Page 6 of 18 · complaints 251–300 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 →

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 201455,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT RANDOM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AFTER THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55000.

Power Train
Filed Mar 13, 2014120,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC GUIDE FOR THE SEAT BELT ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO LIE ON THE NECK INSTEAD OF ACROSS THE CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Mar 10, 2014137,000 milesMD

AS I WAS COMING UP TO A TRAFFIC CIRCLE, MY GEARS LOCKED UP AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT, RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE MEDIAN, TOTALING THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE SHOP AWAITING MAINTENANCE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 20143,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 2014125,000 milesRI

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON RT 95 CAR STALLED AND IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART. HAVE A TERRIBLE TIME STARTING THE CAR IN MORNING AND ITS NOT THE BATTERY AS ITS ABOUT YEAR OLD. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE COLD WEATHER BUT SOMETIMES IT STARTS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I NEVER KNOW WHETHER ITS GOING TO START. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT SOUNDS DEAD. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY SAID A RELAY SWITCH CURED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 2, 20143,918 milesIN

12/14/2006 - 03/2014 - IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS OFF/ON - CAR WON'T START. FIRST TIME WON'T START, WAIT 15 MINUTES MOST OF THE TIME WILL THEN START IF NOT THEN WAIT 30 MINUTES THEN WILL START. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES THAT IT WILL START THEN "DIE" THEN START AFTER PARKING AT A STORE (GROCERY, LIBRARY, ETC... NOT AT AN OVER NIGHT WAIT). WHEN CHANGE OIL AT A DEALERSHIP I HAVE TOLD THEM THAT PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. IT HAPPENS OFF AND ON. MOST OF THE TIME THAT HAPPENS WHEN WEATHER IS COLD BUT HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER TOO JUST NOT AS MUCH. AGAIN, DEALERSHIPS NEVER FINDS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS OFF AND ON FOR THE LIST EIGHT (8) YEARS! SO AT 60 YEARS OLD I COULD BE STUCK IN VERY COLD OR VERY HOT WEATHER FOR 15 - 45 MINUTES AND IT MAY NOT BE SAFE! NOW HAVE 39,189 MILES ON MY CAR WITH THE SAME 3,918 MILE PROBLEM! *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 27, 2014CA

THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BUSTED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE

Electrical System
Filed Feb 26, 2014139,000 milesWA

MY 2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE ACC POSITION AS WELL AS WHEN TRYING TO START IT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WILL INTERMITTENTLY KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING, I WILL GO TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT WILL START TO CRANK THEN SHUT DOWN, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN THEN THE CAR WILL START. IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY AND I SEEN THE JUST DID A RECALL ON 2/25/2014 ON IGNITION SWITCHES FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL OF SATURN BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN AND THIS IN MANY CASES WAS JUST A START TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE INCURRED @ SOME POINT MOST OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN EVENTUALLY THEN CANNOT GET THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS I JUST TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOP COINCIDENTALLY FOR THIS PROBLEM AS THEY TOLD ME WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR IT. THIS TO ME IS ABSURD WHEN YOU SEE THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND NOW I FIND OUT 13 PEOPLE HAVE DIED! *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 6, 201480,000 milesID

THE OUTSIDE WINDOW WEATHER STRIPPING IS WARPING AND CRACKING CAUSING JAGGED EDGES. IT STARTED TO RIPPLING ON THE FRONT DOORS NOW IT IS STARTING TO DO IT ON THE REAR DOORS. I HAD TO JUST REPLACE WEATHER STRIP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 31, 201430,000 milesNY

IT TURNS OUT SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCHES CAME WITH A FLAW FROM THE FACTORY, EXCESSIVE GREASE WITH POOR COLD WEATHER PERFORMANCE.THE PASSLOCK ISSUE PRESENTS ITSELF AS YOUR CAR SUDDENLY NOT STARTING. SUFFICE IT TO SAY IF THERE'S NO OBVIOUS REASON FOR YOUR VEHICLE TO NOT START, IT'S PROBABLY PASSLOCK RELATED. IF YOU'VE NOTICED THAT WAITING A FEW MINUTES SEEMS TO HELP, THAT'S THE CLINCHER. TEN MINUTES IS THE MAGIC NUMBER, THAT'S WHEN THE COMPUTER RESETS. IF YOU WERE CHARGED FOR A NEW BATTERY, STARTER, IGNITION SWITCH OR A TOW I SUGGEST YOU NOT LET THE ISSUE DROP, IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY. GM SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. FORGETTING THE UNPLEASANTNESS OF BEING STRANDED IN 10 MINUTE INCREMENTS (ALSO, THE CAR FAILS TO START SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW, AS LONG AS 40 MINUTES BEFORE) THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY. CALLING THE PROBLEM A SAFETY ISSUE MIGHT SEEM LIKE A STRETCH BUT LET'S THINK FOR A MOMENT. WHAT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO FLEE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION (STALKER, LANDSLIDE, FIRE, FLOOD, ETC.) AND YOUR CAR FAILS TO START? WHAT IF IT'S -10 OUTSIDE AND YOUR CAR WON'T START? YOU'RE NOW STUCK IN A FREEZING CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 EXTRA MINUTES, GOING INSIDE ISN'T ALWAYS AN OPTION! LEAVING ASIDE THE SAFETY EXAMPLES, THINK OF EVERYDAY LIFE, TODAY IS BIG MEETING DAY, YOU'RE READY TO LEAVE AND... CAR WON'T START. SAFETY & RELIABILITY ARE TWO (2) KEY ITEMS DEFINITELY FAILING IN ORDER FOR DRIVING TO AND FROM ANY DESTINATION. I FEEL GM/SATURN SHOULD BE HEL

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Jan 9, 2014WI

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE FIRST STARTED HAVING FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, WHICH THE DEALER FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. THE EXHAUST WAS LEAKING AND SHE PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALSO, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER IN JULY 2012, FROM GM STATING THE WARRANTY WAS BEING EXTENDED BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COULD FAIL. ON DECEMBER 16, 2013, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, AS THE CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT. SHE HAD TO USE EXTRA FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. A TEST REVEALED, THERE WAS INDEED A FAILURE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED GM, SHE WAS INFORMED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON 11/28/13 THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/5/14

Steering
Filed Dec 31, 201362,720 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING WITH ALARM CAME ON THE READOUT ON THE DASH. AT THAT TIME IT HAD BECOME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN CLOSE ENOUGH TO ME THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND THE ELECTRIC STEERING RETURNED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THIS INCIDENT PUT ME IN A PANIC MODE BECAUSE I AM PHYSICALLY DISABLED WITH DISABILITIES THAT AFFECT MY ARMS AND LEGS. TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED CAUSED ME GREAT PAIN. I FEAR THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR EVEN SERIOUS INJURIES TO PEDESTRIANS. THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD CONTROL THAT VEHICLE WITHOUT A FULLY FUNCTIONAL ELECTRIC STEERING. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND NOT ON THE ROADWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 17, 2013120,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENT. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Dec 2, 2013103,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WHILE REVERSING AND SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 26, 2013168,000 milesWI

APPROACHING CURVE IN ROAD WHEN STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT. IT FELT COMPLETELY LOCKED, NOT JUST LOSS OF POWER STEERING, TO ME. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD (FACING THE WRONG WAY) AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE STEERING WORKED NORMALLY AGAIN. SINCE THAT TIME, IT HAS COME AND GONE A FEW TIMES, SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR, IT FEELS LIKE THE MECHANICAL STEERING LOCK IS STILL ENGAGED, BUT AFTER SHAKING AND WIGGLING FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT USUALLY BEGINS TO WORK. SOMETIMES I CAN TURN ONE WAY, BUT NOT THE OTHER. IT SEEMS TO BE RANDOM WHETHER IT FAILS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THERE IS POSSIBLE CORRELATION TO LOW TEMPERATURES, BUT I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO BE CERTAIN OF THIS YET. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 30, 201368,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 201392,463 milesMO

WHEN SLOWING TO PARK MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD NOT OPERATE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. DRIVING IT WOULD BE UNSAFE. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I DID THIS TWICE BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, THE DATE LISTED ABOVE AND AGAIN SATURDAY 10-26-2013. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET FOR ANY REPORTED PROBLEMS ON SATURN ION STEERING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A REPORTED PROBLEM AND NHTSA HAS MOVED THEIR INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AS OF OCTOBER 2011. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART, OR IF A RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED. IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP AND INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE ME ON THIS. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2013205,126 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON JUST AS I WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. AT THAT VERY MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I THEN PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WAS WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS BECOMING A HASSLE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR SOME FAULTY CAR MOTOR. SO THIS IS TO THE CAR MANUFACTURES, COULD YOU PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT REALLY HURTS SOMEONE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2013154,000 milesCT

FIRST INCIDENT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HEARD CHIME TO ALERT ME TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, SAFELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED AND DASHBOARD ALERT HAS GONE AWAY. NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING UNTIL 9/15 GOING ABOUT 15 MPH ON AN INCLINE; AGAIN CHIME AND ALERT FOR NO POWER STEERING, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. POWER STEERING REGAINED UPON RESTART. SINCE 9/15 POWER STEERING LOSS OCCURRING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS AND ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. TOOK VEHICLE TO TECHNICIAN WHO CHECKED FLUID, FLOAT, ALL CONNECTIONS AND HOSES AND RELAYED THAT A LIKELY CAUSE MIGHT BE A ELECTRIC PUMP OR ELECTRIC PUMP MODULE TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS. FULL VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TUNE UP WITH NO SOLUTION. POWER STEERING PROBLEM PERSISTS. ALL COMMUNICATION WITH SATURN HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL, THEY FULLY DENY ANY DEFECTS. SATURN KEEPS TELLING ME THAT NO RECALL FOR MY VIN HAS BEEN ISSUED AND NO ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FROM SATURN FOR THE ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 15, 2013120,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 2, 2013122,000 milesCA

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHEN A CHIME WENT OFF. STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT AND I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY CAREFULLY AND PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SINCE THIS INITIAL INCIDENT THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST OVER $1,000.00 TO REPLACE A POWER STEERING MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. WITH THE DANGER INVOLVED SHOULDN'T A RECALL BE IN ORDER? *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 1, 2013150,000 milesMD

MY POWER STEERING HAS SHUT DOWN. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2013100,000 milesIA

ODOMETER DINGS AND DISPLAYS POWER STEERING WARNING; POWER STEERING FAILS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON CORRECTS THIS, UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN (TYPICALLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 10 SECONDS). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND SATURN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO UNDER 100,000 MILES. MY CAR DID NOT START DOING THIS UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

Steering
Filed Sep 23, 2013107,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2013126,924 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD HER BROTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,924.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 5, 20131,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATE AND TWO NEW KEYS WERE PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 9/24/13 *CN

Steering
Filed Sep 3, 2013100,000 milesFL

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE SHE DROVE AT 40MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION; THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205,485. LI

Steering
Filed Sep 3, 20134,700 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD BUT HAS RECURRED SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.

Steering
Filed Aug 19, 201391,568 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A WEEK AND THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,568.

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 201388,700 milesPA

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700. JS

Steering
Filed Aug 5, 201379,852 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING CHIME WOULD SOUND AS THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,852. PROBLEM FIXED. UPDATED 08/22/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS VERIFIED AND FIXED. UPDATED 09/24/13

Steering
Filed Jul 27, 201389,787 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO MY JOB, THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. AFTER MAKING IT TO WORK WHERE THE CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UPON CRANKING THE CAR UP THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, THE STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BACK ON THE DASH. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP ON THE WAY HOME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED AND AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND CRANKED AGAIN THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING ONCE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT INVESTIGATE OR WORK ON THAT MAKE & MODEL CAR WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN MADE YET. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 26, 201370,000 milesOR

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR INCIDENT; WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON A FREEWAY ABOUT 55-60MPH, I NOTICE A "PWR STR" WARNING LIGHT COME ON MY DASH. SINCE I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD, I NOTICE NO CHANGE. AS SOON AS I ATTEMPT TO CHANGE LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, I REALIZE THAT I CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR AND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE IS NO SHOULDER ON THIS FREEWAY, SO IT IS SAFEST TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. MAKING THE RIGHT TURN OFF THE FREEWAY IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND TAKES ALL OF MY STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND NOBODY WAS HURT. THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, AND ONCE OFF THE FREEWAY, I COULD QUICKLY AND SAFELY COME TO A PLACE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER AND PARK. AFTER READING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT SIMILAR PROBLEM, I AM AMAZED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED TO DATE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE BY WAY OF AN ACCIDENT... THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2013124,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 14, 201342,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 5, 201395,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ADD ADDITIONAL EFFORT IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Steering
Filed May 31, 2013124,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *TR

Engine
Filed May 17, 2013141,000 milesWI

THIS CAR WILL NOT START ON COLD DAYS. WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT STARTER ENGAGES AND QUITS. THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 TO 30 MINS FOR THE CAR TO START. I FOUND OUT THAT SATURN HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS ON THIS WHY? THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE MAKE THIS A PRIORITY TO HAVE THESE SWITCHES RECALLED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 11, 2013133,271 milesDE

THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS HIDDEN BY A FLEXIBLE COVER UNDERNEATH CAR, WAS DISCOVERED TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED NEARLY TO THE POINT OF LEAKING, REQUIRING FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT. IN CONTRAST, THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES EXPOSED UNDERNEATH CAR WAS STILL IN PRISTINE CONDITION. (CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED AT NIGHT SINCE DELIVERY.) SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT RECENTLY THEY HAVE BEEN FINDING MANY SATURN IONS WITH THIS CONDITION. ALTHOUGH GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP LEAKS, THE PROBLEM OFTEN IS INSTEAD THE FUEL LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS LEAKING. THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE EXPECTED, AND THUS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A SATURN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. BECAUSE OF THE PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPECTS GM WILL EVENTUALLY ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE FUEL LINE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE PORTION OF THE FUEL LINE SUBJECT TO SEVERE RUSTING IS HIDDEN BEHIND THE FLEXIBLE COVER UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOT THE EXPOSED SECTION, IT IS LIKELY TO BE NOTICED ONLY AFTER LEAKING OCCURS, RESULTING IN A FIRE HAZARD. A RECALL APPEARS DESIRABLE TO INSPECT PARTICULARLY THE HIDDEN PORTION OF THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACE THEM IF NEEDED. ALTHOUGH A MANUFACTURER MUST PROVIDE A REMEDY TO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT A NO COST TO THE OWNER, IN THIS INSTANCE GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE FUEL LINE REPLACEMENT UNLESS THE NHTSA COMPELS THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

Steering
Filed May 8, 2013128,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Steering
Filed May 1, 2013159 milesNJ

I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL HOWEVER BECAUSE I NEVER GOT A LETTER OR HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT MILEAGE 159 RECALL IS RECALL I DISAGREE WAS I SUPPOSE TO WAIT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE NOTIFYING ME. I LOVE MY SATURN AND ITS ASHAMED THAT GM WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SATURN WAS A FANTASTIC BRAND. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 28, 2013NJ

THE FUEL LINE STARTED DRIPPING. THE ENTIRE LINE IS RUSTED AND THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED ON, IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE.

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 2013127,552 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,552. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 2013131,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 10, 2013112,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 13, 2013239,512 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND THE CAR STRUCK IT. THE CAR SUSTAINED SOME FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE SEAT-BELTS LOCKED UP BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SEAT-BELTS ARE LOCKED UP. IT CONCERNS ME THAT WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHEN OFF. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 20, 201334,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY WAS ENGAGED REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH DETECTED A TROUBLE CODE RELATED TO A MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2013174,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ENGAGED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 4, 2013NY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND BECAME STIFF. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NO LONGER TURN RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE BRAKES STARTED HAVING TROUBLE AS WELL. I ALMOST GOT IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT WORKING. THEN WHEN I MADE IT TO A SPOT AND TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 30 MIN LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I HAD SOME CHECK THE FLUID AND IT WAS FINE AND SO WAS THE BELT. ALSO, MY LEFT INDICATOR WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS AND IT KEEPS MELTING THE SOCKET. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 24, 2013200,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A CLICK WAS HEARD WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

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 →