2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A BLOWN AMP IGNITION FUSE, BARE WIRES AT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE IGNITION WAS INTERNALLY SHORTED OUT. *JB
2005 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 2005 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED OUT OF THE LANE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,821.
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND FAULTY IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE ALSO HAS PAPERWORK FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEMS HE EXPERIENCED. *JB
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST POWER TO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $ 2,250.00, WHICH HE FELT WAS TOO HIGH, SO HE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON 3 OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IN MAY 2013, THE CONSUMER WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO KNOW ELECTRICAL POWER. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED AND THE BLACK BOX WAS RE-BOOTED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER THIRTY MINUTES TO AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE A TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A FAILURE WITHIN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/09/14*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2014 *JS
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO WORK THROUGH A WINTRY MIX PRECIPITATION WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL, WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT INTO A GUARDRAIL, WHICH HEAVILY DAMAGED THE FRONT END AND CAUSED HER TO SPIN COMING TO A STOP ON THE ROAD. THE DAMAGE SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT, AND SHE STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE FELT AS THOUGH SHE HIT A PATCH OF SLUSH THAT PUSHED HER TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IN CUSTODY OF MY INSURER. THE FOLLOWING DAY I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL THE GM RECALL 14063 (14V-047). MY CONCERN IS THAT IS FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP TURNING AND THE AIRBAG TO DISABLE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LOSS OF CONTROL, AND THE SUBSEQUENT MINOR NECK INJURY, AND THE TOTAL LOSS OF AN OTHERWISE SOUND VEHICLE. MY INSURER WAS GIVEN THE RECALL INFORMATION AND AFTER REVIEW DECIDED I SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH A CLAIM AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER, AND THIS AVENUE IS DETAILED ON PAGE TWO OF MY RECALL MAILING. THANK YOU. *TR
RE: BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) SOLENOID. THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN IGNITION AND NOT RELEASE, OR I WOULD BE UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AFTER INSERTING THE KEY. NOTE: A COUPLE OF TIMES I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD TO FORCE THE KEY TO TURN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO THE OFF POSITION OVER SEVERAL MINUTES. I HAVE REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 3 TIMES AND IGNITION HOUSING TWICE SINCE BUYING MY SATURN ION NEW IN 2005. THEREFORE, I AM NOW ON MY FOURTH IGNITION SWITCH SINCE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE BEEN FOUND DEFECTIVE IN CERTAIN GM CAR MODELS AND YEARS AND A RECALL IS IN PLACE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT IGNITION PROBLEMS IN GM SATURN IONS ARE ADDITIONALLY COMPLICATED BY BTSI SOLENOID AND SWITCH FAILURE. IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HOUSING, I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BTSI SOLENOID AND SWITCH TWICE (MAY 2010, 50,263 MI; FEB 2013, 84,715 MI) DUE TO THE PART'S FAILURE IN ORDER TO FULLY ADDRESS THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS OF MY SATURN ION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE ADDITIONAL ISSUE OF BTSI SOLENOID AND SWITCH FAILURE AS BEING A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE OVERALL IGNITION SAFETY PROBLEMS OF GM SATURN IONS. *TR
I HAVE A 05 SATURN 05 ION A RECALL. AND TWICE IN THE PAST WEEK DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK, NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED, AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO. I ALREADY TOOK THE KEYS AN CLICKER OFF THE KEY RING, I AM VERY CONCERNED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION, MY MESSAGE CENTER CHIMED AND READ "PWR STR". I ATTEMPTED TO STEER AND NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE KEY HAD BEEN DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE. THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING IGNITION LOCK HOUSING CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND RECODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT UNTIL SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE YEARS AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN
IGNITION WOULD SOMETIMES NOT TURN OFF OR RELEASE KEY WHEN CAR WAS RUNNING, OR TURN ON WHEN CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. PASSLOCK INDICATOR WAS COMING ON AT STRANGE TIMES. BATTERY CONSTANTLY BEING DRAINED. SES LIGHT WAS ON WHEN THE KEY WAS OUT OF IGNITION. $960 IN PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
NO START/NO CRANK IN VERY COLD WEATHER! THIS IS THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THESE SWITCHES ON THE SATURN IONS! I CALLED SATURN DEALERSHIP RT AWAY, WHEN I COULD NOT START MY CAR. THEY HAD NO ANSWER, WANTED ME TO TOW MY CAR IN. BUT, WHEN WEATHER WARMED UP PAST 20' OUTSIDE, CAR TURNED RT OVER. THIS WAS A "HIT & MISS" PROBLEM, FOR YRS ON MY CAR. THEN 2013, WAS OUR SEVERELY COLD WINTER, IN MI. MY CAR, EVERY MORN, WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO ALL MY OWN RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM. TO MY SHOCK!! WHAT I FOUND! THE COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, WAS ALL OVER THE INTERNET!! THEN, I FOUND THE ACTUAL BULLETIN FROM GM'S FROM 2009! IT DESCRIBED THIS PROBLEM X& TO REPLACE THE SWITCH! WHAT WAS HAPPENING IS THE EXTREME COLD WEATHER WAS THROWING OFF THE ANTI THEFT SWITCH TOO! SHUT THE WHOLE CAR DOWN! I HAD TO PAY $500 TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH & KEY TUMBLER. WHY IS THIS PROBLEM NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AS WELL? IT'S AS BAD AS THE PROBLEM ON THE NEWS. I ALSO REC'D AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM TOO. SORRY I BOUGHT A SATURN, BUT WAS A GOOD LIL CAR, UNTIL THIS! *TR
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
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE AND EXPERIENCED THE NOTED IGNITION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TECHNICIAN AND NO DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000 MILES. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE AND THEY WANTED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE MANUFACTURE. I REFERRED THEM TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THAT COMPLAINT.SR
A FEW YEARS AGO MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT I JUST REPLACED IT WHICH TOOK A FEW TRYS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY WORKED, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THAT TURN SIGNAL WORKING. EVERYTIME I HAVE TO REPLACE IT, IT IS A HASSLE TRYING TO GET IT TO WORK FOR IT TO ONLY GO OUT AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO. I AM OUT THERE AGAIN TODAY REPLACING THIS THING. I HAVE READ ABOUT RECALLS ON 2004 IONS, HAVE THERE NOT BEEN ANY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 2005? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO ERRONEOUSLY USE HER KEY TO OPEN ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT DO NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE ALL OF THE SAME YEAR SATURN IONS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE EXACT SAME KEY CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY POWER STEERING SENSOR CAME ON AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB THERE IS A SLIGHT DIP IN THE ROAD WHEN EXITING THE PARKING LOT ON TO THE STREET AND AS I WAS PULLING OUT MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND I WENT OVER THE BUMP AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND I WAS NOT AWARE IT HAD SHUT OFF UNTIL I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP. THAT WAS THE VERY FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN, IT SHUTS OFF ALMOST EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP. *TR
SINCE THE RECALL ON THE SATURN 2005 ION, I'M WONDERING IF THERE EVER WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THE SATURN 2005 ION? I FEEL LIKE I HAD TO HAVE ALLOT OF SERVICES DONE ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALL OF THIS STARTED AFTER I HAD RESTORATION PERFORMED TO THE HEADLIGHTS - 7/2/12 7/18/12 - RIGHT FRONT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OUT 9/4/12 - RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BURNT REPL SOCKET - BOTH TURN SIGNALS INOP 11/8/12 - LEFT HEADLAMP BULB REPL 11/13/13 - RIGHT BRAKE LAMP REPL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL PERTAINING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT HAD NOT YET RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
ON OCTOBER 31, AND NOVEMBER 1 OF 2013 I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND IN NEARLY THE SAME SPOT THE SATURN LOST COMPLETE POWER AND DIED. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT WE HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN AND CURRENTLY IT IS IN STORAGE AS I PURCHASED A NEW CAR. I DRIVE 350 MILES A WEEK TO WORK AND NEED DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION. WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT WE REALIZED WE MAY HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR UP TO 2 YEARS. THERE WOULD BE TIMES WE WOULD SHUT THE CAR OFF BUT WOULD BE UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT. IT WOULD TAKE UP TO A MINUTE BEFORE CLICKING AND WE COULD REMOVE THE KEY. THAT WAS WHEN IT WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. *TR
I CHECKED ELECTRICAL ABOVE, FOR AFFECTED PARTS, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS CORRECT. IT WAS THE IGNITION. I WAS DRIVING ON WHITNEY AVE. (TOWARDS NEW HAVEN) IN HAMDEN, CT. TRAFFIC WAS MODERATE DUE TO THE TIME OF DAY (3:00 P.M.) SUDDENLY, AND WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE DASH LIGHTING UP WITH ENGINE LIGHTS, MY CAR STOPPED. THERE WAS ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO TURN IT INTO THE POST OFFICE DRIVEWAY. BRAKES AND STEERING DID NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY, THE CARS COMING UP BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE INCIDENT CAUSED A TRAFFIC JAM AND A MESS IN THE POST OFFICE. A VERY KIND MAN OFFERED TO HELP PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE INCOMING DRIVEWAY. HE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT OUT OF THE WAY. I HAVE AAA SERVICE. THE CALL WAS MADE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FIRESTONE ON DIXWELL AVE., SINCE I LIVE IN THE VICINITY AND COULD WALK HOME. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK DONE BY FIRESTONE. THE JOB COST ME $262.82. I WAS ON MY WAY TO I-91. I DREAD TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, IF THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN 65 MILE AN HOUR TRAFFIC. (I JEST, SINCE TRUCKS REGULARLY PASS GOING WELL OVER 70!) I WISH TO SEND MY BILL TO GM, BUT NO ADDRESS IS PROVIDED ON THE RECALL LETTER. PLEASE ADVISE. IF I DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL GO TO VALENTI MOTORS IN WALLINGFORD TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING AN ADDRESS TO SEND MY BILL. I EXPECT FULL COMPENSATION FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS INCIDENT, AND WILL PROVIDE THE FIRESTONE INVOICE. IN A SEPARATE RECENT INCIDENT, AGAIN, ON MY WAY TO AN INTERSTA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AS THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE STREET DIVIDER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE CRASH, THE RADIATOR AND CONDENSER WERE DAMAGED AND BOTH WERE REPLACED BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY KEY GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION FOR PAST YEAR. I WENT TO DEALER LAST YEAR AND THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG. NOW I KNOW THAT GM IS RECALLING CARS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND UNTIL I DO I CANNOT REPAIR THE CAR. I CALLED A LOCAL GM DEALER-BOB JOHNSON CHEVY AND THEY STATED THEY ARE AWARE BUT GM ADVISED THEM NO PARTS UNTIL BEGINNING OF APRIL. THEN I RECEIVED A CALL LATER STATING THEY HAVE A IGNITION MODULE TO INSTALL AND IT WOULD COST ME $260 DOLLARS TO REPAIR VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO DO I FIND OUT IF MY CAR IS ON LIST AND GET THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. MY KEY IS STILL GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY I HEARD THE CHIME IN THE CAR GO OFF A FEW TIMES RAPIDLY, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ('PWR STR') CAME ON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I PROCEEDED TO GO STRAIGHT, THEN I HAD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AT THIS TIME I REALIZED THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING IN THE CAR, AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTINUED TO HAVE A PROBLEM STEERING THE VEHICLE, AND I HAD TO FIND AN EMPTY AREA TO PARK THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE, AND AN UNSAFE SITUATION AS WELL. AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, I STARTED IT AGAIN, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS OFF. STEERING AFTER THAT WAS NORMAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, COMPROMISING MY SAFETY AND OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS IN MY VICINITY. *TR
VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. I ALSO OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. VIN [XXX] I NEED TO KNOW IF MY AUTOMOBILES ARE SAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO TRAVEL IN. WE HAVE OWNED SATURNS FOR OVER 10 YEARS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
IGNITION SWITCH RECOGNITION BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE ANTI-THEFT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT HOURS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. KEY WOULD GET LOCKED IN IGNITION WITH ACCESSORIES ON AND NOT GO OFF. BATTERY WOULD DIE. WHEN JUMPING THE CAR THE KEY WOULD STILL BE LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION AND BEGIN TURNING ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. CAR BLEW FUSE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MAX SPEED REDUCED TO 30 MPH. WHEN TURNING ON KEY WOULD BE 1/2 RECOGNIZED AND LIGHTS/ELECTRIC WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND FUSES/COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED/RESET. CAR DID THE LIGHT/ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHILE ON AND DRIVING, KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. CAR WAS TOWED BY PALMETTO CHEVY IN CONWAY SC, WHO DESPITE RECALL AND VEHICLE HISTORY REFUSE TO FIX THE CAR OR GIVE LOANER AS STATED ON WEBSITE. I HAVE BEEN CALLING SINCE 2008 ABOUT THE ISSUE. GM SAYS TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ISSUES. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ON TUESDAY 3/11/14 TO PALMETTO CHEVY, AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PICK IT UP BUT WERE A NO SHOW ON MONDAY 3/10/14. AGAIN, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RECALL. STATING THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF AND POWER STEERING QUITS ON OCCASIONS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND BLINKING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF BUT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND BLINK. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,106. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY POWER STEERING LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS.THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER LOCKS KINDA WENT CRAZY.IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND I'M AFRAID IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY CAR WILL WONT START IT DID IT ONCE BEFORE AND IT STARTED 3 HOURS LATER. TODAY MY CAR STARTED 20MINUTES LATER. ITS NOT MY BATTERY BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS JUST WONT EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER. *TR
WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 SATURN ION USED SEPT. 4, 2012,(87,812) BEFORE EVEN COULD TAKE OFF LOT THEY HAD TO INSTALL AN IGNITION CYLINDER AND CUT NEW KEY, AND THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK COULD PRESS ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, AND WOULD ONLY GET UP TO ABOUT 20MPH. THIS WAS ALSO FIXED. (OR SO WE THOUGHT). SINCE OUR PURCHASE, WE STILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE KEY GETTING STUCK, IT NOT TURNING OFF WITH CAR STILL RUNNING, OR THE CAR WON'T START, IT HAPPENS SO MUCH THAT OUR DAUGHTER WHO DRIVES IT JUST FIGURES THAT'S THEY WAY IT'S SUPPOSE TO BE, BECAUSE WHEN TAKE BACK TO DEALER EITHER IT WON'T DO IT FOR THEM OR DOESN'T DO IT FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW THE WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT SO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEY TOLD US WE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF, WELL IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, SHE PARKED WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE GM HASN'T GIVEN THEM RECALL YET! WAS IN ACCIDENT ON JAN. 2, 2014 FRONT END AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! NOT SURE WHY NOT!!! THIS JULY WAS COMING HOME AND DRIVING DOWN ROAD CAR JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30MPH AND HAD TO MANUALLY TRY TO GET CAR OFF ROAD WITHOUT HURTING CAR OR ANYONE ELSE'S CAR, AFTER SOMETIME GOT CAR TO START AGAIN AND GOT IT HOME, CALLED DEALERSHIP THEIR RESPONSE IF HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT IN. AND STILL TO THIS DATE SOMETIMES HER THROTTLE WILL STICK, AS A PARENT I'M HOLDING MY BREATH EVERY TIME SHE LEAVES OUR DRIVE IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP SOON. *TR
I WAS DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING TURNED OFF COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS COULD BE SO DIFFERENT TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING.... *TR
HAS HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER (APPROX 10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS) THE CAR FAILS TO START WHEN KEY IN IGNITION IS TURNED. ATTEMPTS TO START CAR IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER FAIL TO START CAR. RADIO, LIGHTS, FAN, ETC, WILL TURN ON BUT CAR DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO START. SECURITY LOCK SYMBOL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON. IF 10 MINUTES TIME IS ALLOWED TO PASS, CAR WILL START ON FIRST ATTEMPT AND SECURITY LOCK SYMBOL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DO NOT LIGHT UP. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 INSTANCES WHERE CAR DID NOT START AFTER TRYING FOR AN HOUR WITH WAITING 10 MINUTES BETWEEN STARTING ATTEMPTS. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS IGNITION SWITCH. DOING RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH IONS AND SATURN HAD FAILED TO MAKE ANY RECOGNITION/SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM. IT IS QUITE FRUSTRATING WAITING FOR 10 MINUTES IN YOUR CAR TO TRY TO START IT AGAIN WHEN TEMPS ARE BELOW ZERO DEGREES. *TR
ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STARTING TO GET HARDER AND HARDER WHEN TURNING. I FEAR THIS BECAUSE IN NOT THAT STRONG AND FEAR I MIGHT CRASHED AND HURT MY THREE KIDS. THE STEERING COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON AND THAT MAKE ME WONDER ABOUT THAT TOO, WHEN I TURN I HAVE TO BE IN STRONG MODE OR I MIGHT BE IN AN ACCIDENT. CAN GM PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
KEY WOULD NOT START CAR. CHECKED BATTERY, TOOK BATTERY TO AUTOZONE. CHECKED OUT GOOD. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY ANYWAY. REMOTE KEY NOT WORKING EXCEPT FOR OPENING TRUNK. CHANGED REMOTE BATTERY, STILL NOT WORKING. ORDERED NEW REMOTE PROGRAMMED BY FOY MOTORS. REMOTE NOW WORKING AS PROGRAMMED CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE DAYS OF KEY NOT STARTING CAR. CLICK ON UNLOCK, THEN LOCK, UNLOCK ETC. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, CAR WILL START AND WILL CONTINUE TO START FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN THE PROBLEM BEGINS AGAIN. AS I SEE IN THE SATURN RECALL ON THE INTERNET, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION IN THE SATURN ION, THIS HAS TO BE THE CAUSE. *TR
HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/VEHICLECOMPLAINT/INDEX.XHTML 2-26-14 @ 10:36 P.M. THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 26, 2014 I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT SATURN IONS (2005) HAVE RECALL - DEADLY INCIDENT MAY OCCUR DUE TO IGNITION - I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS TO CONFIRM AND GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND INQUIRE WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEY ADVISED THAT A LETTER WILL BE SENT OUT IN APRIL - MORE THAN 30 DAYS FROM TODAY. WHY MUST SOMEONE WAIT OVER 30 DAYS TO BE ADVISED THERE MAY BE AN INCIDENT WITH YOUR CAR THAT MAY CAUSE YOUR LIFE OR THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE, AND WAIT THAT LONG TO BE GIVEN ANY INFORMATION THAT THE CAR OWNER MAY DO TO POSSIBLY LESSEN THE CHANCES OF AN INCIDENT TO OCCUR. I WOULD THINK THAT THE MONEY OUR GOVERNMENT GAVE THE AUTO INDUSTRY WOULD BE ABLE TO COVER A SIMPLE LETTER OR POST CARD IF THEY ARE SO CASH POOR TO NOTIFY LOYAL CAR OWNERS OF A POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND NOT ROLL THE DICE AND HOPE ONE SURVIVES THE 30+ DAYS OF BEING NOTIFIED. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A CRIME! *TR
MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE AUTOMOBILE SHUT OFF AND ON DASH DISPLAY READ PWR STEERING COOLANT THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TURNED THE KEY OVER AND INSTANTLY THE CAR WAS LIKE NEW DRIVING OK TILL I GOT HOME. GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND SAW MANY POWER STEERING COMPLAINTS ON THE SATURN IONS. *TR
POWER STEERING WARNING APPEARED AFTER STARTING CAR. IMMEDIATELY POWER STEERING SHUTDOWN WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD NOT WORK ON SEVERAL OCCASION. WE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SATURN STATING IF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS TO WORK, BRING IT TO OUR LOCAL GM DEALER FOR A RECALL. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH NOT ONLY THE SATURNS, BUT SEVERAL OTHER OF THEIR AUTOMOBILES. WE TOOK THE CAR IN ON JUNE 14, 2013, WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEN IN THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AGAIN, THEY INDICATED BEFORE SHE EVER SAT DOWN THAT IF THIS WAS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. IT WAS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. THEY MADE HER WAIT AN HOUR TO TELL HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AND IT WOULD BE $920.00. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, AND GM HAS HAD THE PROBLEM CONTINUALLY WITH THE SATURN. I TRIED TO GO THROUGH GM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BECAUSE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION I HAVE INDICATES THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY PRETTY MUCH GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. THEY DID CALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY THOUGHT I WANTED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE, THE ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES (PER THEIR LETTER FOR THE RECALL) AND IS STILL HAVE THE ISSUES. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IGNORING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE SATURN PRODUCT. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE. THANKS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALSO IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FLASHES FAST AND WILL NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE BULB THE SAME PROBLEM NOBODY SEEM TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS , FROM THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I THINK G M NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS, THE KEY BEING SHAKEN THE CAR WOULD START. I TOOK THIS CAR TO MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THIS IGNITION AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT GM AND SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. AT TIMES IT WOULD TAKE 10 MINUTES BEFORE I COULD START THE CAR. *TR
DROVE LESS THEN A MILE, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD MY HUSBAND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN FLAMES SHOT IN BESIDE HIS LEG WE JUMP OUT OF THE CAR AND HE GOT OUR SON OUT OF HIS CAR SEAT. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT STARTED ORDER THE HOOD AND THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHAKE THE KEY UNTIL IT RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON AS DID THEIR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT..THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO DRIVE..I HAD IT IN AND TO A GM DEALER--THEY SAID BY THE TIME I DROVE IT UP (40 MILES)CAR DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN..WHILE UP THERE THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AND SAID BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULDN'T GO ON FOR THEM--THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $98..I HAD BEEN IN TOUCH WITH GM IN MICH.THEY HELPED ME GET THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED.AT NO CHARGE.I HAVE HAD THE CAR HOME FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK--AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING ON 10-02-13-POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON..SO I HAD TO SIGN A STATEMENT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF NOT THERE FAULT..WHAT A SAFETY HAZARD..I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND NEVER HAD TROUBLE EXCEPT FOR THIS--WHICH IT'S LIKE NOT HAVING A CAR..IN TOUCH WITH GM AGAIN--WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.. *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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