2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FLIPPED TWO TIMES AND SLID SEVERAL FEET. THE KEY WAS TOWED A JUNK YARD, WHERE THE KEY WAS STILL STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. *JB
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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND SUDDENLY, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. WAS IN THE PASSING LANE MOVING BACK INTO THE TRAVEL LANE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. NO ALARMS WENT OF WARNING ME SOMETHING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BUT HAD A HARDER TIME MAKING TURNS ON THE SIDE STREETS. I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HEARD OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE SUDDENLY AFFECTING MY CAR. *JS
HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING, SOMETIMES WANT STEER. IT IS PARKED FEAR OF DRIVING IT!! *JS
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS FORCED TO FIGURE OUT AND PAY FOR THE PROBLEM ON HER OWN. *JB
SHORTLY AFTER STARTING ON A VERY COLD WINTER DAY, AT LOW SPEED AND WITH THE BATTERY LIKELY LOW FROM STARTING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIMED AND THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THEN (EVEN A FEW HOURS LATER WITH THE CAR WARMED UP AND BATTERY FULLY CHARGED), BUT THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER AND I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A BETTER ONE. THE BATTERY HAD TESTED GOOD AT THE LAST OIL CHANGE/SERVICE/INSPECTION, BUT WAS NEAR THE END OF ITS LIFE EXPECTANCY. *TR
MY CONCERN IS IN RELATION TO THE ONGOING MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. I HAVE NOT A HAD PROPER FUNCTIONING WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM SINCE 2011 WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WHILE DRIVING APPROX 40MPH ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A MODERATE SNOWFALL WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM SEEMED TO GO OFF TRACK AND FORCEFULLY OVEREXTEND TO THE LEFT, COMPLETELY OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT STAYED IN THAT POSITION UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER AND PLACE THE WIPER BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. IT'S NOT BEEN RESOLVED AS THE ASSESSMENTS HAVE BEEN CONFLICTING, I.E. LOOSE BOLT/NUT, NEEDS NEW MOTOR, OR REPLACE ENTIRE SYSTEM. I HAD BOTH BLADES TIED TOGETHER SO THEY WOULD STAY ON COURSE BUT THAT HAD ITS OWN EFFECT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ARM. IT'S BECOME SO BAD THAT I CANNOT DRIVE IN THE RAIN/SNOW DUE TO NO VISIBILITY WITH INEFFECTIVE WIPER. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON DRY ROADS DURING THE DAYTIME BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT, WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE WHEEL LOCKED, AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. IT RESTARTED WITHOUT INCIDENT. 3 YEARS LATER, THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE RECALL NOTICES AND HAD STILL BEEN WAITING FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO IS WHEN I HAD MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH SPEED ACCELERATION WITH MY SATURN. I LEFT WORK AND TURNED ON MY CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE AN HOUR TO GO HOME ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND I WASN'T PRESSING THE GAS. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND IT WAS STILL ACCELERATING. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POP MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL GOING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. I SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET HOME BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE GAS. WHEN I WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE ON WHILE IT WAS STILL IN PARK THE RPM'S WOULD GO CRAZY AS IF I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY AUTO SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS SINCE THEN AND ENDED UP CRASHING EARLIER THIS YEAR. MY VEHICLE SPED UP ON A SNOWY ROAD AND I LOST COMPLETE STEERING FOR MY VEHICLE, I NEARLY ROLLED MY CAR AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A SNOW BANK. MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, AFTER I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY WERE SURPRISED WITH THE AMOUNT OF FRONT END DAMAGE I HAD ON MY VEHICLE THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT THEY DID NOT. I KNOW OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING WITH NO APPLICATION OF THE GAS PETAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES LITTLE OR NOTHING TO STOP OR SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. *TR
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE ISSUES, AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS. HER DAUGHTER LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN HER DAUGHTER HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER WAS INJURED. ALSO, THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB
CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE IGNITION WILL NOT READ THE KEY. IT TAKES 15 MINUTES JUST WAITING, WITH THE KEY OUT, THEN WHEN TRYING AGAIN IT DOES READ THE KEY AND THE CAR STARTS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST EIGHT (8) YEARS FOR ME WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALERSHIPS AND GARAGE WORKERS. EACH PLACE SAYS THE CAR IS FINE, NOTHING WRONG. IT SEEMS THAT GM KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG SINCE 2003 AND GM LATER TOLD DEALERSHIPS SO DEALERSHIPS KNEW AND NO ONE DID ANYTHING. WELL, GM HAS FINALLY MADE THE STATEMENT THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND KEYS - FINALLY. ONE BIG QUESTION IS WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FROM NHTSA TOO! NHTSA IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE BUT YOU HAVE BEEN VERY "LATE" TOO. I BLAME BOTH GM AND NHTSA THAT IT HAS TAKEN TOO LONG. GM CAN BE FINED BECAUSE OF BEING LATE CORRECTING THE ERRORS. CAN NHTSA BE FINED FOR THE SAME REASON - LATE MAKING A COMPANY CORRECTING ERRORS! IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE WOULD LESSON TO THE DRIVERS AND/OR OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS - NOT GM AND NOT NHTSA. YOU ARE ASKING GM WHY IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG. CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHY NHTSA WAS LATE TOO?
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION, IN THE 3 YEARS HE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER WOULD ALWAYS CLAIM, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. *JB
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST INVOICE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE KEY BINDING IN THE HOUSING. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. *JB
MY FIANCE AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 40 45 MPH AND THE LIGHT UP AHEAD CHANGED YELLOW TO RED JUST BEFORE I COULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY CAR ACCELERATED I HELD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR KEPT WANTING TO INCH FORWARD ITSEEMED AS IF I HELD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR I GOT WITHIN 2 OR 3 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME OUT OF INSTINCT I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF HAD I NOT I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME I THEN WAITED A MINUTE OR TWO TOPS PUT IT IN PARK AND STARTED IT, IT ACTED NORMAL I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS AND OBJECT OR SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE SLIPPED BY MY FEET WHILE DRIVING OR MY FLOOR MAT MOVED THERE WAS NOTHING THERE .THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES LIKE RIGHT AFTER STARTING IT UP IT REVS TO THE HIGHEST RPM POSSIBLE AS IF ITS GOING TO BLOW UP I HURRY AND SHUT IT OFF WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN, AND ANOTHER TIME I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45 MPH AS IF I HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE THAT FEATURE WHICH IS REALLY SCARY I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO PLEASE HELP THANK YOU *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH THANKFULLY HAS A RECALL ON IT BUT I WANT THE POWER STEERING TO BE RECALLED AS WELL BECAUSE IT HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND MULTIPLE NEAR MISSES. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 SATURN ION DOWN A HILL AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR. HE COULD NOT STOP AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULT STEERING THE VEHICLE. WE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. I FRACTURED MY C-2 AND MY SHOULDER AND ALSO DISLOCATED MY SHOULDER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 5/20/14*CN UPDATED 06/17/14*MA UPDATED 8/7/17*CN
IN DEC. 2011, THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AND I PAID $280 FOR A REPLACEMENT IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY USED ANOTHER FAULTY SWITCH THAT IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF THE CURRENT RECALL. IN CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY, I AM USING A SINGLE KEY, AS GM INSTRUCTED, AND WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE PART TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. SUPPOSEDLY, IT WILL HAPPEN THIS MONTH - APRIL. ALSO IN 2011 (OR MAYBE THE BEGINNING OF 2012) I EXPERIENCED THE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. THAT WAS PAID FOR BY GM BUT, AGAIN, NOW I HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY PUT IN ANOTHER FAULTY POWER STEERING COLUMN THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF TODAY'S RECALL. WHEN I CALLED GM TODAY, THEY SAID THAT LAST POWER STEERING REPLACEMENT WAS NOT A RECALL, IT WAS A SPECIAL SAFETY ISSUE #10187. I ASKED IF THE INCENTIVE TO TRADE IN THE CAR WOULD BE EXTENDED DUE TO ANOTHER RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION BECAUSE THAT IS A SALES ISSUE, NOT A REPAIR ISSUE. I THINK IT'S TIME TO REPLACE THIS CAR, MAYBE WITH A FORD! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,500 AND THE CURRENT MILE WAS 77,590. UPDATED 6/10/14*CN UPDATED 8/4/17*CN
I WRITE ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF [XXX]. [XXX] WERE KILLED ON AUGUST 17, 2012 IN A 2004 SATURN ION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A PICKUP TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY SATURN ION 2004 MY POWER STEERING KEPT TURNING OFF PERIODICALLY, MY CAR IS STANDARD SO I ACTUALLY TURNED OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING PRESSING MY CLUTCH IN AND RESTARTED MY CAR. I DROVE LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT 5 MILES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE FACT I WAS OVER 150000 MILES IT VOIDED MY WARRANTY FOR THE DEFECT TO MY STEERING MOTOR. I SPENT OVER 500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE, NOW KNOWING THAT IT WAS AN EXISTING DEFECT KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ION SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED GASOLINE FUEL HAD SPILLED ON THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE FUEL LINES WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY LOCKED IN RIGHT TURN POSITION, DURING RIGHT HAND TURN, BUT WAS ABLE TO FORCE BACK IN TIME BEFORE HITTING OTHER CAR. STEERING IS STILL ACTING UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (ESPECIALLY COLD), WHEN TRYING TO RETURN WHEEL BACK TO STRAIGHT POSITION, WHEEL TIGHTENS UP AND NEEDS TO BE FORCED BACK. *TR
MY CAR STARTED NOT STARTING UP AT ALL. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO START MY CAR AND THE IGNITION WOULD BE HARD TO TURN, AND A JUMP WOULD NOT WORK. I WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT AND START MY CAR 30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND LET IT RUN. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC TO CHANGE MY OIL AND IT WOULD NOT START. THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME A JUMP AND I TOLD THEM THAT DO NOT WORK AND EXPLAIN WHAT IT DOES ALL THE TIME AND THE OWNER CHECK HIS COMPUTER UNDER THE SAFETY RECALLS AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON MY IGNITION, SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A SATURN DEALER "THIS WAS IN 2010" AND I TOLD THEM WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS FOR MY CAR. I WROTE A LETTER ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE. NOW IN 2013 MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET FOR NO REASON. I WAS JUST GOING TO GET MY IGNITION FIXED WHEN I GOT THIS LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL. THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO MY SON FOR A GRADUATION PRESENT AND I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FIXED SOON. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, MAKING THE EFFORT OF STEERING THE VEHICLE INCREASE GREATLY. UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY WENT AWAY, BUT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AT AN EVER-INCREASING FREQUENCY UNTIL THIS DATE. FOR THE PAST YEAR, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WITHIN DRIVING THE FIRST 200 FEET EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAVE OPERATED THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH SATURN IONS AND RELATED GM VEHICLES, CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, AND THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER DUE TO THE EXTREME PHYSICAL EXERTION REQUIRED TO STEER THESE VEHICLES AFTER THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS CORRODED CAUSING THE LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AS I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY, ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD 3 DINGS IN MY CAR - SO I CHECKED THE DASHBOARD (I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE FUEL OR MAYBE OIL LIFE), IT READ PWR STR. THEN I NOTICED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER MY CAR...I HAD LOST MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. THE AMOUNT OF STRENGTH IT TOOK JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL WAS IMMENSE. THIS TOOK MORE EFFORT THAN DRIVING AN OLDER CAR THAT DOES NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, I WAS JUST ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION. ALSO LUCKILY, THE ISSUE GOES AWAY ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RE-START IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME - ONCE WHILE ON A HIGHWAY, ONCE WHILE PARKING MY CAR, AND ANOTHER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN. *TR
THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER, I CALLED ROAD SIDE IN HOPES THAT THE BATTERY JUST NEEDED A JUMP, BUT WHEN THEY ARRIVED I FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT TURNING OVER BECAUSE OF ANOTHER REASON. MY FRIENDS CAME OVER AND WE POPPED THE CLUTCH AND DROVE IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK, I WAS THINKING EITHER THE STARTER OR THE ALTERNATOR. HE CALLED ME LAST NIGHT TO TELL ME TO CONTACT GM ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION IS BAD AND WILL NOT TURN THE CAR OVER. *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE MORNINGS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE VEHICLE WILL START AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVERY DAY OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NTHSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,127. RG
THEY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND SOMETIMES I CANT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. MANY TIMES IF I CAN GET THE KEY IN AND TRY TO START IT THEN IT DOES NOTHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND THAT IS WHERE IT IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNABLE TO START?? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO TAKE MY CAR FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, IS TOWING ALSO INCLUDED I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP PAYING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. *TR
POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE IT HAPPENS YOU CANNOT TURN THE VEHICLE. MUST POWER DOWN THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. IT CAN HAPPEN 2-3 TIMES IN A 5 MILES STRETCH, INCONSISTENT. WARNING - HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE - I ALMOST CRASHED. HAD TO STOP AUTO IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION - VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE STEERING WAS ROUGH AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE MID APRIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175. THE MILEAGE OF 175 WAS REAFFIRMED BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES 2 WEEKS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WOULDNT START, IT HAD HIGH IDLING PROBLEMS, AND MOST RECENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. THE BATTERY AND THROTTLE WERE BOTH REPLACED. UPDATED 05/29/2014* JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
I PURCHASED 2004 SATURN ION 3 IN 2013 AND WITHIN 30DAYS I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT AND BEGIN TO HESITATE AROUND 35MPH. I STARTED INQUIRING ABOUT TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON INTERNET AND OBSERVED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M GETTING NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE WITH GM DEALERSHIP. WITH ALL THE OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE SATURN ION THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL TO FIX TRANSMISSION DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE.(CVT OR VTI TRANSMISSION). *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY ON A CLEAR DAY. I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN WHEN I TRY TO CHANGE LANE. I THEN DECIDED TO PULL OVER AT THE FIRST EXIT. WHEN I SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN, IT WAS CLEAR THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING ON THE DASH CONSOLE AND NO AUDIO ALARM. FINALLY, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK AND I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. *TR
CAMPAIGN ID #14V-047 GM CASE#[XXX] RE: IGNITION SWITCH RECALL I WAS OFFERED A RENTAL CAR BUT GM IS NOT REIMBURSING THE COST OF INSURANCE FOR THE RENTAL. I CANNOT AFFORD NOR HAVE THE TIME TO ARGUE MY CASE WITH GM. THIS IS GM'S FAULT, THEY SHOULD BE REIMBURSING ALL COSTS INCURRED BY THIS RECALL. PLEASE ASSIST ME. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY FOR THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I USED TO OWN ONE OF THE GM VEHICLES IN THE NEWS LATELY REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE CORRECTLY. MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE YEARS I HAD OWNED IT, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE KEY BEING MOVED TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AS IS INDICATED ON MANY OF THE NEW REPORTS. I THOUGHT IT WEIRD, BUT THOUGHT I MAY HAVE BANGED SOMETHING, LET THE OIL GO FAR TOO LONG, OR NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE YOU'LL FIND MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE FREQUENTLY HAVE A KEY SWITCH ISSUE WHERE AN ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL ACTIVATE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON THE CAR DESPITE HAVING A PERFECTLY VALID AND WELL USED KEY. GM PROBABLY HAS AN INTERNAL NOTE ABOUT THIS AND IT MIGHT RELATE TO THE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED/RECALLED. FINALLY, I ONCE DID HAVE MY KEY COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF QUICKLY AND THE KEY JUST CAME OUT WITHOUT GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION. PERHAPS I HAD A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE INVESTIGATORS SEE THIS TO ENSURE THE PROPER FIXES ARE APPLIED FOR OUR SAFETY. *TR
DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY, I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY A SEMI TRUCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HIT A HIGHWAY SIGN HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE. THANKFULLY I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON, BUT SUSTAINED BRUISES. *TR
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT AND WE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY. WE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION AND IT CAUGHT BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE OUR SATURN DEALERSHIP WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, WE HAD A TRUSTED MECHANIC TAKE CARE OF IT NOT KNOWING THERE WERE ISSUES. I RESEARCHED THREE RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FROM SATURN. ONE INVOLVED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WHICH WE HAD TO HAVE FIXED TWICE WITH A HARNESS AND BULB REPLACEMENT IN ON 2/5/05 AND AGAIN ON 10/24/05. ANOTHER WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT ALSO ON 10/24/05. AND THEN THE THIRD WAS THE FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHICH AS YOU KNOW WE HAD REPAIRED ON 10/4/12. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT A REIMBURSEMENT AND THEY SAID NO BECAUSE WE WERE PAST 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, AND THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY 8/31/11. MY QUESTION TO GM IS, HOW CAN YOU PUT A LIMIT ON SOMETHING THAT WAS FAULTY FROM THE BEGINNING? THE NEW IGNITION AND INJECTORS IN MARCH 2010 ($758.94) AND THE NEW STARTER IN AUGUST 2011 ($324) AFTER HAVING RELATED PROBLEMS/REPAIRS DUE TO THE RECALL IN OCT 2005 SHOW THAT SOMETHING JUST WASN'T RIGHT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS MODEL. AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACEMENT ($177) IN OCT 2012 SHOULD ALSO BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE GM ALREADY ADMITTED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL YEAR SO REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAD 10,000 MILES OR 160,000 MILES, IT WAS FAULTY. NOW WE LEARN THAT THEY KNEW THESE WERE PROBLEMS ALL ALONG AND DID
WHILE DRIVING THIS 04 SATURN ION I LOST POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE. I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD RAIL. IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF THEN RESTARTED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH. SOME TIMES THIS CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR WEEKS. IT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY WEATHER OR TEMP. IT KIND OF TAKES YOU BY SURPRISE, ONE SECOND ITS WORKING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S REAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.
TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE POWER CUT OUT. ALL DIALS DROPPED TO ZERO. WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS FLASHED AND THEN TURNED OFF. POWER STEERING CUT OUT. I HAD ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TOO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TURNING THE KEY TO THE FULL OFF POSITION I RESTARTED THE CAR AND CONTINUED TO WORK. I HAVE NOT HAD THAT EXACT PROBLEM REPEAT ITSELF SINCE. *TR
THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN A LONG ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ME, WITH THIS CAR. I DO NOT KNOW THE ACTUAL DATES OF THE OCCURRENCES BUT IT HAS BEEN FREQUENT ENOUGH THAT I HAVE DEVELOPED A METHOD FOR STARTING MY CAR THAT IF I DO NOT FEEL RUSHED, I CAN GET THE CAR TO START MOST EVERY TIME. IF THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO THE FULL ON POSITING IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, IT WILL, ON OCCASION, TURN OVER ONCE AND THEN GO COMPLETELY DEAD. IF THE ATTEMPT IS REPEATED, THE AUXILIARY LIGHTS WILL COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND REPLACED THE BATTERY, TWO DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE READING ABOUT A POTENTIAL PASSLOCK ISSUE WITH SATURNS. WHEN I DO HAVE THE PROBLEM NOW, I HAVE FOUND THAT WAITING ROUGHLY 8 MINUTES(10 MINUTES TO BE SAFE), FOR THE CAR TO RESET ITSELF, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLY LONG WAIT, WILL GENERALLY ALLOW YOU TO START THE CAR WITHOUT FURTHER IGNITION DIFFICULTY. I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED MORE RECENTLY THAT IF I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN IT TO THE AUXILIARY MODE, PAUSE IN THIS POSITION FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS(UNTIL THE INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE SHAPE OF A PADLOCK TURNS OFF), THEN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WILL START WITHOUT ISSUE EVERY TIME. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UPON PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE MAKES A CLICKING NOISE, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE CONTACT HAS TO WAIT A MOMENT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE FAILURES STILL RECURR. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MAGNETS AND REPLACE THE POWER PACK. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING SHORTS OUT AT RANDOM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWS AN ERROR LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES THE FAILURES STILL RECURR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND AUTHORIZED DEALERS. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLEWOULD RECEIVE THE RECALLED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63000. DYD
SMELLED GAS LEAKING FOR A FEW WEEKS EVERY TIME WE WOULD FILL UP. JUST ASSUMED IT WAS SPILLAGE. FINALLY NOTICED DRIPS OF GAS UNDER CAR THEN A WHOLE TANK OF GAS ENDED UP ON MY DRIVEWAY. CAR WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY NOT START, PRESUMABLY DUE TO FUEL LEAKAGE. HAD REPAIR DONE BY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED FUEL LINES HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. SATURN SAYS NOT RESPONSIBLE DUE TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL ONLY INVOLVING A RUSTED FUEL FILTER, HOWEVER THIS WAS AN IMMEDIATE FIRE/SAFETY THREAT. *TR
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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.
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