NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY POWER STREERING NOTIFICATION LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING AS SOON AS I WENT TO CHANGE LANES. I MANAGED TO MANHANDLE THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET TO MY DESTINATION SINCE IT WAS 9:30 AT NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED THE CLOSEST GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY GOT ME IN. THE TECH SAID HE HAD SEEN THE SAME SITUATION FROM ANOTHER CLIENT A FEW WEEKS PRIOR. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. MY RECEIPT FROM THEM SAYS A SHORT IN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR.. *TR
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING "U" JOINT HAS AND IS BECOMING LOSER EVERY DAY THAT I AM DRIVING. TODAY AS I WAS GOING DOWN MY GRAVEL DRIVEWAY HITTING LITTLE BUMPS THE STEERING WAS ALMOST NON EXISTENCE BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V04700 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE REMEDY PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA UPDATED 07/03/14
IGNITION RECALL,ON WAITING LIST FROM MARCH 2014.PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.GM INFORMED ME OF DEALER IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA TO DO REPLACEMENT. I'AM STAYING WITH DAUGHTER WAITING REPAIR. HOW LONG DOES GM MAKE US WAIT.. *TR
2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO 2014 VEHICLE RECALLS 2003-2007. VEHICLE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MARCH 1ST, 2014 WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO "LOCK UP" FOR A SECOND, WHEN IT LOOSENED IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. FIRST THOUGHT WAS PS FLUID, DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT IT IS ALL ELECTRICAL AND THAT THE SAME ISSUE WAS HAPPENING IN AROUND THE SAME YEAR CHEVY COBALTS AND PONTIAC G5'S (ALL SAME CAR PRETTY MUCH). WHEN I DROVE HOME THAT EVENING THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON, UNTIL I GOT 2-3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD THE BEEPING FOLLOWED BY "PWR STR" SHOWING UP ON THE ODOMETER AND THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I HAD A FEELING IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SO MY SPEED WAS NO WHERE NEAR WHAT IT WAS GOING TO WORK. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FUSE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE . THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 170,000. *TR
THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 4 TIMES THAT WHILE MY CAR WAS IDLING AT EITHER A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, MY CAR WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AFTER MAKING A ROUGH IDLING NOISE. THIS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IF I WERE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF & TURN IT BACK ON, IT WOULD THEN GO AWAY. IT MADE ME WEARY OF DRIVING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNEW WHEN OR WHERE THAT COULD HAPPEN. THE SECOND INCIDENT WOULD BE MY POWER STEWING. MY CAR WOULD "DING" AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME ON MAKING MY WHEEL STIFFEN UP IMMEDIATELY. AGAIN, IF I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN, THE PROBLEM WOULD STOP... FOR A LITTLE BIT. STARTED OFF AT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, THEN ONCE A DAY MAYBE, NOW I CAN'T EVEN GO A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE WITHOUT IT COMING ON. FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED PANCREAS AND SEVERE BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,173.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
MY CAR SMELL LIGHT GAS AND CUTS OFF INTERMITTENT. IT LOT RECALL ON THIS CARD. I THINK MY GAS FULE LEAK ON DEF PARTS ON IT. MY EMAILS LAQUINTA85@HOTMAIL.COM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE THE SENSOR WAS RESET BUT DID NOT PREVENT THE STALLING FAILURE. ON ONCE OCCASION WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AROUND A CURB, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ACCELERATED WHILE STALLING. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO INTERVENE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, SPLITTING THE TREE UPON IMPACT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INTERNAL BRUISING FROM THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL SERVICE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 70-75MPH ON I-35 SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN 2ND ST. MERGE AND 15TH STREET EXIT IN EDMOND OK, WE WENT TO CHANGE LANES (MIDDLE LANE TO RIGHT LANE) AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN BOOM, THE CAR LOST CONTROL, BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL (NUMEROUS SLIDES AND 2-360 DEG TURNS AND BEING FLUNG IN A BACKWARDS MOTION). AS WE ATTEMPTED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OUR CAR BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL - WE SPUN INTO A 360 DEGREE TURN, CAR CAUGHT FIRE AS THE OIL WAS DUMPED FROM MY CAR AND SPRAYED ALL ALONG THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR AND TIRES, WE SLID SIDEWAYS TOWARDS CONCRETE BARRIER SEPARATING N-S BOUND TRAFFIC, WENT INTO A SECOND 360 DEGREE TURN, SLID SIDEWAYS - AS WE STARTED HEADING ONCE AGAIN FORWARD TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED GOING BACKWARDS (EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS IN DRIVE)... WE FINALLY STOPPED FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN SIDEWAYS MOTION. TOW/MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND 3-4INCH HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK - DIAGNOSIS - THAT PUSH PIN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING AND BLEW THE HOLE. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN OF ANY KIND OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION ISSUE - NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. WE COULD OF / SHOULD OF BEEN KILLED (PER THE EYE WITNESSES WHO STOPPED TO HELP US), OUR ONLY SAVING GRACE WAS THE OIL WHICH SPRAYED THE ROAD AND OUR TIRES KEEPING US UPRIGHT AND NOT ROLLING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS NOT AS LUCKY AS US. *TR
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH IN TRAFFIC WHEN MY SATURN ION SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE PERSON BEHIND ME WAS ONLY INCHES AWAY FROM HITTING ME; SHE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO START RIGHT BACK UP, BUT IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE INCIDENT WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING, AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. *TR
ON FRIDAY WE GOT OUR 2006 SATURN ION OUT OF THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER HAVING A FROZEN AIR COMPRESSOR AND RIPPED SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED ($1400), ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION LINE. AFTER DRIVING AND STOPPING THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ENGINE OFF AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, BUT IT WAS LOCKED. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT MOVED FINE, BUT WHEN I DROVE BACK INTO PLACE AND TRIED TO SHUT IT OFF AGAIN, THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE SO THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. WE DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WANTED TO CHARGE US AGAIN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. WE ALSO NOTICED THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALL THE FLUIDS CHECKED TWO WEEKS PRIOR WHEN GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER SAID TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THIS DIDN'T WORK. ANOTHER RELIABLE SOURCE INSTRUCTED US TO DISCONNECT THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO AVOID THE ENGINE RUNNING ON THE ALTERNATOR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIND A DISTRIBUTOR CAP, WE REALIZED THERE WAS NONE. A NEIGHBOR CAME AND DISCONNECTED A FUSE. THE KEY IS STILL LODGED IN THE IGNITION. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEYOND WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR MAINTENANCE: POWER STEERING REPLACED AND THE GAS TANK REPLACED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE NIPPLE. I AM PETITIONING THAT THIS VEHICLE BE RECALLED AS IT WAS IN CERTAIN "HOT" STATES. THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES EXPERIENCED IN MID-EAST STATES, COUPLED BY INADEQUATE SERVICE AND MATERIALS HAVE CREATED CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE NO LESS THAN THOSE EXPERIENCED IN THE INITIAL STATES WHERE RECALLS HAPPENED. WHAT ALSO SHOULD BE NOTED IS THAT CONSUMER REPORT DOCUMENT 491 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE ISSUES. *TR
2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD
I WAS DRIVING HOME EARLY ONE MORNING AND MY IGNITION HAD SHUT OFF LIKE IT HAD MANY TIMES BEFORE THIS TIME THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BEING SNOWY AND SLUSHY CAUSED ME TO GET STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WAS YANKED INTO THE DITCH. I HAD CALLED THE CLAIMS NUMBER AFTER MY CAR HAD SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS MAYBE LONGER AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE THE CLAIM WAS NOT FILED AS OF THE RECALL CAME OUT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THERE IS NOTHING THAT GM CAN DO THEY WILL NOT REFUND ME FOR THE MONEY TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR, CONDENSER, AND COOLING FAN THAT I NEEDED REPAIRED AT THAT TIME TO MAKE MY VEHICLE RUN. I DID NOT HAVE MONEY AT THE TIME TO FIX THE COSMETIC DAMAGE IN THE FENDER AND THE BUMPER SO THAT IS STILL BROKEN. THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT ADVISED ME SINCE IT WAS SO LONG AFTER THE ACIDENT THEY COULD NOT CHECK THE VEHICLES RECORDS TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE HAD ACTUALLY SHUT OFF. NOW THE REASON MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE DEALER SHIP IS BECAUSE THIS TIME MY CAR WAS STUCK RUNNING THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION AND COULDNT BE TURNED OFF. I WOULD LIKE SOME ACTION TO BE TAKEN OR SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME IN ORDER TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
AS I DROVE MY CAR TURNED OFF NOT ALLOWING ME TO USE MY BRAKES NOW THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION EVERY NOW AND THEN. *TR
FIRST ISSUE STARTED WITH THE NUMBERS OF THE CLOCK/STEREO FLICKERING AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF THE CAR BEING OFF DURING THE WINTER. THEN DURING THE SUMMER THERE WERE A COUPLE INCIDENTS WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN NOR UP UNTIL A COUPLES MINUTES AFTER THE CAR BEING ON. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER I ROLLED THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW 5 INCHES DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND 15 MINUTES LATER THE WINDOW WENT UP ABOUT AN INCH AND DID NOT BUDGE BUT WOULD MAKE A BUZZING SOUND. AFTER A DAY OR TWO THERE WAS NOT A BUZZING SOUND AND ALL THE OTHER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK. TOOK IN MY VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE COMING FROM THE MAIN COMPUTER (MOTHERBOARD I ASSUME). THIS HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY OF 2014 AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2006 SATURN ION 3 IN 2008 FROM A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD ALL THE RECALL ISSUES HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE. 1) I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER TWICE DUE TO THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED IN 2008 AND AGAIN IN 2012. BOTH TIMES IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WERE DONE BY GM DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THESE HAVE BEEN REPLACED I WAS TOLD THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THOSE PARTS ARE FAULTY AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET AND WILL LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. 2) IN NOVEMBER 2013 MY VEHICLE SMELLED OF GAS AND WAS MAKING ME AND MY CHILDREN SICK. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS THE FUEL MODULE. THIS WAS COVERED BY A NTSB WARRANTY EXTENSION. 3) MY VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF OR LOSE POWER STEERING. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2013 THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT IF THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. 4) THIS ISSUE IS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ HERE, BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHERS COMPLAIN ON THE INTERNET. BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2014 THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES IN MY VEHICLE. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A LEAK THAT IS GOING INTO THE CABIN. MY VEHICLE IS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND FEELS SHAKY. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I DO NOT HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE NOR THE MEANS TO BUY ONE. I RELY ON IT TO GET ME TO WORK AND TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. *TR
POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE FAILING. WHEN TURNING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING IS HARD AND SEEMS TO NOT BE WORKING CORRECTLY. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STOP WORKING AT ANY MOMENT. THIS ISSUE IS A SUDDEN PROBLEM NOT SOMETHING GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,647.
LOST OF POWER STEERING. MESSAGE APPEARING POWER STEERING VON DASH BOARD. WHILE DRIVING LOST OF POWER STEERING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2006 SATURN ION IN MAY OF 2009 FROM ROCKENBACH CHEVROLET IN GRAYSLAKE ILLINOIS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THREE TIMES FOR THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BY ROCKENBACK MECHANICS. THE MECHANICS SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THE SALES MANAGER SAID I WAS NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANY MORE CHECKS BECAUSE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AFTER A START UP FROM AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT ON JULY 14, 2009. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THREE SATURN ION OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT BEFORE ANYONE ELSE IS HURT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR HIT A BUMP AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. IT STARTED BACK UP, DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT. GM ISSUED RECALL ON THE IGNITION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID GM KIND OF JUMPED THE GUN ON THE RECALL AS THE PARTS HAVEN'T BEEN SHIPPED AND TO CALL BACK IN 2 WEEKS. I CALLED AFTER TWO WEEKS AND THEY SAID NO PART TO CALL BACK IN A MONTH. HE SAID THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT ONLY HAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOT ON A CHAIN. WELL THE IGNITION CAN SHUT THE CAR DOWN IF A BUMP IS GONE OVER OR IF THE KEY IS JARRED IN ANY WAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE JANUARY. GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION FOR 10 YEARS AND FATALITIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. HOW CAN GM IGNORED THIS PROBLEM, ISSUE A RECALL AND NOT GET PARTS OUT TO THE REPAIR FACILITIES. *TR
MY CAR WAS BEING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY ON JANUARY 4TH AROUND 12:30 A.M., WHEN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF, NOR WOULD IT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THAT JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE THE WEEKEND OF THE FAMOUS POLAR VOPRTEX, FEATURING A SNOW STORM AND RECORD-BREAKING FREEZING TEMPERATURES. I DROVE MY CAR TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP, AND REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WHEN HE ARRIVED, THE ONLY WAY HE COULD TURN THE CAR OFF WAS TO REMOVE A FUSE. ONCE EXAMINED ON 1/8/14 BY THE REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST GENERAL MOTORS DEALER, ADVANTAGE CHEVROLET IN BOLINGBROOK, IL. AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, BEING QUOTED THE PRICE OF $431.00 TO REPAIR IT, I RESEARCHED THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE, MAKE, AND MODEL CAR AS MINE. I THEN NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS' CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TRY AND AT LEAST GET SOME MONEY OFF THE REPAIR BILL, BUT TO ALSO NOTIFY THEM THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE 2006 SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCHES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I GOT NO ASSISTANCE FROM GM WITH THE BILL, AND THERE ARE STILL OTHER CONSUMERS OUT THERE WHO WILL BE MILKED FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS SAME REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT SUBMITTED AN EMAIL COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED TO HAVE THE COMPLAINT SUBMITTED VERBATIM TO THE EMAIL SUBMISSION.RE: 2006 SATURN ION GENERAL MOTORS CASE NUMBER: 71-1262884818 DEAR MS. DAVIS: I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO EXPRESS MY EXTREME DISSATISFACTION WITH A RECENT REPAIR THAT WAS DONE ON MY 2006 SATURN ION. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014, MY SON ARRIVED HOME WITH MY CAR AND SAID HE COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. FINDING THIS STRANGE, I WENT OUTSIDE TO TRY, AND COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION OR TURN OFF THE CAR. I CALLED EMERGENCY ROAD ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST ME. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, THEY COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT, SO I HAD THE TECHNICIAN TO FOLLOW ME TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP. ONCE THERE, THE EMERGENCY ROAD TECHNICIAN RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS OVER THE PHONE ON HOW TO AT LEAST TURN THE CAR OFF BY REMOVING A FUSE. I LOCKED MY CAR, WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION. BETWEEN THE TIME I DROPPED MY CAR OFF, UNTIL THE SHOP WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON MONDAY, THE TEMPERATURES PLUMMETED TO A RECORD LOW OF AT LEAST 45 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY LOCKS WERE FROZEN AND MY CAR WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES DID NOT ALLOW MERLIN ACCESS TO THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. MERLIN?S WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND THAT THEY HAD ALREADY VERIFIED IT COULD ONLY BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE IGINITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. NEXT, I CONTACTED THE GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO REPORT WHAT HAD HAPPENED.GM INFORMED ME THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID THE NATURE OF REPAIRS SUCH AS MINE, FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD DEFINITELY BE CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL.
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,764.
I NEEDED TO USE THE SPARE TIRE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN USED,TO HAVE A TIRE REPAIRED. THE TIRE WAS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AND COULD NOT BE USE EVEN ONCE. THE TIRE INFORMATION IS T115/70R1488M RADIAL TUBELESS. *TR
WE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AND A PUDDLE OF GAS IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE GAS LINES. THEY WERE CORRODED VERY BADLY FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE TIRE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE GAS TANK. THIS IS WHERE THERE ARE MANY BENDS IN THE PIPELINE WHICH PROBABLY CAUSED THE RUST PROTECTIVE COATING TO FAIL. THE GAS DRIPPED FOR QUITE A WHILE. I HAVE HAD CARS MUCH OLDER THAN THE SATURN WHICH DID NOT CORRODE THE GAS LINES. ONLINE SEARCHING SHOWS THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN ION TO FAIL JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THIS HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FIRE OR POISON SMELLS IF THE CAR WERE PARKED INSIDE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FIRE AND IT WAS NOT INSIDE MY GARAGE. I HOPE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED. *TR
MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP. WHEEL BARELY MOVED ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. *TR
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
MY CAR KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION EASILY WITHOUT SLAMMING STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN OR SLAMMING SHIFTER INTO P ARK OVER, AND OVER AGAIN. AND THIS IS ALL AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 15 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION BARREL SWITCH SEIZED AND WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE IGNITION BARREL SWITCH WAS REPAIRED BUT NOT THE DOOR LATCH FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
ON COLD MORNINGS CAR WILL NOT START. RADIO AND LIGHTS WORK. THE PASSLOCK SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DASH BLINKS. LEAVING KEY IN IGNITION FOR TEN MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL START. *TR
LOST POWER/CONTROL WHILE DRIVING, FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS FALLING OUT, UPON REPAIR WAS INFORMED A BAD IGNITION COIL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE KEY AROUND IN THE IGNITION AND APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE BEING ABLE TO INSERT OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AFTER THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COULD NOT SHUT OFF ENGINE. HAD IGNITION, KEYS AND ELECTRICAL REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE OF $751.40. GMC DEALER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSE I INCURRED FOR RECALL 14063 AND NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER FOR THIS REDALL IS 14V-047. *TR
I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/17/13. I WENT TO GET IT FIXED ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THE GENTLEMAN TRIED TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN IT, HE NOTICED IT WAS ELECTRIC. HE SAID IT MUST HAVE GONE OUT. NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX MY POWER STEERING AND I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAR WHEN IT WENT OUT! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,658.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,900.
THE SAME PARTS LISTED IN THE BELOW RECALL ALL AFFECT THE 2006 SATURN ION 2 IN ILLINIOS. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 29, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE 15 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS EXPAND MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. SUMMARY: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED. CONSEQUENCE: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. NOTES: GM RECALL NO. 090226. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . *TR
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ALMOST CRASHED. *TR
WAS REFUELING VEH. AND WHEN ALMOST FULL ,FUEL STARTED TO RUN ON GROUND. STOPPED REFUELING , AND LOOKED UNDER CAR . FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM FRONT , CENTER OF TANK. *TR
I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTIONING DOOR LATCH ACTUATOR. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, DRIVER WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR BECAUSE NEITHER THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WOULD ACTUATE THE DOOR LATCH, OPENING THE DOOR. EXTERIOR, INTERIOR MANUAL, INTERIOR POWER AND REMOTE POWER LOCKS WERE REPEATEDLY ACTUATED TO NO AVAIL. EVENTUALLY, THE DOOR FINALLY OPENED AFTER USING A HANGAR THROUGH THE WINDOW CAVITY TO BUMP ONE OF THE LINKAGE ARMS. IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT, THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO A SUCCESSFUL EVACUATION. *TR
AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE FROM PARKING LOT THE CHIME SOUND CAME AND IT DISPLAYED PWR STEERING IN THE DISPLAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. THE SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE AFTER THAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GM SERVICE AND THEY WONT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AS MY CAR GOT A REBUILT TITLE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM WONT HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THE CAR GOT A REBUILD TITLE. THEY SAID THAT IF IT WAS A RECALL THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND THE CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1000. GM IS TRYING TO RIP ME OFF FOR THEIR FAULT ONLY BECAUSE MY CAR HAVE A REBUILD TITLE. *TR
DRIVING HOME ON A PAVED ROAD AT 25 MPH WHEN SUDDEN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS FILLED THE CAR. FOR MORE DETAILS SEE SERVICE REQUEST [XXX]. GM HAS PUT ME THRU EXTREME STRESS AND ENDANGERED MY LIFE AND OTHERS FOR A 42 DOLLAR PART. AS I TYPE THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT HAS RETURNED. I FEAR FOR OTHERS ///PLEASE REVIEW THE RECORDS,TOWED TO DEALERSHIP....SPECIAL COVERAGE PART WAS NOT INSTALLED...MECHANIC CLAIMS GAS LINE UNDER CAR IS LEAKING. GAS IS POOLING ON TOP OF MOTOR..LAST REMARKS AS I LEFT THE DEALER" I WOULDN'T DRIVE IT...DON'T SMOKE" NOTHING BUT EXCUSES...CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAS BEEN EVER SINCE,,,,2006 SATURN IONS ARE DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARDS AND GM SEES RECALLS AS WAYS TO MAKE MONEY ON REPAIRS...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED FREE REPAIR = 400 OR MORE TO FIX...THEY DO NOT ABIDE BY THE RECALL ORDERS AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR