2004 Saturn Ion Complaint Log

I USED TO OWN ONE OF THE GM VEHICLES IN THE NEWS LATELY REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE CORRECTLY. MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE YEARS I HAD OWNED IT, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE KEY BEING MOVED TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AS IS INDICATED ON MANY OF THE NEW REPORTS. I THOUGHT IT WEIRD, BUT THOUGHT I MAY HAVE BANGED SOMETHING, LET THE OIL GO FAR TOO LONG, OR NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE YOU'LL FIND MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE FREQUENTLY HAVE A KEY SWITCH ISSUE WHERE AN ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL ACTIVATE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON THE CAR DESPITE HAVING A PERFECTLY VALID AND WELL USED KEY. GM PROBABLY HAS AN INTERNAL NOTE ABOUT THIS AND IT MIGHT RELATE TO THE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED/RECALLED. FINALLY, I ONCE DID HAVE MY KEY COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF QUICKLY AND THE KEY JUST CAME OUT WITHOUT GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION. PERHAPS I HAD A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE INVESTIGATORS SEE THIS TO ENSURE THE PROPER FIXES ARE APPLIED FOR OUR SAFETY. *TR

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

2004 SATURN ION 2 THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF NUMEROUS TIMES ON ME, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PROBABLY 10 TIMES A WEEK. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION, AT ANY TIME IN ANY GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF, DURING A TURN. THE SECOND ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2014. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, HE SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENTLY, HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE RIGHT EDGE OF A DRIVEWAY. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2014. *JB

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON JUST AS I WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. AT THAT VERY MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I THEN PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WAS WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS BECOMING A HASSLE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR SOME FAULTY CAR MOTOR. SO THIS IS TO THE CAR MANUFACTURES, COULD YOU PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT REALLY HURTS SOMEONE. *TR

WHEN SLOWING TO PARK MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD NOT OPERATE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. DRIVING IT WOULD BE UNSAFE. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I DID THIS TWICE BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, THE DATE LISTED ABOVE AND AGAIN SATURDAY 10-26-2013. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET FOR ANY REPORTED PROBLEMS ON SATURN ION STEERING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A REPORTED PROBLEM AND NHTSA HAS MOVED THEIR INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AS OF OCTOBER 2011. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART, OR IF A RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP AND INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE ME ON THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

ODOMETER DINGS AND DISPLAYS POWER STEERING WARNING; POWER STEERING FAILS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON CORRECTS THIS, UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN (TYPICALLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 10 SECONDS). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND SATURN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO UNDER 100,000 MILES. MY CAR DID NOT START DOING THIS UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHEN A CHIME WENT OFF. STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT AND I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY CAREFULLY AND PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SINCE THIS INITIAL INCIDENT THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST OVER $1,000.00 TO REPLACE A POWER STEERING MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. WITH THE DANGER INVOLVED SHOULDN'T A RECALL BE IN ORDER? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

TURNED VEHICLE ON AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS IN PARKING LOT, THE CAR REVVED UP TO ABOUT 4,000RPM WHICH IS UNUSUALLY HIGH. I WAITED FOR THE CAR TO CALM DOWN AND WHEN IT DID, I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO DRIVE. MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO 40MPG THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BEFORE I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS AS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR; APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 TIMES A MONTH. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700. JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WHILE REVERSING AND SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE IT HAPPENS YOU CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE. MUST POWER DOWN THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. IT CAN HAPPEN 2-3 TIMES IN A 5 MILES STRETCH, INCONSISTENT. WARNING - HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE - I ALMOST CRASHED. HAD TO STOP AUTO IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION - VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT RANDOM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AFTER THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO MY JOB, THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. AFTER MAKING IT TO WORK WHERE THE CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UPON CRANKING THE CAR UP THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, THE STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BACK ON THE DASH. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP ON THE WAY HOME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED AND AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND CRANKED AGAIN THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING ONCE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT INVESTIGATE OR WORK ON THAT MAKE & MODEL CAR WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN MADE YET. *TR

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR INCIDENT; WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON A FREEWAY ABOUT 55-60MPH, I NOTICE A "PWR STR" WARNING LIGHT COME ON MY DASH. SINCE I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD, I NOTICE NO CHANGE. AS SOON AS I ATTEMPT TO CHANGE LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, I REALIZE THAT I CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR AND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE IS NO SHOULDER ON THIS FREEWAY, SO IT IS SAFEST TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. MAKING THE RIGHT TURN OFF THE FREEWAY IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND TAKES ALL OF MY STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND NOBODY WAS HURT. THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, AND ONCE OFF THE FREEWAY, I COULD QUICKLY AND SAFELY COME TO A PLACE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER AND PARK. AFTER READING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT SIMILAR PROBLEM, I AM AMAZED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE BY WAY OF AN ACCIDENT... THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A WEEK AND THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,568.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD BUT HAS RECURRED SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE SHE DROVE AT 40MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION; THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205,485. LI

MY POWER STEERING HAS SHUT DOWN. *TR

DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTING IN JUNE '13, I NOTICED MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW PANEL AND DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK IS NOW NOT WORKING AT ALL JULY '14 AND THE WINDOW PANEL IS INTERMITTENT. I'M NOTICING THE PANEL IS GETTING WARM! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD HER BROTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,924.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN CHANGING GEARS THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER THE GEAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ADD ADDITIONAL EFFORT IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL HOWEVER BECAUSE I NEVER GOT A LETTER OR HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT MILEAGE 159 RECALL IS RECALL I DISAGREE WAS I SUPPOSE TO WAIT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE NOTIFYING ME. I LOVE MY SATURN AND ITS ASHAMED THAT GM WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SATURN WAS A FANTASTIC BRAND. *TR

THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS HIDDEN BY A FLEXIBLE COVER UNDERNEATH CAR, WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED NEARLY TO THE POINT OF LEAKING, REQUIRING FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT. IN CONTRAST, THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES EXPOSED UNDERNEATH CAR WAS STILL IN PRISTINE CONDITION. (CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED AT NIGHT SINCE DELIVERY.) SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT RECENTLY THEY HAVE BEEN FINDING MANY SATURN IONS WITH THIS CONDITION. ALTHOUGH GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP LEAKS, THE PROBLEM OFTEN IS INSTEAD THE FUEL LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS LEAKING. THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE EXPECTED, AND THUS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A SATURN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPECTS GM WILL EVENTUALLY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE FUEL LINE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINE SUBJECT TO SEVERE RUSTING IS HIDDEN BEHIND THE FLEXIBLE COVER UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOT THE EXPOSED SECTION, IT IS LIKELY TO BE NOTICED ONLY AFTER LEAKING OCCURS, RESULTING IN A FIRE HAZARD. A RECALL APPEARS DESIRABLE TO INSPECT PARTICULARLY THE HIDDEN PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACE THEM IF NEEDED. ALTHOUGH A MANUFACTURER MUST PROVIDE A REMEDY TO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT A NO COST TO THE OWNER, IN THIS INSTANCE GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT UNLESS THE NHTSA COMPELS THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,552. *TR

THIS CAR WILL NOT START ON COLD DAYS. WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT STARTER ENGAGES AND QUITS. THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 TO 30 MINS FOR THE CAR TO START. I FOUND OUT THAT SATURN HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS ON THIS WHY? THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE MAKE THIS A PRIORITY TO HAVE THESE SWITCHES RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TR

I PURCHASED 2004 SATURN ION 3 IN 2013 AND WITHIN 30DAYS I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT AND BEGIN TO HESITATE AROUND 35MPH. I STARTED INQUIRING ABOUT TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON INTERNET AND OBSERVED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M GETTING NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE WITH GM DEALERSHIP. WITH ALL THE OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE SATURN ION THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL TO FIX TRANSMISSION DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE.(CVT OR VTI TRANSMISSION). *TR

THE COMPUTER - BCM - FAILED AND ALL IT CONTROLS WENT OFF. THIS INCLUDED LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, RADIO. *TR

FIRST INCIDENT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HEARD CHIME TO ALERT ME TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, SAFELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED AND DASHBOARD ALERT HAS GONE AWAY. NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING UNTIL 9/15 GOING ABOUT 15 MPH ON AN INCLINE; AGAIN CHIME AND ALERT FOR NO POWER STEERING, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. POWER STEERING REGAINED UPON RESTART. SINCE 9/15 POWER STEERING LOSS OCCURRING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS AND ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. TOOK VEHICLE TO TECHNICIAN WHO CHECKED FLUID, FLOAT, ALL CONNECTIONS AND HOSES AND RELAYED THAT A LIKELY CAUSE MIGHT BE A ELECTRIC PUMP OR ELECTRIC PUMP MODULE TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS. FULL VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TUNE UP WITH NO SOLUTION. POWER STEERING PROBLEM PERSISTS. ALL COMMUNICATION WITH SATURN HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL, THEY FULLY DENY ANY DEFECTS. SATURN KEEPS TELLING ME THAT NO RECALL FOR MY VIN HAS BEEN ISSUED AND NO ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FROM SATURN FOR THE ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING CHIME WOULD SOUND AS THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,852. PROBLEM FIXED. UPDATED 08/22/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS VERIFIED AND FIXED. UPDATED 09/24/13

WHILE DRIVING THIS 04 SATURN ION I LOST POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE. I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL. IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF THEN RESTARTED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH. SOME TIMES THIS CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR WEEKS. IT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY WEATHER OR TEMP. IT KIND OF TAKES YOU BY SURPRISE, ONE SECOND ITS WORKING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND THE CAR STRUCK IT. THE CAR SUSTAINED SOME FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE SEAT-BELTS LOCKED UP BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SEAT-BELTS ARE LOCKED UP. IT CONCERNS ME THAT WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHEN OFF. *TR

MY 2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE ACC POSITION AS WELL AS WHEN TRYING TO START IT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WILL INTERMITTENTLY KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING, I WILL GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT WILL START TO CRANK THEN SHUT DOWN, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN THEN THE CAR WILL START. IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY AND I SEEN THE JUST DID A RECALL ON 2/25/2014 ON IGNITION SWITCHES FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL OF SATURN BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN AND THIS IN MANY CASES WAS JUST A START TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE INCURRED @ SOME POINT MOST OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN EVENTUALLY THEN CANNOT GET THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS I JUST TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOP COINCIDENTALLY FOR THIS PROBLEM AS THEY TOLD ME WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR IT. THIS TO ME IS ABSURD WHEN YOU SEE THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND NOW I FIND OUT 13 PEOPLE HAVE DIED! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ENGAGED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND BECAME STIFF. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NO LONGER TURN RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE BRAKES STARTED HAVING TROUBLE AS WELL. I ALMOST GOT IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT WORKING. THEN WHEN I MADE IT TO A SPOT AND TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 30 MIN LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I HAD SOME CHECK THE FLUID AND IT WAS FINE AND SO WAS THE BELT. ALSO, MY LEFT INDICATOR WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS AND IT KEEPS MELTING THE SOCKET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A CLICK WAS HEARD WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING, SOMETIMES WANT STEER. IT IS PARKED FEAR OF DRIVING IT!! *JS