2003 Saturn Ion complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,939.

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH THE HOOD'S LATCH ARM BROKE OFF CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN AND STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD. THE METAL AROUND THE ARM APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

MY HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED MY WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE PART OF THE HOOD THAT GOES INTO THE LATCH BROKE OFF THE HOOD. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF MY HOOD FLYING OPEN WHILE DRIVING, AND FILING A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE MY CAR WAS DETERMINED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. I HAVE SUFFERED EMOTIONAL DISTRESS DUE TO THE TRAUMA OF MY HOOD SUDDENLY FLYING OPEN AND SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD. WHEN MY VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP I WAS INCHES AWAY FROM A TELEPHONE AND WAS BARELY MISSED BY A SEMI-TRUCK THAT WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME DUE TO HAVING TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE THE HOOD WAS ON MY WINDSHIELD. I AM ALSO SUFFERING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR, THE INSURANCE HAS TOTALED MY CAR, AND I HAVE NO MEANS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE CAR IS IN REASONABLE CONDITION WITH NO RUST EXCEPT AT THAT PART OF THE HOOD.

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WANT TO SEE IF IT IS COVERED BY A RECALL BEFORE I PAY OUT-OF-POCKET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ

WHEN I AM DRIVING, MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY SEEM TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR, THE RPM'S WILL CONTINUE TO RISE WHILE THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN AND CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I THEN HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART TO "RESET" THE CAR AND IT SEEMS TO DRIVE NORMAL AGAIN. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS, LIKE WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT CAN AND HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND AM EXPECTING ANOTHER CHILD IN JULY AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL GIVEN THE LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE CARS. THIS HAPPENED EARLIER TODAY, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR OVER A YEAR.

TAKATA RECALLS..I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION I WAS DRIVING FINE HIT CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ONCE I WAS AT 55 AN MY CAR MADE A CLICKING SOUND STARTED JERKING LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS COMING ON...I'VE TURNED CAR OFF HIT BRAKES WHICH SHOULD RESET IT BUT IT STILL HAPPENS..THE CAR FEELS LIKE ITS DOWN SHIFTING AN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS ON THE RPMS HUMP REAL HIGH WEN THIS HAPPENS..YOU BE DRIVING DOING 50 MPH AN ALL THE SUDDEN CAR JERKS LIKE ITS TRYING TO STOP U FEEL I T IN GAS PEDAL ALSO...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND COLD, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES EXPLAINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

I HAD TO REPLACE STEERING SHAFT TWICE SO FAR IN 9 YEARS. I THINK GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU MAKE A TURN & THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO COME BACK TO GO STRAIGHT UNTIL I TURN THE WHEEL MY SELF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION.

THE HOOD CATCH DETACHED FROM THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE HOOD SLAMMED BACK INTO THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE GLASS. THE HOOD WAS RUSTY AROUND THE MOUNTING POINTS OF THE CATCH AND THE CATCH BROKE FREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CATCH REMAINED IN THE HOOD LATCH. I DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ACCIDENT OR INJURY.

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE STARTER SWITCH RECALL. *SMD

ACCELERATOR CAR SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON WHEN I AM DRIVING ON IT'S OWN. RPS GETTING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL CANT HARDLY STOP CAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE ELECTRICAL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

ENGINE CRADLE LEFT FRONT RUSTING AND HOLES NOW NOT PASSING VERMONT STATE INSPECTION AND I HAVE HAD AND LIVED IN THE SALT BELT FOR 11 YEARS. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL SECONDARY TO SAFETY ISSUES???

UPON RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE#14063 IGNITION REPLACEMENT AND #14113 IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION KEY FOR VEHICLE FROM G.M. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALLS PREFORMED IN DOING SO DEALERSHIP REMOVED HAND CONTROLS FOR DISABLED DRIVER. HAND CONTROLS WERE NOT PLACED INTO PREVIOUS STATE AS VEHICLE WAS FIRST BROUGHT IN. DEALERSHIP IS NOT CERTIFIED TO INSTALL, REMOVE, MODIFY OR MAINTAIN HAND CONTROLS FOR DISABLED DRIVER. DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNER OF HAND CONTROL REMOVAL TO PREFORM RECALLS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REINSTALL IN ORIGINAL POSITION UPON LEAVING DEALERSHIP OWNER DISCOVERED THAT THE HAND CONTROLS HAD BEEN MODIFIED INTO AN UNSAFE OPERATING POSITION BY DISABLED OWNER. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO OWNERS HOME LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM DEALERSHIP. WHERE IT WILL REMAIN UNTIL IT CAN BE TOWED TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP TO MODIFY HAND CONTROLS INTO PROPER POSITION FOR DISABLED OWNER TO SAFELY OPERATE VEHICLE. AS OF NOW VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE FOR SAFE USE BY OWNER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,655.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO THE OFF POSITION AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE COVER UNDERNEATH THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REMOVED TO ACCESS A SPRING WHICH WAS TURNED IN A BACKWARD AND FORWARD MOTION IN ORDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION TUMBLERS AND GEAR SHIFT SENSOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A NEW IGNITION KEY WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AND HAS BEEN SOLD.*JB

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND, AND I WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND BREAK SLOWLY, TAKING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE 4 TIRES WERE MICHELIN DEFENDER 205/55R16 AND WERE BOUGHT AT COSTCO ON 01/2015. SUPPOSEDLY THEY HAVE 90,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS NOT OVERLOADED, I WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER AND THE WEATHER WAS COOL.

IGNITION FAULTY, CAR WILL NOT START OR RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION. HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS

MY CAR FEELS LIKE A DEATH TRAP. TO START OFF WITH ONLY ONE OF MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS WORK . WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER APPEARED TO SHAKE A LITTLE MORE THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. AS IF IT WAS WORKING A LITTLE HARDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE OTHER WIPER.. AND THEN LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. NOW I ONLY HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER THAT I USE. ALSO WHEN I GO TO TURN ON THE BLINKER, GO OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, MAKE A TURN IORN VEHICLE, OR SOMETIMES JUST SITTING STILL. THE WIPER WILL START WORKING WITHOUT ME HAVING TURNNED IT ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD JUST COME ON FOR 3 OR 4 SWIPES AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY STOP AGAIN. BUT NOW ITS DOING IT MORE FREQUENTLY AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT STOP SWIPPING WHICHIS VERY AGGRAVATING CAUSING SCRATCHES ON MY WINDSHIELD AND WEARING MY ONE WIPER DOWN FASTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. ALONG WITH THESE PROBLEMS MY CAR HAS ALSO BEEN IDLEING EXTREMLY HIGH UPON CRANKING AND WHILE CHANGING GEARS IT ACTS AS IF IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN 1RST 2CD AND 3RD. ALSO WHEN I TRY TO INCREASE SPEED FOR PASSING OR TO MAKE TURNS IT SOMETIMES JUST CAUSES IT TO BOG DOWN MORE INSTEAD OF INCREASING MY SPEED IT SOUNDS AS IF ITS GONNA BLOW UP THE ENGINE.

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN THE FALL OF 2011, SHE EXPERIENCED A CLICKING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE REPLACED THE SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS, SO THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED IT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2014. THE CONSUMER ONLY RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND NOT THE SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. ON JULY 23, 2015, THE CLICKING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS DETERMINED, THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AGAIN, BUT WERE WILLING TO REPLACED THE SHIFTER INTERLOCK, INSTEAD. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ, UPDATED 03/22/18*JB

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN ONE YEAR THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAS SLIPPED ON MY 2003 SATURN ION. I HAVE READ THAT THE OIL PORT IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE OILING THE CHAIN. I HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET NEARLY 2000 DOLLARS AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS MESSED UP OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE EVERY TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. SO I HAVE TO HAVE OTHER PARTS REPLACED ALSO THAT ARE RESULT OF THIS. IT RUNS FINE THEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING I CAN GO TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTS HAVING A SPASM AND THEN SHUTTERS AND WILL NOT START. I AM SO AFRAID TO KEEP HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN FIXED ON THIS SINCE I HAVE READ THAT IT IS REALLY A FAULT IN THE ENGINEERING OF THE ENGINE TO START WITH. PLEASE HELP. I NEED A NUMBER TO CALL TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR WILL GM FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT IS SURELY THEIR FAULT AND NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER OF THE CAR. IT IS A GOOD RUNNING CAR AND I DID ENJOY DRIVING IT BUT I CAN'T KEEP GETTING THE TIMING CHAIN FIXED IF FIXING THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOT THE PROBLEM REALLY BUT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL.

I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM GM FOR MY 2003 SATURN ION DECEMBER 2014: GM RECALL # 14632 WHICH STATES "THAT MY VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SHIFTER MAY NOT PROPERLY TRANSMIT AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL THAT ALLOWS THE IGNITION KEY TO BE TURNED COUNTER CLOCKWISE PAST THE ACCESSORY MODE TO THE LOCK POSITION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHIFTED INTO PARK." THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE REPAIR ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND IT FAILS THE VERY NEXT DAY. I HAVE A REFERENCE # THAT I FILED WITH GM AND THE SR ADVISOR RECOMMENDED THAT I TRY A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL BACK THE SR ADVISOR BUT I CONTINUE TO GET VOICEMAIL AND SHE HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALL. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO IF GM ISSUES A RECALL AND THEY CANNOT REPAIR THE DEFAULT.

WHILE DRIVING AT STEADY SPEED OF 70 MPH CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AND BOGGS DOWN WHEN GIVING GAS CAR THEN DECELERATES AND STALLS. WILL NOT START BACK UP FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN DRIVES AND RUNS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED

SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE I HEARD A THUMP ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I BEGAN TO NOTICE PIECES OF GLASS FLYING OFF THE CAR. WHEN I GOT OF THE CAR I SAW PIECES OF GLASS ON THE INNER COVER OF THE SUNROOF.

MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. IT NEVER WORKED WELL, EXCEPT FROM THE BUTTON ON THE KEY HOLDER. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE WHEN SATURN WAS STILL IN BUSINESS. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT MY HANDS WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE HORN WORK. ONE SERVICE PERSON EVEN TOLD ME TO TRY IT BY WRAPPING BOTH HANDS AROUND WHERE THE HORN IS LOCATED AND PRESSING AS HARD AS I COULD. I WENT TO A GM DEALER YESTERDAY TO FIND OUT WHY THE HORN QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER AND ALSO BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION TWICE - ONCE AT MY EXPENSE AND ONCE AFTER THE RECALL. GM WILL PROVIDE THE COST OF REPLACING THE GEAR SHIFT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THAT IS WHY THE KEY WON'T RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THEY WANT $1,000 TO FIX THE HORN BECAUSE THEY SAID IT IS PART OF THE AIRBAG SO THE AIRBAG HAS TO BE REPLACED TOO. I HAVE DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THERE ARE OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE THE HORN PROBLEM AND SOME HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS DOES NOT SOUND RIGHT TO ME. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS MORE GOING ON WITH THE DEFECTS THAN JUST A FAULTY IGNITION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. I CAN'T REALLY AFFORD THE $1,000 BUT AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT NOT HAVING A WORKING HORN AND AM MORE CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY.

ON 2/12/2015, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM: "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR SATURN ION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. ... IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS ON YOUR 2003 SATURN ION, THE CONDITION WILL BE REPAIRED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE." HOWEVER FOR SATURN IONS MODEL YEARS 2004-2007, GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS POWER STEERING DEFECT. WHY IS THIS DEFECT WORTHY OF A RECALL FOR ALL MODEL YEARS EXCEPT 2003? THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING IS NO LESS ALARMING AND NO LESS HAZARDOUS FOR SATURN ION 2003 CARS. SIMILARLY IN MAY 2015, FORD ANNOUNCED A RECALI OF NEARLY 423,000 CARS AND SUVS IN NORTH AMERICA FOR THE SAME DEFECT: THE POWER-ASSISTED STEERING CAN FAIL WHILE THEY'RE BEING DRIVEN. THE NHTSA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SAFETY HAZARD THAT A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING COULD PRESENT. I AM DISABLED. IF I WAS TO EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I AM SURE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL ABILITY TO STEER MY CAR. I URGE YOU TO CALL FOR A RECALL OF THE 2003 SATURN IONS FOR THE SAME POWER STEERING DEFECT THAT HAS PRECIPITATED GM TO RECALL SATURN ION 2004-2007 MODELS AND FORD CARS AND SUVS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE DEALER, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V547000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 201,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL (LOCK CYLINDER/IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT/ IGNITION KEY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PROVIDED HER WITH THE WRONG KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DEALER ON MAY 27, 2015 WHICH STATED THAT, AS PART OF THE REPAIR, THE DEALER PROVIDED HER WITH THE WRONG KEY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE KEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION AND AS I WAS DRIVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED UP ALMOST TO THE DASH. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET MY LEG UP HIGH ENOUGH TO PUSH IT BACK DOWN TO SHIFT. IT WOULD STAY DOWN FOR AWHILE THEN DO IT AGAIN SOMETIMES AS HIGH SOMETIMES ABOUT HALF WAY UP. THE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT. HE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING PARTS FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF STOCK AND ON BACK ORDER AT MOST PLACES. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I COMPLETELY MISSED THE CLUTCH AND JUST PULLED IT OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT SHIFTING. THE PEDAL WAS UP BY THE DASH AND MY FOOT WENT UNDER IT. I AM GLAD I WASNT ON A HIGHWAY. SINCE THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER MY MECHANIC THINKS IT MIGHT NEED A RECALL.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. CAN TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART. POWER STEERING IS THEN OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MILES, HOWEVER POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AGAIN.

RAN OUT OF GAS. INSPECTION INDICATES THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM RUSTED FUEL LINE IN FRONT OF LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) REAR TIRE. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS HEAVY/EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FUEL LINES ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. PROBLEM APPEARS IDENTICAL TO ANOTHER INCIDENT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AS #10668929.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TURNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN UPDATED 10/12/2017*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE KEY WAS STILL GETTING LODGED INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER MORE THAN TWICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT APPROVE REPLACING THE COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN

I HAD THE CAR IN ON 2/18/15 FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL BUT A WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN ON 3/2/15 THINKING THAT MAYBE THE PART THEY REPLACED WAS DEFECTED. TOLD IT WAS FINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND, AFTER EVALUATING PICTURES SENT BY THE OWNER, STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN TONIGHT AND NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AND RPMS WOULD STAY ELEVATED. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH. I WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION AND IT SIMPLY DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, LIKE IT WAS PULLING FORWARD. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNS RED AND I START TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE RESISTING AND IT WAS TAKING A LOT MORE PRESSURE THAN USUAL TO SLOW DOWN. MY CAR WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I WAS GOING ~5MPH RIGHT UP TO THE CROSSWALK. THE CAR STARTED VIOLENTLY LURCHING FORWARD AND STILL, WASN'T COMING TO A STOP. THE RPMS WERE REVVING AND I WAS ABLE TO REACT IN TIME TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, KEEP BRAKING, AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF RIGHT BEFORE THINGS WOULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY. I KEPT MY CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT ON, AND IT WOULD SHOOT UP IMMEDIATELY TO 4000 RPM. I DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR AT ALL AT THIS POINT AND SAT IN -18 DEGREE WEATHER PROCESSING WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND WHAT TO DO NEXT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I HEARD WHAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL RELEASING OR POPPING BACK UP IN PLACE. THERE WAS NOTHING IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ON TO CAUSE IT TO STICK. TERRIFYING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING WAS DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,870.

POWER STEERING FAILURE. MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING INTO PIZZA PUTT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED.THIS IS A 2004 SATURN ION, SAME PARTS AS THE 2004 THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. GM SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

COMING TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALARMS AND LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE CAR LOST POWERING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR FINALLY WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN FIRST GEAR. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM - FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT UNDER CARRIAGE - JUST IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR TIRE. CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK OUT THRU HOLE IN FUEL LINE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENTIRE FUEL LINE MUST BE REPLACED , CANNOT JUST REPLACE SECTION RUSTED CAUSING HOLE FOR FUEL TO LEAK OUT. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS IN EXCESS OF $600 ( PARTS & LABOR). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS, WITH NO SOLUTION ISSUED BY GM; NOR REIMBURSEMENT TO OWNERS. *TR

WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75, MY WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE BLEW APART BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC. I COULDN'T SEE BECAUSE OF THE SNOW, AND HAD TO REACH OUT AND GRAB THE WIPERS, THEY CUT MY HAND. *TR