Page 2 of 18 · complaints 51–100 of 898

2004 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 2004 record →

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 8, 2017179,000 milesMI

STRONG GAS SMELL & STARTED NOTICING POOR GAS MILEAGE AND IT GOT WORSE. THEN NOTICE IT IS LEAKING GAS BY THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. ALSO THE RUNNING LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY COME ON DURING THE DAY BUT NOT AT NIGHT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 5, 201775,334 milesHI

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT STOP FUNCTIONING ABOUT 2 MONTHS OR SO AFTER THE BULB WAS REPLACED, NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE PANEL INSIDE THE CAR HAD SHOWN ME THAT SAME TURN SIGNAL LIGHT HAD BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR SOME TIME BLINKING EXTREMELY FAST BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL IT FINALLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CAN'T GET MY SAFETY CHECK DONE BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE. I WONDER IF A DRL JUMPER KIT NEEDS TO BE ADDED, CAN YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME? THE CAR WAS IN MOTION MAKING A LEFT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 30, 2016IN

I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT MY 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT MY FUEL LINES NEED REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND IT SHOULD BE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 25, 201662,683 milesNY

AFTER THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE RECALLS PREFORMED AND THE FUEL LEAK LOOKED AT, THEY SAID, ON PAPER, "C/S FUEL LEAKING UNDER VEHICLE." "FUEL FEED LINE LEAKING FUEL,ACTIVE LEAK,DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE. REPLACE FOR $689.99 PLUS TAX CUSTOMER DECLINED." I DECLINED BECAUSE THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, WHICH I WILL TAKE THEIR CAUTION AND NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TILL IT CAN FIXED. I AM BRINGING THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THEIR CLAIMS VERIFIED BY A NONE GM COMPANY. I LIVE IN NY, THEY USED TO USE SALTS ON THE ROAD WHICH MAY HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ISSUE, THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AT ONLY 62K MILES. DISAPPOINTING. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. 1 MONTH AGO AT 61K MILES PRIVATELY, I ASSUME THE SELLER SOLD THE CAR DUE TO THE GAS LEAK AND DIDN'T INFORM ME.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 19, 201662,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IN ADDITION, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 2016IN

I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR DUE TO THE IGNITION DUE TO AIR BAGS NOT GOING OFF AND GO MY FATHER-IN-LAW HAS THE SAME CAR AND GOT IT FIXED. I JUST PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2016 AND DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED IT.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2016190,710 milesGA

WAS GUARANTEED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ORIGINALLY GOT A 2007 FORD ESCAPE BY TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND 500 CASH. THEY WANTED ME TO PUT DOWN AN ADDITIONAL 900 DOWN WHICH I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DO. SO THEY OFFERED TO PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS CHEAPER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY ON. THE 2004 SATURN ION I RECEIVED ON 08/23/2016 NOT ONLY HAD CLUTCH ISSUES WHICH I SAID I WOULD FIX, BUT THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MECHANICALLY. WE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SO NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY YARD AND I AM OUT MY ORIGINAL VEHICLE AND THE 500 CASH I USED ORIGINALLY PLUS TOWING CHARGES AND A VEHICLE I HAVE TO PAY ON THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. I WANT THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND GIVE BACK THE 500 I WASTED ON TWO JUNK VEHICLES. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS PRETTY MUCH STUCK TAKING THIS VEHICLE SINCE I LIVE TWO HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO OTHER WAY HOME.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 2016128,700 milesMI

MARCH 2015 - DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RECALLED IGNITION. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WOULDN'T START A FEW TIMES, AND I REPLACED THE STARTER. JUNE-JULY 2016 - THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. AFTER RESETTING THE PASSLOCK (LEAVE THE IGNITION TURNED TO THE RUN POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES) IT WOULD START IMEDIATELY. JULY 11, 2016 - TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM IT STARTED AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CHANGED. TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BODY CONTROL MONITOR ($829). REPAIRS FINISHED JULY 15, 2016. AUGUST 4, 2016 - CAR TAKEN BACK FOR TROUBLE STARTING ONCE MORE. AUGUST 8, 2016 - IGNITION CHANGED ONCE MORE, BUT CHARGED AGAIN BECAUSE GM WOULDN'T COVER IT. I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL I HAD A PART CHANGED DUE TO A RECALL, AND NOW THAT REPLACEMENT WAS FAULTY AND I'M BEING CHARGED FOR IT!

SteeringCrash
Filed Jul 21, 201694,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 5, 2016MN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 24, 2016105,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 15, 201673,000 milesNY

THE STARTER

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 24, 2016101,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE LEAK STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2016266,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 266,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2016VT

MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. THERE HAS BEEN MANY RECALLS INCLUDING POWER STEERING RECALL THAT WE HAD REPAIRED 08/28/2014 1.5 YRS AGO AND 15,000MILES. THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BACK FOR A WHILE. I GOT HOLD OF GM DEALER AND GM THEMSELVES AND THEY TOLD US THEY DID RECALL NOW ITS OUR PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND MY DAUGHTER IS THE ONE THAT DRIVES THE CAR AND SHE IS ONLY 100 LBS AND WHEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING SHE CAN NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I NEED HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE FILED COMPLAINT WITH MANY DEPARTMENTS PLEASE SOMEONE HELP. THE DEALER IS ST JAY AUTO BUICK GMC 500 MEMORIAL DRIVE ST JAOHNSBURY, VT 05819 802-748-1355 MY INFO IS [XXX] AND [XXX] [XXX], VT 05855 [XXX] OR [XXX] VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Apr 15, 2016125,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BECAME LODGED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Mar 18, 2016150,000 milesNY

NO POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED OR AFTER MORE THAN 5 MINUTES DRIVING. VERY HARD TO STEER. NO CONTROL OF THE CAR.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Feb 6, 2016167,100 milesPA

AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION AND PREPARING TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR COULD NOT STEER TO THE LEFT. AS HE CAR DRIFTED FORWARD THE STEERING BECAME EASIER AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE TURN. AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED, THE STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL UNTIL APPROACHING ANOTHER 90 DEGREE RIGHT HAND TURN (1/2 MILE AWAY FROM THE STOP IN WHICH IT WAS HARD TO TURN). NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE VEHICLE, HE SLOWED DOWN TO NEGOTIATE THE RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE CAR FAILED TO STEER RIGHT LEADING HIM STRAIGHT THRU AND INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP ONE WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED IT TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING OCCURRED. THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR AND OUR INSURANCE PICKED UP THE COST OF THE OTHER DRIVERS DAMAGES. THIS WAS OUR SONS FIRST CAR AND A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY GM TO A DEALERSHIP THAT DEAMED THE CAR SAFE. HE SAID THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS RUSTY WHICH CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WE HAD A CLAIM THRU GM DUE TO THE STEERING RECALL AND THEY DENIED US SINCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR DEEMED IT TO BE SAFE. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE THAT TOLD US THAT IT IS NOT SAFE AND NOT TO PUT OUR SON BACK IN IT UNTIL WE SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPLACED, BUT OUR SON CANNOT!!! HE WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT MORE SEVERE. WE WILL NOT PUT HIM OR ANYONE ELSE BACK IN THAT CAR IF NOTHING IS DONE TO PREVE

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 27, 2016104,000 milesMN

FUEL LEAK. CHANGING FUEL LINE AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIX WORKS. SAME THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING ON OUR 2006 SATURN VIN [XXX]. FRUSTRATING READING ALL THE YEARS OF COMPLAINTS WITH LIMITED RECALLS. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 23, 2015CA

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

Steering
Filed Dec 17, 201548,752 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER ANOTHER RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE SUDDENLY RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,752.

Steering
Filed Dec 16, 2015211,600 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,600.

Steering
Filed Dec 9, 201597,000 milesNJ

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET. LUCKILY, WAS GOING SLOW AT THE TIME & WAS ABLE TO COME TO A CONTROLLED STOP. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR OTHERS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 4, 2015114,000 milesIL

ANY TIME THE FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING, FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK A RUNNING DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. LEAVES ABOUT 12" PUDDLE ON THE GROUND AFTER RUNNING 10 TO 30 SECONDS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 24, 201546,714 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT REACHED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FELT FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,714.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 24, 2015CA

CAR WENT FOR RECALL 7/7/14 ABOUT 3 TIMES AFTER THE FIRST RECALL I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR TO ASK WHAT HAVE HAPPEND WHY TYHE CAR NEED TO GO BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE SECOND RECALL CHEVROLET SAYD THAT THEY DID NOT PERFOM THE JOB RIGHT ONCE AGAIN I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR IN DECEBER THEY SEND ME A LETTER TELLING ME AND COMES BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE FREEWAY CAR STOP COULD NOT GET OUT BECAUSE CAR LOCK ME INSIDE THE KEY DID NOT WANT TO COME OUT AFTER THE RECALLS THE CAR STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 23, 2015190,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 9, 2015132,000 milesMD

WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED A GAS SMELL REALLY STRONG IT GOT WORSE WHEN THEN I NOTICED THAT I WAS GOING THREW GAS LIKE CRAZY AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY . ONE DAY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG WHEN I GOT OUT THE CAR I LOOKED UNDER THAT CAR AND SAW THAT ONE OF LINES WAS LEAKING GAS I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I DO HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR AND THAT ITS A BAD DANGER CHANCE OF FIRES TO START

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 23, 2015150,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

Steering
Filed Oct 19, 2015IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 14, 2015129,475 milesNY

FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT NEAR FUEL FILTER AND DIRECTLY ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON GROUND AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, FUEL CONTINUED TO FLOW OUT OF RUSTED FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 11, 201585,000 milesFL

THE WIPER ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTING FLOPPING--IT WAS NO LONGER SEATED FULLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS MISSING SOMETHING SIMPLE, LIKE A PIN. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED IT WASN'T THAT SIMPLE. I WAS QUOTED P&L FROM THE DEALER @ $364. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING, I'VE NEVER SEEN A WIPER ARM POP OUT. ONE DAY IN A DELUGE, THE ARM HYPER-EXTENDED OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD BLIND WONDERING IF I WAS GOING TO RUN INTO A DITCH. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THE REASON THIS HAPPENED IS DUE TO USE OF PLASTIC PARTS BY GM AND THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR WIPER ASSEMBLY MORE THAN ONCE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND PLACES A GRAVE DANGER ON USERS OF THESE AUTOS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE!

Steering
Filed Jul 31, 201520,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND FUEL LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 24, 2015120,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AT APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO USE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EFFORT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 23, 2015112,430 milesWI

ON THE 20TH OF JULY I NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. I CHECKED THE GAS CAN FOR MY LAWN EQUIPMENT AND IT WAS NOT THE SOURCE ON THE ODOR. I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL PUDDLE OF GAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE MY REAR TIRE WAS. AS THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AT THE SUSPECT LOCATION AND NOTICED STEADY DRIPS COMING FROM UNDER A PLASTIC CLIP WHICH HELD THE FUEL LINES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH RIGHT AT THAT CLIP. AFTER READING UP ON THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS BOTH ION AND COBALT VEHICLES SINCE I BELIEVE THEY ARE "DELTA" BODIES. DUE TO THE NATURE AND THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I DO NOT HAVE THE 400-500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE THE LEAK IS SCANT INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THEREFORE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. GM SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.

Power Train
Filed Jul 21, 2015141,000 milesUT

AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, THE ENGINE CAN BE SHUT OFF BUT THE KEY STAYS IN A ACCESORY MODE AND CAN NOT BE TURNED TO OFF OR REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 16, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V153000 (STEERING) AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 14, 201579,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. MA 10/2

Electrical System
Filed Jul 12, 2015169,125 milesWA

2 RECALLES.,THEY INSTALLED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRIC POWER STERING ASSIST MOTOR PLUS 3 DIAGNOSTICS AND $ 877.43 LATER AND OUR ORIGINAL PROBLEM OF INTERMITANTLY WONT START STILL EXISTS.WE WERE TOLD TO CUT OUR LOSSES BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR CAR. THIS IS A 2004 SATURN ION. WE WANT OUR CAR FIXED FIRST OR OUR MONEY BACK. WE FEEL THE DEALER SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THERE CAR. WE FEEL THERE MAY BE A RECALL THEY ARE NOT TELLING US ABOUT LIKE RECALL #03V231000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 2, 2015MD

I WAS DRIVING AND MY SUNROOF FLEW OFF. THE GLASS SHATTERED COMPLETELY. IT WAS WORKING PERFECTLY, UNTIL ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING IT DETACHED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 2, 201581,388 milesWI

AFTER HAVING MY EMISSIONS TESTED IN WI IN WHICH IT PASSED AT THE TIME ON OR ABOUT MAY 27, 2015. ABOUT A WEEK LATET, I BEGAN TO SMELL A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE DIIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR, AFTER I DROVE IT AND THEN PARKED IT AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING DRIPPING FROM THE CAR TO THE GROUNC, I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BECAME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 17, 2015 WHEN THE SMELL WAS SO GREAT AND I HADNT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR WELL OVER A WEEK BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID SOMETHING WAS LEAKING OR WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. MY BROTHER SMELLED IT ALSO WHEN I BACKED UP AND PULLED FORWARD. WE CHECKED UNDER HOOD, BUT NOTHING AND NO SPOTS ON THE GROUND. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC AND OWNER SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. NEEDED REPLACING AND R WHICH COST APPROXIMATELY $263 .. I ALSO LOOKED UP INFORMATION BY A MECHANIC WHO STATES THAT EVERY SIGNGLE COBALT AND ION HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM SINCE THE CARS WERE BUILT. HE GAVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT TAKES TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. WHENEVER I TOOK OUT THE CAR, THAT CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED OR STARTED AN ENGINE FIRE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE INVOLVED THE LOSS OF NOT ONLY THE VEHICLES, BUT PEOPLES LIVES. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THESE VEHICLES ON RECALL FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL TANK, FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES AND BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS ON THE CARS AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERAT

Electrical System
Filed Jun 1, 2015180,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE A/C WENT OFF FIRST THEN EVERYTHING WENT OFF. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. MY IGNITION ALSO GETS STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION(EVEN AFTER TWO IGNITION RECALLS) ON A REGULAR BASIS SO GLAD I WASN'T FIGHTING THAT AT THAT PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME. CALLED GM DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT BRING IT IN, THEY WON'T PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BUT WILL GIVE ME A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I LIVE WITHIN 10 MILES.

Power Train
Filed May 29, 2015142,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 6, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed May 5, 2015150,000 milesTN

THE CAR WONT TURN ON. IT TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVERYSINCE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 1, 2015137,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES PREMATURELY RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUEL FILTER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 22, 201582,348 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ABILITY TO STEER SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,348.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Apr 7, 2015130,000 milesPA

WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 35MPH POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS LOST, TURNED INTO MANUAL STEERING. I AM A FAIRLY NEW DRIVER, 21, SO I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO REACT. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. HIT A CENTER ISLAND, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM. CALLED GM, THEY HAD SOMEONE INSPECT THE CAR. SAID THERE WAS NO DTC CODES DETECTED. SO THERE FOR THEY ARE CALLING ME A LIAR. MY PARENTS ALSO HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE SHORTLY BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. GM REFUSE TO MAKE DAMAGE REPAIRS. ONLY DO RECALL REPAIRS. I ONLY BOUGHT THE CAR ONE WEEK BEFORE ALL THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 2, 2015100,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKING, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO GO INTO PARK AND THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 31, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Reading these

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 2004 Saturn Ion → · Every Ion year → · How the figures are calculated →