2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR FAULTY IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UPON RETURNING TO HER VEHICLE, SHE DISCOVERED SHE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE REMOTE, SO SHE USED THE KEY, INSTEAD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION AND DISCOVERED THE SLOT WAS NOT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE IGNITION NOT BEING IN THE OFF POSITION AND ENABLING HER TO PULL THE KEY OUT, AS THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT WASN'T UNTIL JANUARY 7, 2014, SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH THE IGNITION, AND THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR FUEL LINE HAD CORRODED, WHICH FORMED HOLES AND GAS WAS POURING OUT THE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES.
2003 Saturn Ion complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
GMC RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH FOR 2003 SATURN ION. DEALERSHIP _________, IL HAD RECEIVED THE PART IN STOCK ON 06-02-14. WHEN I LEFT THE CAR MY BATTERY WAS IN GREAT WORKING ORDER WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. RADIO CD CASSETTE UNIT WAS IN GREAT WORKING ORDER WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. SERVICE CONSULTANT ADVISED ME THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH HOUSING ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ON BACK ORDER WITH GM. SERVICE CONSULTANT SAID I MUST BUY NEW BATTERY FOR THEM TO CONTINUE REPLACEMENT OF NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND TO FIX FOR THE HOUSING (WHICH WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER BY GM) AS MY BATTERY WAS DEAD AND CAR WOULD NOT START FOR THE COMPLETION OF REPAIR. MY BATTERY WAS IN EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER WHEN I LEFT THE CAR ON 06-02-14 I HAVE COPY OF INVOICE DATED 06-02-14 NOTATING BATTER FAILED TEXT NO CRANK TO START REPL. BATTERY. UNDER DURESS AND DESPARATION AND IN ORDER TO RETURN TO WORK SAME DAY, I CHARGED BATTERY TO MY CREDIT CARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $173.42. WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TO ME IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED WIRING. THE RADIO UNIT WOULD NOT COME ON. MIKE MANNING SAID THE ELECTRICAL NEEDED DIAGNOSIS AND COULD BE EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL REPAIRS AND TO BRING BACK ANOTHER TIME. I REFUSED TO TAKE MY CAR AND WAS PROVIDED ANOTHER RENT CAR. MY BANK TRIED TO DISPUTE THE $173.42 CHARGE FOR BATTERY. THAT AMOUNT IS STILL OUTSTANDING ON MY ACCOUNT. SERVICE MANAGER DEMANDED I PAY $173.42 CASH BEFORE IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP. THEY DID NOT INSTALL A NEW IGNITION LOCK HOUSING AND USED THE ORIGINAL
POWER STEERING WENT OUT THIS MORNING AFTER CAR WAS RUNNING FOR 30 MINS. IN CITY DRIVING. LAST SUMMER THE POWER STEERING STARTED GOING OUT WHEN MAKING TURNS, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. THIS BEGAN IN THE SUMMER, AFTER THE TEMP. OUTSIDE STARTED REACHING 100+. HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THE STEERING WORKING AGAIN. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP BECAME COOLER IN THE FALL I DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL TODAY, NOW THAT IT IS GETTING HOTTER OUTSIDE. I CONTACTED GMC IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, 2014; THEY MAINTAIN IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW MY CAR HAS HAD POWER STEERING PARTS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY UNDER RECALLS AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR REPLACEMENT PARTS WENT BAD, AGAIN THEY DECLINED. THE STEERING SEEMS TO GO MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO EVEN SAFELY GET TO WHERE I CAN STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN. I OFTEN HAVE YOUNG GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME SO IT NOT JUST MY SAFETY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ME, MY PASSENGERS AND THOSE DRIVING AROUND ME. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 51,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? *TR
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF REQUIRING MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET IT OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE KEY CONTINUED TO GET STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AT ODD INTERVALS. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. UPDATED 12/17/14. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 335,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL) THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
POWER STEERING LOST POWER WHILE DAUGHTER WAS PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING (REPEATED TURN OF STEERING WHEEL). POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON AFTER IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. HOWEVER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER A WHILE UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES (PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING). THE PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR DURING REGULAR DRIVING, BUT AGAIN IN FEBRUARY AND THEN IN MARCH WHILE PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING. A PRESS RELEASE FROM GENERAL MOTORS SAYS ALL SATURN IONS FROM 2004 ONWARDS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND SOME 96 THOUSAND 2003 MODEL YEAR IONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I AM TOLD MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED, EVEN THOUGH IT EXHIBITS THE SAME POWER LOSS TO THE STEERING AND HAS THE SAME POWER ASSIST MOTOR. *TR
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH & IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION KEY. CONTACTED THE LOCAL GMC DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. IT'S BEEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS SINCE I CONTACTED THEM. THE GMC DEALER IS: BUICK GMC AT 361 N. SWITZER CANYON, FLAGSTAFF, AZ (PHONE 928-774-1472). LAST WEEK I RECEIVED A POST CARD FROM GMC SAYING THAT THEIR RECORDS INDICATED THAT I HAD NOT SERVICED THE CAR FOR THE RECALL NOTICE. THEY URGE ME TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY INCIDENTS THUS FAR WITH THE CAR. I RIDE THE PUBLIC BUS TO WORK. *TR
STARTING 7 YEARS AGO, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT, USUALLY WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. IT IS NOT REPRODUCIBLE ON DEMAND, SO TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC YIELDED NOTHING. I NOW SEE THERE IS TALK OF A POWER STEERING RECALL SEPARATE FROM THE IGNITION RECALL -- BUT ONLY STARTING WITH 2004 ION! WHY NOT ALSO THE 2003? THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THIS YEAR. *TR
FOR YEARS, AND WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR A WHILE AS IF THE CAR STILL THINKS IT'S IN DRIVE. (YOU WILL SEE THE SAME BEHAVIOR IF THE SHIFTER BUTTON IS BLOCKED FROM EXTENDING BY A BOTTLE IN THE CUPHOLDER AFTER YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK.) NEVERTHELESS, EVEN WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK PROPERLY, OFTEN THERE IS A LONG PAUSE AND CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ON & BACK OFF BEFORE THE CAR REGISTERS THIS. NOW AT 71,000 MILES IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. I HOPE THE IGNITION RECALL CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM, BUT SEE FROM YOUR EXISTING COMPLAINTS THAT IT HASN'T FOR SOME, SO HERE'S DOCUMENTATION OF THIS HAPPENING IN ANOTHER CAR. *TR
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE NOT STARTING INTERMITTENTLY AND IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, IN THE MAIL. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WENT TO HER LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. SHE IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, SHE THE REPLACEMENT, WAS NOT PERFORMED BY A GM DEALER, SHE WOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MILES THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FUEL ODOR INCREASED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT MANEUVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND STATES NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DECLARED A LOSS, BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS. *SMD
KEY CAME OUT, BUT CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. PUT KEY BACK IN MANAGED TO GET TURN OFF ENGINE, HOWEVER KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR OVER 15MIN! THIS KEEPS HAPPENING TO ME. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH CHAPMAN CHEVROLET TEMPE, AZ TO REPAIR ACCORDING TO RECALL INSTRUCTIONS THAT I SUBMITTED TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. THEY SAY THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THE PARTS COME IN, BUT IT HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OR MORE ALREADY. I BELIEVE MY FAMILY AND MY SELF ARE IN DANGER OF A FATAL ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING; SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT SURRENDER THE IGNITION KEY FOR IN HOUR. ALREADY HAD NEW KEY MADE AT CHAPMAN CHEVROLET WHICH MAKES STARTING SOMEWHAT EASIER, BEFORE, IT WOULD TAKE, OFTEN TIMES, 10MIN OR MORE JUST TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. PLEASE HELP CHAPMAN CHEVROLET GET THE PARTS THEY NEED OR STOP IGNORING MY REQUEST FOR THE HONORING OF THE RECALL WORK I REQUESTED OF THEM. IM AFRAID THIS WILL NOT HOLD UP MUCH LONGER AS IS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14E021000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,111.
SMELLED GAS FUMES. NOTICED LEAKING GAS ON GROUND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, NOTICED THE FUEL LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THERE IS NO OTHER AREA ON THE CAR WITH RUST. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINES RUSTING OUT. THE FUEL LINES THAT WERE PUT IN WERE WRAPPED WITH A HEAT RESISTANT COVERING WHICH CAUSED WATER TO STAY AND MOISTURE TO BUILD UP, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN CORROSION. FURTHERMORE, THE GASOLINE LEAKAGE OCCURRED WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD CAUSE FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THE FUEL LINES ARE INADEQUATE, AND DANGEROUS. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS LEFT UNATTENDED. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/20/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
WENT THROUGH A LIGHT, THAT MUST OF CHANGED COLORS, AS I WAS UNDERNEATH IT AND THE OTHER CAR GOT A GOOD HEAD START AND HIT ME. SPINNING ME OUT AND ENDED UP ON THE SIDEWALK, WITH THE UTILITY POLE UNDERNEATH ME. THE OTHER DRIVER GOT CITED, I W AS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND HAD NUMEROUS TESTS TAKING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. DR
WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. MY POWER STEERING POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND BEEPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART MY CAR. ALSO MY POWER WINDOWS WILL WORK AFTER THE CAR IS OFF AND DOORS ARE OPENED. THESE ITEMS ARE ON THE RECALL LIST, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MY YEAR IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE. REALLY?? THANKS FOR ANY HELP. *TR
PERIODICALLY THE SATURN WILL LUNGE FWD WILL STOPPED OR EVEN DRIVING THE RPMS SPIKE WHILE DRIVING. BREAKS WILL NOT STOP THIS ISSUE. I'VE PUT MY CAR IN THE DITCH TO MISS MAJOR WRECKS ..THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YRS. ALSO THE LOSING POWER WHEN TURNING HAS HAPPENED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. BOUGHT A NEW CAR JUST FOR MY KIDS TO BE IN THEY AREN'T ALLOWED IN THE DEATH TRAP SATURN. WISH SOMEONE WOULD INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE AS THE YRS GO BY. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW..WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO SHOW ANYONE THESE PROBLEMS IF THEY WOULD SIT IN THIS DEATH WARRANT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HORN WAS ACTIVATED IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SOUND UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWN 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE AXLE TO BREAK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THAT THE PART WAS ON ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,011.
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION AND MY CAR KEEPS TURNING OFF. AND WHEN I TRY TO TURN IT OFF I CANT I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPT BUT NO PARTS ARE IN YET. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE BUS TO WORK. *TR
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, EVEN THOUGH HER DAUGHTER HAD IT FIXED IN DECEMBER 2013.*JB
POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WENT DOWN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY CONTINUED TO BECOME STUCK IN THE NEWER IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY WIRING THAT WAS CONNECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE SHIFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO TURN OFF AFTER BEING PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER FOUND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT GM ALLOWED THE COVER-UP FOR SO MANY YEARS. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ISSUED NEW KEYS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE RADIO. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIO WIRES WERE BURNT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,495.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE KEY WAS SLIGHTLY TOUCHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING EVEN AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 6/17/14*CN
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. RG
POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CHIME WENT OFF AND THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL OCCURRENCE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE A GM DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE PART DUE TO THE SIMILAR ISSUE ON SIMILAR MODELS. RECENTLY THE 2004 SATURN IONS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHY THE 2003 SATURN IONS WERE NOT INCLUDED. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT IS THE SAME PART AND THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AFTER THE RECALL CAME OUT AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2003 ION, THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AT NO CHARGE. BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME PART AND THE SAME ISSUE, THE 2003 SATURN IONS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. *TR
I PURCHASED MY SATURN AND A DAY LATER, I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION. THE KEY WOULDN'T ROLL OVER. AFTER A FEW DAYS ,I FOUND THAT IF I ROCK THE KEY BACK & FORTH OR UP & DOWN, SOMETIMES IT WOULD START OR IF I WOULD ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD LET ME START THE CAR; BY DOING THIS, THE KEY BROKE OFF, I STILL HAVE ENOUGH OF THE KEY TO GET IT TO START. ALSO, WHEN I GO TO TURN IT OFF, SOMETIMES IT WON'T! OR IT WILL, BUT I CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT. SO I RESTART THE CAR, PUT IT IN GEAR AND THEN INTO PARK AGAIN, UNTIL IT WILL ALLOW ME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT. A YEAR AGO I HAD TO HAVE ONE PORTION OF THE IGNITION REPLACED, BECAUSE WHEN I'D GO TO START IT,, IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE, BUT WOULD NOT START. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THEY DID NOT FIX THE ENTIRE IGNITION AT THE TIME. I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE. BUT, SOMETHING IS KEEPING THE A/C HEATER FANS FROM WORKING. I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER STATE AT THE TIME, AND APPARENTLY THEIR SERVICE PRACTICES COULD USE SOME UPGRADING. I AM NOW LIVING IN ANOTHER STATE AND IN HOPES THAT I GET BETTER SERVICE HERE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS STRANGELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. IT DID FEEL A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME UP INSTEAD OF POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE WHO SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ONCE CHECKED, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY. HAPPENED AGAIN IN MARCH, LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE IT CAME BACK. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STAYED ON FOR A DAY, AND THEN TURNED OFF. SEARCHED ONLINE FOR OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND FOUND OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SAME THING, ONLY IT APPLIED TO 2004 AND LATER. MY 2003 IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THEIR'S. *TR
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE WHEEL WOULD FEEL BUMPY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHEN TURNING, THE STEERING ASSIST WOULD MALFUNCTION, BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN THE CONTACT CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 7/16/14*CN UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN
WHY IS GM NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE THE 2003 SATURN ION'S IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM? I WAS ADVISE BY THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT ONLY THE MODELS 2004 AND ABOVE ARE BEING RECALLED YET, I HAD A DEALERSHIP CONFIRM THAT MY CAR HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE 2004 MODELS. I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPHS. THIS HAPPENED TO MY 3 TIMES ALONE JUST YESTERDAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE YET GM REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN LATE JANUARY , EARLY FEBRUARY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CHRISTENSON CHEVROLET 9700 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD HIGHLAND, IN 46322 I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD BE IN LATE MARCH EARLY APRIL. I THEN CALLED THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH AND I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD BE IN APRIL 5TH OR 6TH. I CALLED ON THE 8TH TO SET UP A TIME FOR GETTING ME VEHICLE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION ALL WINTER. ON THE 8TH I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED MY VIN NUMBER, MAKE OF CAR AND PHONE NUMBER SO THEY COULD ORDER MY PART. THEY COULD HAVE GOT THAT THE FIRST TIME I CALLED. I CALLED AGAIN ON APRIL 18TH TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY RECALL. I WAS RUDELY TOLD THAT I WAS ON THE LIST AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY WERE READY FOR ME. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF RECALL THAT WORKED IN THIS WAY. MY PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN FED EXED TO THEIR LOCATION SO IT COULD BE REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. WHY AM I STILL WAITING TO GET MY CAR FIXED WHEN IT IS HAVING PROBLEMS DURING A SAFETY RECALL? *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 395 SOUTH NEAR EDSAL ROAD EXIT AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO INJURY TO MYSELF OR THE VEHICLE. *TR
POWER STEERING CUT OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY...( THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE) SAW THERE IS RECALL ON 2004 AND UP SATURN ION BUT NOT ON 2003? DON'T THEY USE THE SAME PARTS? GM WILL OFFER LIFETIME REPLACEMENT FOR PART...SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT I HAVE TO HAVE A CRASH BEFORE GM WILL FIX? *TR
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION FROM THE TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERS, BUT NO WAS ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. SINCE, THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. *JB
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2003 Saturn Ion → · Every Ion year → · How the figures are calculated →