348.
AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, THE ENGINE CAN BE SHUT OFF BUT THE KEY STAYS IN A ACCESORY MODE AND CAN NOT BE TURNED TO OFF OR REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 266,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SPEED INDEPENDENTLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THE SATURN ION RECALLED IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. ON 3/20/15, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF, AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, AND MANAGED TO BRING IT A STOP EVENTUALLY WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CHANGING GEARS. I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET SATISFACTORY INFORMATION FROM EITHER THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALERSHIP OR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SO FAR. THE NEW IGNITION FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AND MY BRAKES TO FAIL. THIS CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE RECALL FAILED TO CORRECT THE IGNITION PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
ON 3/16/2015 I WAS MERGING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2004 SATURN ION AND I HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY DUE TO ANOTHER DRIVER CUTTING ME OFF, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SATURN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND REACHED HIGH RPMS BETWEEN 4K AND 5K AND CAR LAUNCHED AT A HIGH SPEED. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE YET MY SATURN STILL CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD I REACTED FAST AND STEERED TOWARD THE EMERGENCY LANE PULLED MY E BRAKE UP AND THREW MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT MY CAR OFF YET WHEN IGNITION WAS ALL THE WAY TURNED OFF MY CAR WAS STILL ON FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 4 SECONDS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FATAL CONCLUSION. I FIND MYSELF VERY NERVOUS AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (SATURN ION) BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS MY ONLY WAY TO GET TO WORK. *TR
WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 35MPH POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST, TURNED INTO MANUAL STEERING. I AM A FAIRLY NEW DRIVER, 21, SO I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO REACT. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. HIT A CENTER ISLAND, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM. CALLED GM, THEY HAD SOMEONE INSPECT THE CAR. SAID THERE WAS NO DTC CODES DETECTED. SO THERE FOR THEY ARE CALLING ME A LIAR. MY PARENTS ALSO HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE SHORTLY BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. GM REFUSE TO MAKE DAMAGE REPAIRS. ONLY DO RECALL REPAIRS. I ONLY BOUGHT THE CAR ONE WEEK BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
GAS LEAKING NEAR THE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER. STRONG SMELL OF INSIDE CAR AS WELL STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER. THIS MODEL MAY NOT BE PART OF THE RECALL FROM GM IT DOES SEEN TO BE A COMMON ISSUE THIS IS A REAL FIRE DANGER.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL #14063 ON JULY 15, 2014 FAILED ON JAN 31, 2015 BY JAMMING IN THE OFF POSITION. CAR WAS TOWED TO A GM AUTHORIZED SATURN SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED ON FEB 2, 2015. DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL IGNITION SWITCH INSTALLED IN JULY DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY AND CHARGED $275.83 FOR THE SERVICE. *TR
AT APPROXIMATELY 3:50 P.M. FRIDAY JANUARY 23 2015 I WAS SLOWING DOWN FROM 35 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. BEFORE I TURNED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE. AFTER LIMPING THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT I GOT OUT AND THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED. I NOTICED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES. THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EVEN MENTIONED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN ON SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT OTHER UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
THE CAR WONT TURN ON. IT TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVERYSINCE. *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWICH REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. HOWEVER THE KEY IS STILL STICKING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND I STILL HAVE IT. IT HAPPENS NOT OFTEN BUT ENOUGH TO BE ANNOYING. I HAVE TO MOVE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND EVENTUALLY THE KEY WILL COME OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR
TALKED TO SERVICE DEPT OF ANTHONY CHEVROLET ON 12/12/2014 ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY SATURN WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT 7-10 DAYS TO GET THE PART AND THEY WOULD CALL TO MAKE APT TO REPAIR THE STEERING. CALLED BACK AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH AND NOT HEARING BACK WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SUPPLY PROBLEM. I STOPPED BY THE SERVICE DEPT TODAY 2/16/2015 AND WAS TOLD GM WOULD NOT SEND THEM THE PART FOR SOME REASON AND I WOULD NEED TO GO TO A DEALER IN A DIFFERENT TOWN FOR THIS RECALL. PER THE LETTER I RECEIVED I COULD TAKE MY ION T O ANY GM DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I'M TO DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
GAS STARTED TO POUR OUT OF MY CAR CREATING A HAZARD. TOOK IT TO AUTO-LAB AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RUSTED FUEL LINE WHICH IS COMMON WITH SATURN ION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT THE OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE KEY RELEASED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
WAS ON WAY HOME CAR STARTED GOING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN TRIED TO CORRECT IT CAR WOULDN'T TURN LEFT KEPT GOING INTO A TREE AND CAR IS NOW DAMAGED. OVER TWO MONTHS AGO GM SENT OUT SOMEBODY TO LOOK AT CAR THIS WAS AROUND OCTOBER 15 AND HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD BACK FROM ANYBODY. WHICH ISN'T A SURPRISE BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 13 AND WE WERE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND FROM THE BEGINNING. APPOINTMENTS MADE AND NOT KEPT, PHONE CALLS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER ALL WITH DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND RESPONSES. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHEN IS SOMEBODY GOING TO CONTACT US AND GIVE US SOME ANSWERS? I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST CALL BACK AND HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT ONLY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE OR SAID BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN GO OFF BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY AND THE ADJUSTER YOU SENT OUT SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY AS WE WERE TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS BETWEEN THE CENSORS. I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WAS WAITING FOR THE REPORT. STILL WAITING, I KNOW WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA BUT THREE MONTHS IS A LITTLE LONG TO WAIT DON'T YOU THINK? *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026