2003 Saturn Ion complaints

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SEEKS VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND PUT THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. THE CONSUMER BACKED THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY HE TRIED IT, AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. FROM SEPTEMBER 2012, UNTIL JANUARY 2013, THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE GOING FORWARD. EACH TIME, IT WOULD WORK AGAIN AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE. THEN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2013, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS, THE SHIFTING WORKED. AFTER DRIVING THREE BLOCKS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE SHIFTING WENT OUT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND THE PARTS ALONE WOULD COST $3,982.58.

SIGNIFICANT RUST AND STRESS FRACTURES ON FUEL LINE RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL OF INCENDIARY INCIDENT IN THE CASE OF COLLISION. AFTER VEHICLE MESSAGE BOARD QUERIES THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WITH UNUSUAL FREQUENCY IN SATURN IONS SPANNING 2003-2007. PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE FUEL LINE REPLACED; WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I WANTED TO REPORT IT. *TR

MY SWITCH WILL NOT TURN BACK TO RELEASE MY KEYS. AT TIMES TRYING TO START THE CAR THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN, AS WELL. EVENTUALLY IT WILL TURN, FOR NOW. *TR

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER IN OCTOBER 2012 THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SATURN WENT DEFUNCT BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2006 AND AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MOTORS THAT A RECALL WAS PROPOSED ON THE CHEVY CRUZ AND GM SAYS THEY ARE NOT COVERED OR NO COVERED UNDER THE SATURN PROGRAM. NOW OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH GM KNOWS HAS PROBLEMS HAS SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ALLOWING THE DISENGAGING OF THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF AND PARK. AGAIN GM SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THEY HAVE RECALLS ON OTHER GM VEHICLES. I HAVE SPENT UPWARDS OF $700 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AND BATTERIES AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I'VE READ OF THE MANY NIGHTMARE ON THE INTERNET AND WONDER IF YOUR BUREAU CAN DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATIONS. THANKS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START, BUT THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW WIRE HARNESS FOR THE ALARM SYSTEM AND A NEW IGNITION LOCK TUMBLER WITH THE DIELECTRIC GREASE IN IT. THIS FAILURE ACROSS MORE OFTEN WHEN COLD. UPON MAKING SHORT ERRANDS, THE VEHICLE MUST BE LEFT RUNNING IN ORDER TO AVOID SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES. UPDATED 06/3/2013 *JS

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR LOCKS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOORS UN-LOCKED, THE FLASHER STARTED TO FLASH AND THE AIR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A NEARBY GARAGE AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE SOLUTION AT THAT TIME WAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RE-START IT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 16TH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART REQUIRED WAS A SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AT A COST OF $ 399.99. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE MECHANIC, THAT A PART TRY TO BE LOCATED AT A JUNK YARD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD INTERMITTENTLY BE REMOVED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BUT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED PASS THE ACCESSORY MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

DETECTED SMELL OF GASOLINE. CHECKED RECALLS. THERE ARE SOME RECALLS FOR THIS CAR BUT NOT THIS VIN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD RUSTY GAS LINE REPLACED. PAID FOR PARTS AND WORK DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

CAR WAS PARKED WHEN STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. MOVED CAR TO HARD SURFACE AND DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING RATHER LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM AREA BEHIND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP HOUSING. NOTICED 2007 MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR FUEL PUMP ISSUE. FURTHER STUDY SHOULD PROBABLY BE DONE TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE ENTIRE ION LINE. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL RELEASED AFTER PART FAILURE IS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,987.

ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT AT TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN "POWER STEERING" CAME UP ON DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. STOPPED VEHICLE AND CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MEANING OF MESSAGE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, STEERING RESUMED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 MORE TIMES OVER NEXT WEEK OR SO UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS ELECTRICAL STEERING MOTOR CIRCUIT FAILURE. MOTOR REPLACED AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $300 SATURN HELP LINE ADVISED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HER RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,922.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,567.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH PROVED A DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND THE FRONT WINDOWS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD DECIDE IF THEY SHOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM, CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STARTING THEN DOESNT, I WAIT TEN MINUTES THEN IT WILL START. IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WOULD CEASE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS WARM BUT COULD STILL BE HEARD AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH OF THE FAILURES WERE COMMON, BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-15 BETWEEN CEDAR CITY AND ST. GEORGE UTAH.AROUND 4:00 PM WHEN I DROVE INTO A VERY HEAVY RAIN STORM, I TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. AT WHICH POINT THE WIPERS WENT UP AND THEN QUITE. THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE WORKED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN QUITE I HAD TO PULL OVER STOP AND WATER FOR THE RAIN STORM TO PASS OVER. UPON LATER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE WIPER MOUNTS TO THE MAIN ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM BOTH SIDES CAUSING THE WIPERS TO QUIT WORKING. SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WENT DOWN TO STEPHEN WADE CHEVROLET AND PURCHASED A NEW WIPER MOTOR MODULE ASSEMBLY. WHICH COST ME $196,00. WHILE I WAS REPLACING THIS WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLY I NOTICED THAT THE NEW WIPER MOTOR MODULE ASSEMBLY HAS NO PLASTIC PARTS.THE UNIT WAS SOLID METAL. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE TO AVOID THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I DID WRITE SATURN A LETTER AND SENT PICTURES AS WELL SHOWING THEM THE PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AS HOT AND COLD WEATHER CAUSES THE PLASTIC TO GET BRITTLE AND THEN BRAKE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUBLICS SAFETY AND ADVISED SATURN THAT I FELT THEY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL AND REPLACE ANY OF THESE VEHICLES WHICH MAY HAVE THESE PLASTIC PART INSTALLED ON THEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MANY YEARS. AS EXPERIENCED DRIVER I KNEW WHAT TO DO. BUT FOR A Y

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH ON THE SATURN ION. SINCE IT APPEARS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?? CAR WILL NOT START WHEN COLD, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. GM WHAT IS THE DEAL??? *TR

OWN A 2003 SATURN ION. APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO THE STEERING COLUMN INSODE THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CAME LOOSE AND CATCHING ON SOMETHING INSIDE THE COLUMN. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN COLDER WEATHER BUT DOES NOT GO AWAY IN WARMER WEATHER EITHER. SINCE THERE IS NO MORE "SATURN" WHO FIXES RECALLS OR FACTORY ISSUES?

WHEN ACCELERATING TO 35 MPH, MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FASTER. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY JUST ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO BARELY MAKE IT SAFELY INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR IMMEDIATELY. I THEN TRIED RESTARTING MY CAR AND IMMEDIATELY IT STARTED REVVING AND SPEEDING FORWARD. I THEN SHUT OFF MY CAR FOR GOOD AND CALLED AAA. WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE, APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING OFF MY CAR, I COULD HEAR THE ACCELERATOR RELEASE. THERE WAS NO MAT IN THE WAY BUT IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL IN THE CAR MAKING THE ACCELERATE STICK. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THAT TURN INTO THAT PARKING LOT WHEN I DID AND THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS COMING THE OTHER WAY BEFORE I MADE THAT TURN.

- THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE BACKING THE CAR UP - THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR SHOWED A "PWR STR" MESSAGE - AFTER SEVERAL RE-STARTS THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO BE INOPERABLE (PWR STR MESSAGE) - THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WITH NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING - AFTER ANOTHER START UP 45 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND WOULD NEED NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE PARK AND NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RPMS RACED EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

IN VERY COLD WEATHER THE CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STICK, WHILE TURNING INTO CURVY ROADS AND ON OFF RAMP REQUIRING HIGH INPUT TO CORRECT AND RESULTING IN OVER CORRECTING AND SWINGING OUT OF MY LANE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOW (<5 MPH), BUT I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES DRIVING BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH IN THE CASE OF THE OFF RAMP AND DRIVING ON ROCHESTER ROAD BETWEEN TINKEN AND 32 MILE. YOU WILL GO INTO A CURVE AND THE STEERING WILL LOCK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING AND YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO GET ANY REACTION. LAST NIGHT WAS THE CLINCHER AND I DECIDED ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE STEERING LOCKED HARD AND WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN ONCE I GOT THE CAR STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED 90 DEGREES OFF NORMAL. THIS IS DEFINATLY A PROBLEM, AS NOW THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNTIL I CAN SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED AND IF IT IS WORTH THE COST TO FIX. *TR

THE CAR'S HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHUT OFF. WARNING LIGHTS SUCH AS "CHECK ENGINE", "ABS", AND "THEFT LOCK" ALL CAME ON AFTER PARKING THE CAR. THE HORN WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET HORN TO STOP. ATTEMPTED TO START THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WHILE RECONNECTING THE BATTERY THE HORN CAME ON AGAIN AND THE LISTED ABOVE LIGHTS STAYED ON. CAR HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,693.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,961 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. A WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING COVERED BY A WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH ON VARIOUS MODELS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN DID NOT APPLY TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V283000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 10/19/11*LJ UPDATED 01/30/12*BF COMPLAINT STATUS UPDATE 02/08/12

2003 SATURN ION . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THEN IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. THEN HALF OF THE DASH WENT BLACK. THE NEXT WINDOW WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WITH NO CONTACT OF ANY TYPE. THEN THE CONTROLS TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRONIC LOCK/OPENING DEVICE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS ANY LONGER OR LOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACT TO BEING IN PARK, SO THEREFORE, SHE HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. THE O2 SENSOR AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER PROPERLY REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. *JB

SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES TOUGH TO TURN. DURING THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO COMPLETELY CUT OUT. IT HAS ALSO CUT OUT AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR RESTART FOR IT TO COME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2004-2007 IONS, BUT NOT FOR 2003. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AS IT IS THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL. *TT

RANDOMLY, MY 2003 SATURN ION-3 REFUSES TO START DUE TO THE WIDELY KNOWN YET UNRESOLVED IGNITION SWITCH PASSLOCK PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCES HAVE STEADILY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THIS PREVALENT ISSUE ARE BEING OVERLOOKED, AND IT SHOULD BE FORMALLY INVESTIGATED. ADDITIONALLY, IT RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT FAULTINESS IN OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE UNFAIR TO US CONSUMERS FOR THIS ADMITTEDLY FAULTY PART; IT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY RECALL. *TR

MY SATURN ION HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I CALLED GM AND RECEIVED A SPECIAL REQUEST NUMBER AND 48 HOURS LATER WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING. THE REASON THEY GAVE WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAS A SALVAGE TITLE. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE STATE OF MN AND NOW HAVE A PRIOR SALVAGE TITLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS COSMETIC AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POOR TRANSMISSION THAT GM SOLD TO THE PUBLIC. SINCE THEN I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT BAD NEWS STORIES ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION--SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING IN INCLIMENT WEATHER, HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE CAR WILL BE RUNNING JUST FINE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT ACCELERATES AND WANTS TO GO FAST. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND IT DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. THEN THE ACCELERATION STOPS BY ITSELF AND THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT IS MISSING A GEAR. IT DOES THIS PROBABLY ABOUT 2 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SLOWS DOWN AND MAKES SOME FUNNY GRINDING NOISE. DOES NOT BLOW AS STRONG AS IT USED TO ON MY 2003 SATURN ION. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION-2 GOES OUT JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY, AT RANDOM, WHILE I AM DRIVING MY CAR. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS AS THE ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER ONE YEAR AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR THE FAULTY POWER STEERING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES/FORUMS AND HAVE OBSERVED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO HOW UNSAFE IT IS TO DRIVE AROUND AND LOSE CONTROL OVER YOUR STEERING AT RANDOM. *TR

STEERING LOCKS UP IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TURNS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BUT THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT TWO POWER FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IT CAUSED AN OVERALL COMPUTER FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN I START THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STOP WORKING. POWER STEERING LIGHT MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE MESSAGE SCREEN, BUT ERROR CODE CAN BE FOUND. THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER GM MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2003 ION. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR FOR THE RECALL. *TR