2005 Saturn Ion complaints

2005 SATURN. CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHER MODELS SHARE THE SAME PART NUMBER, WHICH WOULD EXPLAIN WHY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS, BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER IN MANUAL MODE WITH NO POWER STEERING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED. UPON RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AGAIN. HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME ACCOMPANIED WITH AN ILLUMINATED POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME; UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY AND THE SERVICE LIGHT SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,500.

WE HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT WE PURCHASE NEW. IT HAS BEEN LOSING IT'S POWER STEERING FOR A WHILE NOW. WE HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, AND THIS SEENS TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO LAST FOR SHORTER PERIODS OF TIME, AND WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I FOUND THIS SITE AND DECIDED THAT WE ALSO NEED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. HAVE HEARD DIFFERENT PRICES TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE COVERED IN THE GM RECALL (AS IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PART/PROBLEM THAT OTHER GM CARS ARE EXPERIENCING). VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL BE WORKING FROM ONE MOMENT TO THE NEXT.

THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. *DT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. ALSO, TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING, HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING CORRECTED ITSELF AND BEGAN WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 75649 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 77000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000.

POWER STEERING FAILING, VERY HARD TO TURN. *TR

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT ON MY 2005 SATURN ION. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR CAUSES, I REALIZED MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS SAID THAT THE SYSTEM USED HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER GM MODELS, BUT NOT THE SATURN ION LINE. IT WAS SUGGESTED BY THE OTHER OWNERS THAT WE SUBMIT THIS PROBLEM IN AN EFFORT FOR A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING WITHOUT NOTICE. LUCKILY AT HIS POINT I HAVE NOT HAD A SITUATION CAUSING ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY. JUST INCONVENIENCE AND WORRY ABOUT WHEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. THANK YOU *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2005 SATURN ION IN MAY OF 2009. SHORTLY AFTER I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING FAILING. RECENTLY GM HAS RECALLED MANY CHEVY AND PONTIAC MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY 2005 SATURN ION REDLINE USES THE SAME POWER STEERING UNIT AS THE OTHER MODELS RECALLED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER IN ONE DIRECTION TOWARDS A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH OUT A CRASH. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A 30 SECOND WAITING PERIOD. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 12/09/10*JB

MY 2005 SATURN ION HAS THE SAME POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AS IS BEING DISCUSSED FOR THE CHEVROLET COBALT RECALL -- PLEASE INCLUDE THE SATURN ION IN THE RECALL AS THEY SHARE THE SAME "PLATFORM" AS I UNDERSTAND. IN THE LAST YEAR, MY ION WOULD HAVE NO POWER STEERING AFTER STARTING THE CAR (THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT FOUR TIMES). THERE WOULD BE A CHIME SOUND AND THE DISPLAY WOULD SAY "POWER STEERING". I WOULD TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT AND THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED WHICH REQUIRED GREATER PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN DRIVING, I HEAR THREE DINGS AND A "PWR STR" MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BUT COMES BACK AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR YET, AS THE COST OF REPAIR IS VERY HIGH, ABOUT $1000. *TR

I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURN THE KEY TO START, AND THE ON BOARD SECURITY SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) DISABLES THE CAR. I HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT STARTS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE IGNITION TURNS, IT'S THAT THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM SEES RANDOM KEY TURNS AS ATTEMPTS TO STEAL THE CAR AND DISABLES THE STARTER. VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT STRANDS YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILED AS HE WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. HE HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE ENGINE ON AND OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FOR $500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,250.

ON OCT. 2009 TO PRESENT MY SATURN ION (2005) POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR. IN ORDER FOR THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF ENGINE AND POWER STEERING IS OK FOR FEW MILES, THEN POWER STEERING FAILURE AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS REALLY HARD AND IT'S HARD TO STEER. ALSO I NOTICED MY MILEAGE FROM 60,000 NOW READS 711,300. I CALLED THE DEALER AND EXPLAIN THE SITUATION AND THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME OVER $1200.00. I STILL DRIVE THE SATURN OCCASIONALLY ON SHORT DISTANCE ONLY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 SATURN ION-2. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT HAD 12 MILES ON IT. IN 2007 MY CAR DID NOT START ONE MORNING AND SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STARTER. STARTING LAST YEAR THIS PROBLEM RETURNED. WHEN I TURN THE STARTER ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON BUT THE STARTER WON'T EVEN TRY TO START. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IT'S COLD, BUT NOT NECESSARILY. IT HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, AND IS VERY RANDOM. I MISSED WORK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND EVEN MISSED A JOB INTERVIEW BECAUSE OF IT. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ONLINE SAYS YOU HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A 'SAFETY ISSUE' BUT LAST WEEKEND AT 1AM, WHEN IS WAS 10 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE MY CAR WOULDN'T START. NOT ONLY IS IT UNSAFE FOR A SINGLE FEMALE BUT THAT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING AND IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE, BECAUSE I COULD FREEZE TO DEATH WHILE WAITING IN MY CAR FOR IT TO START. I PURCHASED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND INSTALLED IT IN THE WAY THE DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL AFTER I DID THAT AND I HAD TO RE-INSTALL THE OLD ONE. THIS WAS $30 I CAN'T GET BACK AND MY CAR STILL WON'T START. *TR

MY MOTHER'S 2005 SATURN ION LOOSES POWER STEERING ALL THE TIME. IF YOU STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF, AND RESTART THE CAR THEN THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED IN THE 1.3 MILLION CARS GM JUST RECALLED BUT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE THE SATURN ION. WHY? *TR

I WAS ADVISED AFTER CALLING SATURN A THIRD TIME THAT I FILE A COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE TO GO TOWARD A RECALL OF MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR ON MY SATURN ION 2. 1. ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER 2009, WHILE MAKING A LONG DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. 2. HOWEVER, SINCE THEN, THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO GO OUT MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AS SOON AS I START DRIVING THE CAR AND I DRIVE WITHOUT IT 99% OF THE TIME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER I AM CAUSING ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR DRIVING IT LIKE THIS. THERE IS NO WARNING OF IT HAPPENING OTHER THAN THE BEEP THAT OCCURS AFTER IT GOES OUT. SOMETIMES THE BEEP WILL BE SO DELAYED THAT I WILL GO TO TURN AND IT IS EXTREMELY HARD AND UNEXPECTED. THIS BACK AND FORTH OF HAVING OR NOT HAVING POWER STEERING IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT RELY ON SKILL OR MUSCLE MEMORY ALONE TO KNOW THE FORCE I NEED TO STEER THE CAR. I HAVE NOT YET HAD A CRASH BUT I WORRY ABOUT IT MORE AND MORE. PARKING IS A HUGE PROBLEM. 3. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN THAT IF I WENT TO ONE OF THE (FEW REMAINING) SATURN DEALERS TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE, IT WOULD THEN CONTRIBUTE TO A RECALL. I DID GO HAVE THIS DONE, AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS "ONLY A MATTER OF TIME TILL A RECALL, SINCE WE SEE THIS PROBLEM EVERY DAY NOW". THEY EVEN STARTED CARRYING JUST THE MOTOR SINCE IT WAS SO EXPENSIVE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO HAVE TO

ON JAN 16 2010 MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 SATURN ION AND HE CALLED ME ON MY CELL TO TELL ME THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I TOLD HIM TO PULL OVER, (HE ALREADY DID) TURN THE CAR OFF, AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. HE DID THAT AND CALLED ME BACK ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER TO SAY HE DID MAKE IT HOME AND THE PS FAILED AGAIN RIGHT BEFORE HE GOT HOME. HE THEN TOLD ME HE NOTICED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH WOULD COME ON IF THE RADIO WAS ON SO HE DID NOT HAVE THAT ON FOR THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT THE TIME UNTIL I WAS TOLD T THE CAR HAS ELECTRIC STEERING. THE NEXT DAY (SUNDAY), I DROVE THE CAR TO SEARS TO HAVE THE BATTERY TESTED THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AS I HAVE NEVER CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. SEARS SAID THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND THEY SAID MY PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WAS PROBABLY NOT RELATED TO THE BATTERY AND THEY RECOMMEND I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. DURING THE DRIVE THAT DAY TO SEARS THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE BECAUSE I DID NOT TURN ON THE RADIO OR HEADLIGHTS (THE PS LIGHT ALSO CAME ON WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON). HOWEVER, ON THE WAY HOME THE PS AGAIN FAILED ANYWAY RIGHT BEFORE WE GOT HOME. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN THE REST OF THE DAY. THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY THE 18TH, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER (SATURN OF TUCSON) AND THE STEERING WAS FINE THE WHOLE WAY OVER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THEIR EXPLANATION WAS IT SHORTED OUT. I ASKED IF THIS WAS SOMETHING I CAUS

POWERSTEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ABILITY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD ,IT HAPPENED AT 60 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY ,I PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF AND STARTED ENGINE AND IT RESET, IT DOES IT ON OCCASION 3 OR 4 TIMES A MONTH. *TR

2005 SATURN ION POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHY NO RECALL? MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT INVOLVES THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING EVERYDAY AND THIS POWER STEERING FAILS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN CHANGING LANES ,THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON. THE VEHICLE THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED IT, AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE STEERING MECHANISM THAT OVER HEATS AND SHUTS OFF. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36000. UPDATED 04/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 06/10/10*JB

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 ION 2 SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TURNING AT A CORNER. I BLEW IT OFF UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 7 DAYS LATER. I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING IN A TURN, VERY DIFFICULT, I FOUND OUT. I COULD STOP & RESTART AND STEERING WOULD BE OKAY FOR A WHILE. IT HAS SINCE BEEN CONTINUOUS AND NOT WORTH THE EFFORT FOR A RESTART SINCE IT WILL ONLY LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS EPS UNIT SHORTING OUT. THEY DID NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PART AND ARE WELL AWARE OF CONDITION FROM OTHER OWNERS. IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND STILL NO PART. WHEN THE DASH ALARM GOES OFF (DING,DING,DING) IT MEANS GRAB WHEEL TIGHT! IT WILL ALSO SHOW (PWR STEER) IN CLUSTER. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS AS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COMPLIMENT THE OTHER DRIVERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT FOR KEEPING THEIR VEHICLES UNDER CONTROL. *TR

2005 SATURN ION - CAR EXPERIENCES DAILY INTERMITTENT FAILURES TO START AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IN MOST INSTANCES YOU EXIT THE CAR, INSERT KEY 5-10 MINUTES LATER AND THE CAR WILL GENERALLY. EVENTUALLY IT DOES. PROBLEMS POINTS TO SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SATURNS WITH THIS IGNITION ISSUE. *TR

WE HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT REFUSES TO START. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE DURATION OF OUR OWNERSHIP. THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS A POSSIBLE CULPRIT. IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS. TURNS OUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THE MANY OF US TO GET GM TO FIX THIS. IT MAKES OUR LIVES HARDER BY THE DAY. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION AND KEY WANT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SATURN AND IGNITION SOLENOID, GEAR SHIFT HOUSING UNIT, ANOTHER KEY WAS MADE, SECURITY SYSTEM WAS RESET AND CAR WAS RECALIBRATED. SATURN TOLD ME THIS WAS WHAT WAS NEEDED TO FIX PROBLEM AND PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT ION OWNERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM UPSET AND FRUSTRATED I HAVE TWO KIDS AND HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PARTS THAT OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I NEED HELP THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL. AS FAR AS PROBLEM WITH CAR NOT STARTING, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. SATURN TESTED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND CHECKED STARTER EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. HOPEFULLY CAR NOT STARTING IS FIXED BUT IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND I KNOW I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE COLD A FEW TIMES WITH MY CHILDREN TILL THE CAR DECIDED TOO START. *TR

KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM MY IGNITION. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT READ THAT THE STICK SHIFT IS ENGAGED IN PARK AND DOES NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING JUST AS MY CAR REACHED 60,000 MILES (MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 84,000). THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM, JUST RANDOM AND IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION. SOMETIMES I JUST HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE. THE KEY IS STILL IN ACCESSORY MODE AND DOES DRAIN THE BATTERY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AT MY FIRST INCIDENCE AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AT THE TIME, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST AFTER.*TR

CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUT! KEY WILL TURN, RADIO ETC. WILL WORK, BUT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CUTS OFF FUEL. MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM, ON SATURN ION 2, NUMEROUS YEARS! THE OIL/GREASE USED IN IGNITION FREEZES! SATURN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IS TURNING A BLIND EYE! *TR

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON IT. I LOVE MY LITTLE CAR AND HAD HOPES OF OWNING IT FOR YEARS TO COME. HOWEVER, MY HOPES OF BEING A HAPPY SATURN OWNER IS QUICKLY FADING AS I CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING COLUMN. FIRST IT WAS THE IGNITION, WHICH I HAVE REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING IS TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT ALSO NOT UNCOMMON AS I'VE FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET ON THIS VERY PROBLEM. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AT THE REPAIR SHOP NOW. THE WHOLE COMPONENT NEEDS REPLACED (YOU CAN'T ORDER SEPARATE PARTS) I WILL HAVE THE REPAIR SHOP SAVE THE OLD PART. IT WILL COST CLOSE TO 900.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE SAME PRICE. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 ION SATURN QUITS WORKING. I'VE RESEARCHED THE WEB AND IT IS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE. I PULL OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WORKS AGAIN. IT WAS HAPPENING ABOUT ONCE A MONTH NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. NOW I CAN'T EVEN PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT THE FAILURE HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59000. UPDATED 01/12/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED EVERY WINTER THE DOESN'T START. UPDATED 01/13/10.*JB

MY CAR KEY GETS STUCK IN MY SATURN ION 2005 AFTER I HAVE SHUT IT OFF, ALSO WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KEY IT WILL NOT TURN, I HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND JIGGLE THE KEY TO GET IT TO START. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SATURN IONS. ALSO THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN MY CAR, BUT ONCE I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ON THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM GOES AWAY BUT AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES GIVE OR TAKE THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES THIS PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT IT COMES BACK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS HARD FOR ME TO MAKE SHARP TURNS. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP TODAY, LUCKILY STILL ON WARRANTY, BUT SHAME ON SATURN BECAUSE AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THESE ARE VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH SATURN. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN! OH AND MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I CAN'T DRIVE FAST. THAT HAPPENED FOR A WEEK AND THEN WENT AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW IT IS BACK. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND COULD ONLY GO 35 MPH. THANK GOD IT WASN'T RUSH HOUR. THAT IS BEING FIXED ALSO... *TR

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY ON MY 2005 SATURN ION, I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 10/26/2009 TODAY'S DATE IS 10/29/2009 I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD OR HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS ALSO. THIS NEEDS TO BE A REALLY ON SATURNS PART FOR THESE DEFECTED ITEMS THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR GREEDINESS. *TR

FAILED IGNITION SWITCH ON A 2005 SATURN ION. THE IGNITION KEY IS STUCK IN THE SHAFT AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE CAR IS TO REMOVE THE STEERING COLUMN COVER AND UNPLUG THE DISCONNECT UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK. THE TIME OF DAY WAS 9AM. THE TEMPERATURE HAD BEEN HOVERING AROUND FREEZING ALL NIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE PREVIOUS DAY AT AROUND 9PM. I UNLOCKED MY VEHICLE USING KEYLESS ENTRY - DRIVER DOOR ONLY. I INSERTED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, CLOSED THE DOOR, PUSHED THE CLUTCH TO THE FLOOR WHILE FASTENING MY SEATBELT. I THEN TURNED THE KEY TO THE START POSITION. THE ENGINE DID NOT START - THE STARTER DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. WHEN I RELEASED THE KEY, THE SECURITY LIGHT (AN AMBER "PADLOCK" ICON) STARTED FLASHING SLOWLY - ONCE PER SECOND. I THEN FOLLOWED THE RESTART PROCEDURE FOR THIS SITUATION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER MANUAL - SIMPLY WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, TURN THE KEY TO LOCK, THEN RESTART. TEN MINUTES LATER, THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I THEN TURNED THE KEY TO LOCK, AND THEN RESTARTED ENGINE. 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN, ITS CONSEQUENCES: THE VEHICLE DID NOT START DUE TO A FAILURE OF, OR A MALFUNCTION OF, SOME COMPONENT OF THE FACTORY VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES BETWEEN THE INCIDENT DATE AND MARCH 30, 2009. IT ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OVERNIGHT HOVERS AROUND FREEZING, OR DROPS BELOW FREEZING. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE FOR ME HAVE BEEN MINIMAL, BUT I WAS VERY FORTUNATE IN EACH INSTANCE TO BE PARKED IN A SAFE PLACE, WHERE MY PROMPT EGRESS WAS NOT NECESSARY. I AM REPORTING THIS SITUATION TO THE ODI B

NOTHING LED UP TO THE FAILURE. CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN WHENEVER CAR IS IN MOTION. MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN AND MANEUVER THE CAR ESPECIALLY AROUND OTHER CARS AND PEOPLE. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT GOT THIS REPAIRED YET BECAUSE THE SATURN DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME ALMOST $1000 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I ASKED IF THEY HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE IN SEVERAL ION MODELS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!! *TR

AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT IN DRIVE, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE IDLES NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PRESS THE PEDAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS A ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY (NO MECHANICAL LINKAGE) SO THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL.. TODAY WAS THE THIRD TIME IN THAT PAST MONTH THIS HAS HAPPENED. FOR THE RECORD, THIS CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 9 TIMES FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES (A FEW BODY CONTROL MODULES, A COUPLE IGNITION SWITCHES, ABS MODULES, TRANS CONTROL MODULES, RADIOS, INSTRUMENT PANELS, ETC, ETC.) BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I THINK MAY CAUSE INJURY. GETTING REAR-ENDED AT A GREEN LIGHT OR HAVING A CAR RUN INTO THE DRIVER SIDE IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY WHEN THE CAR 'ALL OF A SUDDEN' WON'T ACCELERATE. GM HAS REPAIRED EVERY PROBLEM THIS CAR HAS HAD TO DATE, BUT WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION3 THE POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. I HAD TO FIGHT THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH MANUAL STEERING. VERY HARD TO DO. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 8 TIMES. THE DEALER SAID THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING CONTROL BOX REPLACED BUT THEY AGREE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT COST ME $2200.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. VERY SCARY WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE POWER STEERING GOES TO MANUAL. STOPPING AND STARTING THE VEHICLE RESETS IT ONLY TO HAVE IT GO OUT AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

ON JUNE 15, 2009 PURCHASED USED SATURN ION 2 WITH 45625 MILES FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD. CAME WITH 3 MONTH WARRANTY/3000 MILES. IN SEPT. CAR STARTED STALLING, TOOK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED ON SEPT. 17 AND THEY SAID DIRTY FUEL INJECTOR, CHARGED $245.69. DROVE CAR ON TURNPIKE 100 MILES AT 65MPH AND CAR STALLED 2 TIMES!!!! ON WAY BACK, AGAIN ON TURNPIKE DOING SPEED LIMIT 65MPH CAR STALLED 1 TIME. YOU GET CHIMES AND THE PWR STR LIGHT COMES ON. CAR STALLS AN AVERAGE OF 4 TIMES A DAY! CAR RIGHT NOW AT DEALER FOR THEM TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT IS NOT RIGHT, I PAID 9369.67 + TAX FOR CAR AND 1635. FOR GMPP WARRANTY THAT THEY TELL ME IS NOT COVERED! I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY. THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE, I CANNOT BELIEVE THE NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED SATURN OR GM TO RECALL THIS CAR. LOOK AT THE INTERNET OR YOUR OWN SITE FOR THE COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND LOSING STEERING!!! *TR

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE STEERING MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW THEY REPLACED IT FOR FREE, BUT MADE ME WAIT A WEEK AND SENT ME BACK OUT ON THE ROAD WITH A CAR THAT HAD POWER STEERING THAT WORKED SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHER TIMES. THEN TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENTIRE CAR STARTED TO FAIL. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS, THE POWER STEERING WENT AGAIN, AND THE BREAKS WHERE PRETTY MUCH GONE. SO AFTER CAUSING A BIG SCENE THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WENT ON THE CAR. SO THEY REPLACED THE PART AFTER MAKING ME WAIT TWO DAYS TO GET MY CAR BACK. MY CONCERN IS WHY IS A CAR THAT WILL BE TURNING 5 YEARS OLD NEXT MONTH AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 27,900 MILES ON IT IS HAVING ALL THESE BIG PROBLEMS. IN THE MATTER OF ONE MOUTH I HAVE HAS A NEW BRAIN PUT INTO THE CAR. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS AWFUL AND RUDE. THEY ALL TRY TO BLAME EACH OTHER. WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP THE SERVICE PEOPLE WOULD NOT EVEN TALK TO ME THEY TOLD ME TO SEE THE CASHIER SHE HAS MY KEYS. I SAID I AM NOT LEAVING HERE UNTIL I TEST DRIVE IT, SHE SAID OK, IT'S PARK IN THE LOT ON THE SIDE SOMEWHERE. I WAS LIKE NICE, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE MY CAR IS ON YOUR LOT. SO IN THE MATTER OF ONE MONTH I HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TRANSMISSION MODULE REPLACED. *TR

A PIECE OF THE WHEEL (RIM) HAS BROKEN OUT. MAY CAUSE EVENTUAL AIR LOSS. *TR

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION AND NOT BEING ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY TURN THE CAR OFF. THE IGNITION WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY AND WILL BE STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION MOST TIMES. THE MOST RECENT TIME I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF AT ALL. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RELEASE OR ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN EVEN MINIMALLY. HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY, PULL THE FUEL PUMP FUSE IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO STOP RUNNING. THE IGNITION STILL WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY. I GOT THIS INFORMATION ON HOW TO DO THIS FROM MANY COMPLAINTS THAT I READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET ON SATURN IONS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THIS IN THE MANUAL, AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 18 MONTHS AGO TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE THEN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO HELP WITH THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. *TR

WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM WORK. HEARD A LITTLE BEEP-BEEP GO OFF, AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DASH-BOARD IT SAID "PWR STR" I HAD LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 SATURN ION. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN I TURNED IT OFF FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE I GOT REALLY NERVOUS AS TO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT. I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE BACK TO NORMAL. I CALLED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (AUG. 31) TO BRING IN THE CAR TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. MIND YOU I HAVE 31,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND MY CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED. SATURN TOLD ME AFTER A "DIAGNOSTIC TEST" IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MODULE MOTOR AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $1200.00 DOLLARS!! THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET!! GM REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AND HAS THE NERVE TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR WHAT IS THEIR FAULT TO BEGIN WITH. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM GETTING RID OF MY CAR AND I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN OR GM CAR AGAIN!! *TR

2-02-07 KEY STUCK IN IGNITION...CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF.... IGNITION REPLACED 33,316 MILES 01-14-08 TRANSMISSION REPLACED 50,728 MILES 12-20-08 CAR WOULDN'T START...CLUTCH SWITCH REPLACED 50,728 MILES 8-26-08 SUN ROOF DRAIN CLOGGED $199.88 59,893 MILES 8-10-09 CAR WOULD NOT START..REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH 2ND TIME 72,615 MILES CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW OFF LOT IN 2005... TOWED 4 TIMES IN 4YEARS! *TR

2005 SATURN ION ELECTRIC POWER STEERING QUITS WITHOUT WARNING. OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 40 MILE TRIP. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF CORNERING WHEN POWER STEERING FAILS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING FIXES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. *TR