EN

2004 Saturn Ion 2-DR.

10
Recalls
892
Complaints

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Complaints
Recalls

892 Complaints

for 2004 SATURN ION
09/11/2021
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/18/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1g8aj52f94z******
Summary

Hi I am a kind of new owner of an 04 saturn ion, this is actually the second complaint I've filled out. Last July I had a mechanic friend look at my fuel filter and he had said the fuel line needed to be cut off becuase of how rusted on to the original fuel filter I'd got it with was and I didn't believe him so I replace it myself and when I got it off I had cleaned up the metal fuel line the best I could and put a new filter on. Well now it leaks gas right where the hook up is and very strong fuel smells come from there too, I've gotten numerous comments about how un safe that is to be driving it but I need to have a way to work and then someone had mentioned to check for recalls and I seen on there that this car did have a recall for faulty fuel filter gas lines. If you could get back to me as soon as possible about an inspection if needed or whatever else you'd need on my behalf. Please and thank you for your time

03/02/2021
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/07/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

TRIED TAKING FUEL FILTER OFF LAST JULY TOOK A WHOLE WEEKEND OF USING PENATRATING OIL AND FREEZE OFF THEN I FINALLY GOT THE TABS TO COME LOOSE, I THOUGHT MAYBE I MESSED UP THE NEW FILTER OR DIDNT GET ENOUGH RUST OFF THE FUEL LINE AND THAT'S WHAT WAS CAUSING THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS ND POOR PERFORMANCE BUT CHANGED IT AGAIN AND STILL THAT SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW THERES A LEAK. THE CAR WAS ON BACK TIRE RAMPS THE GIRL FUEL FILTER CHANGE THEN THE 2ND ONE WAS DONE WITH A HOIST AND CURRENTLY THIS CAR IS THE ONLY THING I CAN COUNT ON TO MAKE IT TO WORK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

01/29/2021
Components: STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/29/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING, GM REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN ISN'T ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR SAYS IT HAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AND PUMP.

12/05/2020
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/24/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

FUEL LEAK ON REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY. IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE THE DATE AND MILEAGE STATED BELOW BUT THAT'S WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE FUEL LEAK.

12/01/2020
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/30/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F94Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING STICKS. I TAKE A 55MPH CURVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T COME BACK TO CENTER. IT WANTS TO TAKE ME OFF THE ROADWAY.

05/21/2020
Components: STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,639.

04/27/2020
Components: STEERING,WHEELS
Incident Date: 04/27/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THE PAST FEW DAYS. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED THEN MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AND DOES NOT TURN THE WHEELS. I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT.

03/28/2020
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 03/03/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P64Z******
Summary

WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION AND REMOVED FROM THE CAR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STAY ON. CAR IS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

03/18/2020
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC LOCATED AT (300 S UNIVERSITY DR, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 417-8998) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,000.

03/09/2020
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/06/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

IT LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE FUEL INJECTOR LINE OR FUEL PUMP BUT I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY CAR BUT IT'S NOT SHOWING UP ON MY VIN NUMBER

09/26/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/25/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT ALWAYS REGISTER THAT IT IS PARK; THEREFORE, IT WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, IT WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW DAYS A WEEK, BUT IS NOW HAPPENING AT LEAST ONE TIME A DAY.

09/12/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/05/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 1 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THE ELECRTIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER IN MY AREA SAYS THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR MAY 2019 USED EVERY DOLLAR I HAD TO BUY IT. IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN THERE IS NOTHING FOR JOBS HERE. I WORK PART TIME AT A FAST FOOD RESTURANT AND CAN BARLEY AFFORD TO FEED MY FAMILY. I JUST SPENT 2000.00 ON THIS CAR AND CANT RISK DRIVING IT NOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND A JOB TO REPORT TO EVERYDAY I NEED MY CAR FIXED ASAP.

06/18/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/14/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITHOUT POWER STEERING ABILITY TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF DENVILLE (LOCATED AT 281 US-46 E, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973) 644-7584) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800.

05/15/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/17/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). WHILE REVERSING, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

03/12/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/02/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

02/23/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/16/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F84Z******
Summary

THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STOPPED. IT STIFFENED UP AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK THEM TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE PROBLEM BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY (400,000 SATURN IONS ON THE ROAD) COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS NO RECALL; THEY COULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR.

02/12/2019
Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Incident Date: 10/10/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT NOTICE .WHEN YOU ARE TRUNING IT IS HARD,ALSO THE BEARING AND STRUTS ARE ALSO VERY RUFF.ALMOST HAD A WRECK WHEN TURING

01/06/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/05/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F74Z******
Summary

WHILE ON A NEIGHBOR HOOD DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH I STEERING WHILE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THEN LOCKED ITSELF IN STRAIGHT POSITION. IT IS PARKED NEXT TO HOME ON CITY CURB SIDE.

10/17/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, "POWER STEERING" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

10/02/2018
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/27/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR

09/25/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/21/2018
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE STEERING ABILITY WAS LOST AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ALL STAR CHEVROLET OF OLIVE BRANCH AT 678-829-0246 (LOCATED AT 7240 CRAFT-GOODMAN RD, OLIVE BRANCH, MS 38654) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THE CONTACT ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO ASSIST WITH TOWING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT HELP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

06/18/2018
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/18/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 2.2/4 ENGINE STARTED SMELLING GAS FUEL LINE ISSUES FOUND ... OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE THERE ARE RECALLS BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN VIN #S 107,000 MILES HOW MANY CARS BEFORE NATION WIDE RECALL ??!!

06/05/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/10/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

WHEN STOPPED AT EITHER A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ONCE I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND PLACE IT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR HESITATES LIKE IT'S GASPING FOR GAS HOWEVER, THE GASPING ONLY HAPPENS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY! WHAT IS STUMPING ME, WHY DOES THE NEW PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN INTERMITTINGLY! I JUST HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BACK IN MARCH OF 2018 BECAUSE THE CAR ORIGINALLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTO GEAR! I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO AAMCO, THE PLACE THAT INSTALLED THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THEM THAT MY CAR WAS ACTING UP AGAIN WITH A NEW PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE NEW PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES SHOWING FOR THE MECHANIC TO GIVE A DIAGNOSIS OF THE NEW PROBLEM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MY FIRST CAR AND BEING RETIRED AND ON A FIXED BUDGET ANOTHER CAR ISN'T SOMETHING I CAN INVEST IN!

04/18/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/14/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F94Z******
Summary

I PURCHASE THIS CAR ON 04/12/2018 FROM A LOCAL DEALER, EVERYTHING WORKED FINE, UNTIL 2 DAYS LATER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. I THEN PARKED THE CAR FOR A FEW DAY WHEN I STARTED IT UP STEERING WORKED ALRIGHT FOR ABOUT A HALF MINUTE, THE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN.

03/15/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/14/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, I HAVE TROUBLE REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

01/17/2018
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F04Z******
Summary

I'VE HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHERE MY CAR WASN'T AS STABLE AS IT SHOULD BE. THE CAR ITSELF RUMBLES AND JERKS A LOT ON CITY STREETS AND AS I GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN A FEW ISSUES WITH THE BREAKS. DURING WINTER TIME, THE CAR WON'T START UP (I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NOW AND IT STILL HAPPENS). ACCELERATION IS OCCASIONALLY DELAYED. LASTLY THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHICH CONTINUES FROM THE TIME THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I TAKE IT OUT.

01/10/2018
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/10/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

THE CAR ONCE AGAIN ACCELERATED AT A STOP SIGN AND I HAD TO AIM FOR A SNOE ENBANKMENT TO NOT GO INTO TRAFFIC. IF NOT FOR THE SNOW I COULD HAVE WENT ON TO THE SIDEWALK ANS POSSIBLY HIT SOMEONE.

01/08/2018
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/07/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTO CROSSING TRAFFIC WITH MY FEET FIRMLY ON THE BREAKS. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES.

01/04/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/30/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F34Z******
Summary

TAKATA RECALL 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE (FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK ON ANYTHING), THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING (4000-4500 RPM, AND RPMS WOULD STAY ELEVATED AND WOULDN'T COME BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL IDLE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. MY BRAKES KEPT CAR FROM MOVING, BUT IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL VIOLENTLY LAUNCH FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE STOPPED AND WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING, RPMS WENT TO 4000-4500, AND CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL. AGAIN, RPM'S STAYED ELEVATED AND WOULD NOT COME BACK DOWN. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON 12/28/2017. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THROTTLE BORE AND REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. SINCE MY VISIT TO MECHANIC, I'VE HAD THREE MORE INCIDENTS. TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING, RPM'S WENT UP TO 4000-5000 RPM AND WOULDN'T LOWER. HAD TO PULL OVER SHUT CAR OFF, WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES AND TURN CAR BACK ON. ALSO, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD, SO ONCE I WAS SLOWED DOWN, I PUT CAR IN IDLE, PRESSED BRAKE UNTIL STOPPED, THEN SHUT CAR OFF. I TRIED TO TURN CAR BACK ON 10 SECONDS LATER, AND RPMS WERE STILL 4-4500. SHUT CAR OFF AGAIN, WAITING 2-3 MINUTES, TURNED CAR BACK ON AND IT APPEARED 'NORMAL.' THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS AUTO ISSUE I'VE EVER EXPERIENCE AND EVER HEARD OF.

12/22/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/17/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER (PELLAGRINO CHEVROLET IN WESTVILLE, NJ) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2011 PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

09/15/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

IN PARKING LOT ON LEAVING A STORE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE. NEXT I WENT TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED MY TANK. WHEN I LEFT THE STEERING WAS OKAY....THE DASH SYMBOL FOR POWER STEERING WAS NOT LONGER SHOWING. I LOST POWER STEERING ONCE BEFORE AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. (INVOICE INCLUDED) THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPAIRED AT MILEAGE 83,868. THE CURRENT ON HAPPENED AT MILEAGE 99,199. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED EITHER TIME. I HOPE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN ON A CURVY ROAD WHICH IS NEAR OUR HOME. HAD THE STEERING GONE OUT ON THAT AT 35 TO 40 MPH I'M NOT SURE I COULD HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COPED WITH THE SITUATION. SURELY ONCE THE DASH LIGHT POWER STEERING COMES ON ONCE IT MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SERVICED.

09/12/2017
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 09/05/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AAA12F14******
Summary

I BOUGHT MY 2004 SATURN ION 2 COUPE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS, THEY WERE WORN DOWN TO THE IRON. I BOUGHT AMERICAN STEEL ROTORS FROM MIDAS. I'M STILL USING THE NEW ROTORS AND EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE BRAKES, ARE STILL LIKE NEW. MY CAR IS IN A GARAGE AND I DON'T DO MUCH DRIVING. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I HAD MY NEW 1992 SATURN SL1. NOW I'M TOLD MY SWAY BAR IS GOING AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES AND THE SWAY BAR BECAUSE IT'S A SATURN AND I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AND APPLY THE BRAKES HARDER AND PARTS FOR THE SWAY BAR ON THE 2004 HAD TO BE IMPORTED AND WERE POORLY MADE. I FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS TO SAY THE LEAST. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FENDER BENDER. I NOTED 2006 ON MY SATURN 2010 FROM IT'S FIRST PROBLEM, A YEAR LATER ON THE SWAY BAR AND A COUPLE MORE YEARS ON THE 2ND SWAY BAR. THE 1992 SATURN WAS AN ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE ROTORS TILL I JUNKED IT AROUND 2011.

08/22/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

1. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT DISENGAGE...SOMETIMES AFTER MOTOR IS TURNED OFF AND CAR IS IN PARK THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON FOUR OR FIVE TIMES BEFORE THE IGNITION WILL ENGAGE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY...IN THE PARK POSITION....KEY WILL LOCK INSELF AND NOT DISENGAGE. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IT BEGAN TO OCCUR FIVE MONTHS AGO...NOW IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TEN TIMES A WEEK. 2. ALL ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS ON DASHBOARD SAY: COOLANT...BUT WHEN CHECKED THE COOLANT IS FINE.

08/04/2017
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 08/04/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F64Z******
Summary

TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION IT PASSED SAFETY AND FAILED EMISSIONS ! THERE IS NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON

07/26/2017
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/26/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

UNABLE TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF. REPEAT TURNING SWITCH ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY SHUTS VEHICLE OFF AND ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF. ENGINE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RUNNING BUT UNABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF SWITCH. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT YR 2012 TO CURRENT. DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE AT ALL LAST YEAR (2016)

07/25/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/24/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AT THE PAT O'BRIEN DEALER. AFTER THE REPAIR AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

06/17/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/12/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F44Z******
Summary

MY CAR HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE END OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS PLASTIC AND IT BROKE AT THE JUNCTURE WHERE IT MEETS THE TRANSMISSION. UNBELIEVABLY, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT TOOK NO REMEDIAL ACTION. COMPLAINT LETTERS ON THE INTERNET CLEARLY SHOW GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE BUT TAKEN NO ACTION. IT COST ME $609.74 TO HAVE THE SAFETY PROBLEM FIXED. I REPORTED IT TO GM AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS DANGEROUS: I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS & ALMOST GOT RUN OVER BY OTHER MOTORISTS WHEN THERE WAS A DELAY IN LOCATING THE NEXT GEAR. GM SHOULD TAKE ACTION ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

05/15/2017
Components: STEERING,ENGINE
Incident Date: 03/27/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F44Z******
Summary

VIN: [XXX] , SALESPERSON:[XXX] DATE OF PURCHASE: MARCH 27, 2017 , DEALERS NUMBER: 47243...$2000 IN REPAIRS PAID IN CASH.PURCHASE VEHICLE IN CASH FOR $3000.FALSE ADVERTISEMENT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION@TIME OF PURCHASE&SEVERAL DEFECTIVE& MALFUNCTIONING PARTS&I WAS SOLD A LEMON CAR THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK.WIND SHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKE@ TIME OF PURCHASE. MUFFLER PROBLEMS, RATTLES TOO..EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NO GOOD&FIXED.BRAKE FAULTY,I PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS.TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY.CAR CONTINUOUSLY SHAKES.IT'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF SHOP SINCE I PURCHASED IT. TRANSMISSION ACCELERATION&GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY OR SHIFT IN TIME. WINDOW IS OFF THE TRAP&WILL BRAKE IF I PUT IT ALL THE WAY DOWN..GAS LEAK. GAS LEAK=$30 A DAY SINCE PURCHASE. IGNITION LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL&WON'T TURN WHILE DRIVING. KEY WILL NOT TURN.CAR WILL NOT START&NEEDS A NEW IGNITION. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH/IN 2WEEKS OF BUYING IT. I WAS ON THE ROAD&THE WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. I HAD TO REPLACE IT& IT'S AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHEEL. BRAKE FLUID WAS SOLD DIRTY. OVERHEATING CONSTANTLY. FAN OVER RUNNING.TIMING BELT NEEDS CHECKED. BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING& SQUEALING&WHEN PUMPED SHOOT AIR, BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED& BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED& IS CLEAR INSTEAD OF BLACK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS EXISTED@TIME OF PURCHASE.IT WAS SOLD AS IS.I'VE LOST TIME FROM WORK. I DID NOT KNOW IT'S BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. GM &DEALER IS@FAULT. IT IS A LEMON. PUTS MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THE ROAD.DEALER GAVE ME A DUMMY KEY. THAT'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE RIGHTS UNDER THE SONG-BEVERLY WARRANTY RIGHTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

04/04/2017
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 04/02/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 2.2L L4 (VIN: [XXX]) FOR MY SON 4 MONTHS AGO. IT IS NOW LEAKING A PUDDLE GASOLINE AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN. I LOOKED ON LINE AND THERE DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED) YET MY VIN IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST. CALLED SATURN 800.972.8876, THEY SAID IT WASN'T ON A RECALL LIST ALSO. DEALER WANTS $600+ FOR REPAIRS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

03/30/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 02/28/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F34Z******
Summary

TRANSMISSION IS BURNT. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. THE RPMS THEN REV AND THE CAR FAILS TO CONTINUE TO GO AT SPEED AND WILL NEED TO BE PULLED OVER. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58499 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AT AAMCO AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

03/29/2017
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/27/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F14Z******
Summary

THE CAR IS UNDER 80,000 MILES AND HAS A LEAKING FUEL LINE.

03/27/2017
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE DUE TO THE SMELL OF FUEL AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

02/23/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 03/21/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SPEED INDEPENDENTLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

02/21/2017
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/08/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F84Z******
Summary

SOLD ME THIS CAR WITH WARRANTEE NEVER GUARANTEED THE WARRANTEE LATER ON ALSO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A WHOLE PATCH IN THE GAS TANK AND I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I WAS AFRAID OF THEIR SAFETY AND RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOT FOR SELLING ME A IN SAFE VEHICLE. THERE AND I WANT TO TAKE FAULT FOR THE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND I WANT TO COVER THE WARRANTY THAT WAS PROMISED TO ME ON THE CONTRACT.

02/08/2017
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/05/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F14Z******
Summary

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

01/05/2017
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/30/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

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

11/30/2016
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/30/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

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

10/25/2016
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/25/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F04Z******
Summary

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

10/19/2016
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/15/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F04Z******
Summary

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

09/08/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/05/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

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

08/24/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 08/22/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12FX4Z******
Summary

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

08/08/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/08/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F94Z******
Summary

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

07/21/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/21/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F54Z******
Summary

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

07/05/2016
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 12/14/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F54Z******
Summary

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

06/24/2016
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/24/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

06/15/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/15/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE STARTER

05/24/2016
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/18/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52FX4Z******
Summary

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

04/21/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/08/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F74Z******
Summary

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

04/21/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/28/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F74Z******
Summary

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

04/15/2016
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 04/14/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

03/18/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

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

02/06/2016
Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 08/06/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F64Z******
Summary

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

01/27/2016
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 11/07/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

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

12/23/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/28/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

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

12/17/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F24Z******
Summary

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

12/16/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/11/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F24Z******
Summary

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

12/09/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/06/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F14Z******
Summary

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

12/04/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

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

11/24/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/16/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

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

11/24/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/07/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

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

11/23/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

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

11/09/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/06/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8A152F74Z******
Summary

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

10/23/2015
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 10/06/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F34Z******
Summary

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

10/19/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/08/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

09/14/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/10/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

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

08/11/2015
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 05/29/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

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

07/31/2015
Components: STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/05/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

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

07/24/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/23/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

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

07/23/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/21/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F84Z******
Summary

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

07/21/2015
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/09/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

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

07/16/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/21/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

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

07/14/2015
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 07/13/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

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

07/12/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 05/22/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

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

07/02/2015
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 06/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ5F24Z1******
Summary

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

07/02/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 06/04/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

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

06/01/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/29/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

05/29/2015
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 02/20/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

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

05/06/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F04Z******
Summary

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

05/05/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/22/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

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

05/01/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/29/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

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

04/22/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/21/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

04/07/2015
Components: STRUCTURE,WHEELS
Incident Date: 03/13/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F242******
Summary

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

04/02/2015
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

03/31/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/20/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

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

03/22/2015
Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Incident Date: 03/20/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

THE SATURN ION RECALLED IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. ON 3/20/15, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF, AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, AND MANAGED TO BRING IT A STOP EVENTUALLY WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CHANGING GEARS. I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET SATISFACTORY INFORMATION FROM EITHER THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALERSHIP OR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SO FAR. THE NEW IGNITION FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AND MY BRAKES TO FAIL. THIS CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE RECALL FAILED TO CORRECT THE IGNITION PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

03/22/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 03/16/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

ON 3/16/2015 I WAS MERGING ON THE FREEWAY IN MY 2004 SATURN ION AND I HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY DUE TO ANOTHER DRIVER CUTTING ME OFF, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SATURN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND REACHED HIGH RPMS BETWEEN 4K AND 5K AND CAR LAUNCHED AT A HIGH SPEED. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE YET MY SATURN STILL CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD I REACTED FAST AND STEERED TOWARD THE EMERGENCY LANE PULLED MY E BRAKE UP AND THREW MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT MY CAR OFF YET WHEN IGNITION WAS ALL THE WAY TURNED OFF MY CAR WAS STILL ON FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 4 SECONDS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FATAL CONCLUSION. I FIND MYSELF VERY NERVOUS AND UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (SATURN ION) BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS MY ONLY WAY TO GET TO WORK. *TR

02/24/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/01/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT SHORTLY BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED. CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED. *TA THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT SLID AND ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. ALSO, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. *JB

02/16/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

GAS LEAKING NEAR THE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER. STRONG SMELL OF INSIDE CAR AS WELL STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALER. THIS MODEL MAY NOT BE PART OF THE RECALL FROM GM IT DOES SEEN TO BE A COMMON ISSUE THIS IS A REAL FIRE DANGER.. *TR

02/16/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/12/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F94Z******
Summary

TALKED TO SERVICE DEPT OF ANTHONY CHEVROLET ON 12/12/2014 ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY SATURN WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT 7-10 DAYS TO GET THE PART AND THEY WOULD CALL TO MAKE APT TO REPAIR THE STEERING. CALLED BACK AFTER ABOUT 1 MONTH AND NOT HEARING BACK WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SUPPLY PROBLEM. I STOPPED BY THE SERVICE DEPT TODAY 2/16/2015 AND WAS TOLD GM WOULD NOT SEND THEM THE PART FOR SOME REASON AND I WOULD NEED TO GO TO A DEALER IN A DIFFERENT TOWN FOR THIS RECALL. PER THE LETTER I RECEIVED I COULD TAKE MY ION T O ANY GM DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I'M TO DO. *TR

02/13/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/31/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL #14063 ON JULY 15, 2014 FAILED ON JAN 31, 2015 BY JAMMING IN THE OFF POSITION. CAR WAS TOWED TO A GM AUTHORIZED SATURN SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED ON FEB 2, 2015. DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL IGNITION SWITCH INSTALLED IN JULY DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY AND CHARGED $275.83 FOR THE SERVICE. *TR

02/11/2015
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/11/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

01/30/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/16/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT OTHER UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN

01/28/2015
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/15/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 2 THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF NUMEROUS TIMES ON ME, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT PROBABLY 10 TIMES A WEEK. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION, AT ANY TIME IN ANY GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF, DURING A TURN. THE SECOND ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2014. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, HE SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENTLY, HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE RIGHT EDGE OF A DRIVEWAY. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2014. *JB

01/24/2015
Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Incident Date: 01/23/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

AT APPROXIMATELY 3:50 P.M. FRIDAY JANUARY 23 2015 I WAS SLOWING DOWN FROM 35 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. BEFORE I TURNED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE. AFTER LIMPING THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT I GOT OUT AND THE TIRE WAS STILL FULLY INFLATED. I NOTICED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES. THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER EVEN MENTIONED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN ON SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

01/21/2015
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/15/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

WHILE UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO FIX THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE FUEL LINES IN THE LOCATION UNDER THE TRUNK AND BEHIND A FLEXIBLE SHIELD ARE EXTREMELY AND SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THEY ARE CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY COULD POTENTIALLY LEAK AT ANY MOMENT. THE FUEL LINES ARE PRESSURIZED DURING AND AFTER OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO RUN VERY CLOSE TO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A RELIABILITY ISSUE, BUT MORE SO, IT IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET SEARCHING I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF OTHER ION OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME CONDITION - MANY WHO HAVE HAD LEAKS AND EITHER REQUIRED TOWING, OR EXPERIENCED A FUEL SPILL. DEALER WANTS $800 TO FIX. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM. *TR

01/13/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 01/13/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

01/08/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED THE SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

01/03/2015
Components: STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F44Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A FIRST CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER THAT IS A NEW DRIVER. I HAS BEEN OFF THE ROAD MORE THAN ON THE ROAD FOR RECALLS. THE FIRST IGNITION RECALL COULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY DAUGHTER..AS WE WERE AWAITING PARTS, WE WERE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS OF NO WEIGHT ON KEY RING AND ONLY KEY IN IGNITION. THE INCIDENT STILL HAPPENED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF SPEED. AS A NEW DRIVER THIS INCIDENT SCARRED HER AND SHE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR UP FOR SALE. THEN ANOTHER RECALL, THE EPS WHICH ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND CAUSES SPEED LOSS. SO, BACK TO GARBER AND WE JUST DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME ON JANUARY 2, 2015. SEEMED TO START OUT FINE, THEN LOSS OF SPEED AND THE CAR ONLY DROVE AT 35 MPH WITH A LOT OF EFFORT. I PAID $3500 FOR THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER..STILL PAYING ON THE LOAN AND NOW I CANNOT GET IT TO RUN CORRECTLY OR SELL IT..I AM STUCK WITH A NON-RUNNING VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO INSURE AS WELL. THIS TOTAL IS COSTING ME OVER $300 A MONTH WHILE THE CAR SITS. I DON'T KNOW IF MY DEALER DID THE RECALL CORRECTLY. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY IMPALA AS WELL WITH RECALLS BEING DONE CORRECTLY. ONE INCLUDING MY AIRBAG RECALL AND A SEAT BELT ISSUE THAT I PAID OUT OF POCKET 100.00 AFTER SEVERAL ISSUES. I FEEL GM SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS VEHICLE AS I CANNOT SELL IT OR DRIVE IT. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT I PURCHASED THIS FROM A DEALER ONLY PAY FOR A NON WORKING VEHICLE. *TR

12/26/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

12/22/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/03/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

12/18/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

12/17/2014
Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/13/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

WAS ON WAY HOME CAR STARTED GOING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN TRIED TO CORRECT IT CAR WOULDN'T TURN LEFT KEPT GOING INTO A TREE AND CAR IS NOW DAMAGED. OVER TWO MONTHS AGO GM SENT OUT SOMEBODY TO LOOK AT CAR THIS WAS AROUND OCTOBER 15 AND HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD BACK FROM ANYBODY. WHICH ISN'T A SURPRISE BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 13 AND WE WERE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND FROM THE BEGINNING. APPOINTMENTS MADE AND NOT KEPT, PHONE CALLS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER ALL WITH DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND RESPONSES. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHEN IS SOMEBODY GOING TO CONTACT US AND GIVE US SOME ANSWERS? I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST CALL BACK AND HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT ONLY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE OR SAID BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN GO OFF BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY AND THE ADJUSTER YOU SENT OUT SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY AS WE WERE TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS BETWEEN THE CENSORS. I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WAS WAITING FOR THE REPORT. STILL WAITING, I KNOW WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA BUT THREE MONTHS IS A LITTLE LONG TO WAIT DON'T YOU THINK? *TR

12/16/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/16/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWICH REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. HOWEVER THE KEY IS STILL STICKING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE RECALL AND I STILL HAVE IT. IT HAPPENS NOT OFTEN BUT ENOUGH TO BE ANNOYING. I HAVE TO MOVE THE KEY BACK AND FORTH AND EVENTUALLY THE KEY WILL COME OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR

12/12/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

12/09/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/26/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V153000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE AND PLACED THE CONTACT ON A WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

12/09/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/12/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY AND THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 01/23/15*LJ UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

11/07/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

GAS STARTED TO POUR OUT OF MY CAR CREATING A HAZARD. TOOK IT TO AUTO-LAB AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RUSTED FUEL LINE WHICH IS COMMON WITH SATURN ION. *TR

11/06/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 11/10/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

MY SATURN 2004 ION HAS IGNITION PROBLEMS AND IT STARTED IN 2010 AFTER I GOT THE CAR AND MY KEYS WOULD GET STUCK AND THE POWER WOULD GO OUT IN MY SATURN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP OVER FIVE TIMES AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING SO IN NOV.2013 THE SATURN STOP STARTING AND NO POWER AT ALL. SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SOLD THESE CARS AND PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER. WE NEED JUSTICE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO PAID THE PRICE FOR THIS MESS. *TR

11/06/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/14/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN TWO SATURN IONS. ONE IN WHICH I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BEFORE THE RECALL AND I ALREADY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE OTHER CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND HAVE IT DONE. WHAT A MISTAKE....... SEVERAL YEARS AGO I HAD AN AFTER MARKET REMOTE START PUT IN MY CAR. AFTER THE NEW IGNITION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE RECALL WAS NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE REMOTE START SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO WHERE I HAD THE REMOTE START INSTALLED AND HAD INCURRED AN $80.00 CHARGE TO RELEARN THE NEW IGNITION SWITCH. AM I EVER GOING TO SEE THAT $80.00 BACK? I CALLED ONE OF YOUR COMPLAINT PHONE LINES AND WAS THAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF CALLS AND THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITHIN 48 HOURS. THAT NEVER HAPPENED. *TR

10/10/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/07/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

10/07/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/02/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

I BACKED IN, MY 2004 SATURN ION, IN MY DRIVEWAY, PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS USUAL, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO PAST ACC POSITION. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND TRIED AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. AFTER MANY TRIES IT SOME HOW VENT TO OFF. COUPLE DAYS LATER I TOOK THE CAR TO SATURN - CHEVROLET DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. THE DEALER CAME BACK WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $615.00 LISTING AS FOLLOWS: CHECK OUT - CODE FEE, IGNITION CYLINDER 15785084, NPC, KEY 22679805, , ADJUST SHIFT CABLE, REPROGRAM, LABOR 3 HR. I DID NOT GET IT FIXED SO THEY CHARGED ME $129.57 FOR THEIR ESTIMATE. WHEN THE RECALL CAME THROUGH I FIGURED THAT MY PROBLEM WAS PART OF THE SWITCH.WRONG. TODAY THE DEALER COMPLETED THE RECALL AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. THIS TIME IT IS BLAMED ON GEAR SHIFTER AND WOULD COST ME $462.76, NO LISTING OF PARTS OR LABOR BUT JUST SCRIBBLED ON BACK OF MY RECALL BILL OF $0.00. ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THOSE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. I HAVE FOUND A WAY TO GET THE KEY OUT MANUALLY WITH MY LEFT LAND THUMB THROUGH AN OPENING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

10/01/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/17/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT THE OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE KEY RELEASED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

09/30/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/12/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED DUE TO A RECALL. PRIOR TO THAT THE IGNITION KEY WOULD STICK AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. I HAD TO MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH AND AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT WOULD COME OUT. I THOUGHT THAT THE RECALL WOULD CORRECT BUT IT DID NOT. I STILL HAVE THE SAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ARE THERE MORE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

09/29/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,371.

09/16/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR NEAR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEALS AROUND THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL PUMP ITSELF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM), AND 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,654.

09/11/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F24Z******
Summary

THIS IS TO EXPRESS MY FRUSTRATION WITH DEALING WITH CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON TX AS THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN ASSISTING ME WITH THIS RECALL. I HAVE CALLED THEM 5 TIMES AND GET ON A ROTATING HOLD PATTERN. THE ONE TIME A SERVICE ADVISER DID PICK UP, HE HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I TOLD HIM IT WAS IN REGARD TO THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. SEEMS THAT I CAN NOT EVEN ORDER THE NEW SWITCH FROM THEM. I ALSO TRIED TO WORK WITH THEM THROUGH THE ONLINE SERVICE SCHEDULER AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RETURN CONTACT IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. I ALSO CALLED THE GM HOTLINE AND RECEIVED ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THE CALL WAS ALSO TERMINATED BEFORE I COULD SPEAK TO ANYONE. THE RECORDING ADVISED TO START WITH THE NEAREST DEALER. THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY NOT WORKED. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING IN LIEU OF WHAT AMERICAN TAXPAYERS HAVE DONE FOR GM. *TR

09/11/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 12/27/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTERLOCK PARKING MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,648.

09/09/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/15/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

IGNITION RECALL. TOOK CAR TO KEYES GMC WOODLAND HILLS CA 2 TIMES AND THEY CHANGED IGNITION BUT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. NOW THEY WANT $500 TO FIX "SHIFTER". I THINK IT IS STILL KEY IGNITION. MADE COMPLAINT TO GM #[XXX]. CALLED GM TWICE 866 790-5700 FOR DECISION AND NO RESPONSE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

09/05/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/05/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER RECALL 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER THIS FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135, 000.

08/27/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALLS. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 730.22 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING. *JB

08/27/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/20/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IT BECAME SEIZED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,006.

08/27/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F44Z******
Summary

WE OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. THE KEY FAILS TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH EVEN THOUGH REPEATED ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO RELEASE SAME. WE WAITED FROM 5MINS TO ONE HOUR BEFORE TRYING SAME AND KEY FINALLY IS RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED RECENTLY (8-23-14) UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THE ABOVE PROBLEM AND WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SAME. DEALER ADVISED THIS WAS A FAULTY SHIFTER PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WE WERE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR COST ($576) OF REPAIRS. DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD IN FACT GET WORSE. THIS SHOULD BE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY ESPECIALLY SINCE DEALER ADMISSION THAT THEY (GM) WERE AWARE OF THIS CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MALFUNCTION SHIFTER IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR

08/26/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/25/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER REFUELING TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL GAUGE READ THAT THERE WAS ONLY HALF TANK OF FUEL LEFT. ALSO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

08/25/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/23/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F44Z******
Summary

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE STRUCK THE CURB AND WENT UP ON THE CURB. THIS RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE. (AXLE BROKE). HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS NOT HAD THE PARTS TO FIX THE STEERING/IGNITION. *TR

08/22/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/21/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER THE GEAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

08/18/2014
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 08/15/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

I HAD JUST FILLED MY TAKE AND DROVE ABOUT 25 MILES WHEN I KEEP SMELLING GAS. WHEN I PULLED OVER I SAY THAT MY GAS LINE WAS LEAKING. *TR

08/15/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/15/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH EVEN THOUGH REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE MADE HOWEVER, ONLY AFTER AWAITING A HOUR UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN THE KEY RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 09-03-14 *BF..

08/13/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/05/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE COME ON THE FIRST TIME. BEING A CAUTIOUS DRIVER, I PULLED OVER ON A FAIRLY BUSY ROADWAY, AND BEGAN CALLING MY AAA NUMBER TO GETMY CAR TOWED. I DECIDED TO START THE CAR TO SEE IF WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AND SLOWLY PROCEEDED FORWARD TO SEE IF THE STEERING RESUMED OPERATING, WHICH IT DID. I DROVE IT TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM AND SAID I SHOULD TRY AND ENCOURAGE A RECALL. SO YOU CAN REALIZE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TIME CONSUMING AND HAS HAPPENNED TO ME ABOUT 5 MORE TIMES. MY FRIENDS WILL NOT RIDE IN MY CAR AND I GET PARANOID TO DRIVE IN THE CITY AND IT IS VERY NERVEWRACKING TO THINK YOU MAY NEED TO STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HOPEFULLY NOT GET REARENDED! I FEEL PEOPLE THAT HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE DESERVE SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION . IT IS ALSO EMBARASSING TO HAVE TO BE SEEN IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I CANNNOT AFFORD ANOTHER PRESENTLY AND REFUSE TO BURDEN SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS VERY UNSAFE ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE A CONSCIENCE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE ON A PRIORITY LIST??? *TR

08/13/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH RECALLS EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES.

08/12/2014
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 08/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 ION WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I LOST POWER STEERING. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART AND ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME. I ALWAYS HAVE MY DAUGHTER WITH ME AND SUPPOSE I AM NOT AS FORTUNATE NEXT TIME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS AND LESSEN THE DEATHS GM HAS CAUSED BY ALLOWING PROBLEMS THEY KNEW OF TO REMAIN UNFIXED. MY ION HAS A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING LOSS WHICH SAYS IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME OR SPEED. THIS IS VERY SCATTER. SO HERE I AM WITH A CAR I AM AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF.IN LET ALONE MY CHILD. I HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WHICH WAS FIXED. I AM REQUESTING A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE PART IS READY TO FIX MINE. *TR

08/12/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 08/12/2014
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F14Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING IN PRE-DAWN HOURS (HEADLIGHTS & DEFROSTERS ON), STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING MELTING OR BURNING. THEN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS THEN CAME BACK ON & STARTED FLASHING ON & OFF REALLY FAST. AT THAT SAME TIME, DOOR LOCKS STARTED LOCKING & UNLOCKING REPEATEDLY ON THEIR OWN. BURNING & MELTING SMELL WAS GETTING STRONGER. AS I WAS PULLING OVER, I ENTERED A MORE WELL-LIT AREA AND SAW SMOKE ACCUMULATING INSIDE CAR NEAR ROOF & TOP OF WINDSHIELD. SHUT CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. *TR

08/09/2014
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 03/26/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

IN LATE MARCH I CALLED KELLY AUTOMOTIVE, THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE SATURN TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THEY SAID PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN A FEW WEEKS. I HAVE CALLED REPEATEDLY TO FIND OUT WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITH A FEW WEEKS. LATELY, THEY CLAIM I NEVER HAVE CALLED, THEN WHEN I TOLD THEM I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT THEY FOUND MY REQUEST. THE LAST TWO CALLS, THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND CALL BACK. I NEVER GET RETURN CALLS. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. JUST BEFORE FILING THIS COMPLAINT, I WENT ONLINE TO WWW.GMINGNITIONUPDATE.COM AND FILED OUT ANOTHER FORM, THIS TIME I REQUESTED SHEPERD'S IN KENDALLVILLE, IN. *TR

08/05/2014
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 01/17/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

08/01/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/07/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NO REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL) AND HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

07/30/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/22/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE TOLLWAY,THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME IN MY LANE,PASSING LANE, JUST AS I WAS PASSING HIM CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT,PASSENGER, PART OF THE CAR.THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID OPEN,NO PROBLEM.,THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SPILT CAUSING THE POWDER TO COME INTO MY FACE.I DID LOSE A TOOTH BUT NEITHER THE OTHER PERSON INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT NOR MY HEALTH INSURANCE . ONE GOOD THING THE IGNITION DID SHUT OFF ,WHICH WAS GOOD BECAUSE THERE WAS A GAS LEAK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE. I LOST OVERTIME PAY.MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO HAVE ALL MY TEETH BECAUSE I TALK FOR A LIVING. THIS CAUSE UNDO STRESS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP *TR

07/26/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

07/06/2014 - AS I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, I, ALL OF A SUDDEN, HEARD THE WARNING SOUND AND NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. I LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD TO SEE "PWR STR" FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. I PULLED UP ON THE SIDE OF THE LOT, PARKING PERPENDICULAR TO THE LINES IN THE PARKING LOT AS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM. THIS POWER STEER ISSUE CAME UP AGAIN TODAY (07/26/2014) AS I WAS DRIVING HOME IN A FAIRLY BUSY STREET. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER THIS TIME. BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4-5 TIMES IN A SPAN OF 20 DAYS. *TR

07/23/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

THIS IS REGARDING THE GM RECALLS FOR MY 2004 SATURN ION. AS OF JUNE 5, THE RECALL WORK UP TO THAT POINT WAS COMPLETED BY MY DEALER, BUT I HAD PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR THE REPAIR, SO AM DUE A REIMBURSEMENT FROM GM. MY DEALER TOLD ME TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF GETTING ME AN EXPEDITED REIMBURSEMENT. THAT DOCUMENTATION WAS DELIVERED TO MY DEALER ON JUNE 5TH, BUT THE DEALER HAS NO INFORMATION REGARDING MY REIMBURSEMENT, EVEN AFTER INQUIRING WITH THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES (JUNE 6TH, JUNE 18TH AND TWICE IN JULY), THE DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED ME WITH *ANY* INFORMATION. I HAVE FAIRLY DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING MY INQUIRIES AND THE RESPONSES (OR LACK OF RESPONSE) FROM THE DEALER. WHAT CAN I DO IN ORDER TO GET THE DEALER TO SUBMIT THE REIMBURSEMENT PAPERWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL? I DON'T WANT TO SUBMIT IT AGAIN MYSELF UNTIL I KNOW THE DEALER HAS NOT SUBMITTED IT SINCE I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY UNDUE COMPLICATIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

07/21/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/22/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN14F54Z******
Summary

TRANSMISSION FAILURE - SHORTLY AFTER THE 2004 SATURN ION HIT 100K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT THE DEALER FOR A COST OF $4,620.93. IN DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT FAILING 2004 SATURN ION TRANSMISSIONS ARE WIDESPREAD AROUND THE 100K MILE MARK. *TR

07/15/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS

07/15/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/10/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F64Z******
Summary

WENT TO HAVE THE IGNITION RECALL PERFORMED. CAR WAS WITH GM FOR OVER A MONTH. PICKED UP THE CAR. DROVE TO WORK. NEXT DAY DID NOT START. CALLED TO HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO GM. GM HAD CAR FOR A DAY OR SO. REPLACE THE, IGNITION CYLINDER. HOPEFUL THAT IT IS REPLACED. CONCERN IF THE POWER STEERING HAS AN ISSUE. BEFORE GOING BACK TO WORK AFTER THE CYLINDER WAS REPLACE. TECH, FORGOT TO SET OR REPLACE THE COLUMN. STEERING OUT OF PLACE. I LIFTED THE COLUMN BACK INTO PLACE. UNKNOWINGLY, I DROVE IT FROM THE DEALER WITH IT OUT OF PLACE. *TR

07/11/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F44Z******
Summary

COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE AT LOW SPEED. POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN, AND CAR WAS MANUALLY STEERED DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEREUPON THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE POWER STEERING MODULE. *TR

07/09/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E021000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

07/07/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/10/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F84Z******
Summary

S10 DIRECT REPLY- TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING GENERAL MOTORS RECALLS ON 2004 SATURN ION (RECALL NOS. 14063/14113 AND 14115. DATE OF PURCHASE DEC. 27, 2013). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 10, 2014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ROADSIDE SERVICE WAS CALLED, AND THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY. AS THE CONSUMER BEGAN BACKING OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SEEMED VERY STIFF; SHE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THE POWER STEERING SIGNAL AND CONTINUED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. SHE DROVE TO THE DEALER, ABOUT A MILE AWAY WITH POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE ARRIVED, SHE MENTIONED THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. A FUSE WAS REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE ISSUE, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION PROBLEM WERE RESOLVED. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, SHE ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. WHEN THE KEY FINALLY RELEASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON. UPDATED 11/19/14. *JB UPDATED 11/24/14. JB UPDATED 12/04/14*JB

07/06/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/18/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

KEY AT TIMES DOES NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH. EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE.THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING ISSUE AND STILL HAS PROBLEMS TODAY. *JS

07/03/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/28/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F34Z******
Summary

THE COMPUTER - BCM - FAILED AND ALL IT CONTROLS WENT OFF. THIS INCLUDED LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, RADIO. *TR

07/03/2014
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 04/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

07/02/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

LOST POWER STEERING AFTER POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS 3RD INCIDENT IN 10 DAYS. TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING 3 TIMES. LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES TURNING DIFFICULT. VERY SCARY. *TR

07/01/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/30/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

WAS TRAVELLING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND A FOX DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. I SWERVED SLIGHTLY TO MISS THE FOX AND THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR WENT OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL AND THE CAR WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN AND ENDED UP FACING THE OTHER DIRECTION FLIPPED UP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CRAWLED OUT OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEATBELT, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND IF TRAFFIC HAD BEEN COMING, I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ELSE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

07/01/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/20/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTING IN JUNE '13, I NOTICED MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW PANEL AND DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK IS NOW NOT WORKING AT ALL JULY '14 AND THE WINDOW PANEL IS INTERMITTENT. I'M NOTICING THE PANEL IS GETTING WARM! *TR

07/01/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

06/30/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/21/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JUNE 24, 2014. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AFTER EACH INCIDENT THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. BOTH INCIDENTS WERE VERY SCARY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AND I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 10-1/2 YEARS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. *TR

06/27/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN14F34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN APRIL OF 2014, HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

06/25/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/21/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 102,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

06/20/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14E021000 ( IGNITION SWITCH). THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A RENTAL VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE DROVE IT TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

06/20/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/19/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: IG8AJ52FI4Z******
Summary

TOOK MY SATURN IN YESTERDAY FOR THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH-GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALER SAYING THAT THE HOUSING FOR THE SWITCH ALSO NEEDS REPLACING, BUT GM WILL NOT COVER IT AND I NEED TO PAY FOR THAT PART AND THE LABOR. THE SWITCH CAN NOT BE REPLACED UNLESS THIS HOUSING IS REPLACED, BUT NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL SAYS THIS SHOULD BE AT NO COST TO ME. I CALLED GM AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE HOUSING IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL INFORMATION, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR HAVING TO REPLACE THE SWITCH, BUT FIRST I HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? IT DOES NOT MAKE SINCE TO ME. HAVE ME DO THE RECALL AND THEN ATTACH A CHARGE FOR IT BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT DO IT UNLESS YOU REPLACE SOMETHING ELSE. IS THE NOT A PROBLEM OF A "CAUSAL PART"? IF THIS NOT A PROBLEM FOR YOUR AGENCY, PLEASE REFER ME TO AN AGENCY THAT CAN HANDLE THIS. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING MORE INFORMATION FROM THE GM DEALER, FREMONT CHEVROLET. AS OF NOW, THEY HAVE MY SATURN TORN APART AND ARE "THINKING" OF WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME. *TR

06/20/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/19/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GHAW12FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED AND FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED DURING THE STEERING MALFUNCTION; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/15/14

06/19/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD HER VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS VISIBLY ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THAT CONDITION PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REATTACHING ONE SIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WITH A WIRE HANGER. THE CONTACT RELUCTANTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND WHILE ON THE WAY HOME THE AIR BAG, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. SHORTLY AFTER THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

06/17/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/14/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE REMEDY PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

06/16/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS MOTHER'S SATURN ION THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED, DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH DEFAULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING THE RUN-AROUND REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. *JB

06/16/2014
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/12/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN CHANGING GEARS THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND RATTLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

06/12/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE INFORMATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

06/12/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED, BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED. *JB

06/10/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/05/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52FX4Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

06/09/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

06/05/2014
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/12/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

TURNED VEHICLE ON AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 8 HOURS IN PARKING LOT, THE CAR REVVED UP TO ABOUT 4,000RPM WHICH IS UNUSUALLY HIGH. I WAITED FOR THE CAR TO CALM DOWN AND WHEN IT DID, I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR TO DRIVE. MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO 40MPG THROUGH THE PARKING LOT BEFORE I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS AS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR; APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 TIMES A MONTH. *TR

06/03/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT THE PACE OF THE RECALL FOR THE SATURN ION, RECALLS 14V047 AND 14V171. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND CALLED THE GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE LINE WITH NO SATISFACTION. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOME MIGHT BE AVAILABLE IN 4 WEEKS. THIS IS NOT SATISFACTORY. *TR

06/02/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER TRYING TO REVERSE FROM A DRIVE WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD FOLLOWED BY A WARNING CHIME THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN SINCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO REMEDY. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114.000.

06/02/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/17/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

06/02/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 03/05/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER SHE MADE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,447. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER, THEY KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL SWITCHES STARTED GOING HAYWIRE , ALONG WITH DIFFERENT WARNING SIGNS.. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SOLENOID WAS DAMAGED. A MONTH PRIOR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. ALSO, WHEN THE CONSUMERS SON ATTEMPTED TO USE THE JACK, TO CHANGE THE TIRE, THE JACK BENT AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST COLLAPSED ON HER SON'S FOOT. UPDATED 11/19/14 UPDATED 8/30/2017*CN

06/02/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

AROUND '06, THE KEY STARTED STICKING AND YOU COULD NOT EITHER START THE CAR (I'VE HAD SEVERAL TOWS), OR COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE CAR (IT WAS STUCK ON LOCKED). I GOT IT FIXED ON 2/13 07 WITH A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AT A SATURN DEALER. IT NEVER REALLY WORKED CORRECTLY. IT KEPT DOING THE SAME THING, SO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER IN MAY OF 2012. THEY PUT IN A "BCM"?? AND REPROGRAMMED. STILL DID THE SAME THING. THEN A FEW MONTHS AGO, I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL PROGRAM. I GOT MY CAR FIXED FOR THE RECALL ON 4/15/14. MY CLAIM FOR PAYING $700 IN MAY OF 2012 WAS DENIED. MY CAR STILL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO START, OR TRYING TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I THINK THIS WHOLE THING IS YOUR FAULT. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE $700 I SPENT IN MAY, AND GET MY CAR IN AGAIN AND GET IT FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL!! *TR

06/01/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/25/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

MY SATURN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C UNIT THE DIAL HAS GOTTEN TO WERE IT WON'T WORK AND THE DEFROST DOESN'T WORK. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 7 YRS. MY HAS CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME TWICE. ONCE THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR. NOW THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS ON APRIL 25 2014. IT WAS AROUND 3:30 PM. HERE IN RICHMOND VA IT WAS A REALLY BAD THUNDER AND LIGHTING STORM. I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL, THE BRAKES WERE ACTING STRANGE I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT STOP LIGHT AND WHILE I WAS A RED LIGHT I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED BEEPING SOUND AND THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. MY CAR WAS TOWED. AND THE HENRICO COUNTY BEAT AAA TO PULL IT TO ROYAL CHEVY. THE COPS HAD MY PLACED AT IMPOUND LOT. AND I FINALLY DID IT TOWED TO ROYAL CHEVY ON APRIL 26 2014. ROYAL CHEVY HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR MY RENTAL. I SAW ON THIS WEBSITE THERE ARE 10 RECALLS ON HERE AND GM HAS ONLY TOLD ME ABOUT 2 OF THE RECALLS NOT OF THE OTHER 8. *TR

05/29/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/28/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY LIGHT, THE OIL PRESSURE, THE AIR BAG AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

05/27/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGTION SWITCH AND WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,184.

05/27/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/23/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

MY CAR WAR JUST REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL IGNITION, HOWEVER, IT IS STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OFF AND ON. THE POWER STEERING WENT OFF TWICE ON MY WAY HOME AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TWICE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT THEY SHOW NOTHING ON THE POWER STEERING. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE MY FAMILY HAS, AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS NOT SAFE! I HAVE HAD FILES OPEN SINCE 2008 ABOUT THE POWER STEERING, AND OTHER ISSUES. SATURN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING REPLACED TWICE. *TR

05/20/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52FX4Z******
Summary

I RECEIVED RECALLS BEGINNING IN APRIL 2014 REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEN ONE REGARDING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. BOTH RECALLS HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. (3 OPEN RECALLS IN ALL) I CONTACTED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AS INSTRUCTED ON APRIL 18TH AND HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE @ 800-553-6000. I WAS ISSUED A CASE# 71-1300074576 BUT MY FAMILY IS STILL DRIVING THE CAR. WE DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JUNE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOANER CAN BE PROVIDED. I WANT TO DROP THE CAR OFF SOMEWHERE AND PICK UP A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE UNTIL THE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. *TR

05/20/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 04/15/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

WHEN I START MY CAR I GET A MESSAGE THAT DAYS POWER STEERING SERVICE VEHICLE. THAT I LOOSE ALL DASH LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY RADIO AND AIR I DO NOT REGAIN POWER STEERING OR LIGHTS FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. I CAN HEAR A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE WHEN IT IS REGAINED. ONCE IT'S DONE I CAN DRIVE PERFECTLY NORMAL. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND OFF. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF THE LIGHTS ARE THERE DURING THE FIT AND OFF WHEN THE CAR IS ON. ALL THE CODES THROWN ARE ELECTRICAL. HELP! *TR

05/14/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/24/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

05/14/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE, BUT THIS TIME I LOST THE POWER STEERING ROUNDING A BEND. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND I NEEDED THE ENTIRE THING REPLACED FOR 800.00, QUOTED 1200.00 AT A DEALER. I CALLED GM AND DESPITE THE GM WEBSITE STATING RECALL OF "SATURN ION ALL MODEL YEARS 2004-2007" FOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING POSTED ON 3/31/14, I WAS TOLD MINE WASN'T INCLUDED BECAUSE I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION 2. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DOESN'T "ALL MODEL YEARS" PERTAIN TO THE ION 1, 2, AND 3????? *TR

05/12/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/26/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

WHILE PARKING POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. *TR

05/10/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F14Z******
Summary

DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE NORTHBOUND ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MAY 6, 2014, GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE IN THE CENTER LANE. I HAD FOLLOWED ALL THE PROCEDURES THAT GM INSTRUCTED FOR RECALL #14V-047 USING THE KEY WITHOUT RING OUR ADDITIONAL KEYS. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE BACK IN 2007. I HAVE PRESENTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY, REMOVE THE KEY, PLACED IT BACK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR STARTED.

05/09/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,720.

05/09/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/10/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. KMJ

05/07/2014
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON... IDLE STICKS THEN IT SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OR IT WILL JUST CUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. THE SATURN REPAIR SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I PAID FOR THIS 3 TIMES AND GAVE UP. I'VE ALSO HAD MY IGNITION REPAIRED ALREADY SO THIS RECALL DOES ME NO GOOD. I'VE ALREADY PAID FOR IT. NOW MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND I HAVE A CRACKED SEAL IN MY ENGINE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS TOO BUT THE YEAR OF MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL.... I SPOKE WITH GM AND THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT MY 100,000 MILE OR 10 YR WARR. STOPPED NOVEMBER 2013. I BOUGHT THIS MAY, 2004 SO I THINK 10 YEARS WOULD BE MAY OF 2014. IS THERE ANYWAY TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEM PAY FOR THE TIMING CHAIN? SIGNED: ANGRY CONSUMER. *TR

05/07/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL BUT NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL HAD RAISED EIGHT INCHES FROM WHERE IT NORMALLY WAS, PREVENTING HER FROM SHIFTING GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALLED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE MASTER CYLINDER, SLAVE CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,362 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,810.

05/05/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/20/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8A352F74Z******
Summary

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

05/05/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/13/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

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.

05/01/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12FX4Z******
Summary

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.

04/30/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/22/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

04/30/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING, SOMETIMES WANT STEER. IT IS PARKED FEAR OF DRIVING IT!! *JS

04/28/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F34Z******
Summary

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

04/26/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

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

04/26/2014
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 02/03/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

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

04/24/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

04/24/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/16/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F44Z******
Summary

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

04/23/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/03/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

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.

04/22/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

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.

04/20/2014
Components: STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 03/01/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

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

04/17/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/01/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F94Z******
Summary

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

04/16/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

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?

04/10/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

04/08/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/04/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F74Z******
Summary

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

04/07/2014
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/11/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F14Z******
Summary

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

04/05/2014
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/17/2008
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

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

04/03/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/12/2008
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

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

04/02/2014
Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/14/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

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

04/01/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/27/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

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

04/01/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/31/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

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

04/01/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/17/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F94Z******
Summary

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

04/01/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/11/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

03/31/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/28/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F34Z******
Summary

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.

03/31/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/25/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P54Z******
Summary

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

03/31/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/18/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

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

03/30/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P24Z******
Summary

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.

03/27/2014
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/28/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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.

03/25/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/10/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

03/24/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/21/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P84Z******
Summary

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

03/24/2014
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/05/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

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

03/24/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

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

03/22/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F04Z******
Summary

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

03/21/2014
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/08/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

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

03/20/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/19/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F34Z******
Summary

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.

03/20/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/19/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

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.

03/20/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 04/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F94Z******
Summary

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

03/19/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F24Z******
Summary

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

03/19/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/17/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F84Z******
Summary

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

03/18/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 10/24/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

03/16/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/04/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

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

03/16/2014
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

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 NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEM. WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THAT I INQUIRED ABOUT ALL OF THIS WITH THEM IN DECEMBER 2012 - THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE "A NEW GM" DIFFERENT FROM THE COMPANY BACK IN 2001? IF THEY WERE DIFFERENT WHY DID THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME THE $2,177 WE SPENT IN REPAIRS, OR ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL? IS IT BECAUSE WE DID NOT DIE IN AN ACCIDENT? *TR

03/15/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/09/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

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

03/14/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/12/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

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.

03/13/2014
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 01/18/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F24Z******
Summary

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

03/13/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/19/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F24Z******
Summary

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

03/13/2014
Components: STEERING,ENGINE
Incident Date: 12/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F04Z******
Summary

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

03/13/2014
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 01/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

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

03/13/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/29/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F54Z******
Summary

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.

03/13/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 11/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F94Z******
Summary

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.

03/10/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/28/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F14Z******
Summary

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

03/07/2014
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 03/09/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F34Z******
Summary

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

03/06/2014
Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

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

03/02/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/14/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

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

02/27/2014
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/12/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

02/26/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/20/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

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

02/06/2014
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 08/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

01/31/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/14/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

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 HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN NO NOTIFICATION FROM GM/SATURN REGARDING THIS DEFECT. WITH THE RECENT FIX, I PAID $550.00 FOR THE REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, NEW BATTERY, STARTER AND PLUGS, WHICH ALL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE TO THE STRESS & STRAIN OF THIS "STARTING" ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE AMOUNT STATED. PLEASE REPLY...[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

01/09/2014
Components: SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STEERING
Incident Date: 12/16/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

12/31/2013
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/31/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F44Z******
Summary

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

12/17/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/12/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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.

12/02/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

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.

11/26/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/21/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F84Z******
Summary

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

10/30/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/11/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

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.

10/27/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/09/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F64Z******
Summary

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

10/23/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/10/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN14F94Z******
Summary

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

10/17/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/25/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

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

10/15/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/08/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F44Z******
Summary

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.

10/02/2013
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/19/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ58F57Z******
Summary

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

10/01/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/20/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

MY POWER STEERING HAS SHUT DOWN. *TR

09/24/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/27/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

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

09/23/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/22/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

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.

09/16/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/16/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

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.

09/05/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/06/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

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

09/03/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

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

09/03/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/15/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

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.

08/19/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/15/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F14Z******
Summary

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.

08/14/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/07/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

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

08/05/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/13/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

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

07/27/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/26/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

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

07/26/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/24/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

07/22/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/19/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

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.

06/14/2013
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

06/05/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/16/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 168AFJ5264Z******
Summary

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.

05/31/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/30/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

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

05/17/2013
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

05/11/2013
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/26/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

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

05/08/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/07/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F44Z******
Summary

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.

05/01/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1 GAG52F24Z******
Summary

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

04/28/2013
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 12/17/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

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

04/25/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/22/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F64Z******
Summary

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

04/16/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/02/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

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

04/10/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/02/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F14Z******
Summary

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.

03/13/2013
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 03/01/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

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

02/20/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/06/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

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.

02/20/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/17/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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.

02/04/2013
Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 02/04/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

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

01/24/2013
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/23/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F64Z******
Summary

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.

01/09/2013
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 12/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400 4305 /B12 TIRES (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER, THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BUT IT WAS STILL ABLE TO HOLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

01/02/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 09/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN STARTING THE SATURN ON A COLD MORNING, THE IGNITION FAILS TO START THE CAR. I GET A SERVICE MESSAGE. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AS IF THE SECURITY WAS RESETTING ITSELF. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. GM WILL NOT OWN UP TO A FAULTY PRODUCT THAT LEAVES SATURN OWNERS COMPLETELY STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES, EVEN ON WARM DAYS. A RECALL MUST BE APPROVED FOR THIS MASSIVE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY THE CARS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN MINUTES OR STALL OUT IN UNSAFE AREAS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THIS IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED BASED ON HUNDREDS OF TESTAMENTS. I HAVE REPLACED MY STATER AND BATTERY BEFORE REALIZING THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT NUMEROUS OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE OF DEALING WITH. *TR

11/15/2012
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 09/15/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

11/09/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/12/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

MY POWER ASSIST STEERING WILL GO OUT SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IONS FROM THAT YEAR, BUT THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL. *TR

11/06/2012
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/05/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

I STARTED MY CAR, PULLED FORWARD THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, DIDN'T REVERSE. HEADED DOWN WESTHEIMER AT ABOUT APPROX. 35 MPH. I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE WHEN I HEARD THE WARNING CHIME AND MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD BEING IT WAS ABOUT 1 AM. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON SUDDENLY IT WAS BACK. *TR

10/26/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/22/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HOW LOOSE THE WHEEL WAS WHEN IT WAS COMING DOWN FROM THE LIFT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE SHOP AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY EASY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,400.

10/10/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F44Z******
Summary

WHEN I WAS GOING SOUTH ON I-95 IN GEORGIA I HEARD A WARNING TONE FROM MY SATURN AND SAW A WARNING ON MY DASH THAT WAS FOR THE POWER STEERING. IMMEDIATELY I COULD TELL I HAD LOST MY POWER STEERING BECAUSE CHANGING LANES FELT SLUGGISH AND A BIT DIFFICULT. (NOT PHYSICALLY DIFFICULT BUT MORE DIFFICULT THAN USUAL) THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. THEN IT IS LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. AT SLOWER SPEEDS THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FORCE THAT IS REQUIRED TO TURN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS NOT FOR ME BUT FOR MY WIFE WHO CANNOT PHYSICALLY CONTROL THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

10/03/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AS THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

10/03/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/27/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WE HEARD A TONE INDICATING SOMETHING WAS WRONG, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND WE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WAS UNABLE TO QUICKLY MANEUVER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER TRAVELING A FEW MILES. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME AND NOW THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN EVERY FEW MINUTES. CAR IS UNSAFE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO MAKE QUICK MANEUVERS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHEV. & PONT. CARS WITH SAME EQUIPMENT AND COMPLAINTS WERE RECALLED. SATURNS SHOULD BE ALSO. THERE IS AN OPEN ACTION NUMBER OF EA11014. *TR ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SATURN VOLUNTEERED TO REPLACE A PORTION OF THE STEERING THAT CONTROLLED THE POWER STEERING AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 12/12/12

09/30/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE IGNITION WOULD NOT ENGAGE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AT 400.00 COST. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE KEY NOW WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WE WERE ABLE TO PULL ENOUGH FUSES TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THEY SAY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SAME SYSTEM AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS FROM GM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS SYSTEM AGAIN AT A COST OF 400.00 PLEASE HELP ME WITH. *TR

09/29/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/04/2011
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

OUR CAR, 2004, SATURN ION3, CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY ON IT'S OWN ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN HOME ON 4 NOV 2011. NO DRIVER - NO KEY IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. I SUBMITTED AN INITIAL REQUEST FOR REVIEW TO GM CLAIMS ALONG WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION THAT WE HAD VIA EMAILS AND OUR CLAIM WAS DENIED. *TR

09/29/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F34Z******
Summary

OUT OF THE BLUE, THE CONSOLE MADE ALERT NOISES AND THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AS THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND NOT THE HIGHWAY, INTERSECTION OR OTHER DANGEROUS AREA. *TR

09/26/2012
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 09/16/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

EXCESSIVE BRAKE CHATTER IN FRONT BRAKES WHEN WET FROM A HARD RAIN OR RAIN PUDDLES. HARD TO STEER CAR, CAR SHUDDERS. *TR

09/21/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/20/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WARNING CHIME BEGAN TO SOUND. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

09/20/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/20/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER, EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,755. AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,756.

09/16/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 05/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON THE PARKING LIGHTS AND FRONT TURN SIGNALS STARTING BLINKING REALLY QUICK LIKE STROBING. I CAN TURN MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON AND IT WILL BLINK INSIDE HEARING THE NORMAL TICKING. IF I TURN MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON IT THE ARROW ON THE INSIDE BLINKS SLOWER AND MAKES NO TICKING SOUND.IF I PUSH ON MY BRAKE THE LIGHT WORK PROBABLY AND THE TICKING SOUND ON THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INSIDE STARTS. IF I PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON IT WORKS PROPERLY. THE STROBING OF THE FRONT OUTSIDE PARKING LIGHTS STOP. IF I TURN MY PARKING LIGHT ON AND DRIVE WITH THEM ON EVERYTHING WORKS PROPERLY. I KNOW THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. IT IS EFFECTING MY CAR SO BAD THAT MY RADIO DISPLAY LIGHT BLINKS ALSO. SO IT IS GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I HAVE A WRECK. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 CHILDREN. *TR

08/26/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/26/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

FOR THE SECOND TIME THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BROKE. TODAY WE UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. WE HAD TO REMOVE FUSES TO KILL THE ENGINE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE WERE STUCK IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START. IN BOTH CASES WE HAD TO BREAK THE IGNITION LOCK IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE LOCK CYLINDER. WITH THE CYLINDER REMOVED WE CAN USE A SCREW DRIVER TO START THE CAR. THE SCREW IS MUCH MORE RELIABLE. *TR

08/20/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/11/2012
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND AT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED FOR THE WINDOWS AND THEY BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. A PERSONAL MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE NEW FUSE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO ENSURE THAT NO ELECTRICAL FIRES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,500.

08/15/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME UP. VERY HARD TO STEER NO POWER ASSIST. TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING IS BACK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING EVENT SINCE 6/2010. *TR

08/09/2012
Components: STEERING,WHEELS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/08/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GAL52FX4Z1******
Summary

TODAY 8/8/12, I JUMPED INTO MY 2004 SATURN ION AT 5PM AFTER WORK & IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL AS I EXITED THE PARKING LOT, I HAD TO SWERVE HARD TO MY RIGHT TO BY AVOID A COLLISION WITH TWO CARS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I WAS TERRIFIED! MY DISPLAY SHOWED "PWR STR" I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, I LEFT MY CAR DIAGONALLY PARKED, SINCE IT WOULD NOT MOVE WENT FOR ASSISTANCE, A PASSERBY LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD FOR A WHILE THEN TURNED MY CAR ON AND THE DISPLAY WAS BACK TO MILEAGE AND MY WHEEL WAS WORKING FINE!! I DROVE MY CAR HOME AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT IT COULD BE AND HOW I COULD FIX IT, I FIND OUT THAT THEIR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING! I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTERS AT ALL. MY CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE UP UNTIL NOW. IT HAS CLOSE TO 150K MIL (MILEAGE IS AN ESTIMATE ON THIS FORM) SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A GM PROBLEM, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? THANK YOU *TR

08/07/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/17/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING IN AN ALLEY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST MY POWER STEERING (I WAS ALERTED WITH A MESSAGE). UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. SINCE THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, MY CAR HAS LOST THE POWER STEERING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, IN MULTIPLE SCENARIOS AND AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SPEEDS. IT HAS FAILED ON THE FREEWAY MULTIPLE TIMES, FORCING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND COMPROMISE MY SAFETY. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED NO LESS THAN 20 TIMES SINCE MAY 17TH (IT IS NOW AUGUST 7TH). THIS DEFECT IS NOT ONLY UNACCEPTABLE, IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

08/02/2012
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/11/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

STARTED LEAKING GAS FROM FUEL FILTER AND I CHECKED ON LINE FOR RECALLS AND WAS ONE FOR THAT VEHICLE I CALLED SATURN THEY SAID THERE WASN'T. *TR

07/27/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,623.

07/24/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/02/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F34Z******
Summary

DRIVER WAS TURNING RIGHT AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN IMMEDIATELY AND RAMMED INTO THE MEDIAN. DRIVER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION AT MEDICAL FACILITY. IN 2008, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE - A WARNING WOULD SOUND AND THE PWR STR MESSAGE WOULD FLASH. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY IN USE. POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT, SAME SYMPTOMS, ON JULY 20, 2012. CURRENTLY THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. *TR

07/09/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

06/22/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/28/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MAKING THE CAR VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. PROBLEM NOW RECURS WHENEVER I DRIVE THE CAR, BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER I START DRIVING. *TT

06/21/2012
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/20/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE MANUALLY DISCONNECTED SO THE ENGINE COULD SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,750 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,800.

06/20/2012
Components: EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 02/15/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE IF THE CAR IS NOT WARM OR THE IGNITION IS NOT WARM WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE; THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TURNS ON. ONCE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ON I CANNOT START THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. USUALLY MAKING ME LATE FOR SOMETHING. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED AND WOULD LIKE COMPENSATION IF POSSIBLE. *JS

06/11/2012
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 06/04/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVERS SIDE WIPER WENT PAST THE A POST THEN JUMPED BACK TO THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

06/07/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/06/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P14Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND "PWR STR" NOTICE WAS DISPLAYED. CHANGED FUSE BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. I FOUND THE NHTSA RQ10004 INVESTIGATION IN AN INTERNET SEARCH. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS SATURN ION REDLINE. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER FROM SATURN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS REPORTED IN VARIOUS INTERNET ARTICLES/ BLOGS. *JS

06/06/2012
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/06/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT START. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

05/28/2012
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 10/29/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM. AT ANY SPEED, AT ANY TIME, "PWR STR" DIS DISPLAYED ON THE OBD DISPLAY, SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THE MOTOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FORCING ME TO UNEXPECTEDLY MANUALLY STEER THE CAR UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED AND THE SYSTEM RESET. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS 1-7 TIMES A DAY. I HAVE PERSONALLY CAME CLOSE TO HAVING A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO POWER ASSIST FAILURE WHILE CURVING. THERE ARE NO OTHER PREVIOUS FAILURES OF THE STEERING EQUIPMENT LEADING UP TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

05/18/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F54Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

05/14/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F54Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,394. UPDATED 6/6/12 *CN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED ON 05/22/12. UPDATED 06/11/12

04/30/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/28/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THIS VEHICLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME POWER STEERING CONTROL FAILED. MANUAL STEERING WAS USED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND UPON RESTARTING, POWER STEERING RETURNED. *JS

04/26/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/20/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

04/12/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/09/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F34Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS WERE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

04/11/2012
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/14/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. GAUGES DROP TO ZERO, THE ENGINE MAY OR MAY NOT STOP RUNNING, THEN THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ( IE OIL WARNING LIGHT, ECT ) COME ON, AND THEN DASH RETURNS TO NORMAL. IF THE CAR IS MOVING THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING AGAIN. ONE STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DURING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER INTO AND OUT OF THE CORNER. I AM WILLING TO TURN MY CAR OVER TO HAVE THE STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED OUT. SATURN HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS USED TO CHECK THIS ISSUE OUT AS WELL. *TR

04/09/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/07/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F74Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

04/04/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN STARTING THE SATURN ON A COLD MORNING, THE IGNITION FAILS TO START THE CAR. I GET A SERVICE MESSAGE. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AS IF THE SECURITY WAS RESETTING ITSELF. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. GM WILL NOT OWN UP TO A FAULTY PRODUCT THAT LEAVES 100S OF PEOPLE STRANDED. AS TIME GOES BY THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES, EVEN ON WARM DAYS. I WOULD LIKE A RECALL APPROVED FOR THIS MASSIVE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY OUR CARS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN MINUTES OR STALL US IN A POTENTIALLY BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THIS IGNITION SWITCH INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED BASED ON HUNDREDS OF TESTAMENTS. I WANT TO ADD THAT MY SATURN WHEN IT WAS NEW HAD OTHER RECALL ISSUES LIKE THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT SENSOR. ALSO, ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

03/29/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11014 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

03/29/2012
Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 03/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE ON THE DATES OF WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEMS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 04 ION'S FRONT SUSPENSION, THE CHEAPLY MADE PLASTIC WIPER LINKAGES THAT BREAK EASY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SO FAR BECAUSE THE PART FAILS AND YOU CANNOT START YOUR CAR, AND MOST RECENTLY I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO ASK ABOUT A "CLUNKING" NOISE IT MAKES WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN FOR A KNOWN STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERING MOTOR (EPS) PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT ON THESE CARS THE STEERING LINKS/MOTOR HAVE TENDANCY TO BREAK! IF THAT IS TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD RESULT IN DEATH! I'VE ALSO DONE SOME SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND MANY FORUMS/ARTICLES WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC MAKE/MODEL. ONE COMMENT I READ THE PERSON SAID "THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP!" MINE AND MANY OTHER'S 04 SATURN ION'S HAVE ALOT OF KNOWN YET SERIOUS ISSUES BUT SATURN STILL HAS NO RECALLS FOR THIS CAR!! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM! -CONCERNED/FRUSTURATED SATURN OWNER.

03/28/2012
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 02/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL WAS EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTER WERE RUSTED, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW FUEL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,100.

03/26/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING ABILITIES. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11014 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

03/22/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/22/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE STEERING WOULD RESETS INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS AUTOMATIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

03/06/2012
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX42******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SEVERE LEAK FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. WATER WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,030. *TR

01/29/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 10/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILST DRIVING, MY CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN GOING ALMOST 45-50MPH. PRESSING THE BRAKES WOULD BARELY DO ANYTHING. IT WON'T START WHEN IT THINKS IT'S TOO COLD OUTSIDE, I'VE HAD THE BATTERY TESTED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT IS FINE. ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE CAR AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT RESISTS A LOT. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK. *TT

01/26/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/25/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F64Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED ON 1/25/12. I FELT STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT AND SAW MESSAGE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY. BECAUSE OF MY MILEAGE, SATURN WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS UNDER THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY". A RECALL SHOULD OCCUR IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES. *TR

01/03/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/03/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND GATHERING SPEED, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR REACHED 85MPH. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME (10 MILES) WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR

01/01/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F54Z******
Summary

WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH, THE POWER STEERING IN OUR 2004 SATURN ION SUDDENLY FAILED. AS WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD, WE WERE ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THAT LIKELY COULD HAVE OCCURED IF WE HAD BEEN TURNING. UPON RETURNING HOME, I PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE 3 FUSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT ALL WERE FINE. IT APPERAS TO BE THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR ITSELF THAT FAILED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AT THE TIME OUR STEERING FAILED, MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE GM IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE? PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL SO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED. IT MAY BE A "NUMBERS" GAME TO SOME, BUT TO THE REST OF US IT IS OUR SAFETY! *TR

12/13/2011
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/26/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE THAT WAS NOT FAVORABLE AND I WAS PRETTY SURE IT WAS THE TRANNY. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE CAR SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR. IT WAS CONFIRMED TO BE THE TRANNY AND THEY TRIED TO PUT A BANDAIDE ON IT BY FLUSHING IT AND CHANGING THE FLUIDS. ONE WEEK LATER SAME NOISE ONLY LOUDER. THEY REPLACED THE TRANNY. 30 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR; THE NOISE RETURNED, THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS, IN THE TRANNY THEY JUST PUT IN IT. JUST OVER 12,0000 MILES LATER I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TRANNY WAS AGAIN REPLACED, THAT WAS JUST UNDER 12,0000 MILES AGO AND THE TRANNY IS SLIPPING AGAIN, ONLY NOW THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PEOPLE SAY I AM OUT OF FUNDS BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT REPAIR A VEHICLE BEYOND IT'S WORTH. I HAVE HAD THE AXLE REPLACED TWICE AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN, EXTENDED WARRANTY AGAIN SAY'S THEY ARE DONE PAYING OUT ON THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH MY TIME OR MILEAGE IS NOT EXPIRED ON THE WARRANTY. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT FAILED TO START AND BECAUSE I HAD READ THIS WEB SITE ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS CAR I KNEW TO WAIT 5-15 MIN AND TRY AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT SO FAR IT EVENTUALLY STARTS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON CREDIT JUST OVER A YEAR AGO TO GET A RELIABLE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WORK 7 DAYS A WEEK OUT OF MY CAR AND IT IS BECOMING A NIGHTMARE NO-ONE WILL WAKE ME UP FROM. AND BECAUSE I AM UPSIDE DOWN ON THE LOAN I CANNOT EVEN TRADE IT IN FOR SOMETHING THAT IS RELIABLE. FOR THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECOURSE TO THE CONSUMER. I HAVE HAD THE TRANNY REPLACED TWICE AND FIXED TWICE, THE AXLE HAS BEEN DONE TWICE AND NEED IT AGAIN. CHEVY BOUGHT THIS COMPANY OUT AND SHOULD HAVE TO HONOR THE STANDARDS FOR A SAFE VEHICLE OR STOP SELLING THEM TO UNSUSPECTING BUYERS. *TR

12/10/2011
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/09/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE STEERING LIT UP AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I STOPPED AND RESTARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FOLLOWING DAY MY VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILED EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING). THE ESTIMATED COST OF JUST THE PART IS $1200. I DID NOT ASK ABOUT THE COST OF LABOR. I HAVE STARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT AND SOMETIMES THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES. ULTIMATELY THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING FAILS AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES. AT OTHER TIMES I HAVE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS NO POWER STEERING.AS I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, THIS IS VERY UPSETTING. *TR

11/24/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/09/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILED ON ITS OWN WHILE TRAVELING 75 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. SINCE THE STEERING HAS FAILED EVER TIME THE VEHICLE IS USED. I HAVE HAD NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER, INCLUDING THE SAFETY RISK, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

11/15/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,926.

11/12/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/07/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F34Z******
Summary

WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND ALL THE SUDDEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I AM NO TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE FACT IF IT KEEPS GOING OUT I DON'T WANT TO WRECK. I HAVE CALLED MANY MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE BEEN TELLING ME THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. TODAY IT HAPPENED TWICE TO ME. WHEN I PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR IT WILL WORK FOR AWHILE. I HAVE SEEN MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THIS I FOR ME THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. NOW THAT SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WHAT AM I TO DO? *TR

11/10/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,314.

10/28/2011
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE POWER STEERING IS FAILING NEARLY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS USED. IT FAILS WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. MAKING TURNS REQUIRES A LOT OF EFFORT IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR CAN STILL BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING, BUT ONE WOULD HARDLY CALL IT SAFE. *TR

10/27/2011
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/01/2003
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F34Z******
Summary

THE LITANY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE VEHICLE IS LONG AND VARIED. MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING, ETC.. GM AND SATURN KNEW OF THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES CONCERNING THE VTI TRANSMISSION, YET THEY CHOSE TO CONTINUE TO PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK BY DENYING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. THE ONLY REAL WAY, IN MY OPINION, TO MAKE THIS RIGHT IS TO FULLY RECALL AND REPLACE THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN LATE 2003 AND CONTINUES TO BE A HAZARD. PLEASE FORCE GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET THESE CARS OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TT

10/27/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F54V******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BUT WOULD HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11014 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,343.

10/24/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE LIGHT WENT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,354.

10/16/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F04Z******
Summary

WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING SPACE I INSPECTED THE BELT- IT WAS INTACT- AND THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE- THERE WAS NO FLUID LOSS. STEERING THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE REQUIRED GREAT EFFORT. PROCEEDING ON THE ROAD, THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO RETURN. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE WITH A SHARP LEFT TURN, BUT NOT AT ALL ON A SHARP RIGHT TURN. FURTHER ALONG THE ROAD, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ALSO NORMAL POWER ASSIST WAS EXPERIENCE ON A LEFT TURN. I OPERATED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MORE SHORT TRIPS, STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE- THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT ITSELF, BUT I HAVE READ ONLINE AND IN NEWS REPORTS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER SATURN OWNERS. *TR

10/06/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME STIFF. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS RESET TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,817.

09/26/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/19/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F64Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A WARNING BELL WOULD SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,383.

09/20/2011
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS CAREFULLY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH IT WOULD NOT START. WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD SUCCESSFULLY START. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

09/20/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/13/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CAR WOULD NOT START. A NEW KEY HAD TO BE CUT. *TR

09/05/2011
Components: STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING MY SATURN ION 2004 THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD CAME ON WHILE I WAS ENGAGING IN A CURVE ON HIGHWAY 15, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE NO TO CRASH ON THE CONCRETE MIDDLE DIVIDER AND HAD TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE, STOP THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME FEW TIME PER YEAR OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS BUT NOW I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

08/12/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/10/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING WENT OUT. STEERING GOT HARD TO TURN. *TR

08/11/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/11/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD THEN BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

08/04/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/04/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

THE KEY OF MY SATURN ION WILL NOT COME OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IN PARK, THE KEY TURNS BACK TO OFF BUT WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND IGNITION SWITCH WE'VE HAD PUT IN THIS CAR, AND THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. *TR

07/25/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/06/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED SALVAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

07/19/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WITH 118K MILES. THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 90K MILES BUT GM REFUSED TO REPAIR. WHEN IT ORIGINALLY HAPPEN IT WOULD OCCUR ABOUT ONCE A MONTH BUT NOW HAS PROGRESSED TO A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. THE ON BOARD SCREEN NEXT TO GAUGES WILL SHOW "PWR STEER" AND BEEP LOUDLY. THIS MEANS THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED OR ROAD TYPE. CAR WILL BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK IS TO RESTART THE CAR BY TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. *KB

07/17/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/05/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

I HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH 2004 SATURN SINCE DAY WHEN I BOUGHT IT. TAKE TO DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY CAUSE THAT IS WHAT A MECH SAID TO DO NEED LARGER SIZE. LAST MONTH EVERY TIME NEVER FAILED YOU GET IN VEHICLE TURN KEY ON . SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START, BUT NO YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN THEN TURN KEY AND IT STARTS. COLD OR WARM WEATHER DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER. I WAS TOLD MAYBE STARTER! SO I TOOK IT TO A NEW MECHANIC THAT I HAD A DEALING WITH ON ANOTHER ISSUE DIFFERENT VEHICLE. HE DID TESTING AND REPLACED THE PASS LOCK KEY . SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ALARMING SYSTEM. SO KNOCK ON WOOD.. THIS LAST WEEK STARTS EVERYTIME ITS WORKING. TOTAL COST FOR PART IS 250.00 PLUS YOU NEED TO HAVE NEW KEY MADE AND CODED. *TR

07/07/2011
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 05/28/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY PLASTIC WINDSHIELD WIPER HINGE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. RK

07/05/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,900.

07/05/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 12/28/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. I BOUGHT IN THE WINTER OF 2007. IT IMMEDIATELY PRESENTED WITH THE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING IN REALLY COLD WEATHER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS BOUGHT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT HE COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM EITHER. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 30 MINUTES FOR MY CAR TO START IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER. ABOUT 6 OR 8 MONTHS AGO THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN WHEN IT WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. I HAVE TO JIGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH, SOMETIMES THE KEY ALMOST COMING OUT TOTALLY BEFORE IT WILL TURN OVER. TODAY IT TOOK 15 MINUTES TO FINALLY GET IT UNLOCKED AND TURNED OVER TO START. *KB

07/05/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

ELECTRONIC ASSIST POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR SOME PEOPLE WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *KB

06/21/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/21/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 2 POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

05/18/2011
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 05/15/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ54F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON IT FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, AND ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK FILED REPORT 71948037911 AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 58,000.

04/26/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH FAULTY IGNITION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES OR LONGER, BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED AN IGNITION HOUSING PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH HER VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/23/11

04/14/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/11/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. I HAD MY TWO KIDS IN THE BACK AND DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP FROM GOING INTO THE OTHER LANE. *TR

04/13/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT VIGOROUSLY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

03/30/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD MOMENTARILY INCREASE AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A WIRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

03/18/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND THE PWR STR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN I SAFELY EXITED, I READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND IT SAID THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE SERVICE. I WENT DIRECTLY TO A FIRESTONE DEALER BUT THEY WERE NEAR CLOSING AND COULD NOT PUT IT ON DIAGNOSTICS AND ASKED ME TO RETURN IN THE MORNING. HOWEVER, WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY RETURNED. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED GM TO RECALL OTHER GM VEHICLES IN MARCH 2010, BUT NOT THE SATURNS. WHILE THE PROBLEM MAY BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY REPLACING 2 FUSES, THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WHICH IS A RATHER EXPENSIVE ITEM. I BELIEVE THE SATURNS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL GM ISSUED. *TR

03/17/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A SATURN ION 2004 AND I AM EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. GM RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE ALL SATURN IONS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, BECAUSE OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ISSUE. THE SATURN IONS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY RISK. *TR

03/14/2011
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12PX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 3 COUPE. THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE HARD AND DISPLAYED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. HE THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,640.

03/08/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT RESETS IT, AS IT IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND KEEPS GETTING WORSE. IT WILL TURN OFF ABOUT 10 TIMES IN A MILE ON AVERAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND IT HAS CAUSED 14 DEATHS IN OTHER INSTANCES. AFTER CALLING THE DEALER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT A RECALL, AND WILL NOT HELP ME OUT. A FEW GM CARS LIKE THE COBALT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR AND STEERING COLUMN. I AM IN THE PROCESS TO FIND THE PARTSAND REPLACED THEM, BUT THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. HERE IS A LINK ON A DISCUSSION FORUM FOR THIS TOPIC. HTTP://VLANE.COM/DISCUSS-TOPIC/1695/SATURN-ION-POWER-STEERING-ISSUES. *TR

02/23/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/23/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AB12F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE KEY BECAME WEDGED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

02/15/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/14/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

02/08/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/03/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC YET THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING AND MOTOR MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

01/31/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/31/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F04Z******
Summary

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON HER 2004 SATURN ION. THIS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. APPARENTLY MY WIFE'S CAR HAS THE SAME STEERING AS THE CHEVY COBALT WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE VERY SAME THING. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE CONSUMERS THAT DON'T KNOW THEY ARE DRIVING THIS CAR AND THAT THEIR STEERING CAN GO OUT ON THEM AT ANY MOMENT? THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! *TR

01/25/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/24/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THIS COMPLAIN HAS TO DO WITH A SATURN 2004 ION, MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL, IT WAS HARD TO MAKE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, AS DRIVING WITH A STEERING WHEEL THAT IS HARD TO MOVE IS REALLY DANGEROUS. THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING TO A FAR PLACE, BUT I HAVE BEEN ONLINE CHECKING THE RECALLS ON THE SATURN ION 2004, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A COMPANY WILL NOT RECALL THESE CARS, I KNOW THAT IS A LOSS ON MONEY BUT HONESTLY IS GOING TO BE YOUR FAULT IF SOMEONE GETS HURTS WHILE DRIVING WITH DEFECTS ON THE SATURNS, THEY WILL BE SUED . SO DON'T THINK ABOUT THE MONEY , THINK ABOUT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE, SO IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPENED TO ME, I WILL SUED THIS COMPANY . *TR

01/24/2011
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 01/24/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE THROTTLE SUDDENLY JAMMED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN REVVING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE WENT UNDER HIS HOOD AND PLACED THE THROTTLE BACK IN ITS PROPER PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HIS HOME. IT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000.

01/22/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I JUST BROUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 2 A COUPLE DAYS AGO. TODAY I GOT UP AND READY FOR WORK AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE CAR AND STILL NOTHING BUT THE LIGHTS AND RADIO ETC COME ON. I WAS LOOKIN FOR A RELIABLE CAR TO GET ME AND MY SON BACK AND FORTH BEING AS THOUGH WE HAVE NO FAMILY THAT LIVES CLOSE BY;;; TURNS OUT I THINK I MIGHT HAVE MADE A WRONG DECISION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS NOW AND IT ALREADY IS TURNING INTO A NIGHTMARE. I AM HESITANT ON PUTTING MY SON IN THIS CAR BECAUSE IF I DO GET IT TO TURN ON AND THIS HAPPENS AGAIN WHAT ARE WE TO DO? IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE! *TR

01/21/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/21/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

MY CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS COLD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND KEEP UP ON THE MAINTENANCE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS MISINTERPRETING A THEFT AND LOCKING UP THE FUEL . I READ THAT CHANGING THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT SATURN (GM) HAS KNOWN OF THIS COMPLAINT FOR SOME TIME NOW. THEY HAVE A NEW IMPROVED PART TO REPLACE THIS BAD ONE BUT I DON'T FEEL IT IS WORTH $400.00+ TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS A QUICK FIX AND IT IS THEIR FAULT TO START WITH. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE COLD WAITING AND PRAYING FOR THE CAR TO START SO THAT I CAN GET TO WORK ON TIME AND BACK HOME. IT IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

01/14/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/12/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

WITHOUT NOTICE, THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE CAR WILL START AND RUN LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED TOO, BUT AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANTS WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD, ALL THE LIGHTS, GAUGES AND HORN WILL WORK, BUT NO POWER GOES TO THE STARTER. AFTER A EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, TEN MINUTES OR MORE, THE CAR WILL START. THIS IS A RANDOM CONDITION, THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS OF WHEN IT WILL NOT START. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS EITHER A GLITCH IN THE SECURITY PROGRAM OR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GREASE IN THE STARTED SWITCH. *TR

01/11/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION 2 WILL NOT START ON MANY COLD MORNINGS. IT STARTED INITIALLY, I DROVE IT TO THE GAS STATION, THEN IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS FINE, BUT I REPLACED IT ANYWAY. THIS ISSUE PRESENTS IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS: TURN KEY AND GET NOTHING, OR TURN KEY AND HEAR AN INITIAL CRANK AND THEN IT SHUTS OFF. LIGHTS AND RADIO STILL WORK. CAR WILL EVENTUALLY CRANK AND TURN OVER AFTER 10-20 MINUTES. *TR

01/04/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION2. AT FIRST, I ONLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING. IF I WOULD WAIT FOR ANY UNGIVEN LENGTH OF TIME, IT WOULD MAGICALLY START. NOW, MY KEY HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR TWO WEEKS. (STILL STUCK) I WENT TO A SATURN DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE SOLENOID, THE HOUSING UNIT, OR EVEN BOTH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE KEY MAY HAVE WORN DOWN, OR A PART IN THE HOUSING MAY HAVE SCRATCHED THE INNER SURFACE OF THE HOUSING CAUSING THE KEY TO BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, SO THE "COLD" WEATHER ISN'T A FACTOR HERE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO YOUNG KIDS WHO RIDE WITH ME EVERYDAY, AND I FEAR THAT WE WILL GET STRANDED IN GOD ONLY KNOWS WHERE. IF MY CAR IS STOLEN BECAUSE THE KEY IS ALWAYS IN THE IGNITION, IF IT GETS STOLEN, WILL MY INSURANCE EVEN PAY FOR MY LOSS??? I THOUGHT SATURN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VERY GOOD WITH PROBLEMS INVOLVING THEIR AUTOMOBILES. I GUESS THAT IDEA ONLY APPLIED TO THEIR COMMERCIALS. *TR

01/03/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/24/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

01/03/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1GHAL52F94Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS. GM CLAIMS THAT THE CAR CAN STILL BE DRIVEN WITH EXTRA EFFORT. THAT'S BULL!!!! I AM A 200 POUND 6FT TALL MAN. AND I CANNOT STEER THE CAR INTO INTO A DRIVE WAY TO EXIT THE ROADWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED WITH 96000 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THE SORRY EXCUSE FOR A RECALL FROM GM HELP ME?!!!!! 10 YEAR OR 100K MILE. MY CAR NOW HAS 150K MILES ON IT. PLEASE MAKE GM DO A FULL RECALL ON THESE VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLES. *TR

12/31/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 36 DEGREES THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE IGNITION LOCKS ME OUT UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE RESETS AND I CAN TRY AGAIN. AFTER READING ABOUT MANY OTHERS EXPENSIVE SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE WITHOUT RESOLVE OR RECALL BY GM, I HAVE BOUGHT A SMALL ELECTRICAL HEATER TO SET ON MY FLOOR BOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WARMS UP THE IGNITION INSIDE THE CAR AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP. UNTIL I FOUND THIS SOLUTION I WAS LATE TO WORK, LATE FOR APPOINTMENTS AND ONCE STRANDED IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES. *TR

12/26/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/07/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON MORNINGS WHEN IT IS COLD AND HAS BEEN DURING THE NIGHT AS WELL, MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP IN ORDER FOR IT TO DIAGNOSE THE REASON IT IS NOT STARTING. THE FIRST MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE TBS THAT IS OUT ON THE NO CRANK, NO START FOR THE IGNITION. THE OLD PART IS STILL CURRENTLY IN MY CAR. *TR

12/23/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER BECAME EXTREMELY COLD SHE WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. SHE STARTED TO NOTICED THE FAILURE WHEN SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY WAY SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WAS TO PLACE A HOT TOWEL AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,000.

12/21/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/20/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS, STOPPED TO GET GAS (CAR WAS WORKING FINE), WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE GAS STATION I HEARD THE WARNING CHIMES AND THE DASH FLASHED "PWR STR". IMMEDIATELY IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY TURNS, BUT STILL POSSIBLE. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A MINUTE, TURNED IT BACK ON. FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THE STEERING FELT FINE AND I HAD NO WARNING CHIMES OR LIGHTS, THEN AS I PULLED OUT INTO THE STREET, THE CHIMES AND THE PWR STR WARNING CAME BACK AND I WAS ON MY OWN AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LATER IN THE EVENING TRIED TO SEE IF IT WAS JUST A FLUKE, BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE WARNING. THIS JUST HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY SO I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. *TR

12/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

WHEN PARALLEL PARKING OR PARKING IN A CONVENTIONAL SPACE, STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT. AT FIRST IT WAS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, NOW IT IS BECOMING MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN A MONTH. IT LAST HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. WHILE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, IT IS A PROBLEM NONE THE LESS. TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER CRANKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. ITS AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING WHEN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM RESULTING FROM RESISTANCE FROM A CURB, NOR IS IT FROM LACK OF THE VEHICLE MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN REVERSE AND BACKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. TYPICALLY COINCIDES WITH A FULL CRANK OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH I AM UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ON A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT OF DUPLICATION. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT TO BE AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. I WAS TEACHING A FRIEND HOW TO DRIVE IN MY CAR, AND HE WAS SAYING THAT THE WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST GOING THROUGH THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A PERSON LEARNING TO DRIVE. SEEING HIM LABOR MORE OVER THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAD HIM STOP THE CAR AND I SWITCHED WITH HIM. I STARTED THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PARALLEL PARK. I ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE AS HIM WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED.

12/09/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14FX4Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS RE-DESIGNED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,641 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

12/01/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/18/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P04Z******
Summary

I HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND MY STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD AFTER DRIVING FOR SO LONG AND IN THE MESSAGE CENTER PWR STR COMES ON. IN THE MORNING DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER MY CAR WILL NOT START AND WILL SAY SERVICE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR HAS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR

11/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/28/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY; THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

11/22/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW 30 DEGREES MY 2004 SATURN ION2 WON"T START. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING LAST WINTER, I HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THAT. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY LAST WINTER. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. USUALLY IT TAKES FROM 15MINUTES TO HALF A HOUR FOR CAR TO START. BUT TODAY WAS DIFFERENT WENT OUT TO START MY CAR BECAUSE THE TEMP WAS 28DEGREES THIS MORNING I TRIED TO START MY CAR FOR OVER A HOUR I WAS ALMOST LATE FOR WORK STILL NO START. THEN I TRIED STARTING MY CAR WHEN I GOT OFF WORK STILL NO START. I SPOKE WITH A COWORKER SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SHE REPLACED BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR AND HER DOES NOT START WHEN IT RAINS. WHY IS THERE NOTHING BEING DONE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS SOLD BY SATURN IT HAS GM PARTS. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS. *TR

11/20/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/14/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION VTI TRANSMISSION FAILURE, PULLING OUT OF A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME. IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THIS TRANSMISSION WAS A POORLY MADE GM PRODUCT; SATURN WAS AWARE OF IT, GM HAS BEEN AWARE. RECALLS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE ALLOWED TO RIP OFF THE BUYER WITH TRANSMISSIONS THAT FAIL WITHIN 66,000 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PERFECTLY. THERE WILL BE NO MORE GM PURCHASES WITH MY DOLLARS. MY WORK IS WORTH A BETTER PRODUCT. *TR

11/18/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALARM SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

11/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN ION VIN# [XXX]. AND THE POWERSTEERING GAVE OUT 2 YEARS AGO A COUPLE TIMES BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL CAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOW IT DOES INTERMITTENTLY . I KNOW THE POWER STEERING FOR THE ION IS ALL ELECTRIC SO I LOOKED ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 1000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT AND IN MY OPINION A DEFECT. IF YOU COULD PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

11/15/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/06/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F64Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN DRIVE WHILE TURNING ONTO THE FREEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER WHICH THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD. NOTHING WAS DONE BECAUSE THEY WANT $5,000 TO FIX THE CAR. FOUND OUT THROUGH THE INTERNET NHTSA#10032327, STATES THAT SATURN GM WILL PAY 50% OF COST OF REPLACEMENT, SATURN DEALER WILL NOT HONOR SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR

10/27/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO ALLOW THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

10/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION AND THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OFF IN MY CAR. THE CAR WILL DING AND A MESSAGE WILL FLASH THEN ALL THE SUDDEN YOU CANT TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. *TR

10/10/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAN'T REMOVE KEY FROM SWITCH SATURN ION 04 CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF NOR CAN YOU REMOVE THE KEY HAD TO PULL THE FUSE UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT CAR OFF. *TR

09/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY A POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING A SPECIAL WARRANTY COVERAGE UP TO 100,000 MILES FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS OVER 100,000. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

09/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING IN 2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND STAYS OFF UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. I AM A SMALL PERSON, I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THIS CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF ROADS TO RESTART CAR, OR I WILL EVEN RESTART THE CAR AT A STOPLIGHT IF I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE COSTLY REPAIRS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT MANY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR SATURN ION POWER STEERING. *TR

09/29/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/18/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F34Z******
Summary

THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OR MOIST OUT. THIS IS WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY. BUT, IF YOU WAIT 15 TO 20 MINUTES IT WILL START WITHOUT A PROBLEM. *TR

09/24/2010
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 05/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS STANDING AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND REACHING FOR AN OBJECT IN THE TRUNK WHEN THE REAR LIFTGATE CAME DOWN ABRUPTLY ON HER HEAD AND SHOULDERS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE LIFTGATE AND IT WOULD NOT REMAIN UP IN THE OPEN POSITION WITHOUT HOLDING ONTO THE LIFTGATE MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,300. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ UPDATED 01/04/11

09/21/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

CAR HAS 70000 MILES, POWER STEERING GOES ON AND OFF, INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. FUSES WERE REPLACED, THE MOTOR SEEMS TO BE BAD, AS HUNDREDS OF OTHER SATURN CUSTOMERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

09/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/17/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN MY 2004 SATURN ION AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME APPEARED. I LOST POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN MY VEHICLE AROUND AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. I IMMEDIATELY RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL POLICY IN PLACE FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE REPAIRED BUT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES (118,000) IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *TR

09/17/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY SHIFTED INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION WHICH NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD ONLY BE LIABLE FOR ONE HALF OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT DECLINED AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR COSTS DUE TO NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

09/09/2010
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 09/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

CAR PARKED BESIDE BUSY THOROUGHARE OVERNIGHT. *TR

09/09/2010
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHEET METAL PART FORMED INTO A RECTANGLE SHAPE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL AND THE FRAME WORKING AS A TYPE OF ARM TO CONNECT THE WHEEL TO THE FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART CORRODED AND THAT CAUSED IT TO BREAK. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE SPECIFIC NAME OF THE PART AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE DEALER AND THE POLICE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 45000.

09/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F04Z******
Summary

MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE LAKE ONE DAY AND WAS DRIVING DOWN A CURVY ROAD AN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT! IT TOOK ALL THAT I HAD TO MANUALLY TURN THE WHEEL SO I WOULD NOT GO OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN THE HILLS SIDE! THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AFTER A LOT OF TURNING. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF THAT IT WILL RESET IT'S SELF, BUT THIS IS STILL VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. A WEEK AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL SAYING THAT IF I HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT IT COULD BE FIXED AT ANY GM DEALER, BUT WHEN I MADE MY APPOINTMENT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR IS PRIOR SALVAGED AND THIS IS NOT A RECALL! I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS IT WILL COST $600 TO $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE ECONOMY IS BAD ENOUGH WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY OR NEED TO BE PAYING FOR GM'S MISTAKES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AN IT NEEDS TO BE TAKING CARE OF! *TR

09/05/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND HEARD A CHIME SOUND. THIS WAS AROUND 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE AFTER THAT. NOW I HAVE ABOUT 123,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR MY SATURN ION BUT NO RECALL. SO NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CHEVY COBALTS HAVE THE SAME PART , BUT THEY HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE. *TR

08/31/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/28/2010
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND COLUMN WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,020.

08/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE HEARD A CHIMING NOISE IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND STATED THAT HE CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH DIFFICULTY TO HIS DESTINATION. FOUR HOURS LATER HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. HE HAD TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ABLE TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE TRAVELING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON THE WAY HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WITH OTHER 2004 IONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

08/27/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

SATURN NOTIFIED ME IN AUGUST OF 2010 THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON MY 2004 SATURN ION FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TO 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILES. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE PART WENT OUT A FEW YEARS AGO AND THOUSANDS OF MILES AGO. MY CAR IS NOW OVER 100,000 MILES. HAD I BEEN INFORMED BEFORE THE INTITIAL WARRANTY RAN OUT, I WOULD'VE HAD IT FIXED. NOW THEY TELL ME THEY WILL NOT COVER THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

08/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/20/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING LIGHT AND SOUND POPS UP ON DASH. POWER STEERING GOES OUT. VERY SCARY. AT HIGHWAY SPEED NOT TOO BAD UNLESS YOU ARE TRYING TO EVADE AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. AT LOW SPEED VERY, VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER TURNS OR AROUND OBJECTS IN THE ROAD INCLUDING CHILDREN AND PETS. TURN CAR OFF, TURN BACK ON AND STEERING RETURNS FOR A WHILE AND THEN HAPPEN AGAIN, AND AGAIN. *TR

08/26/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/17/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

AFTER DRIVING THROUGH WATER IN THE STREET OR A CAR WASH, THE NEXT TIME I TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON, IT WON'T START. YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRYING TO START IT UNTIL THERE IS NO NOISE AT ALL EXCEPT FROM THE DASH BOARD. LET IT SIT FOR 15 TO 30 MINUTES AND THEN IT WILL START AGAIN, AT LEAST UNTIL ANOTHER RAIN STORM OR CAR WASH. HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PARKING LOTS, AT HOME BEFORE WORK, AND MANY OTHER TIMES. I JUST HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS IN AN EMERGENCY. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THREE OF THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS NOT OPENING OR CLOSING, INCLUDING THE INCONVENIENCE OF THE DRIVER WINDOW BEING STUCK FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AT THE BANK, DRIVE THRUS, AND COULDN'T ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO COOL THE CAR OFF. ALL THREE WINDOWS WERE NOT WORKING ALL AT THE SAME TIME. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WINDOW'S START WORKING AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING WHICH IS POWERED BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WOULD HEAR A ?DING,? THE DASH BOARD WOULD READ ?POWER STEERING? AND THEN IT WOULD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. COOLANT LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL, THE TEMP IS RIGHT, AND FLOAT IS WORKING. THE DEALER WANTED $350 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TANK. I SAID FORGET IT AND PUT UP THE CONSTANT ?DING? FROM THE DASH BOARD EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR. IF SOMETHING SHOULD EVER REALLY GO WRONG WITH IT, I WOULDN'T KNOW. THERE APPEARS TO BE A HUGE NUMBER OF ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS WITH SATURN IONS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. DID THEY SET THE COMPUTERS OR ELECTRONIC PATS TO MALFUNCTION ON PURPOSE RIGHT AFTER WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED? *TR

08/23/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/14/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 10 MPH, CAUSING LIMITED ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD RESET ITSELF AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER ADVISE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

08/21/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 02/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F14Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START ON COLD DAYS. I LIVE IN VERMONT SO THERE ARE PLENTY OF COLD DAYS. IT USUALLY TAKES ME ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO1/2 HOUR TO GET IT STARTED, IF IT STARTS. WHEN IT FINALLY STARTS I HAVE TO LEAVE IT RUNNING SO THE ENGINE WILL WARM UP BECAUSE IF I DON'T I HAVE TO START THE PROCESS OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE! EVERYONE I'VE BROUGHT IT TO DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT COULD DEFINITELY DO WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM! *TR

08/20/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/05/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F84Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN 2004 SATURN ION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED (2008). TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $1000. COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND BEGAN LOOKING ONLINE FOR OTHER ALTERNATIVE. FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED SATURN BY PHONE, MAIL, SIGNED PETITIONS. NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. RECENTLY FOUND OUT GM RECALLED THE SAME PART FOR THE CHEVY COBALT, BUT NOT SATURN. FINALLY SEEN WHERE YOU COULD TAKE THE SATURN IN AND THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. I FOUND OUT ONLINE, SATURN NEVER SENT ME NOTIFICATION. WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID I HAD 2,000 MILES OVER WHAT THE "SPECIAL WARRANTY" WOULD COVER. CONTACTED THEY SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY OPENED AN INVESTIGATION AND CALLED ME BACK TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO THE 2,000 MILES AND WHEN I ASKED FOR SOMEONE HIGHER I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOWHERE HIGHER THIS WAS GM'S FINAL DECISION BUT I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THIS WAS A HAZARD. I ASKED AGAIN FOR A SUPERVISOR OR ANYONE ELSE HIGHER THAN HER SHE AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO ONE HIGHER AND THIS WAS GM'S FINAL DECISION AND REMAINED ON THE LINE SILENT THEN FINALLY DISCONNECTED THE CALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN REFUSE TO LET ME TALK TO SOMEONE HIGHER AND FURTHERMORE REFUSE TO COVER A MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

08/20/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/20/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F74Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, THE CAR DINGED AND THE PWR STR LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. DROVE HOME AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEEL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL AND WAS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY! *TR

08/13/2010
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/24/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F74Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND SHE HAD TO HOLD ON TO THE SHIFTER AND THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUAL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THREE LOCAL MECHANICS AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HAS REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT SHE NO LONGER HAS POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALSO LOCKED IN GEAR AND SHE COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT 9,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THIRTY SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WIRES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER HAS NEVER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CONTACT WOULD NOT PAY $500.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

08/11/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF THE SATURN ION 2004 WILL NOT COME OUT AND THE CAR CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF . JUST LAST MONTH THE KEY WOULD NOT FO INTO THE IGNITION OR START THE CAR. BROUGHT IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP HAD TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER PUT IN A MONTH AGO. TODAY I HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION HOUSING. THIS IS NOT JUST MY CAR. 90 % OF THE 2004 AND 2006 HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IF NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY THE CAR COULD OVERHEAT .AND EVEN CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

08/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F74Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY STOPS WHILE DRIVING. INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES IT'LL STOP 5 SECONDS AFTER DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT'LL WORK FOR A FULL HOUR DRIVE. I ALMOST GOT INTO A COUPLE BAD INCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS SUPPOSEDLY KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

08/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/09/2010
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION . WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE POWER STEERING CHIME SOUND ALERTED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH WHEN THE CHIME ALERTED HIM AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THERE WERE FRONT END DAMAGES AND NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67000.

08/04/2010
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/07/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F44Z******
Summary

1) MY SON DROVE OUR 2004 SATURN ION3 OFF THE ROAD WHEREIN THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH (ACCORDING TO THE DIAGNOSTICS FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER). 2) THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. 3) GM WAS QUERIED AS TO WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. GM PROVIDED THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS OF THE INCIDENT BUT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ANSWER/EXPLANATION DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. *TR

07/29/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 02/10/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS TOO COLD, MY CAR DOES NOT START. I EITHER HAVE TO KEEP TRYING TO START THE IGNITION EVERY 5 MINUTES AND THEN IN HALF AN HOUR IT STARTS OR I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE SUN COMES OUT FOR MY CAR TO START. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND I ONLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY. THESE ARE THE COLDEST MONTHS AND EVERY MORNING DURING THESE MONTHS I HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. *TR

07/28/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/27/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P14Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILURE RENDERS VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND JUST PLAIN DANGEROUS. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON 3 OCCASIONS THIS WEEK AND WOULD BE BACK TO NORMAL AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

07/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING, ANYWHERE FROM TWO MINUTES TO TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND DOES NOT CORRECT UNTIL THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY,UP TO 5 TIMES A DAY. *TR

07/19/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING FUSES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

07/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/18/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F54Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION 3 POWER STEERING KEEPS ON FAILING. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IT AGAIN AND IT WORKS AGAIN. IT APPEARS FROM THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND THAT THE COBALT WITH THE EXACT SAME STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS RECALLED BUT THE ION WAS NOT. THIS IS SCARY WHEN DRIVING AND YOUR POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT. IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE ON ME AND IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY. *TR

07/15/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

SATURN ION 2004 2.2LTR L4 WITH 28K MILES. AFTER DRVING 3 OR 4 BLOCKS ONLY, "PWR STR" INDICATOR LIGHTED UP ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE STEERING GOT REALLY HARD, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAD HAPPENED LIKE 1 OR 2 YEARS BEFORE WHILE DRIVING IN MY PARKING, BUT IT WAS GONE THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR. *TR

07/14/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/05/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO REPORTED FAILURES OF POWER STEERING LOSS IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

07/13/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. MY VEHICLE'S 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT APPEARS QUITE FREQUENTLY. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECK OUT OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. FOR A YEAR, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH A 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT RANDOMLY LIGHTING UP. LAST NIGHT, MIDWAY AROUND A BEND, MY VEHICLE'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND STRAIGHTENED MY WHEEL- PUTTING ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I COULD HAVE DIED AND KILLED ANOTHER DRIVER. THIS MORNING, AFTER CALLING AROUND TO DEALERSHIPS AND MECHANICS AND DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL IS UNDER EVALUATION FOR A RECALL CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING. THIS "EVALUATION" WAS ONLY RECENTLY STARTED THIS PAST YEAR. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PUBLIC WARNINGS AND GM IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. MANY DRIVERS ARE DRIVING WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING FIXED BECAUSE OF THE PRICE TAG OF THE REPAIR AND THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR A RECALL REGARDING SATURN IONS?! THE DEATH OF A SATURN DRIVER? THIS IS BECOMING ABSURD AND I BELIEVE WORSE THAN THE TOYOTA ORDEAL. THEY ARE SWEEPING THE ISSUE UNDER A RUG, ALONG WITH OUR MONEY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SAFETY OF SATURN DRIVERS' LIVES. I HAVE BEEN CONVERSING WITH OTHER SATURN DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, WE ARE FURIOUS AND PARANOID THAT AT ANY POINT IN TIME WE MAY DIE. *TR

07/13/2010
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 06/11/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SEVERE LEAK FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CEILING ON ONE OCCASION YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. WATER WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DURING HEAVY RAINS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 545 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

07/13/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION (RED LINE). IN JULY OF LAST YEAR, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE THAT MONTH AND DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL JUNE OF THIS YEAR. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT (OVER 90 DEGREES). OTHER THAN THAT, THERE IS NO SET CIRCUMSTANCE. IT CAN JUST GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOME PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BUT THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE, THEY JUST CAN'T REPLACE THE PART, BUT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS WOULD COST BETWEEN 700.00 AND 800.00 BEFORE LABOR. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM ON SATURNS PART AND THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU TAKE THESE COMPLAINTS INTO CONSIDERATION. *TR

07/13/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/13/1999
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ALSO HAVE A DISTRICT SPECIALIST LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WILL CAUSE SOMEONE'S DEATH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

07/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 SATURN ION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

07/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/26/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING JUST STARTED TO GO OUT ON MY SATURN ION 04. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2MOS AGO, APRIL, 2010. IT APPEARS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE. WHEN TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, POWER STEERING WORKS, BUT THEN MAY GO OUT AFTER DRIVING A WHILE MORE. WHEN CAR WAS FIRST BOUGHT, WITHIN 24 HRS WE HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM THAT THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP FIXING FREE OF CHARGE. VERY DISTURBED THAT THE COBALT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NOT THE SATURN. MAKES NO SENSE SINCE THE POWER STEERING IS THE SAME IN BOTH VEHICLES. *TR

07/07/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/07/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING ON 2004 SATURN ION IS DEFECTIVE AND GM WON'T PAY FOR IT. *TR

07/06/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/05/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P54Z******
Summary

ESCONDIDO, CA. -- I AM A LONGTIME OWNER OF SATURNS -- I OWN A 2009 VUE NOW AND HAVE OWNED FOUR OTHER SEDANS -- AND HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE RELIABLE AND SAFE CARS. MY DAUGHTER DROVE AN SL FOR YEARS. NOW I AM NOT SO SURE. I JUST PURCHASED (JULY 5) A 2004 SATURN ION REDLINE, 73,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, FOR MY SON, THE FIRST DAY HE DROVE IT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE HE WAS MAKING A TURN. HE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A CHIME, THE LETTERS PWR STR APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD READOUT, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY, MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND STARTING IT AGAIN RESTORED THE POWER STEERING. BUT WITHIN 24 HOURS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TWICE MORE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE DONE A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ION FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT JUST A SIMPLE ISSUE OF A PART WEARING OUT. IT IS A WIDESPREAD AND EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN INJURIES OR DEATH, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. I AM ALSO OUTRAGED THAT GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY COBALT SS, WHICH HAS THE SAME STEERING SYSTEM AS THE ION REDLINE, BUT NOT FOR THE ION. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, AND A SPOKEWOMAN (MERISSA) ACKNOWLEDGED THE COBALT RECALL, BUT SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO THE ION FOR REASONS SHE COULD NOT EXPLAIN. ARE THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF SATURN ION OWNERS SOMEHOW LESS VALUABLE THAN OWNERS OF CHEVY COBALTS? GM HAS DIRECTED ME TO A CHEVY DEALER (NOW THAT SATURN IS GONE) TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ASSESSED. IT SAYS IT CANNOT PROMISE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING SYSTEM. I IMPLORE NHTSA TO REQUIRE A RECALL FOR SATURN IONS WITH ELECTRIC STEERING. JUST DO A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "SATURN ION POWER STEERING FAILS" TO SEE ALL THE IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND HARROWING REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS AND NEAR ACCIDENTS. DO YOUR JOB, PLEASE, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

07/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F04Z******
Summary

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2004 SATURN ION. RESTARTING ENGINE "RESETS" POWER STEERING. MAY OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. SAME PROBLEMATIC POWER STEERING UNITS USED IN OTHER GM VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED (COBALTS AND G5) BUT NO RECALL FOR SATURN IONS HAVING SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME PARTS. *TR

07/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F34Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63918.

06/29/2010
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

I DRIVE A 2004 SATURN ION-2 AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING. I FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THIS ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM AND THE CAR BECOMES INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER AND MANY OTHER SATURN DRIVERS HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MYSELF AND I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THE CHEVY COBALT HAS THE EXACT SAME STEERING COLUMN AS THE SATURN ION AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE COBALT BUT NOT ON THE ION. THIS BAFFLES ME BECAUSE IF THE SAME MECHANISM IS ON BOTH CARS THE BOTH CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED NOT JUST ONE. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD DRIVING MY CAR NOW BECAUSE I HAVE NO INDICATION IF AND WHEN MY POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. THE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS HAPPENING AND I REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FUSES IN HOPES THAT THE FUSES WERE BLOWN BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FROM SOME INTERNET RESEARCH THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE HAVING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BUT I DO NOT FEEL SATURN ION DRIVERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A DEFECT ON A CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. *TR

06/29/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/19/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F84Z******
Summary

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE IN MY 2004 SATURN ION. POWER STEERING SYSTEM STOPS WORKING AND STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD AND HEAVY. IT OCCURS DAILY SINCE 6-19-10. CALLED DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE BY SATURN EVEN THOUGH SAME PROBLEM HAS CAUSED A RECALL OF CHEVY COBALT, WHICH USES THE SAME ELECTRIC PART (MOTOR) AND HAS EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

06/28/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/28/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION COUPE STEERING JUST WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CAR WOULD NOT STEER. THE DASH LIGHT JUST GOES ON AND STEERING IS GONE HARD TO CONTROL CAR . *TR

06/27/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION THAT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES. WHAT HAPPENS IS A TONE WILL SOUND AND A POWER STEERING WARNING WILL APPEAR ON THE MESSAGE WINDOW AND THEN I LOSE THE POWER STEERING. IT THEN BECOMES VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, IN TOWN AND AT STOP LIGHTS. IT IS BUILDING IN FREQUENCY GOING FROM ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS TO EVERY FEW DAYS. I HAVE HAD TO PUT MY FOUR WAYS ON AND BLOCK TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE POWER STEERING BACK IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN WAIT AT LEAST 30 SECONDS AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. *TR

06/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/25/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F84Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 10 MPH EXITING A RAMP OR ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND WOULD OCCUR ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON A LATER DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRIC BASE AND IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER NOR WERE THERE ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30, 000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,500.

06/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/20/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F34Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WITH INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. HAPPENS RANDOMLY SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. *TR

06/24/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F34Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN DRIVING MY SATURN ION 2. *TR

06/24/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/21/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

06/23/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/26/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F94Z******
Summary

2004 ION BOUGHT 2 MONTHS AGO, POWER STEERING GOES OUT ALMOST EVERY DAY. I HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RE-START IT. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WOULD BE A 1000 DOLLAR COST. WHICH I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE WHEN IT'S A NEW CAR TO ME.. *TR

06/21/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/18/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GO OUT AS YOU ARE DRIVING HARD TO CONTROL CAR. *TR

06/21/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING HAS WENT ON MY 2004 SATURN ION. UPON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I WAS FLOODED WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHERE PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK. THE CHEVY COBALT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND CONTAINS THE SAME ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED AND PEOPLES LIVE ARE AT RISK EVERY DAY. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF ITS HEALTH RISKS. *TR

06/20/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F04Z******
Summary

WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND THE POWER STEERING IN HER SATURN ION JUST QUIT WORKING MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DEALER IS THAT THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ON THE STEERING COLUMN OVER HEATS AND JUST STOPS WORKING. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHUTTING CAR OFF AND RE-STARTING MAKES IT WORK AGAIN, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR OTHER TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR

06/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 65MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER AND ADVISED THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

06/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/16/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION - POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING! HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. IF THE CAR IS RESTARTED IT COMES BACK ON FOR A SHORT TIME THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY CAUSING THE ISSUE, HAPPENS AT RANDOM. *TR

06/16/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/07/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 65,232.

06/15/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING . THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

06/14/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F04Z******
Summary

THERE WAS A ERROR MESSAGE ON THE PANEL THAT SAID "POWER STER" , 5 SECONDS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON A BRIDGE. *TR

06/14/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING AND THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND NOT ON A TURN SINCE WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THE POWER STEERING APPARENTLY RESET ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE FOR THE NEXT 20 MILES WHERE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT'S BECOMES MANUAL STEERING. IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE HAVE AND IT IS USED TO DRIVE 17 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK SIX TIMES A WEEK. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. THE DEALER WANTS A FORTUNE TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ON A RECALL. *TR

06/14/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN 2004 SATURN ION 2 STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO APPARENT/SPECIFIC REASON. *TR

06/10/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,433.

06/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/08/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,300. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

06/08/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY LOCK UP AND LIGHT WILL FLASH POWER STRING ON DASH. THIS OCCURS AT 5 MILES PER HOUR UP TO 70 PLUS MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. EXTREMELY EXTREMELY HARD TO GET OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. THEN IF YOU PUT IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK FOR ANOTHER 5 TO 10 MILES OR SO. *TR

06/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F64Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 4 CYLINDER STRAIGHT DRIVE TRANSMISSION-MILEAGE 20,800. POWER STEERING MESSAGE KEEPS COMING ON. IN DAILY 62 MILE DRIVE, COMES ON A MIN OF 6 TIMES. HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD, TURN CAR OFF, WAIT FOR ELECTRONIC STEERING TO RESET AND TURN CAR BACK ON. WHEN MESSAGE FLASHES, STEERING IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. IF YOU ARE IN A CURVE OR TURN CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE NOV 2009. CALL SATURN OF CONCORD, TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGER. SAID THERE WAS RECALL BUT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. COST TO REPAIR - $50 DIAGNOSTIC TEST - $800 FOR PART. CALLED GM CUST SERVICE WAS BASICALLY TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT IT WAS FOR CHEV. COBALT, NOT SATURN ION. GOOGLED AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SATURN ION 2003, 2004, ETC. GM CUST SERVICE WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED WITH GM USING HIPPA LAW TO JUSTIFY NOT TELLING ME IF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WANT GM TO REPAIR MY CAR PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. OBVIOUSLY MANUF DEFECT IN THIS MODEL OF SATURN. *TR

06/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/03/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY/ROAD IN MY 2004 SATURN ION 3. POWER STEERING INDICATOR GOES OFF WHEN I LOOSE THE POWER STEERING. PULL OVER AND SHUT OF CAR AND RESTART EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE FOR A FEW MILES THEN THE PROBLEM STARTS OVER AGAIN. SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE- ESPECIALLY WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING WITH THE KIDS. AFTER RESEARCHING, FINDING OUT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM- WHY NO RECALL? *TR

05/30/2010
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F34Z******
Summary

QUITE OFTEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING FAILS ON MY WIFE'S 2004 SATURN ION. SURPRISED AT FIRST BY THIS FAILURE, SHE HAS LEARNED NOT TO PANIC AND TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS TOLD US THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. IT IS APPARENTLY AN EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

05/28/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/28/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F94Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION1 WILL NOT START DUE DO PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT PROBLEM. THE POSSIBLE COMPONENTS CAUSING THIS ARE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND/OR THE BCM. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AS GOOD. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY 2008 DURING A WINTER STORM AND HAS HAPPENED DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TIMES SINCE, WITH THE LAST OCCURRENCE TODAY AND IT IS NEARLY 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT HAS PREVIOUSLY ONLY DONE THIS IN COLD AND WET CONDITIONS. THE CAR WILL CRANK ONCE OR TWICE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ENGAGED BUT THEN IT WILL DO NOTHING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE PASSLOCK ICON ILLUMINATES. AFTER WAITING 10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND IT WILL START. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THE REPAIRS ARE COSTLY AND NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE ACCORDING TO WHAT OTHERS ARE INDICATING ONLINE. THIS COULD EASILY PUT SOMEBODY IN HARMS WAY GIVEN AN UNSAFE OR HARSH ENVIRONMENT. *TR

05/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/26/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; AFTER RESTART, THE POWER STEERING RESET TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

05/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT; AFTER RESTART, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

05/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/03/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY; AND WHENEVER IN OPERATION DURING WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION AND STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 07/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING GOES OUT 4-5 TIMES A DAY IN A 45 MINUTE TO HOUR TIME FRAME. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/22/10

05/13/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION. POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY I HAVE HAD NEAR MISSES TWICE WITH IT GOING OUT AT LOW SPEEDS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. WHEN CAR STOPS & IS RESTARTED POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN. I DRIVE 10 MI TO AND FROM WORK USUALLY HAPPENS IN AFTERNOON 4 OUT OF 5 TIMES. *TR

05/11/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

DRIVING ON FREEWAY THROUGH A BENDING TUNNEL AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED. VERY NEAR COLLISION WITH THE TUNNEL WALL. DROVE REST OF THE JOURNEY WITH NO POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING RETURNED ON START-UP. BUT THEN FAILED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND IS NOW, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST 10 SECONDS AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION, DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. $1200 REPAIR ESTIMATE TO REPLACE POWER MODULE. 2004 SATURN ION WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES. *TR

05/10/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F94Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND THE CONTACT HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITHOUT POWER STEERING ASSIST. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER HAD YET BEEN CONTACTED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THE FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,890.

05/08/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F34Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT MY 2004 SATURN ION USED WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, I HAD IT LESS THAN A YEAR WHEN ONE DAY IT WOULDN'T START, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR THE ALTERNATOR, BUT NONE OF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND STARTED HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY, MORE OFTEN WHEN IT GOT COLD OUT. AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START, I HAVE HAD TO WAIT UP TO 45 MINUTES FOR THE CAR TO START SOMETIMES. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK, LEFT MY CHILDREN WAITING FOR ME AND LEFT MYSELF AFTER WORK CLOSING A BAR ONE NIGHT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING. THE MORE I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO PEOPLE THE MORE I FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SECURITY PASS LOCK SYSTEM AND IGNITION. IF THIS IS SUCH A FREQUENT PROBLEM FOR SATURNS WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL EVER TO HAD IT FIXED, AND WHY ARE DEALERSHIPS ALLOWED TO SELL USED SATURNS WITHOUT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM OR MAKING BUYERS AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, IT IS SIMPLY DISHONEST! *TR

05/07/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/19/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F84Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REOCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

04/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/22/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY CAR RAN FINE UNTIL ABOUT 60,000 MILES. THEN THE POWER STEERING GOING. AT FIRST IT WAS SPORADIC. IT WOULD GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON. PRETTY SOON IT GOT TO BE ALL THE TIME. I HAVE YET TO GET FIXED. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1,200. *TR

04/28/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/22/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. HE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,201. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

04/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F44Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 SATURN ION JUST WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITH OUT ANY WARNING. AND AFTER TALKING WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND A MECHANIC IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A PRETTY BIG PROBLEM. *TR

04/26/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/24/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE POWER STEERING SIGNAL SHOW ON DASH DISPLAY AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN THE CAR IS TURN OFF AND AFTER FEW MINUTES IS TURN BACK ON, POWER STEERING WORK FINE AGAIN FOR SOME TIME. FUSES ARE OK. THIS HAPPEN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AND IS VERY HARD TO GET KEEP OF THE CAR. THIS HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR. *TR

04/26/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/27/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION, THAT ON RANDOM OCCASIONS DOES NOT START. WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT DOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US IN BOTH WARM AND COLD DAYS. IT'S BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES AND SERVICE TECH'S CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED, WITH ONLY ABOUT 10 000 KL, THE CAR DID NOTHING, NO LIGHTS, RADIO ETC., COMPLETELY DEAD. *TR

04/23/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

DURING MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK, I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, AND THE PWR STR ERROR LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY MY POWER STEERING GIVING OUT. I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL, BUT STRUGGLED WITH TWO HANDS TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN MY CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED IT SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS GONE. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. I MADE IT HOME. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO RETURN TO WORK WHERE I PLANNED TO TAKE IT INTO THE MECHANIC NEAR THERE. AGAIN, AS I WAS COMING TO AN INTERSECTION AND PREPARING TO TURN ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN AND MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GAVE OUT. I WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN UP AND FORCED THE WHEEL TO TURN OFF TO THE SIDE. AGAIN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE TEMPORARILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK WELL ENOUGH TO GET TO WORK. MY MECHANIC OBSERVED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC STEERING PROBLEM. TO FIX IT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,000 AND NEEDS TO BE DONE AT A CERTIFIED SATURN DEALER BECAUSE OF THE SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIX. THIS PROBLEM IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS REPORTED IN THE GM RECALL OF COMPACT CARS TO FIX THE POWER STEERING. THE STEERING COLUMN PARTS ARE THE SAME IN THE 2004 SATURN ION 3, WHICH IS WHAT I DRIVE. YET, MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY? I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AS I AM BARELY STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I WAS ONLY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS IN DIFFERENT PLACES OF MY COMMUTE OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR

04/21/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 04/19/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAR SHUTS OFF, I WAS GOING 20MHP THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT CAME TO A RIGHT HAND BEND IN THE ROAD AND CAR WAS OFF NO ABS, NO PWR STER, THERE WERE CARS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. TO GET THE CAR STARTED I HAD TO PUT IN PARK TURN KEY OFF THEN TURN KEY OVER AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP. THIS IS NOW THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME SITTING AT A RED LIGHT CAR WAS RUNNING LIGHT TURNED GREEN GAVE IT THE GAS MID WAY THROUGH INTERSECTION CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN AND DRIFTED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A BUNCH OF CARS HONKING. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A TUNE UP AND THAT WAS 3MONTHS AGO. THAT HAPPENED UNTIL TWO DAYS AGO. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH WARNING, IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER I WOULD HAVE HIT THE BACK END OF THE CAR THAT WAS STOPPED @ A STOP SIGN. 2004 SATURN ION 2.2L I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WITH THIS PART DO TO NO INCOME RIGHT NOW. *TR

04/19/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THEY WILL SEND THE PART TO THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILES WERE 84000. THE FAILURE MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

04/19/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F44Z******
Summary

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-55 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL IN THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMAL FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

04/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F94Z******
Summary

I WAS TAKING COMING OFF A RAMP AT 40 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. DEALER SAYS THE MODULE IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. *TR

04/14/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P64Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH DOWNHILL, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY ON THE WARNING PANEL. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

04/14/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/20/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

I OWE A 2004 SATURN ION AND LIKE MANY OTHERS, I HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2006 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS 3 MONTHS AFTERWARDS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY MY VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS LOOKING FOR A PART VIA THE INTERNET AND RAN ACROSS OTHER COMPLAINTS. IT'S A SHAME THAT GM HASN'T DONE A RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONSUMERS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

04/12/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F44Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE CAR MUST BE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF FOR 30 SECONDS, THEN RE-STARTED. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES GET ABOVE 55-60 DEGREES F, AND HAPPENS AT LEAST EVERY 3RD TIME AUTO IS DRIVEN. NO REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME. *TR

04/12/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START RANDOMLY NO CRANK NO START ISSUE WHICH IS FROM GM'S FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM ITS NOT JUST COLD WEATHER RELATED IT WAS 50 DEGREES THIS MORNING WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT WHEN I CAME HOME IT STARTED JUST FINE ITS DONE THIS ALOT OVER THE YEARS AND ALWAYS AT THE WORST TIMES I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY SATURN/ GM OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE EVEN TSB 'S RELATING TO THESE ISSUES WHY ARE WE STUCK DEALING WITH GM'S FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR

04/11/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/09/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F84Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING MY POWER STEERING ALARM ON MY DASH CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL HOURS LATER AND AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I AM WAITING TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. *TR

04/10/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F54Z******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON MY 2004 SATURN ION. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL INTO A PARKING LOT. SUPRISINGLY, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAME ON AS WELL. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, BUT I ALMOST CRASHED. NO WARNING. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE, AND HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER 2004 ION USERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND WHILE GM RECALLED THIS ISSUE ON COBALTS, IT'S IGNORING THE SATURN 2004 SAME ISSUE. *TR

04/07/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION2 RANDOMLY WON'T START. IT'S GENERALLY HAPPENS IN THE MORNING. I INSERT MY KEY, THE INTERIOR/ EXTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, AND THEN I TURN THE KEY. THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK AND WILL NOT MAKE ANY NOISE. I TRY NUMEROUS TIMES TO START IT, BUT IT WON'T CRANK OVER. THEN, BETWEEN 10-30 MINUTES LATER, IT WILL START. MULTIPLE MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND ONE OF THE WIRES MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

04/01/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/31/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I AM SENDING THIS AS A WORRIED SON OF A 2004 SATURN ION 2 OWNER. MY MOTHER HAS CALLED ME SEVERAL TIMES ASKING ABOUT THE STEERING ON HER CAR. SHE WILL BE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SHE HEARS A CHIME AND SEES A LIGHT ON HER DASH INDICATING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE RESTARTS THE CAR THE ISSUE GOES AWAY. ALSO ON MARCH 31ST 2010, THIS HAPPENED ON HER DRIVE TO WORK IN CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS, ONCE AGAIN HAVING TO SHUT OFF HER CAR TO RESET THE STEERING TWICE IN 5 MILES. THE PART CAUSING THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT IS BEING RECALLED IN 1.3 MILLION GM CARS CURRENTLY BUT THE SATURN ION IS NOT ON THE LIST. I URGENTLY ASK YOU TO INCLUDE THESE CARS ON THE RECALL. WITH VERY LITTLE TROUBLE I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME ISSUE MY MOTHER IS HAVING WITH HER CAR. PUT YOUR SELF IN MY PLACE, IMAGINE YOUR MOTHER WHO LOVES TO GO VISIT HER FAMILY OVER 100MI FROM HOME AS OFTEN AS SHE CAN, DRIVING ON I-35 IN MINNESOTA TO THE MINNEAPOLIS -ST. PAUL AT 65-70MPH AND HAVING TO PULL OVER ON AN INTERSTATE SEVERAL TIMES PER TRIP SO SHE CAN TURN OFF HER CAR ONLY TO RESET THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THEN HAVING TO SAFELY MERGE BACK ONTO THAT INTERSTATE. I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD BE AS WORRIED AS I AM. IF NOT YOUR MOTHER THEN WHAT ABOUT YOU SON/DAUGHTER, WIFE/HUSBAND OR ANY ONE YOU KNOW HAVING TO DO THE SAME THING, ALL BECAUSE OF A PART THAT IS ALREADY BEING RECALLED IN OTHER CARS. GOD FORBID SHE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND GETS HURT OR WORSE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I DO KNOW THAT MY CHILDREN WILL NOT BE IN THAT CAR UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. I UNDERSTAND AN ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE CAUSED BY A KNOWN FAULTY PART. TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN EFFECTED WITH TOYOTA'S ISSUES, LETS NOT LET THIS ISSUE TO CAUSE THE LOSS OF ANY OR ANY MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS. *TR

03/31/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/31/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F54Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, MY 2004 SATURN ION III LOST ITS POWER STEERING. THE CAR CHIMED AT ME AND DISPLAYED A "PWR STR" MESSAGE. THE CAR INSTANTLY BECAME MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN TURNS AND AT LOWER SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK. WHEN I RESTARTED MY CAR LATER IN THE DAY, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. BASED ON A BRIEF ONLINE SEARCH, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH THE SATURN IONS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ION HAS THE SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR/MODULE AS THE CHEVY COBALT. A RECALL HAS RECENTLY BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE COBALT'S POWER STEERING ISSUE.

03/31/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/31/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F34Z******
Summary

1. DRIVING CAR NORMALLY - DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE 2. POWER STEERING WENT OUT -- RECEIVED MESSAGE PWR STR SIMILAR TO RECALL CHEVY COBALT RECALL ID#10V073000 3. THE FAILURE DID NOT CORRECT

03/30/2010
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 03/29/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F24Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION AND ON YESTERDAY MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. ALTHOUGH I COULD STILL REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT TURN OFF. IN 2009, I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER INFORMING ME ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION. I DONT KNOW IF THIS IGNITION SWITCH HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT ISSUE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT. WHEN I CALLED CHASE CHEVROLET HERE IN STOCKTON, CA, ON MARCH 30, 2010 AT 7:10 AM, THE REPAIR MAN TOLD ME THAT IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF SATURN CARS THAT HAD TO REPAIR THIS SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. AND THAT EITHER THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR TURN ON AND IN MY CASE, THE CAR WOULDNT TURN OFF. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AT EXACTLY 6:00 PM WHEN ALL DEALERSHIPS WERE CLOSED. I WAS IN SACRAMENTO, CA AND HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO STOCKTON, CA JUST SO I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF BY THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT TOOK A FAMILY MEMBER TWO HOURS TO FIGURE OUT. NOW I HAVE TO PAY OVER $300.00 FOR THE REPAIR, BUT IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF SATURNS, I FEEL ITS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AND YOUR GRATITUDE TOWARD OUR SAFETY.

03/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTATED. THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

03/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/11/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F74Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SPORADICALLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESET THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE, A YEAR AGO; THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BECOME STIFF AS IF IT WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

03/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/25/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING ON 2004 SATURN ION GOES OUT 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK WHILE DRIVING SINCE DEC 09. I MUST PULL THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOP, AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE FUZES CONTROLLING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR ARE SERVICEABLE - THEY HAVE NEVER BLOWN OR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

03/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/23/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING BECOMES INTERMITTENT WITH NO WARNING STOPS WORKING AT ANYTIME. I GOT TO DOING SOME READING AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR AND UPON FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IS THE SAME ONSATURN ION AS ON THE COLBOLT AND G5 THAT GM HAS ALREADY RECALLED

03/22/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/21/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F54Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTIFIED A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN SHE TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTING IT. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE LOST POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. SHE HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,318. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,250.

03/17/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/18/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

AT ANY SPEED THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING IT HARD TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS. MY CAR IS A 2004 SATURN ION 2. THIS IS A GM CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECENTLY RECALLED CHEVY'S AND PONTIACS. THE PROBLEM STARTED A YEAR AGO. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AUGUST 2009. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AN WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. GM DOES KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IN AN EMAIL TO ITS SERVICE AGENTS SAID SATURN IONS WERE NOT INCLUDED. WHY? THIS COULD HAVE AND MAY HAVE ALREADY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS. *TR

03/12/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/11/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P74Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MOMENTS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD OPERABLE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

03/10/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F53Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION THIS CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, I AM LATE FOR WORK ALOT IT MIGHT TAKE 20 MINUTES TO START OR AN HOUR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THIS HAPPENS IN THE COOLER MONTHS I CAN COUNT ON IT. THE MOST CURRENT BEING THIS MORNING YESTERDAY MORNING THE DAY BEFORE THAT. *TR

03/09/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/09/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION HAS BEEN LOOSING ITS POWER STEERING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN DURING THE TIMES OF EXTREME HEAT OR WHEN I TRY TO DO A 3 POINT TURN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT 2 TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT AND WHY ITS HAPPENING. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR ISSUES. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND AT RANDOM SPEEDS NOT USUALLY THE SAME TIME AT ANY TIME. *TR

03/08/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 01/14/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F44Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE PREVIOUS DAY THE VEHICLE WAS USED TO JUMP START ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

03/08/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P34Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILS AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

03/06/2010
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR DOES NOT START WHEN BELOW 35 DEGREES. I HAVE TO WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES THEN IT WILL USUALLY START. POWER STEERING WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND 50,000 TO 60,000 MILES AND GRADUALLY WORSENS OVER TIME. MY POWER STEERING IS NOW COMPLETELY NOT WORKING AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME SEVERAL MINOR TO MAJOR ACCIDENTS WHEN IT SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING EITHER BY MYSELF OR WITH MY CHILDREN. I REPLACED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FUSES FIRST TO SEE IF THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM ONLY TO REALIZE ITS THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED COSTING ME $1100. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE WHEEL WITH THE CONSTANT FAILING OF THE POWER STEERING. *TR

03/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P94Z******
Summary

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY 2004 SATURN ION REDLINE OFF & ON FOR THE LAST YEAR & 6 MONTHS. IT HAPPENS W/O WARNING ON THE FREEWAY, AROUND CORNERS, & SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT BACK TO BACK MANY, MANY TIMES IN A ROW. THIS IS THE SAME RECALL AS GM IS HAVING ON THEIR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTORS, IN FACT THE SAME PART #. THE CHEVY COBALT IS THE EXACT SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR, IN FACT THE SAME DRIVETRAIN. BUT FOR SOME REASON THE SATURN IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE. WE HAVE THE SAME ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WITH THE SAME PART # & THE SAME DANGER AS THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/09/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

I DRIVE A 2004 SATURN ION 2. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 32 DEGREES OR LOWER MY CAR WILL NOT START IF IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR MORE THAN 4 OR 5 HOURS. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THIS WILL HAPPEN EVERY MORNING AND OCCASIONALLY AFTER WORK IF THE TEMPERATURE IS TOO COLD. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WILL COST AROUND $200.00 TO FIX. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/23/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

I DRIVE A 2004 SATURN ION. MY CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER STEERING RANDOMLY. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD STOP. IF I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. THIS HAPPENED 2 OR 3 TIMES AND THEN DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN, ON A LONG CAR TRIP, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN GOING OUT EVERY MILE OR SO. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP TO GET THE PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/17/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. IF UNDER 15 MPH, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN WITHOUT THE ELECTRIC STEERING. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAY HAPPEN 4-5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

03/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F04Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP GAVE OUT. IT STARTED IN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS WORKING ON AND OFF AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT FINALLY GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

1. POWER-STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 2. IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES 2-3 TIMES A DAY AND OTHER DAYS, ONLY ONCE. 3. IF YOU TURN IGNITION OFF AN RESTART POWER-STEERING WORKS UNTIL THE POWER-STEERING FAILS AGAIN. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED AT THIS MOMENT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

03/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/30/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE POWER STEERING FAILS IN MY 2004 SATURN ION. THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM BUT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING. ODDLY, IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN DURING WARMER WEATHER. THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF $450 AND THAT IT WOULD BE A USED COLUMN. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

MY GM 2004 SATURN ION THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ! IF I TURN MY CAR OFF , IT RESETS AND WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES AND GOES BACK OUT. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING DISABLES RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING IN 2004 SATURN ION. CYCLING IGNITION ENABLES POWER STEERING AGAIN, BUT THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION WITH A BAD POWER STEERING MODULE. I READ TODAY THAT GM IS RECALLING 1.3 MILLION PONTIAC G5 AND CHEVROLET COBALT VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON. THE SATURN ION HAS THE SAME POWER STEERING MODULE AS THOSE VEHICLES SO I HOPE IT IS ALSO RECALLED. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE IS AS FOLLOWS: START THE CAR, DRIVE AROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS, AND THE DASH DISPLAYS POWER STEERING AND THERE IS A "CHIME" SOUND INDICATING THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONAL UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THEN STARTED AGAIN, AT WHICH TIME THERE IS ANOTHER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS BEFORE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WE'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANT $800 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. SO FAR WE'VE JUST LIVED WITH IT AND STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR AND DECIDED TO NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. IF YOU SEARCH GOOGLE FOR "SATURN ION POWER STEERING PROBLEMS" OR "SATURN ION POWER STEERING RECALL" THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/27/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. INTERMITTENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURNED OFF AND ON AND IT RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO REPAIR THE FAILURE HE HAD TO PAY $2000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND TOLD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR AND COST WERE THE SAME THAT THE DEALER STATED. HE THEN FILED CLAIM# 71-808240519 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/05/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F54Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROADS (ANYWHERE FROM 15-65 MPH, NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS TO FREEWAYS) THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT. WE WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO REGAIN POWER STEERING. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, THEN MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY (AND THEN PROGRESSED TO EVERY TIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED AT ALL). CAR WAS TAKEN TO SATURN DEALER FOR STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT THE DEALER SAYS WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM", BUT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. TEN MINUTES AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE ELECTRIC ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

02/25/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

OUR 4 CYLINDER 2004 SATURN ION HAS HAD UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I AM A PATENT HOLDING SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE ENGINEER AND I CAN STATE ABSOLUTELY AFTER OBSERVING THE BEHAVIOR OVER AT LEAST 4 YEARS THAT THIS IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE AND/OR A SENSOR ISSUE AND NOT A STICKING MECHANICAL CONTROL. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO EVEN TOUCH OR MOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THIS TO OCCUR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY, EITHER SOME SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS OR SOME CONNECTOR BECOMES INTERMITTENT OR THE SOFTWARE MISREADS SOMETHING. AT STARTUP THE ENGINE RUNS AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH IDLE (~800 RPM), AND AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN GEAR, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD HARD AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HAVING IT RUN AWAY WITH YOU - ALL THIS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE RUNS AT BETWEEN 3,000 AND 4,000 RPM ON THE TACHOMETER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN SLOWLY DROPS BACK TO AN IDLE (~800RPM). AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN GEAR AGAIN, THE CAR LUNGES ONCE AGAIN - THROW IT IN NEUTRAL - 3,000 - 4,000 RPM, SLOWLY RECOVERS. AFTER TWO - THREE MINUTES THE ENGINE STABILIZES AND THE PROBLEM IS GONE. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS ALL WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR - EVER! THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD AND USUALLY DURING HIGH HUMIDITY OR RAINY CONDITIONS. IT IS SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT I HAVE NEVER SOUGHT HELP FROM A DEALER. IT IS NOT REPEATABLE IN A WAY THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE SINCE IT HAPPENS FAIRLY RARELY (SOMETIMES A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK - SOMETIMES ONCE A MONTH) AND INCONSISTENTLY. IF I WAS AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER AND IF THIS WAS A MORE POWERFUL CAR, I WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY NOW. I HAVE LEARNED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE MOTOR WHEN I FIRST START THE VEHICLE. IF IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS IDLING A BIT FAST THEN I KNOW IT WILL TRY TO RUN AWAY WITH ME WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR SO I JUST WAIT FOR IT TO IDLE DOWN TO NORMAL BEFORE PUTTING IT IN GEAR. *TR

02/22/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/10/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND MAKE THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76112.

02/16/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/06/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION 2. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THESE VEHICLES. MY CAR WILL NOT START WHEN COLD AND DAMP OUTSIDE. I HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCH IN MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL GET THE SAME PROBLEM IN TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I LIVE IN MO WHERE IT GETS VERY COLD AND NOT ALWAYS SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP WHEN THE CAR DIES. SO I AM LEFT STRANDED IN SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. SATURN KNOWS VERY WELL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT RECALL THIS. PLEASE SEE THAT A RECALL TAKES PLACE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

02/12/2010
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 12/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F74Z******
Summary

AFTER ONLY 9 MONTHS OF OWNING MY ION I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR. IT IS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE AND CAN HAPPEN 8 TIMES IN A WEEK THEN NOT AT ALL FOR MONTHS. HOWEVER WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN IT IS A LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCE AS I AM USUALLY DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE CAR WILL BE "LOCKED" INTO 4TH FOR EXAMPLE AND WHEN I TRY TO SHIFT TO 5TH I CAN NOT GET IT OUT OF 4TH. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP A MINIMUM OF 20 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I THEN TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECH TOOK THE CAR HOME FOR 1 WEEK, EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FOR HIMSELF, AND TOLD ME ALL HE COULD DO WAS REPLACE A WIRE AND HOPE IT HELPED BECAUSE SATURN WOULD NOT LET HIM INVESTIGATE ANY MORE OPTIONS. IT DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP MY CAR. AND SINCE THE LAST TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP MY POWER STEERING NOW GOES IN AND OUT. APPARENTLY THEY BUSTED A SEAL AND FAILED TO MENTION THAT TO ME, SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT, BUT ALSO LOSING MY POWER STEERING. THEY ONLY SOLUTION I CAN COME UP WITH IS TO TRY MY BEST TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT AND TURN IT OFF AND LET IT SIT. THIS CAR HAS HAD MORE PROBLEMS THAN ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH: REVERSE SWITCH GOING OUT, AIRCONDITIONING GOING OUT, POWER WINDOWS NO LONGER WORK, POWER STEERING, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT. I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS EVERYDAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME AT MOST TIMES. THIS SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN TAKEN CARE UNDER THE ORIG. WARRANTY, AS IT ALL HAPPENED WITHIN THE FIRST 6-12 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. LOL THAT'S WHAT I GET FOR BUYING A GM PRODUCT. *TR

02/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/04/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2004 SATURN ION CONTINUOUSLY FAILS. IT USED TO RESET AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, BUT NOW IT JUST FAILS AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE NOTICED ONLINE THAT THERE A ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $500. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I BELIEVE AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE STARTED. *TR

02/04/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12PX4Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION WONT START IN COLD TEMPERATURES LEAVING ME STRANDED. IF I LIVED IN GUAM THIS WOULD BE NO PROBLEM, BUT I LIVE IN CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA AND ITS GETS TO -40 CELSIUS AND ONLY TAKES MINUTES FOR FROST BITE TO SETTLE IN. *TR

02/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/30/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SATURN ION 2004- SPONTANEOUS POWER STEERING OUTAGES. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC IN THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE POWER STEERING FAILS ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH THE ACTUAL MOTOR IS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1100.00. AFTER RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT EXISTS AMONG THESE MODELS AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HARM OR DEATH DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. A LOCAL NEWS STATION ANNOUNCED THIS EVENING THAT THE FEDS ARE INVESTIGATING THE CHEVROLET COBALT FOR THE SAME ISSUE- POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE SAME THING NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED RELATED TO THE SATURN ION BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING. *TR

01/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/30/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

MY WIFE OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION, ONLY 50,000 MILES. FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN AN OFF AND ON PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING- ONCE YOU TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN MOMENTARILY- THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I'VE REPLACED THE FUSES AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OUT AT LEAST A FEW TIMES A WEEK IF NOT A FEW TIMES A DRIVING TRIP AND IT IS GETTING TO BE VERY UNSAFE. IF THE POWER STEERING WERE TO CUT OUT ON THE FREE WAY DURING A SHARP TURN, I'M VERY CONCERNED MY 105 LB. WIFE COULD LOSE CONTROL AND SERIOUSLY HURT HERSELF OR OTHERS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS MESSAGE BOARDS AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SATURN IS AWARE OF AND IS UNWILLING TO DO A RECALL- THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE MORE $$ BUY CHARGING OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH IN A LOT OF CASES IT SOUNDS AS IF IT COULD BE A CHEAPER FIX THAN WHAT SATURN WANTS TO CHARGE CONSUMER FOR. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND SATURN SHOULD BE LIABLE AND CORRECT THESE SAFETY ISSUES. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM A FEW DEATHS BEFORE THEY REALIZE THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED? *TR

01/28/2010
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 01/26/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

IN COLD WEATHER(TEMP UNDER 32F), MY WIFE'S SATURN WILL NOT START. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS SEASON. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENS. SHE HAS LIGHT, RADIO BUT TURNING THE KEY EVERYTHING GOES DARK AND NO TURN OVER OF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PART SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE EVEN SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TW

01/28/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/14/2009
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 30 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE PASS LOCK CIRCUIT THAT WAS INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE RESISTANCE VALUE WITHIN THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

01/25/2010
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 01/16/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY DRIVER WIPER IS INOPERABLE. THE ENTIRE ARM PIVOTED 180 OPPOSITE OF ITS RESTING POSITION WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD GOING 50MPH TO CLEAN MY WINDOW. INITIALLY MY PASSENGER SIDE WASN'T WORKING AT NORMAL SPEED. IT SEEMED 'SLUGGISH'. SO I INCREASED THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS UNTIL IT REACHED ITS HIGHEST LEVEL. THIS OCCURRED 1 DAY AFTER ABOUT 8 INCHES OF SNOW FELL INCLUDING ICE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY. AFTER I REACHED MY DESTINATION I REMOVED THE BLADE FROM THE ARM SO THE ENTIRE WIPER WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH TRAFFIC. AN AUTO MECHANIC STATED THE PIECE IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I AM FIGHTING MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TO REPLACE THE PIECE AT NO CHARGE. THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE WIPER MOTOR, BUT NOT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION. READING OTHER REVIEWS, OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SATURN SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER DOING A RECALL OR FIX FOR FREE. OCCURRED AT 54K MILES ON CAR. JAN 16, 2010. *TR

01/17/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/13/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F84Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND CHANGED. THEN ON JANUARY 13, 2010, MY CAR STALLED ON ME. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND CALLED THE NEXT MORNING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS A GENEROUS OFFER TO ONLY HAVE TO PAY HALF FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE REPORTS FOR ABOUT 15 SATURN VEHICLES ON RECALL LISTS, THE ION WAS NOT ONE OF WHICH I COULD READ ABOUT. IN SOME CASES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THE SATURN VUE CAN BE A RECURRING PROBLEM; FOR THE SAME CUSTOMER. *TR

01/15/2010
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/07/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I DRIVE A 2004 SATURN ION AND LAST YEAR, THE WINTER OF 2008 WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 40, WHICH WAS ONCE OR TWICE, MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THIS YEAR, 2009, THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN BELOW 40 FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW AND OUT OF THE 5 WORK DAYS OF THIS WEEK MY CAR STARTED ONCE ON THE FIRST TRY. WHEN I TRY TO START IT, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO START AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK THE SECOND TIME, USUALLY I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE THIRD TRY. *TR

01/04/2010
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/21/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F34Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63270.

12/28/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 20F), THE CAR REFUSES TO START, OR EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. *TR

12/23/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/23/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F54Z******
Summary

I PURCHASES A 2004 SATURN ION IN 2006. IN OCTOBER OF 2007, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 15 MINUTES, MY VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS VISITING RELATIVES 2 HOURS FROM MY HOME WHICH DETAINED ME ON MY TRIP BACK HOME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HARRISBURG, PA TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (THEY REPLACED IT). TWO YEARS LATER IN DECEMBER, 2009 THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, THIS TIME ON MY WAY TO WORK ON AN EXTREMELY COLD WINTER MORNING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED ANOTHER IGNITION SWITCH TO REPLACE THE ONE THEY HAD REPLACED 2 YEARS EARLIER. AFTER READING ABOUT SO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT SATURN OWNERS HAVE GOTTEN INTO BECAUSE OF FAILING IGNITION SWITCHES, IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE PARTS. I HAVE READ ABOUT COUNTLESS SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE WERE UNABLE TO TURN THEIR CARS OFF! AN IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD NOT GO BAD EVERY 2 YEARS. THIS IS NOT A HIGH WEAR AND TEAR PART. A CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN ON AND OFF A LARGE NUMBER OF TIMES WITHOUT FAIL. A CAR THAT FAILS TO TURN OFF IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU LEAVE THE CAR UNATTENDED AND TURNED ON, SOMEONE COULD BE HURT OR KILLED. NOT BEING ABLE TO START A CAR IS ALSO A DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS IN BITTERLY COLD WEATHER. SATURN/GM IS DOING NOTHING TO GET THESE UNSAFE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADS TO BE FIXED. THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS THAT SATURN OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. GM HAS A HISTORY OF IGNITION SWITCH FAILURES AND SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BY OFFERING A RECALL OF THE DEFECTIVE PART AND REPLACING IT. *TR

12/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/13/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PURCHASED A 2004 SATURN ION. NO REAL PROBLEMS UNTIL WINTER. MY CAR WON'T START IN THE COLD. I HAVE BEEN AT STORES AND CAME OUT AND IT WON'T START. I GIVE IT 10 MINUTES EXACTLY NOT A MINUTE SOONER NOT A MINUTE LATER, IT THEN STARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF FOR SOME REASON I AM OUT LATE AND MY CAR WON'T START AND ITS SUBZERO TEMP I CAN DIE FROM IT. I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY IT WON'T START AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING A BIG DEAL TO ME AND OTHER OWNERS. PLEASE FIX THE ISSUE, PUT OUT A RECALL!! *TR

12/15/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F84Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING GOES OUT FREQUENTLY ON 2004 SATURN ION. CHECKED FUSES, NO PROBLEMS WITH FUSES. SATURN WANTS TO CHARGE $100 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CAN TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART - THIS RESETS THE POWER STEERING BUT ONLY FOR A LITTLE BIT. SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT CONSTANTLY, SOMETIMES NOT FOR A FEW HOURS OR DAYS. *TR

12/14/2009
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 12/09/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING A SNOW STORM, MY WIPER ON THE DRIVER SIDE BEGAN ACTING FUNNY. THEN WENT UP PAST MY WINDSHIELD KICKING THE WIPER COMPLETELY OFF ONTO THE HIGHWAY, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE ANYTHING. I FOUND IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR ASSEMBLY. WHICH I AM NOW TRYING TO GET A NEW ONE. EVERY JUNK YARD I HAVE GONE TO SAYS THE SAME THING...EVERY PART THAT I NEED THEY PULL OUT AND IT IS ALSO BROKEN ON THE SAME MODELS. SATURN HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL IF IT IS BROKEN IN EVERY SATURN!? *TR

12/09/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/09/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

ON COLD DAYS MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT WILL ROLL OVER A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT WILL APPEAR. THE CAR TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 15-30 MINUTES TO START LEAVING ME STRANDED WITH NO HEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. THIS OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS ON COLD DAYS IN THE SPRING, WINTER AND FALL.. *TR

12/08/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION THAT WILL NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ONLY IN THE WINTER. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ABOUT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR IONS AND MOST OF THEM SAY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I THINK I WILL PROBABLY HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR

12/06/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/05/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT/ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF MY 2004 SATURN ION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR THEIR SHODDY WORK. I AM ABOUT TO GET A LAWYER AND SEE IF HE CAN GET MY CAR ISSUE RESOLVED WITH GM. WHEN IT IS COLD/WET THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT WILL CRANK 1 TIME AND THEN NOTHING FOR 10 MINUTES. AFTER WAITING INSIDE THE CAR ON A VERY COLD MORNING I CAN ATTEMPT TO TRY MY CAR YET AGAIN. IT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK AND THE CYCLE MAY NEED TO BE REPEATED. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED AND HAVE OFFERED TO GM AN OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND WAS MET WITH UTTER INDIFFERENCE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO REPLACE THEIR BAD WORK AND I WILL NOT. *TR

12/04/2009
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT AND THE CAR WAS FINE, WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD AAA COME OUT, THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT. THE BATTERY IS NOT DEAD AS ALL THE LIGHTS WORK FOR THE CAR BUT THE KEY IS NOT WORKING. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE BUT AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR SIMPLY STARTED. NOW MY CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE, TO BE FIXED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER 2004 SATURN ION OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM TURNING THEIR CAR ON IN THE COLD. *TR

12/02/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT A USED 2004 SATURN ION 6 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HAD NO REAL PROBLEMS UNTIL IT STARTED GETTING COLD. NOW, MOST MORNINGS I HAVE THE COMMON IGNITION PROBLEM THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS. I TURN THE KEY, EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP, THE ENGINE CRANKS ONCE, THEN NOTHING. I HAVE TO KEEP TURNING THE KEY ALL THE WAY OFF, WAIT 10 SECONDS, AND TRY AGAIN. EVENTUALLY, AFTER 10-30 MINUTES OF DOING THIS REPEATEDLY, THE CAR STARTS. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, THE CAR DOES START AFTER ONLY A FEW TRIES. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MANY DIFFERENT FORUMS, AND I AM ANGERED AND DISMAYED THAT GM WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS. GOOD THING MY EMPLOYER IS UNDERSTANDING, AND HAS NOT FIRED ME YET FOR BEING LATE EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. *TR

12/02/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/09/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SATURN ION 2004 CAR. AFTER 2 MONTHS, ONE DAY IT JUST DIDN'T TURN ON WHEN I STARTED IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY. I HAD IT CHECKED AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE. I, HOWEVER, REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE, SINCE IT WAS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM OF "NOT STARTING" HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES....I WENT ON THE SATURN WEBSITE AND TO MY AMAZEMENT, THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES OF THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME CAR, SATURN ION 2004, 2005, 2003. THIS IS A REAL INCONVENIENCE NOT KNOWING IF WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF IT WILL START OR NOT. I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME THING. SATURN TELLS US WHEN WE CALL TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE STATION. WE THEN GET A BILL FOR THEIR SERVICE, AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE ARE WASTING MONEY. I BELIEVE SATURN SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF JUST IGNORING IT. *TR

11/25/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE PASS LOCK OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. HE USUALLY HAS TO WAIT FOR 12 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER REPLACED THE CD PLAYER AND ADJUSTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

11/25/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE PASS LOCK/ ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL , HE CANNOT START THE VEHICLE. USUALLY HE HAS TO WAIT 12 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CD PLAYER AND ADJUSTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

11/21/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

CAR WON'T START IN COLD WEATHER. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR FINE. HAD REMOTE STARTER REMOVED, AS SUGGESTED BY SERVICE CENTER ; NOW HAVE NO RUNNING LIGHTS OR KEYLESS ENTRY. HAVE HAD THE SATURN ION 2004 SINCE OCT. 5TH, 2009. HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMP STARTED 5 TIMES SINCE. SINCE THIS IS UNDER WARRANTY IT IS GOING BACK TO THE DEALERS FOR GOOD. I HOPE NO ONE ELSE DECIDES TO BUY IT UNTIL SATURN OWNS UP AND FIXES THIS DEFECT. UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER. 11-21-09. *TR

11/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/28/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F84Z******
Summary

I COULDN'T START MY CAR. I HAD IT JUMPED AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I GOT A NEW BATTERY THINKING THIS WOULD FIX EVERYTHING, WHICH IT DID NOT. I CAME TO LEARN IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, BUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON: WHEN THIS HAPPENS I'M REQUIRED TO SIT FOR TEN MINUTES TO WAIT FOR IT TO CLEAR OUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED THE OTHER NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, WHICH IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN A PARKING LOT WITH NO ONE ELSE AROUND. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FIND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. SEEMS UNFAIR THAT SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS COSTLY ISSUE AND IS NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF FIXING IT. ESPECIALLY SINCE I'VE READ THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AFTER THEY'VE SPENT $300+ TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

11/10/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY SATURN ION 3, 2004 WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD. YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY AGAIN TO TRY TO GET THE CAR TO START. THE CAR EVENTUALLY STARTS. I CALLED SATURN TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS AN IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM WITH THEIR PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THEY FIX ABOUT 10 OF THEM EVERY WEEK, B UT SATURN HAS YET TO RECALL THE SWITCH. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY IN THE COLD AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. *TR

11/08/2009
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 11/06/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN14F04Z******
Summary

WHILE SLOWING AND PREPARING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, RPM'S INCREASED EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP AND REQUIRED MORE THAN NORMAL FOOT PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY TURNING OFF THE KEY. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES RANDOMLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. ON ALL OCCURRENCES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE. *TR

11/07/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/28/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F64Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT AND IN THE WINTER SOMETIMES DOES NOT WANT TO START. THE STEERING STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. HAPPEN ONCE THEN NOT FOR MONTHS. NOW IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I LIVE 13 MILES FROM MY JOB. I GOES OUT AT LEAST 4 TIMES ON THE WAY. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE IF I HAD MORE STOP SIGNS TO RESTART THE CAR AT. I AM A PUNY GIRL AND IS SOMETIMES HARD FOR ME TO STRONG ARM THE STEERING WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY IS PAST. NOW MY PROBLEM IS WINTER IS COMING, I HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD SON THAT I HAVE TO TAKE TO THE COUNTRY AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING TO THE SITTERS. I AM WORRIED TO DEATH ABOUT HIM BEING IN THE CAR WITH ME IF I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THIS CAR DECIDES TO START SLIDING. I DON'T THINK IT POSSIBLE TO STEER OUT OF A SPIN. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE MADE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER MISTAKE. WILL IT TAKE PEOPLE DIEING? I HOPE TO GOD NOT. SO YOUR ANSWER TO WERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES? IS....NOT YET. PLEASE HELP!! *TR

11/02/2009
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 05/20/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

KNOB FOR THE DEFROSTER/AIR/HEATING FAILED TO WORK. SWITCH DOESN'T CHANGE IT TO DEFROST/FRONT/FLOOR LIKE ITS SUPPOSE TO. IT JUST COMES OUT FRONT,CAN'T SWITCH. DOESN'T CLEAR WINDSHIELD OF FROST,ICE,FOG,ETC. *TR

10/28/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 04/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER ON THE INTERNET SHE DISCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 . THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

10/23/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

WE PURCHASED OUR SATURN ION (USED- FROM A DEALERSHIP) AND WITHIN A FEW WEEKS IT BEGAN NOT STARTING ON THE FIRST TRY WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR 15-20 MINUTES TO START IT. THEN WHEN THE MORNING WEATHER TURNED COLD IT WOULD NOT START. AT ALL. IN THE AFTERNOONS WHEN IT WOULD WARM UP SOME IT WOULD START AGAIN. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO REPLACED THE BATTERY. NEXT MORNING IT WOULDN'T START. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. THERE WAS NONE. BUT, I DID FIND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I EVEN FOUND VIDEOS POSTED TO YOUTUBE.COM ON HOW IT MIGHT BE FIXED. SCARY!! ALSO I FOUND POSTS WHERE PEOPLE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIPS FOR FIXES AND THE DEALERSHIPS FIXED THE PROBLEM ONLY FOR IT TO CROP UP AGAIN WITHIN A SHORT TIME. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? I FOUND YOU BY ACCIDENT OTHERS WOULD MAKE COMPLAINTS BUT THEY DON'T KNOW YOU EXIST TO HELP. OUR CAR IS BASICALLY USELESS BECAUSE WE CANNOT COUNT ON IT TO START WHEN WE NEED IT. THE DATE I GAVE YOU WAS A GUESSTIMATE OF THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN OUR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS POST WHERE FOLKS TOOK THEIR CARS IN, HAD REPAIRS , ONLY TO HAVE THE TREND START OVER AGAIN. *TR

10/20/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F14Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION- IGNITION FAILS TO RELEASE THE KEY, CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT STRUGGLING. HAVE RESEARCHED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE AND THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OCCURRING, THAT IS UNREAL. FORTUNATELY WE HAVE NOT HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING YET... AS SO MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS AND SOME HAVE HAD TO REMOVE A FUSE TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF. SATURN NEEDS TO DO A VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THIS AND REPLACE ALL OF THE IGNITION SWITCHES BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *TR

10/18/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/04/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SATURN ION 2004 WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THE SYMPTOMS IS SPORADIC AND UNPREDICTABLE AND LINKED TO FAULTY SECURITY MODULE (ANTI-THEFT) WHICH DISABLES THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM DOCUMENTED IN VARIOUS FORUMS AS WELL AS WELL KNOWN TO SATURN DEALERS. YET GM DID NOT MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2005 AND ADVISED THE DEALERS AND SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR

10/15/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 10/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F14Z******
Summary

I WAS ONCE A LOYAL GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER ' THAT IS UNTIL GM NEARLY KILLED ME. I'M THE UNFORTUNATE OWNER OF A 2004 SATURN ION WITH AN AILING TRANSMISSION THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR, AND I AM NOT ALONE. IN MY CASE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE. THIS PAST SATURDAY, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE FROM 315 N ONTO INTERSTATE 270 E. EXITING THE ENTRANCE RAMP AT THAT INTERCHANGE IS OFTEN A HAZARD UNDER THE BEST CONDITIONS. AS I ACCELERATED INTO THE RIGHT-HAND LANE OF TRAFFIC, MY CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY AND LOST ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM. I SWERVED BACK TO AVOID BEING REAR-ENDED BY THE CLOSING TRAFFIC ON 270 E, NEARLY SIDESWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE STILL IN THE EXIT LANE. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNABLE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. AFTER LETTING THE CAR REST FOR A FEW MINUTES I TRIED AGAIN TO GET IT INTO GEAR, ULTIMATELY HAVING TO LEAVE IT IN A PARKING LOT. DESPITE GM AGREEING TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ON APRIL 16, 2009, SATURN DEALERSHIPS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ADVISED TO SUSPEND ALL EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIRS UNDER THE AGREEMENT. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, UNDER DIRECT INSTRUCTION FROM GM, HAS TAKE THE POSITION THAT THE AGREEMENT WAS MADE BY GM PRIOR TO THE DECLARATION OF BANKRUPTCY ON JUNE 1, 2009 AND NOW HAS NO LEGAL OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. GM ALSO FAILED TO NOTIFY THE 150,000 OWNERS OF AFFECTED VUE AND ION MODELS THAT DUE TO AN ACKNOWLEDGED DESIGN FLAW, THEIR CARS MIGHT DROP IN OR OUT OF GEAR, EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS, POSING SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO OPERATORS, PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES HAVE AND WILL OCCUR DUE TO GM'S LACK OF ACTION? LIVES LIKELY HAVE AND WILL BE LOST DUE TO THIS KNOWN DEFECT. GM IS PAYING ROULETTE WITH THE LIVES OF ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THEM. GM HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL TERMS OF A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT, FAILED TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT AND FAILED TO PAY THE COST OF REPAIRS THEY AGREED IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT. *TR

10/15/2009
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 10/04/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F64Z******
Summary

ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN ION ON THE HIGHWAY, AFTER HITTING AN UNUSUAL BUMP OR DIPS IN THE ROAD, I?VE EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE CAR?S SYSTEMS, INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF STEERING AND ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, BRAKE OR NAVIGATE THE CAR. THE CAR SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. FROM MY PAST EXPERIENCE I'VE LEARNED THAT THE CAR WILL NEED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CAR KEY WILL THEN PHYSICALLY NEED TP BE REMOVED AND REINSERT THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. (TRYING TO START THE CAR WITHOUT REMOVING THE KEY WILL NOT WORK.) ON ALL OCCASIONS THIS HAS PRESENTED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS OTHER CARS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55-75 MPH ARE FORCED TO MANEUVER AROUND MY STALLED VEHICLE, WHICH DOES NOT EVEN HAVE THE POWER OR CONTROL TO BE PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 17, 2007 AFTER THE FIRST 3 INCIDENTS, HOWEVER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS COULD NOT IDENTIFY OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED A FUSE BOX IN THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE CAR. BUT COULD NOT NEITHER ASSURE ME THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, OR WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SITUATION RECURRED RECENTLY ON OCT 4, 2009 WHILE ON INTERSTATE 95. THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT AS I SAT STRANDED IN THE FAST-LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY AT ANOTHER SATURN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY AGAIN SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY OR REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM NO LONGER CONFIDENT IN THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND SEEK THE NHTSA ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THE MATTER. *TR

10/12/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 10/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I TRIED TO START MY 2004 SATURN ION AT ABOUT 11 PM LAST NIGHT AND IT TOOK FIFTEEN MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN OVER. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 28 DEGREES (F). THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL DOZEN TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, ALWAYS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. I KNOW THAT SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. I HAVE FOUND REPORTS OF HUNDREDS OF OTHER ION OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY SATURN AS SITTING FOR 10-20 MINUTES OR MORE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES WAITING FOR ONE'S CAR TO START IS NOT SAFE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE!! *TR

10/02/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER STEERING. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77042. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF THE STEERING CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $1000 TO REPLACE THE MAIN COMPUTER. UPDATED 02/19/10

09/22/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/11/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

EXPERIENCING CONTINUOUS FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING IN MY '04 SATURN ION. STEERING CAN LOCK UP AT ANY GIVEN TIME AFTER START UP AND HAS DONE SO ON AN EVERY TRIP BASIS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP'S DIAGNOSTIC DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FOR ALMOST $800; WHICH AS I HAVE READ DOESN'T GUARANTEE FIXING THE PROBLEM. LOSING YOUR POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT IF THIS ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN THE ION SERIES, SATURN/GM SHOULD ADDRESS IT ACCORDINGLY. *TR

09/14/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F54Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE. 2.2L MAN. POWER STEERING FAILS SEEMS TO BE RANDOM AS TO WHEN IT FAILS. REPEATED FAILS, USUALLY MULTIPLE TIMES IN A DAY. MAKES DRIVING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT AND IF NOT EXPECTING IT CAN MAKE FOR A CLOSE CALL. FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECT AS OF THIS TIME. OLD PART CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE ONCE REPAIR IS COMPLETED. *TR

09/06/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/04/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F14Z******
Summary

MY POWER-STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2004 SATURN ION. THE MESSAGE CENTER BEEPS AND THEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND STEERING WORKS. *TR

09/02/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/25/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

I DRIVE A 2004 SATURN ION. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO MY POWER STEERING STARTED TO GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES, HOWEVER, WHEN I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IT WOULD BE FINE. I DID BRING IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND HAD IT LOOKED AT. HE FOUND NO ERROR CODES AND NO DUPLICATE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS AT RANDOM TIMES. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IT STARTED TO TURN OFF A COUPLE TIMES A DAY. I FINALLY BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN WHEN IT TURNED OFF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY AND I ALMOST CRASHED WHEN A BIG RIG SWERVED. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN & MODULAR. THAT PART WAS $560.53 (NOT INCLUDING LABOR). FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THIS PART ON MY CAR WITH THE HELP OF MY MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH MY SATURN MAKE. HOWEVER, THE STORY DOES NOT END HERE. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE CAUSE FOR THE STEERING BREAKING. THE MOTOR IN THIS COLUMN PIECE FRIES THE WHOLE MODULAR. THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS WAS ANOTHER $175.00. THE SATURN FACTORY HAS PLENTY OF STEERING COLUMNS IN STOCK HOWEVER BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR, THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. YES THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS FRUSTRATING AND EXPENSIVE BUT HAVING POWER STEERING GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY IS VERY DANGEROUS. SOMEONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE A SAFETY RECALL IS FORCED UPON SATURN. *TR

08/29/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/20/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING MOTOR KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2004 SATURN ION WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. IT GOES OUT ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR- SOMETIMES WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. SATURN WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR ABOUT $1000 BUT AFTER READING MANY MANY PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAIN OF THE SAME ISSUE I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! *TR

08/29/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/22/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2004 SATURN ION KEEPS GOING OUT. IT USUALLY OCCURS AFTER IT HAS RAINED, AND IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. IT APPEARS THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE POWER STEERING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

08/27/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

TRANSAXLE GRINDING/WHINING NOISE IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, EXCESSIVE ENGAGEMENT OR DISENGAGEMENT EFFORT WHILE SHIFTING INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO EITHER 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. *TR

08/10/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/20/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F54Z******
Summary

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 SATURN ION2 SEDAN. AS OF THE PAST WINTER WITH UNSEASONABLE COLD TEMPS I BEGAN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION OF MY CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL SOMETIMES FOR HOURS AT A TIME. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I LIVE IN WESTERN NY WHERE WE DO SEE COLD TEMPS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE A CHILD I MUST GET TO SCHOOL BEFORE I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY. I HAVE BEEN A TRUE ADVOCATE OF SATURNS VEHICLES UP UNTIL THE PURCHASE OF THIS ONE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND NO RESOLUTION. I REALLY HOPE THAT THEE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR GM TO ACTUALLY STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO SELL MY CAR OR BE FOREVER SLIGHTED BY SATURNS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE AS A STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM HELP TAKE CARE OF YOUR CONSUMERS. *TR

08/07/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE 2004 SATURN ION FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER, AFTER GETTING IT CHECKED IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER READING REVIEWS IT SEEMS THIS IS VERY COMMON ON THIS YEAR AND MAKE. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SOMETIMES MORE. IT HAS MADE ME LATE FOR WORK AND EVEN MISS CLASSES. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY ISN'T THIS PART BEING RECALLED!? APPARENTLY A "SECURITY MEASURE" HAS THE CAR NOT STARTING FOR 10 MINS, SOMETIMES 20. PLEASE HELP! *TR

08/06/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/06/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON,STEERING BECOMES NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE,. TROUBLE BEGAN AROUND 2 MONTHS AGO, NOW HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES DAILY, VERY SCARY, AS I TRAVEL A GREAT DEAL ON THE HIGHWAY. VIA INTERNET SEARCHES, NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, DEALERSHIP QUOTES 800.00 TO 1065.00 TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. HAVE BEEN ADVISED, DEALERSHIP CHARGES THIS AMOUNT,TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, REMOVES THE BAD COMPONENT, THEN RESELLS REMAINDER OF COLUMN FOR PROFIT. THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED, AND THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMER. BROUGHT MY ION BRAND NEW IN 2005(YEAR END SALE),SO UNBELIEVABLE THAT 4 YEARS LATER,,ROUTINE MAINTENANCE MAINTAINED AND 39,000 MILES, THIS IS HAPPENING. WE(CONSUMERS THAT TRUSTED SATURN) NEED HELP IN REMEDYING THIS SITUATION AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO DO SO!!! *TR

08/03/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/02/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT. AFTER CAR IS STOPPED AND KEY TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES ONCE A DAY OR TEN TIMES A DAY. CANNOT PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. WHEN IT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL CAR. HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE SIMILAR TO MINE AND WONDER WHY THERE IS NOT RECALL. *TR

07/28/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/28/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION THAT OCCASIONALLY LOSES ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THEY REPLACED MY IGNITION A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHICH HAD KNOWN ISSUES WHILE STARTING IN THE COLD. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE PWR STR LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES APPEAR AND THAT IS WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS OUT THERE ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. *TR

07/21/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/16/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F04Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION 3'S POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT. OFTEN DRIVING IT FOR 10-15 MILES, THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WILL DISPLAY ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE AT ANY TIME IT WILL GO OUT. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL COST 1600 DOLLARS TO GET A NEW STEERING COLUMN FROM GM. IF I DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS, AN ACCIDENT WILL MOST LIKELY OCCUR. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, WITH 55,000 MILES AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET BY THIS WHICH SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT MANY 2004 IONS HAVE. *TR

07/16/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/09/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IF THE STEERING WAS FAILING, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND CONTINUES TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

07/01/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/27/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BROKE WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. THE LOCK ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE FAIRLY EASY TO REMOVE BUT THE PROCEDURE REQUIRES THAT THE KEY BE TURNED TO THE RUN POSITION. WITH A BROKEN LOCK THAT CANNOT BE DONE. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET THE LOCK OUT BE USING BRUTE FORCE AND COMPLETELY BREAKING THE LOCK MECHANISM. I AM HAPPY THAT THIS HAPPENED AT A STORE CLOSE TO HOME AND WE ABLE TO GET A RIDE HOME. I GUESS I SHOULD BE THANKFUL WE WERE NOT ONE OF THE POOR SOULS WHO GOT STUCK IN AN ION THAT COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF. *TR

06/24/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/29/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGES COMES ON THEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AND EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR. SHUT OFF THE CAR THEN RESTART THE POWER STEERING IS BACK UNTIL IT GOES OUT AGAIN AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES. *TR

06/09/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/24/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

ENGINE STARTED A FAINT SQUEALING NOISE ON 24 NORTH DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, WAS IN THE FAST LANE AND MANAGED TO GET OVER AND PULL OUT OF THE LANE, HOWEVER THERE WAS VERY LITTLE SHOULDER AND IT WAS NOT SAFE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, MY TWO YOUNGER CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT, HAD TO DRIVE ON THE EDGE OF THE SHOULDER TO THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS APPROX 11 MILES BEFORE I COULD GET OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE PLACE, TRAFFIC GOING APPROX 80 MILES PER HOUR AND CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 50 MPH, AS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE TIMING CHAIN BROKE IN MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION BYSTANDERS PUSHED CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. HAD IT TOWED HOME, WAS TOLD TENSION ROD SEIZED AND TIMING CHAIN BROKE. HAD TO REPLACE TOTAL ENGINE FOR 5K, CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND 88K MILES. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR SEIZURE AS CAR HAD PLENTY OF OIL AND HAD BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. *TR

05/24/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/16/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON COLDER DAYS MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT WILL ROLL OVER A FEW TIMES AND THEN SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT WILL APPEAR. THE CAR TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 15-30 MINS TO START LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED IN THE WINTER WITH NO HEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. THIS OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS IN THE WINTER AND IN THE FALL 3 TIMES A WEEK. I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS YET, THEY THINK IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON I KNOW WITH THE SAME CAR SATURN ION HERS IS 2005 MINE A 2004 AND HERS DID THE SAME THING HERS WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

05/18/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/19/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY...MOSTLY WHEN I'M ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A WEEK AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. *TR

05/05/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/24/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY 2004 SATURN ION LAST JUNE AND THE WEEKEND AFTER I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MY STEPFATHER LOOKED AT IT AND REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE POWER STEERING. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL 5 MONTHS AGO. AT THIS POINT MY WARRANTY WAS OVER AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX IT. THE POWER STEERING FAILS EVERYTIME I GO OVER 35MPH, OR IT JUST FAILS FOR NO REASON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAS TOLD ME IT WILL BE $1,000.00 TO FIX AND THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE YET TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

04/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Incident Date: 04/14/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. ON APRIL 14, 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND TRUNK FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRUNK STOPPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

04/15/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING WHEN THE TEMP. GETS BELOW 30 DEGREES. I HAVE HAD THIS "FIXED" TWICE, AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS BECAUSE I NEEDED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL SITES WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SENSOR IN THE PASSLOCK PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT CAUSES IT TO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN TEMP. GETS BELOW 30 DEGREES. SATURN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS I BELIEVE AND THEY HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THE COLD WEATHER. IT HAS ALSO CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS ALMOST COST ME MY JOB. *TR

04/14/2009
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 04/13/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE SO MANY THINGS WRONG WITH MY 2004 SATURN OF COURSE I HAVE THE COLD START PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE HAD SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR(WITH ONLY 7 MILES ON IT). ANYTIME I DRIVE MY CAR OVER 30 MILES AN HOUR IT SHAKES HAD THAT PROBLEM FIX 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SEAL LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. NEW PROBLEM DON'T THINK I'VE SINCE THIS ONE YET THE TRANSMISSION IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER GOES OUT ND GUESS WHAT FOR ONLY $275 SATURN WILL REPLACE THAT FOR YOU. THIS CAR IS SUCH A LEMON. CLEARLY AS I READ OVER COMPLAINTS OF THE SINGLE MOTHERS LIKE MYSELF, THE TEACHER OR JUST SOMEONE WHO WANT A RELIABLE CAR. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME NEVER BY AMERICAN AGAIN AND DO MY RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING ANOTHER CAR. THE THING I HATE THE MOST IS THAT THEY SEEM TO HAVE TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS CAR. *TR

04/12/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/15/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2004 BRAND NEW. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE A HIGH IDLE CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. I MUST RESET THE BATTERY ONCE A WEEK TO RESTORE IT TO NORMAL. IT SEEMS TO BE FINE FOR A WEEK AND HIGH IDLE COMES BACK. I HAVE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE CAR IN THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I MUST TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON TO WARM UP THE BATTERY BEFORE TRYING TO START CAR. SATURN WAS NO HELP. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON! HELP! *TR

04/03/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F04Z******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW IN 2004 AND I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH IT STARTING. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND GENERALLY AFTER 10 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES IT WILL START UP. I M NOT SURE IF THE FACT THAT I CAN REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT OR NOT. IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT DOES IT MORE IN COLD/RAINY WEATHER THAN OTHER TIMES. THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE IT HAS BEEN WARM AND SUNNY AND IT WONT START. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO KIDS AND I HATE THE THOUGHT OF BEING STUCK IN MY CAR W/ MY KIDS AND UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PARKING LOTS LATE AT NIGHT AFTER I GET OFF WORK AND ONE TIME IT WOULDN'T START ON MY WAY TO THE HOSPITAL. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH AGREES IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO W/ THE ANTITHEFT DEVICE PUT ON THE CAR. SO HOW DO WE FIX IT AND WHY WONT SATURN DO ANYTHING ABOUT . TODAY'S ECONOMY IS TO BAD TO BE LOOSING CUSTOMERS AND MY CHILDREN ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO ME TO BE STUCK IN A CAR (AT ANY GIVEN TIME) WITH NO WAY TO MOVE. IN THE FUTURE I WILL BE LOOKING FOR A MORE DEPENDABLE SAFE CAR. *TR

03/30/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE CAR'S PURCHASE. IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. AFTER VISITING SEVERAL MECHANICS, I WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. SINCE THEN, I CANNOT COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I GO OUT TO THE CAR AND IT WON'T START.NOW, I AM TOLD THAT IT 'MAY BE' A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I AM A TEACHER, AND CANNOT BE LATE FOR CLASS. I HAVE 34 STUDENTS WAITING FOR ME EVERY MORNING. NOW, I HAVE TO GO OUT TO MY CAR, 30 MINUTES EARLY, AND START IT. IF IT STARTS, I RUN OUT 30 MINUTES WORTH OF GAS FOR FEAR THAT IT WON'T START IF I TURN IT OFF. IF IT DOESN'T START, I WASTE 20 TO 25 MINUTES IN THE MORNING GETTING IT TO START. THIS WINTER, IT HAS NOT STARTED NO LESS THAN 15 TIMES. THIS CAR IS NOT DEPENDABLE. *TR

03/28/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/04/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION DOES NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. IT HAS A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND STARTER, YET IT IS STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL GENERALLY START AFTER WAITING ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO TRY AGAIN. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE BEING DELAYED 15-20 MINUTES EACH TIME I WANT/NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE. *TR

03/23/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/23/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES , AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS AFTER CRANKING THE KEY A FEW TIMES, IT WILL START RIGHT UP. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, SOMETHING TO DO WITH A WHITE WIRE THAT IS PART OF A PLUG CONTAINING A BUNCH OF WIRES THAT PLUG IN UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN ITS DAMP OR RAINING OUTSIDE. AND WILL ALWAYS FIX ITSELF IF YOU LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS BEFORE TRYING TO CRANK IT AGAIN. CAR HAS A NEW BATTERY, SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON BULLETIN BOARDS ON LINE. SEEMS LIKE CUTTING THE WHITE WIRE SEEMS TO FIX THE ISSUE EVERY TIME. *TR

03/22/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/23/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I AM HAVING A CONSISTENT PROBLEM W/ MY 2004 SATURN ION 4 DOOR 3.3 ENGINE. THE PROBLEM BEING IS NO CRANK WITH POWER ON. AFTER WAITING 10 - 15 MINUTES THE CAR WILL CRANK & START. THIS HAPPENS INTHE MORNING TRYING TO GET TO WORK, AT THE GAS STATION TRYING TO LEAVE AFTER A FILL UP, AT THE RED LIGHT IF I PUMP THE IGNITION JUST SO. AFTER READING SEVERAL ION FORUMS THERE IS A VERY LARGE PROBLEM HERE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AT LEAST INVESTIGATED. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO SATURN MONDAY THE 3.23.09 TO HAVE OIL CHANGE & NO CRANK W/ POWER EVALUATED. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED. *TR

03/13/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/14/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WE HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION THAT WHEN IT COLDS DOES NOT START. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT THE BATTERY IS FINE. THEN WE NOTICED THAT IT ONLY HAPPENED ON COLD DAYS. IF THE TEMP WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES F. AND THE CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS (MOSTLY MORNINGS), WHEN YOU ATTEMPTED TO CRANK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IF SEEMS IF YOU HAVE A DEAD BATTERY. MOST OF THE TIME IT WOULD START AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, BEING STRANDED DUE TO MILDLY COLD WEATHER. THANK GOD NOTHING BAD HAS HAPPENED WHILE WAITING FOR CAR TO CRANK. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL SATURN OWNERS, AND THEY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AT LEAST I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT DOES NOT STAY COLD LONG. SATURN NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE PERSON AT SATURN TO TAKE A BLOW DRYER TO WARM THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. *TR

03/13/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/26/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION HAS BEEN GIVING ME TROUBLE FOR AROUND 2 YEARS NOW. IT'S OFF AND ON. I'LL DRIVE MY CAR TO WALMART OR WHERE EVER AND GO IN THE STORE, COME OUT AND IT WON'T START. IF I GIVE IT 15-20 MINS IT FINALLY STARTS. MY DAD THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MY BATTERY, BUT THAT WAS NEW. WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND GET AN IGNITION SWITCH NOW. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL FIX IT! *TR

03/13/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/13/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F64Z******
Summary

I OWN A 04 SATURN ION. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A CONSTANT PROBLEM STARTING THE CAR. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES, THE CAR WON'T START. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. SO I KNOW THE BATTERY ISN'T THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TO WAIT 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR STARTS UP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH. IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS THE STARTER SWITCH. THE GREASE HARDENS UP IN THE COLD, THEN THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKS OUT THE STARTER SWITCH. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MESSAGE BOARDS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW GM AND SATURN KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM ALSO. THEY ARE SAYING THIS ISN'T A SAFETY PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO SIT IN THEIR CARS WHEN IT'S BELOW FREEZING, WAITING TWENTY MINUTES TO START THEIR ION'S. WHAT ABOUT PARENTS WITH KIDS? WHAT ABOUT IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO CARJACK MYSELF? I DON'T HAVE AWAY TO ESCAPE BY DRIVING OFF. *TR

03/11/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/18/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F64Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT CAUSES THE PASSLOCK VEHICLE THEFT SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. I THEN HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES IN THE COLD FOR THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM TO RESET SO THAT I CAN TRY AGAIN TO START MY CAR. SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT, BUT HAS YET TO HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

03/09/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/08/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON COLD DAYS IN THE WINTER MY SATURN ION 2 DOES NOT START. TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR 10 MINUTES. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION KEY REPLACED AND THAT FIXES IT FOR A WHILE. I WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY REPLACED THE PART WITH THE SAME SERIES PART SO NOW NOT UNDER WARRANTY THE PROBLEM RECURS. *TR

03/05/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F74Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION, IN COLD WEATHER FAILING TO START, CRANK OR TURN OVER. BATTERY, STARTER, AND WIRES ALL CHECKED ALL IN WORKING ORDER. FIND OUT THERE WAS A TSB # 040845005 FOR IT AND WAS NEVER INFORMED OF IT. HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR PAST TWO YEARS BUT NEVER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THAT BUT DID HAVE IT THERE FOR OTHER SERVICE AND WAS NEVER ADVISED OF THE ISSUE. DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY DEALER AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE UNSURE IF THEY WILL COVER ALL OR ANY OF THE CHARGE TO REPAIR IT. COST IS $250 FIRST EXPERIENCED LAST WINTER AND IN THE PAST MONTH THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES. *TR

03/04/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/03/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION DOES NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER! IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2008. TODAY IS MARCH 3, 2009. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ALREADY CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WASN'T THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH! *TR

03/02/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/15/2003
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F04Z******
Summary

PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION ON 9/30/03. WINTER OF 03-04 CAR FAILED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. SATURN PUT 2 NEW IGNITION SWITCHES IN (WARRANTY) 2004. THIS WINTER (08-09) SAME STARTING PROBLEM. FAILS TO START IN COLD TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF POORLY ENGINEERED IGNITION SWITCH COMMON IN THE SATURN ION. *TR

02/28/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE DATE BELOW IS THE DATE THE ISSUE BEGAN. I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION, THAT BEGAN WITH COLD START ISSUES THIS WINTER. AFTER LOOKING UP THE ISSUE ONLINE, I NOTICED IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS, YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING (OR MIDDAY), THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. IT OFTEN TAKES 10-20 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO ENGAGE. I CALLED SATURN, AND THEY OFFERED NO REMEDY, AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (ONLY A 4.5 YEAR OLD CAR!) - AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE $250 REPAIR FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. ON DECEMBER 26, 2008, I WAS STRANDED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR AND A HALF, AND SUFFERED FROST BITE AND MILD HYPOTHERMIA. *TR

02/23/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/22/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12FX4Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE AND LIKE OTHERS, IT HAS THE COLD WEATHER FAIL TO START PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. I STOPPED BY THE LOCAL SATURN GARAGE TO SEE WHAT TYPE OF REPAIR IS RECOMMEND FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE QUITE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH NO WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. THEIR SUGGESTION, IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE BUNDLE OF MONEY TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WAS TO CARRY BIC LIGHTER TO WARM THE KEY. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THAT SATURN ENGINEERING SPECED THE WRONG TEMPERATURE GREASE TO LUBE THE SWITCH. NOW, I THE CUSTOMER, HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ANOTHER GM GENERATED ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN NOT RELY ON AN OTHERWISE PERFECTLY GOOD RUNNING CAR AND CAN'T COUNT ON IT FOR AN EMERGENCY. *TR

02/22/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/20/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT NOTICE. DRIVING STRAIGHT OR TURNING AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

02/19/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

CAR REFUSES TO START WHEN TURNING KEY IN IGNITION. PASSLOCK ICON FLASHES ON DASHBOARD AND "SERVICE VEHICLE" COMES UP ON MESSAGE PANEL. THIS IS A COLD WEATHER STARTING PROBLEM DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION OF THE PASSLOCK CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION (KEY) SWITCH. PASSLOCK MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACE 3 TIMES BY DEALER. LAST TIME 2006. SATURN HAS A COMPLAINT FILE UNDER MY NAME, VIN, AND PHONE NUMBER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS EVERY WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. IT IS ALSO A KNOWN PROBLEM, YET GM REFUSES TO RECALL THE CARS AFFECTED. OUT OF WARRANTY DEALER REPAIR RUNS OVER $ 500. RECENT FAILURE TO START HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER OF 2008. *TR

02/18/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 04 SATURN ION, IT DOES NOT START IN THE COLD, IT GIVES ME SO MANY HEADACHES, THERE IS OVER 30 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE WITH PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND SAME PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO BE A WHITE WIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WHY IT CANT BE FIXED. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK, COLLEGE CLASSES, AND TO BE STUCK OUT ON A COLD NIGHT BY MYSELF DUE TO MY CAR NOT STARTING. YOU HAVE TO TRY TO START IT AND THEN LEAVE IT ALONE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND IT USUALLY STARTS RIGHT UP. IT HAPPENS PRETTY MUCH ALL THE TIME BUT IT IS SO RANDOM YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE STRANDED. I HAVE SPENT MONEY REPLACING BATTERIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE WHEN NONE OF THIS CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *TR

02/17/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 12/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER, IT FAILS TO START. ON OCCASION, HE MUST ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO REST FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. OTHER TIMES, HE MUST JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINE TO START. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP. HE FOUND A RECALL ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

02/08/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/08/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION AND ANYTIME IT IS COLD OUT IT WILL NOT START DO TO THE IGNITION SWITCH THERE IS A DEFECT IN IT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. EVERYTIME IT IS COLD MY CAR WILL NOT START AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

02/07/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/06/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. HAPPENED ONE TIME LAST WINTER, BUT HAS PROGRESSED THIS WINTER. IF YOU ALLOW THE CAR TO SIT FOR 10-12 MINUTES IT STARTS RIGHT UP. I CALLED SATURN AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO LEAVE THE CAR WITH THEM WHILE I VISITED FAMILY IN FLORIDA. I SINCE WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS (MAYBE THOUSANDS) OF SATURN OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED SATURN SERVICE AND TOLD THEM WHAT I HAD DISCOVERED. THEY MADE NO COMMENT BUT SAID THEY HAD REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. I CALLED A TOLL FREE NUMBER THAT A SATURN OWNER HAD LEFT ON AN ONLINE FORUM AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH SATURN OF AMERICA. SHE WAS VERY POLITE AND ASSURED ME SHE WOULD CALL SATURN AND "SEE WHAT SHE COULD DO FOR ME." THE NEXT DAY SHE SAID THEY COULD ONLY GIVE ME 10% OFF THE COST OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH AMOUNTS TO $12. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO TELL HIM THAT I EXPECTED MORE BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I COULD NEVER REACH HIM. HE WAS NEVER AVAILABLE (AS THEY SAID--GONE FOR THE DAY). I THEN EMAILED SATURN OF CHARLESTON/HUNTINGTON WV AND EXPLAINED. A SALE PERSON ACKNOWLEDGED MY EMAIL AND ASSURED ME SHE WOULD GIVE THE EMAIL COMPLAINT TO SERVICE AND SOMEONE IS SERVICES WOULD CONTACT ME. TWO DAYS LATER AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME. I TOLD THE SALES PERSON THAT IT SADDEN ME THAT $240 WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY FUTURE BUSINESS. WHY SHOULD SATURN OWNER PAY FOR A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN EXIST? AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ A NEW IGNITION IS NOT THE SOLUTION. OFTEN IT WORKS FOR A YEAR AND THEN SAME PROBLEM COMES BACK. IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED THAT IT COULD BE A PASSLOCK SYSTEM PROBLEM OR GEL INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT AGES AND LOSES CONDUCTIVITY OVER TIME. WHO KNOWS? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

02/06/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/05/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE ENGINE SUCCESSFULLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

02/06/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/26/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F54Z******
Summary

I HAVE HAD BY ION FOR 4.5 YEARS. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE ABOUT 65000 MILES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TO HAVE FIXED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, JUST ONE MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD THEN START SPORADICALLY UNTIL I FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

02/05/2009
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/05/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START ON COLD MORNINGS. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. AN INDICATOR FLASHES, WHICH SIGNIFIES THAT THE PAST LOCK SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEING STOLEN; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE USUALLY STARTS AFTER TEN MINUTES. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT ONLY OCCURS APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES A YEAR OR IN COLD WEATHER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

02/05/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/05/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY CAR DOES NOT START IN THE COLD. (AT OR BELOW FREEZING.) I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES SO FAR!! AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE "RESEARCH" I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR ON DIFFERENT FORUMS AND CONSUMER COMPLAINT WEBSITES. WHAT IS GM DOING TO REMEDY THIS, AND WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH OR WHATEVER PART IS AT FAULT? I WAS STUCK OUTSIDE IN THE COLD TODAY WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHILE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME...!!! *TR

02/04/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/03/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START WHEN COLD OUT. IT WOULDN'T EVEN START AT 20 DEGREES F. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES NOW. *TR

02/04/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/03/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AND A HALF AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2008, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. ALSO, IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATING TO THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

02/04/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/04/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. FIGHTING SAME PROBLEM FOR THE LAST TWO WINTERS.(HAVE READ MANY OTHERS WITH SAME RECURRING PROBLEM). *TR

02/03/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/15/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START CONSISTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY ALREADY WHICH ENDED UP NOT BEING THE PROBLEM. THEN I FOUND INFORMATION ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND MY HARD EARNED MONEY ON PROBLEM THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SATURN/GM TO HAVE SOME INTEGRITY ON THIS ISSUE, DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE THEIR OWN RECALL, BUT SO FOR THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006. *TR

02/03/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. IN COLD WEATHER THE DIELECTRIC LUBRICATION FREEZES AND INTERFERES WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM - MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING - MORE FREQUENTLY WITH EVEN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN REMEDIED BY WAITING FOR 10 - 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF AND THEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS BY CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BY SEARCHING GOOGLE. I ALSO SPOKE WITH A SATURN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH AT THE SATURN SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND VERIFIED THE DIAGNOSIS I LISTED ABOVE (DIELECTRIC LUBRICATION FREEZING RESULTING THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKDOWN) BUT SAID THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. I KNOW THREE PEOPLE WITH SATURN IONS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TWO OF THE OWNERS I KNOW TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO SATURN DEALERSHIPS FOR REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER, A THREE-HUNDRED DOLLAR PROCEDURE WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU CAN LOOK INTO ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE BASED ON PERSONAL SOURCES, A SATURN DEALER, AND GOOGLE SEARCHES, IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO, LIVING IN MINNESOTA THE TEMPERATURES CAN GET DANGEROUSLY LOW - WHERE BEING LEFT STRANDED OUTSIDE FOR 30 MINUTES WITHOUT A HEAT SOURCE CAN RESULT IN FROSTBITE, HYPOTHERMIA, AND EVEN DEATH. THANK YOU. *TR

02/02/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F14Z******
Summary

MY VEHICLE ON COLD DAYS WILL NOT RELIABLY START. TURN KEY, ALL LIGHTS AND INDICATORS WORK BUT START FUNCTION IS ELECTRONICALLY TERMINATED WITHIN 1 SECOND OF ENGAGEMENT. THE CAR WILL START AFTER WAITING FOR TEN TO TWENTY MINUTES AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER MANY TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC (DEALER AND NON) I HAVE FOUND MANY SUCH REPORTS ON-LINE INDICATING A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WHICH FAILS IN COLD WEATHER. THE TIME DELAY IN STARTING APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF INTERACTION WITH THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. I WILL NOW PAY TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED BUT SUSPECT, AS MANY HAVE REPORTED, THAT THIS WILL CORRECT THE ISSUE FOR ONE OR TWO YEARS BEFORE IT OCCURS AGAIN (AS MANY OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED). *TR

01/30/2009
Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 01/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F74Z******
Summary

AFTER 5 YEARS MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW +10F. THERE IS POWER ( NEW BATTERY ) AND NO FUEL ISSUE ( CLEAN FUEL SYSTEM AND FILTER ), BUT AFTER 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND A COUPLE OF HESITANT ENGINE TURNS, IT STARTS. NO ONE NEEDS AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE WHERE WINTER TEMPS LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. AFTER REPLACING THE ANTI-SWAY BAR, BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AS WELL AS OTHER ANNOYING PROBLEMS ( INSTRUMENT LIGHTS OUT, CABIN FAN NOISY ) I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN . I TOOK THE PROBLEM ( OUT OF WARRANTY OF COURSE ) TO SATURN OF ROCHESTER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. SINCE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, NO RECALL WAS ISSUED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $275 UNLESS "SOMETHING ELSE" CAME UP. BEING LATE FOR WORK ( PUBLIC SAFETY AND VOLUNTEER FIREMAN ) OR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME. PLEASE FORCE GM TO MAKE THE RECALL ON THIS IGNITION PART FOR THE FINANCIALLY STRESSED NEW YORK CONSUMERS. THANK YOU. *TR

01/26/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/14/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

1. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS, UNTIL IT GOT COLD OUT. 2. IF THERE IS ANYTIME THE WEATHER STOOPS BELOW 10 DEGREES F, THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT WILL CLICK AND CLICK AND CLICK, THEN NOTHING. EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE IT WILL START FOR ALL OF A SECOND, THEN QUIT. THEN IT DOES NOTHING WHEN I TRY TO START IT AGAIN. 3. I HAVE DONE NOTHING YET, BUT AFTER READING FORUMS WHERE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M GOING TO TRY CHANGING THE IGNITION MODULE, AND POSSIBLY GET A REMOTE STARTER. *TR

01/24/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/12/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

IN TRYING TO START MY CAR IN THE MORNINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, IT FAILS TO START AND MY SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT WILL FLASH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, BUT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I OCCURS 5 OUT OF 7 DAYS A WEEK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE UNLESS I DISABLE MY SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR

01/24/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/24/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION DOES NOT START ON COLD MORNINGS AND MANY MORNINGS MISSED AT WORK, AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS. MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON STARTERS AND BATTERIES BUT MANY OWNERS OF THIS SIMILAR VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SATURN IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT START IN EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES AND THE VEHICLE HAS YOUNG CHILDREN AND ELDERLY. *TR

01/22/2009
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 01/22/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY I HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR IN THE COOLER TEMPERATURES. THE IGNITION TRIES TO START UP, BUT THEN DOES NOTHING. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHEN THIS IS A PROBLEM IN -20 WEATHER, BUT THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURES AREN'T EVEN BELOW FREEZING. I HAVE TRIED ADDING IGNITION CLEANER, AND I ADD HEAT TO MY TANK EVERY TIME I FILL UP (AND NEVER LET MY TANK GET BELOW HALF-FULL) - NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. ONLINE FORUMS I HAVE LOOKED AT FOR THIS PROBLEM SAY THAT MY MAKE AND YEAR (AS WELL AS YEARS SURROUNDING MINE) HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THIS "SHOULD" BE A RECALL BUT ISN'T. I'VE BEEN LATE TO WORK, OR MY CAR HASN'T STARTED AT ALL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *TR

01/22/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

IT WON'T START WHEN IT IS COLD. I NEED TO WAIT 10-15 MIN AND TRY AGAIN. I SEE A LOT OF SATURN OWNERS' ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

01/22/2009
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/22/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

HI, I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION, WITH ONLY 22,000 MILES ON IT. IT SEEMS TO HAVE A PROBLEM STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. I HAD TO TAKE MY MOMS 1988 BUICK TO WORK YESTERDAY BECAUSE MY CAR WOULDN'T START IN THE COLD! IT HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING OUT TO LUNCH, SAME THING AFTER TEN MINUTES IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I CAN'T KEEP BEING LATE FOR WORK AND MISSING APPOINTMENTS AND WHEN I TAKE MY WIFE'S CAR SHE HAS TO WALK 15 BLOCKS WITH THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND IF IT'S TOO COLD FOR THIS CAR TO START I DON'T REALLY WANT MY KIDS TO WALK. I CALLED SATURN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS, YET WHEN YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET THERE'S THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

01/19/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/07/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F54Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION, WITHIN THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START IN THE MORNINGS. I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY FROM THE SATURN DEALER AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THE CHECK CAME BACK WITH EVERY THING BEING OK BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START. WHEN I CALLED SATURN THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THERE IS NO RECALL BUT TRIED TO SELL ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

01/19/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

ON AT LEAST TEN OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 SATURN ION HAS FAILED. IT DOES SO WITHOUT WARNING (THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN WEATHER, TIME OF DAY, OR OTHER SUCH CONDITIONS) AND IT MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STEER. ONE HAS TO SLOW DOWN TO THE POINT OF A CRAWL IN ORDER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON ANY FREEWAY EXITS WITH A LOOP. LAST THURSDAY IT WENT OUT A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF ONE AFTERNOON. IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF ONLY AFTER TURNING THE CAR OF AND RESTARTING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SO ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. AFTER DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH IT APPEARS THAT MINE IS NOT THE ONLY CASE AND THAT THE SOLUTION CAN RANGE FROM A SMALL INEXPENSIVE REPAIR TO A RATHER EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

01/18/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

CAR WILL SPORADICALLY NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. STARTS FINE IN WARM SEASON. WAITING 10 MINUTES AFTER INITIAL TRY WILL USUALLY REMEDY THIS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS 5 TIMES A WEEK AND NORMALLY IN THE MORNING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STARTER AND BATTER HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PEOPLE SEEM TO BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASS-LOCK SYSTEM BEING TEMPERAMENTAL. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE AND CONDENSATION. THE COLD START TRIGGERS AN APPROXIMATE 10 MINUTE WAIT TIME BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS RESET AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER UNTIL AFTER THAT PERIOD. I HAVE READ WHERE PEOPLE HAVE DISABLED THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM TO REMEDY THIS WITH GOOD RESULTS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH PAYING A MECHANIC TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM OR DOING THIS MYSELF AND FEEL THAT SATURN SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS SUCH A SPORADIC AND TEMPERAMENTAL PROBLEM IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR A MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE.... HENCE THE DOZENS OF ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE REPLACING STARTERS AND BATTERIES WITH NO LASTING RESULTS. I HAVE, WITH MIXED RESULTS, THAT HEATING THE IGNITION KEY BEFORE THE INITIAL START WILL CAUSE A BETTER CONNECTION. I AM GOING TO TRY THIS METHOD. OVERALL THIS IS JUST A RIDICULOUS ISSUE AND I'M TIRED OF BEING LATE FOR WORK AND STARTING MY CAR 10 TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE LEAVING MY CAR UNATTENDED WHILE GETTING READY. I AM HOPING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ME AND THE OTHERS EXPERIENCING SUCH STRONG DISSATISFACTION WITH THEIR SATURN VEHICLES. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS FIRST HAPPENED LAST YEAR, AND I THOUGHT THAT THE GAS LINES WERE FREEZING. I HAVE PUT SEVERAL BOTTLES OF DRY GAS IN MY TANK THINKING THAT THIS RESOLVES THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT IS A PASSLOCK SECURITY ISSUE AND MY EFFORTS OF DRY GAS DID NOTHING. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED COUNTLESS TIMES DUE TO THE ERROR. THIS PROBLEMS RENDERS THE CAR USELESS. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS YESTERDAY, BUT THIS HAPPENS WAY TOO OFTEN. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 01/17/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

BOUGHT THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY, NO CRANK/NO START BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM. SATURN "REBOOTED THE COMPUTER" (SATURNS WORDS). THIS WAS IN MAY OF 06. STRANGELY, THE CAR HAS "DIED" IN AT LEAST 3 DRIVEWAYS AS THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A GARAGE AND HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. RECENTLY, WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE CAR WILL NO CRANK/NO START AND THROW THE PASSLOCK CODE. ON THE DASH, SOMETIMES IT SAYS SERVICE ENGINE IT MAY OR MAY NOT RESET AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE AS I AM NEVER SURE IF I AM GOING TO GET TO WORK ON TIME OR NOT. I CALLED SATURN LAST WEEK. APPARENTLY SATURN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THEY ARE GOING TO INCONVENIENCE ME TO DRIVE 200 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN CHARGE ME $100 TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR LAND THEN ANOTHER $1000 ON TOP OF THAT TO "FIX" THE CAR' THEY KNOW THEY ARE MAKING MONEY OFF THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME MY CAR CONTINUES TO NOT START IF IT IS ZERO DEGREES. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F94Z******
Summary

WONT START DUE TO PASSLOCK/IGNITION PROBLEMS IN COLD WEATHER. HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS YET AS FUNDS ARE LIMITED. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/16/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE CAR USES THE GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM. OFTEN AFTER SEVERAL INSTANCES OF WAITING 10 MINUTES, AND TRYING AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/10/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION PASSLOCK FAILURE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ABOUT 25 DEGREES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. LIGHTS COME ON, RADIO WORKS SO THERE IS POWER, EVEN WITH ANOTHER CAR TRYING TO JUMP START THE SATURN IT WILL NOT START. YOU HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO START. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME, HOME, GAS STATION, ETC. HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_97661_4.HTML. *TR

01/17/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/06/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. IT WON'T START WHEN IT GETS COLD AND THE CHAT ROOM SAYS ITS A COMMON THING .IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT IT BUT KEEP RIGHT ON CHARGING US TO REPLACE SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE DOING .AS ITS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2003 ION AND STILL IS ON THE 2007 ION.. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL SATURN IONS GM KNOWS BUT DON'T CARE. AND THEY WANT US TO BUY GM THAT'S A JOKE . *TR

01/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/16/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION WHICH THIS MORNING WOULD NOT START AFTER I LEFT A CONVENIENCE STORE. IT WAS A LITTLE HESITANT IN STARTING ABOUT A WEEK AGO. BOTH TIMES WERE EXTREMELY COLD COMPARED TO NORMAL THIS TIME OF YEAR. THIS MORNING I FIGURED IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. WELL AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH IT WOULD SEEM THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD AND EVERYONE ELSE'S DESCRIPTION ONLINE DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENED ME TO ME PERFECTLY. WOULDN'T START, WALKED THE MILE HOME, CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK, GOT BACK, STARTED RIGHT UP WITH NOT PROBLEMS. *TR

01/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F44Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. IT DOES NOT START IN THE COLD WEATHER (AROUND 36 DEGREES F AND BELOW). I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER AND TWO MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. MY MECHANIC ASSURED ME THE BATTERY IS TOP OF THE LINE AND GUARANTEED TO START IN COLD WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT START YESTERDAY IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER. ALL LIGHTS TURN ON BUT CAR DOES NOT CRANK. DOES NOT EVEN MAKE NOISE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS THROUGH VARIOUS DISCUSSION BOARDS AND MOST OF THEM AGREE THAT THERE IS A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE IGNITION THAT LEAKS LUBRICANT. WHEN THE LUBRICANT FREEZES, THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT ALARM DOES NOT GET IT'S ELECTRICAL SIGNAL SO IT ACTIVATES AND PROHIBITS FUEL FROM BEING USED SO THE CAR DOES NOT START. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, BUT I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG IN THIS SITUATION. IF THIS IS THE CASE OF A FAULTY SWITCH, SATURN / GM SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND FORCED TO DO A RECALL WITH AN UPDATED SWITCH DESIGN. FOR THE AMOUNT THAT CARS COST TODAY MANUFACTURERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PUT OUT JUNK PARTS AND EXPECT CONSUMERS TO SIT BACK AND TAKE IT. *TR

01/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

DURING THE COLDER DAYS MY PASSLOCK SYSTEM DENY MY CAR TO START. I OR MY WIFE WILL HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO TRY IT AGAIN. IF IT DOESN'T START ATE THE 10 MINUTE MARK WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. WE HAVE WAITED A 1/2 AN HOUR FOR IT TO START BEFORE. I HAVE NO TRUST IT WILL START AT ANY POINT. WE NEED TO WAIT THE 10 MINUTES NEARLY EVERYTIME FROM END OF NOV TO FEB. *TR

01/16/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AFTER OWNING MY 2004 SATURN ION FOR 8 MONTHS, IT DEVELOPED A RANDOM STARTING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD START NORMALLY AND OTHERS NOT AT ALL. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE IGNITION SWITCH SAID IT IS COMMON TO NEED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. AFTER ALL OF THOSE NEW PARTS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A FORUM WHERE DOZENS OF OTHER ION OWNERS WHERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE ONLY REMEDY THAT SEEMED TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WAS TO DISABLE THE VEHICLES ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM BY CUTTING THE PROPER WIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS ALLOWS THE CAR TO START EVERY TIME, BUT ALSO GIVES AN ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT THE DISABLED SYSTEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A COMMON PROBLEM THAT OCCURS FOR ION OWNERS IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

01/15/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/14/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

SATURN ION WILL NOT START. SPORADICALLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY ISSUE WITH IGNITION SWITCH PASSLOCK SYSTEM. AFTER WAITING A PERIOD OF TIME (10 MINUTES?) SYSTEM WILL START VEHICLE. HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. *TR

01/15/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY SATURN ION 2004, BOUGHT SEPT. 2007 FROM CARMAX, FREQUENTLY DOES NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS ABOUT 33 DEGREES THIS MORNING AND EVEN WHEN I JUMPED IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LAST WINTER- MY FIRST WINTER HAVING THIS CAR. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, I DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT I AM GOING TO GET THE STARTER CHECKED TODAY. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. AS AN EDUCATOR, I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AS I HAVE READ PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE ALREADY DONE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, AS A TEACHER, I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LATE TO SCHOOL WHENEVER IT IS COLD. I AM VERY HOPEFUL THAT MY EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS COMPLAINT WILL RESULT IN A RECALL FOR THE CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. READING THE ONLINE FORUMS, IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION/STARTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PATIENCE. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! *TR

01/15/2009
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/25/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F84Z******
Summary

MY SATURN 2004 ION HAS BEEN BREAKING DOWN SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2005. THEY HAVE PUT IN 2-3 TRANSMISSIONS AND EVERYTIME IT IS COLD IT WON'T START. A COUPLE TIMES THE WOULD START BUT NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR! THE TECH'S COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO MY DAD (WHO DOES NOT WORK ON CARS ) FIGURED OUT IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE! THEY HAVE REPLACED THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS AT LEAST 3 TIMES! THE CARS HEAT AND RADIO WOULD JUST SHUT OFF AND TURN BACK ON THEY ALSO FIXED THAT A COUPLE TIMES. MY CAR WILL BE PAID OFF SHORTLY BUT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO NOT HAVE A CAR PAYMENT BECAUSE AT ANY MOMENTS NOTICE MY 2004 SATURN ION MIGHT FALL APART!!!!! *TR

01/14/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/12/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54FX4Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION INTERMITTENTLY WON'T START. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A WEEK AGO. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THERE ARE 2 SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY CAR THAT PERTAIN TO THIS PROBLEM: ONE IS FOR REPROGRAMMING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND THE OTHER IS FOR AN IGNITION SYSTEM REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. I PLAN TO DO SO TONIGHT. I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT SATURN IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT THAT SATURN WON'T MAKE THIS A RECALL BECAUSE THEN SATURN WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. PLEASE HAVE GM/SATURN CHANGE THE 2 SERVICE BULLETINS (LISTED ABOVE) TO RECALLS! *TR

01/14/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 SATURN ION HAS BEEN GOING OUT AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. IN ORDER TO RESET IT I NEED TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT SAID TO FIX IT PERMANENTLY I NEED TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. I RESEARCH OVER 20 CASES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR ON THIS SITE AND CARSTATS.COM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHILE QUICKLY YOU CAN'T AVOID ACCIDENTS. IT CAUSES STRAIN IN THE MUSCLES OF MY SHOULDER AND BACK. *TR

01/14/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

CAR HAS NOT STARTED 8 TIMES. SATURN ION 2004. 40,000 MILES. BOUGHT IT USED 5 MONTHS AGO. RUNS FINE IN WARM WEATHER. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY, STILL WOULDN'T START. BOUGHT NEW ALTERNATOR. STILL WOULDN'T START. JUMP START IT, IT WILL START SOMETIMES. CALLED SATURN RECALL; 2ND TIME, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY WIRE BUT NO ONE HAS RECALLED THE WIRE. THE PROBLEM: WHITE WIRE IN IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD OUTSIDE, NOT ENOUGH VOLTS GO THROUGH WHITE WIRE AND CAR THINKS SOMEONE IS BREAKING IN AND WILL NOT START. FOUND THIS OUT ON CARSPACE.COM. OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY SAME CAR HAVE SAME PROBLEM. YOU HAVE TO CLIP THE WHITE WIRE THEN YOUR CAR WILL RUN WITH NO PROBLEM. NEWER MODEL SATURNS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NEXT I WAS GOING TO GET A NEW STARTER, BUT OTHER HAVE GOTTEN THAT AND STARTER GOES OUT WITHIN A YEAR. IT STRESSFUL TO GET INTO A FAIRLY NEW CAR AND IT NOT START. ALL LIGHTS COME ON BUT ENGINE WILL NOT. NOW I KNOW TO WAIT 15 MINUTES AND THEN TRY STARTING CAR AGAIN. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? SO HERE I AM AGAIN LEAVING WORK TONIGHT IN THE COLD AND SEEING IF IT WILL START AND IF IT DOESN'T SITTING AROUND FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN TRYING IT AGAIN. IT IS SOOOO AGGRAVATING!! SO AGAIN WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? *TR

01/11/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/17/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION - WON'T START WHEN COLD. THIS LOOKS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE, PLEASE SEE HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_73169.HTML OR SEARCH IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IT'S A SHAME THAT THIS IS SUCH A PREVALENT PROBLEM AND YET SATURN DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A DEFECT THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL. CERTAINLY THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY PROBLEM IF SOMEONE'S CAR WOULD FAIL TO START. I WAS STUCK IN MY CAR FOR OVER AN HOUR IN NEGATIVE TEMPS AND BECAME ILL AFTERWARDS. *TR

01/09/2009
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 08/15/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I AM 75 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND I CANNOT RELY ON IT TO START WHEN I NEED IT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE BEEN HEADED TO A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT AND GO TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL BE AS MUCH AS 30 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE IT STARTS. IT IS CRIMINAL FOR SATURN TO KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND NOT ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY REALIZED THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT, BUT I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND I PUT OUT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK! I THOUGHT SATURN WAS A GOOD COMPANY BUT I SEE NOW THAT DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THEM. *TR

01/06/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/09/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION 2. ON COLD MORNINGS THE CAR WILL NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIME. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SATURN OWNERS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SATURN NEEDS TO ADDRESS. *TR

01/02/2009
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, USUALLY WHEN ITS COLDER OUT. I GO TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENS, THEN A SECURITY FEATURE LIGHTS UP. MY CAR THINKS I'M STEALING IT, APPARENTLY. SOMETIMES MY KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THIS HAPPENS EITHER, AND I'VE HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND REPAIRED. USUALLY AFTER SITTING THERE AND TRYING TO START IT FOR A PERIOD OF TEN TO THIRTY MINUTES, THE CAR STARTS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE SEEING AS I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IT ALSO MAKES ME LATE FOR WORK. I'VE TALKED TO OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY'VE SAID THEY'VE ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN. I'D SAY THAT THIS HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. *TR

12/29/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/05/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED WITH ONLY 8,000 MILES. *TR

12/18/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/05/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNLESS SHE WAITED 15 TO 20 MINUTES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND REPLACED IT. ONE YEAR LATER, WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START UNLESS SHE WAITED 15 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ON DECEMBER 12, 2008, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE DEALER WOULD ASSUME THE COST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

12/17/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. IN 20 DEGREE TEMPERATURE OR BELOW, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TAKES 20 MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE REPLACED, BUT IT WOULD NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE IS UNSAFE AND AN INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE SHE WORKS AT NIGHT WHILE THE WEATHER IS COLD. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

12/16/2008
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 05/15/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F45Z******
Summary

WHILE RUNNING THE A/C, IT WILL LEAK WATER ALL OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. *TR

12/15/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/13/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG54F54Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND BECAME SO BAD THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS TO MAKE A NORMAL TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL ASSIST SYSTEM WAS ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$800. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

12/15/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/15/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

STEERING PROBLEM WITH MY SATURN ION 3 - WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE POWER STEERING CEASED. THE DASH BOARD STARTS DINGING AND THE WORDS POWER STEERING START TO FLASH. IT IS THEN IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE TURN WITHOUT TURNING THE WHEEL FORCEFULLY. THIS HAS POSED A SERIOUS CONDITION BECAUSE YOU ARE USUALLY TRYING TO MAKE A TURN IN TRAFFIC. IT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER AND SHE GOT VERY FRIGHTENED AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE STEERING WHEEL IS EVEN HARDER TO TURN THAN WHEN CARS DID NOT ACTUALLY HAVE POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE NOT HAD IT LOOKED AT YET. THE CAR HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE ON MY SATURN IS ONLY 25,000 MILES. *TR

12/11/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/20/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND START SWITCHES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, THE TEMPERATURE COOLANT SWITCH CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,240.

12/10/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION MODULE AT THE COST OF $300. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

12/06/2008
Components: EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 11/19/1981
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F84Z******
Summary

THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE 2004 SATURN ION HAS A MALFUNCTION. THE CAR IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. UPON CALLING THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD, PA THE SERVICE RECEPTIONIST WAS ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT I HAD TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO HALF AN HOUR AND THEN TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN TO SEE IF IT WILL START. GM AND SATURN KNOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY WHICH IS PROVEN BY THE FACT THAT THE RECEPTIONIST KNEW HOW TO START MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING FOR ME WAS ON NOVEMBER 19TH WHEN I TALKED THE RECEPTIONIST AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON DECEMBER 6, 2008 THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BROUGHT IN TO BE FIXED AND WAS CHARGED TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THIS IS A DEFAULT OF THE CAR. *TR

12/05/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WON'T START IN COLD FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. IT GETS WORSE EVERY WINTER. IT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE EVERY DAY OR TWO FROM DECEMBER-FEBRUARY. COMMON PROBLEM. IN SATURNS *TR

12/03/2008
Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 10/03/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE AND WEATHER ARE TOO COLD, THE VEHICLE TAKES LONGER TO START OR WILL NOT START AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OIL THAT ENTERS THE ENGINE DOES NOT HEAT UP NORMALLY. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND MUST BE DONE MANUALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO THE STEERING COLUMN TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE BEGAN A YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND HAS BECOME WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,899.

12/03/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/03/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F54Z******
Summary

THIS HAS BEEN A RARE, SPORADICALLY, OCCURRING PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED THE CAR FOR OVER TWO YEARS. ON AVERAGE ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS THE INCIDENCE HAS INCREASED TO AS MUCH AS THREE TIMES PER DAY AND ABOUT FOUR DAYS PER WEEK. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY/ALL SPEEDS. THIS OBVIOUSLY RESULTS IN A SUDDEN, EXTREME DRAG ON THE STEERING MECHANISM REQUIRING GREATLY INCREASED DRIVER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. QUICK MANEUVERS OR SHARPER TURNS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING RESTORES THE POWER STEERING. IF THIS IS ATTEMPTED WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, THE STEERING LOCK COULD BE ENGAGED, RESULTING IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES NO FAMILIARITY WITH THIS PROBLEM OR OF ANY BULLETINS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, DESPITE EVIDENCE FROM NUMEROUS INTERNET POSTINGS BY OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. UPON MY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH SERVICE PERSONNEL AT SATURN DEALERS, THEY SPECULATE THAT A ROUGHLY $1000 REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY, WHICH CONTAINS SENSORS, ELECTRONICS, AND THE POWER STEERING ELECTRIC ASSIST MOTOR MAY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. TO DATE SUCH REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN PURSUED DUE TO INCONCLUSIVE DIAGNOSIS AND POSSIBLE HIGH COSTS. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 2004 SATURN ION II, PURCHASED NEW. *TR

12/03/2008
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/02/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 SATURN ION 3. I HAVE NOW HAD IT FOR THREE WINTERS IN WHICH I HAVE HAD STARTING PROBLEMS EVERY WINTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY ALL THREE WINTERS, TO FIND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. AFTER MANY READING MANY BLOGS AND WEBSITES I HAVE FOUND THAT SATURN USES AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT FREEZES IN THE COLD. SATURN ALSO DOES NOT CLAIM TO THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO MECHANIC KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I LIVE IN A PLACE THAT IS KNOWN FOR COLD WINTERS SO I KNOW NOW (ESPECIALLY AFTER READING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE NET) THAT THE MECHANICS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION WITH THE CARS. MY HUSBAND HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO FIND THAT IT DID NOT HELP (OBVIOUSLY IF WE ARE USING THE SAME FREEZING PART)! THIS IS NOT LISTED AS A RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM SORRY, BUT IF I GET STUCK OUT AT A REST STOP ON SOME HIGHWAY BY MYSELF OR WITH MY YOUNG CHILD IN BELOW 30 DEGREES, THAT BECOMES SAFETY ISSUE TO ME!!! ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS PRESENTED ITSELF IN THE ION IS MY SEAT BELTS. THEY DO NOT LOCK OR RETRACT. THERE HAS BEEN NO TAMPERING OR CHANGING OF ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR

11/18/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION HAS PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES OF TRYING IT WILL START, EVERYTHING SUCH AS STARTER BATTERY FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN CHECKED. MY SECURITY LIGHT IS ON WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. *TR

11/11/2008
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/08/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F64Z******
Summary

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TURN SIGNAL STOPS WORKING FOR A WEEK, THEN WORKS, THEN QUITS AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN WORKS AGAIN. SATURN DEALER SAYS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL - IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V657000 - NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04061. THEY SAID ANY REVIEW/REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

11/10/2008
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 10/20/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AFTER A FEW STOPS, NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMP IS OUTSIDE/NICE OR COLD... MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT SIMPLY CLICKS AND WILL NOT TURN OVER... FEELS/SOUNDS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN TRY AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START. I HAVE HAD IT STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT!!! MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO GROSS LEAK EMISSION CONTROL, AND THEY CAN NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE!!!! THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, HOWEVER THEY DO NOT MIND CHARGING ME EACH AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN, AND EACH AND EVERY TIME THEY HAVE NEGLECTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM!!! FRUSTRATED *TR

11/10/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/09/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE DRIVING FORWARD OR TURNING, THE STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IS FAILING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEREFORE, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,337 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

11/05/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 06/26/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

BOUGHT 4 MICHELIN AGILITY TOURING TIRES (P195/60R15 87S) FROM SEARS AUTO ON 1/15/07. ON 6/26/08 REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY. ON 7/11/08 REAR DRIVER TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE INTERIOR SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED. ON 7/16/08 FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT WHILE IN ANOTHER DRIVEWAY. EACH TIRE SHOWED NO PUNCTURES AND WAS NOT UNDER-INFLATED. THE DEFECTIVE TIRES AS WELL AS THE 4TH MICHELIN THAT DID NOT GO FLAT YET WERE REPLACED AS THEY WENT BAD WITH FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING S2 TIRES BECAUSE SEARS DIDN'T CARRY ANY MORE S CLASS TIRES FOR THE SATURN ION. DISCARDED 1ST FLAT TIRE. WILL HOLD LAST 2 DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THE NON-FLAT TIRE UNTIL 12/31/08. IT'S STRANGE THAT 3 TIRES WITH NO SIGNS OF PUNCTURES WENT FLAT OR BLEW OUT WITHIN 3 WEEKS AFTER ONLY A 1.5 YEARS' USE. THEY COULD HAVE CAUSED BAD ACCIDENTS. SEARS DISMISSED MY COMPLAINT SINCE THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER ON THE RIMS. DOT HNDA H5FX 4206, 4306, 4406?, AND 4506. *TR

10/23/2008
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 10/12/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD (USUALLY BELOW 40), MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT SIMPLY CLICKS AND SECURITY SENSORS START COMING ON. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN TRY AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START AND PROMPTLY STALL OUT. I HAVE HAD IT STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

10/06/2008
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL FROM A YEAR 2007-2008 OR SO AGO FOR SATURN, TURN SIGNAL. AT THE TIME THE TURN SIGNAL WAS WORKING, BUT I TOOK IT TO SATURN AND INQUIRED ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. LATER ON I TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT ON SIDE. I REPLACED IT BUT NOTICED THAT HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR ALMOST A YEAR. I TOOK TO SATURN AND ONE MAN TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED! THEN I TOOK IT BACK TO GET IT FIXED AT ANOTHER MAN SAID THAT THE RECALL HAS NOT EXPIRED, BUT IT IS NOT MY VIN NUMBER. I PAID ABOUT 60 DOLLARS ON SATURN, AND GUESS WHAT THEY DID? THEY CHARGED ME ALL THAT MONEY TO TIGHTEN UP THE BULB AND PUT SOME GREASE ON IT. I DROVE AWAY AND WENT DOWN THE STREET AND IT WAS NOT WORKING. I WAS UPSET, BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THEY DID NOTHING. I TOOK IT BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER, THEN THEY SAID THEY HAD TO CLEAN THE AREA AND SAW SOME BURNT WIRE AND THEY PUT ANOTHER BULB ON. THEY ASSURED ME AGAIN THAT IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE DOWN THE STREET AND TOOK IT BACK AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK. THEY CHARGED MY ALL THAT MONEY TO SIMPLY SCREW THE LIGHT BULB. I TOLD THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT WAS NOT THE LIGHT BULB. IT WAS THE WIRING BECAUSE THEY LIGHT BULB WOULD WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO NOT HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR A YEAR. THE PUT DOWN I DECLINED MAINTENANCE(S). AS WELL AS THE 60,000 MAINTENANCE. I ONLY DECLINED THE 60,000 MAINTENANCE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER MAINTENANCE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE NONE WAS OFFERED. SATURN DID NON EVEN EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO TO MY CAR. MY CAR HAS DEFECTS IN IT AND BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A CERTAIN VIN NUMBER THEY DID NOT FIX IT. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

10/03/2008
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/20/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P34Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON THE VEHICLE HAS A RETAINER THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE PROPER DURABILITY. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THE RETAINER DETACHES AND CAUSES THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO RAISE UPWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO PROPERLY SWITCH GEARS FAST ENOUGH. WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED ON JULY 20, 2007, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CYLINDER AXULATOR, MASTER CLUTCH, THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL, AND THE RETAINER. THE REPAIR LASTED FOR 15 MONTHS. RECENTLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEARS AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH HAD ONCE AGAIN LOST THE RETAINER AND CAUSED THE PEDAL TO RAISE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS LOCATED, WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND THEY REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,751 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,210.

09/23/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Incident Date: 09/22/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

FAILURE OF A WIRING HARNESS IN A FRONT DOOR THAT CONTROLS WINDOWS, MIRRORS AND DOOR LOCK. A 2004 SATURN ION WITH 25, 106 MILES HAD 5 BROKEN WIRES IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE LEFT REAR DOOR HAS NO POWER AT THE WINDOW SWITCH. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW THAT FORCES TINY WIRES TO BEND 2 TIMES AT 90 DEGREES AND BE SLAMMED BY A DOOR!! THINK OF THE SAFETY OF UNLOCKING A DOOR IN A PANIC SITUATION OR DRIVING WITH A WINDOW DOWN IN RAIN, SLEET, COLD, ETC., AND A FUSE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR

09/16/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F64Z******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2004 AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PREVIOUSLY AND NOW JUST PAID $630 TO HAVE THE BODY MODULE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS THE WHOLE CAR DOWN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START IT. INITIALLY IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A COLD WEATHER PROBLEM BACK WHEN I FIRST HAD THE CAR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THIS RECENT INCIDENT IS STILL NOT YET RESOLVED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THE BODY MODULE IS STILL NOT REGISTERING THAT THE KEY IS IN OFF POSITION BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS STILL FAULTY. I AM AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO DO NEXT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THESE KIND OF REPAIRS ESPECIALLY ONCE EVERY WEEK. *TR

09/12/2008
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 12/28/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOCKS UP AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. THE CAR HAS TO SHUT OF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND IT USUALLY WILL UNLOCK THE SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR, UNABLE TO GET TO SAFETY BECAUSE I CANNOT SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP, AND SATURN REFUSES TO FIX IT, EVEN THOUGH I BROUGHT IT IN UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS NOW. *TR

09/11/2008
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/11/2008
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER LEG AND NECK. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THEY OFFERED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, BUT WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. MINNESOTA STATE POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER E08405161. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

09/07/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 09/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F44Z******
Summary

IN 2005 A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2004 SATURN ION FRONT HEADLAMPS. I HAD THE RECALLED PARTS REPLACED. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY LEFT BLINKER HAS GONE OUT ABOUT FIVE TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS, HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE SOCKETS, AND AM NOW ABOUT TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME OCCURRENCES ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN OTHER SATURN IONS AROUND TOWN WITH THE SAME BLINKER OUT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I BELIEVE IT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE 2005 RECALL. *TR

08/28/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/16/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE ON A RURAL HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE AND PULLED OVER ON THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON IT WAS FINE. POWER STEERING WORKED. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $900.00. THIS CAR IS 3 1/2 YEARS OLD AND HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT!! I COMPLAINED TO SATURN AND AM AWAITING TO HEAR FROM THEIR "DISTRICT SPECIALIST". LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND NOBODY WAS HURT BUT HOW CAN THIS NOT BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. TRY GOING AROUND A CURVE OR TURNING A CORNER WHEN YOUR POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *TR

08/27/2008
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 08/21/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD TO BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WOULD LOSE COMPLETE POWER TO MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD NOT GET ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR SOUNDS, IT WOULD JUST LOSE COMPLETE POWER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SATURN OF DANVERS HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN IN LOANER CARS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE THEY TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. I HAVE LOST POWER AT LOW RATES OF SPEED AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008 MY CAR LOST POWER ON I-95 N IN WOBURN, MA WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL VEHICLES HAD TO AVOID HITTING MY VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES. I NOTIFIED THE SATURN CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY HAD JOHN CACHURSKI (SP) CONTACT ME, HE STATED I WOULD NEED TO RETURN THEIR LOANER CAR AND GET MY CAR BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. AN ONLINE SEARCH FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WITH MY MODEL/YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITHOUT RESOLUTION FROM THEIR DEALERSHIPS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP TO TRY TO GET MY VEHICLE UP TO PAR. *TR

08/27/2008
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/18/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION 2 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ANY DAY THAT THE TEMPERATURE IS LESS THAN 20 DEGREES IT WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES AFTER ABOUT HALF AN HOUR OF TRYING IT WILL START, BUT NOT VERY OFTEN. ALSO IT OFTEN IDLES AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RPM. IT SOUNDS TERRIBLE WHEN IT DOES THIS. ALSO WHEN IT IDLES HIGH IT SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. IT'S VERY TWITCHY AND JERKY. *TR

08/13/2008
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 07/21/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

DRIVERS SIDE WIPER ARM WON'T MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH WINDSHIELD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR WHOLE ARM ASSEMBLY SEEMS TO BE LOOSE. *TR

08/06/2008
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 08/02/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F44Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE DETACHING FROM THE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE DOORS ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCESSIBLE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION AND SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PANEL AND THE DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,844.65. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

08/01/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. DURING THE WINTER, IT TAKES A HALF AN HOUR TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER ASSEMBLY SOLENOID IN 2007. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE OIL THAT WAS USED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING PREVENTS THE ELECTRICITY TO CONNECT TO THE STARTER. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200.

07/31/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/23/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F94Z******
Summary

HAVE TO HAVE MY IGNITION CYLINDER AND HOUSING REPLACED IN MY SATURN ION 3. KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START VEHICLE. A NEW KEY WILL START THE CAR BUT ONLY WORKS FOR 2 WEEKS. I AM ON MY 5TH KEY IN A LITTLE OVER 2 MONTHS. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY, HOPE TO GET IT BACK TOMORROW. CHARGE WAS $523, COMPLAINED TO SATURN CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY BROUGHT IT DOWN TO $230. SO I AM PAYING $230 TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY 4 YEAR OLD CAR. *TR

07/22/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/15/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE POWER STEERING WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT ON THE CAR WHILE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH CAUSING THE CAR TO BE TOUGH TO MANEUVER. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING IS RESET AND WILL WORK FOR SOME AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS MAKES THE HANDLING OF THE CAR UNPREDICTABLE. *TR

07/12/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

SATURN ION 2 THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION, THE STEERING WILL GET HARD AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. WHEN THE VEH IS TURNED OFF THEN ON, IT WORKS OK THEN WHILE DRIVING A MESSAGE COMES ON (POWER STEERING) THEN THE PUMP DISENGAGES AND IT GET HARD TO STEER. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MY SATURN 2004 ION 2 WITH 36000 MILES. I SEARCHED IN THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR

07/02/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/02/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI THEFT/PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY SATURN ION. TODAY IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPEN AND AFTER READING COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE ISSUE. THE CAR WILL TURNOVER BUT NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON THE DISPLAY AS WELL AS A SERVICE VEHICLE INDICATOR. AT FIRST IT WOULD TAKE 5 OR 10 MINUTES TO START AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. TODAY FOR EXAMPLE I WAITED A HALF HOUR FOR THE CAR TO START. I CALLED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP HERE IN MY TOWN ONLY TO END UP IN A ARGUMENT WITH THE PERSON THAT SOLD ME THE PIECE OF CRAP. I DON'T KNOW HOW SATURN IS STILL IN BUSINESS. I SPENT A PRETTY PENNY ON THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HELP. TO KNOW THAT A VEHICLE THAT YOU SELL IS CAUSING SO MANY CUSTOMERS SO MANY PROBLEMS AND DO NOT EVEN WANT TO HELP THEM RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS JUST PATHETIC TO ME. I AM AT THE POINT OF TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TAKING A VOLUNTARY REPO. I WILL NEVER BUY A CAR FROM SATURN OR GM AGAIN. *TR

06/21/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/17/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY MOTHER OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. SHE COMPLAINED THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON HER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THAT SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. I DROVE THE CAR FROM VIRGINIA TO NEW JERSEY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT APPROX EVERY 50 MILES. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WAS FINE FOR ANOTHER 50 MILES OR LESS. WE CALLED THE DEALER - THEY ASKED IF WE WERE MAKING A LOT OF TURNS - WE WEREN'T. IT WAS A STRAIGHT DRIVE DOWN 95. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, THE CAR WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER . BECAUSE MY MOM HAD AN AUTOMATIC STARTER PUT IN, THEY SAID IT WAS THE WAY THE 3RD PARTY HOOKED IT UP THAT WAS INTERFERING WITH THE STEERING. THEY SAID THE FIXED THE PROBLEM. 2 WEEKS LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR

06/11/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

IGNITION SWITCH OF ALL SATURN IONS ARE BAD. IT SEEMS THAT THE LUBRICANT USED FOR THE INTERNAL PARTS IS NOT WELL MADE AND STICKS TO THE INTERNAL PARTS IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, CAR WILL NOT START AND WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS ON EVERY SATURN ION YET SATURN WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED THUS MAKING THIS REPAIR USEFUL ONLY UNTIL THE NEXT WAVE OF COLD TEMPERATURES COMES ALONG. *TR

06/03/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12FX4Z******
Summary

CAR DOES NOT START WHEN WEATHER IS VERY COLD. CHANGED BATTERY AND HAD ALTERNATOR CHECKED. TOOK IT IN TO ETNA BATTERY TO HAVE CHECKED OUT. CAR STARTED WHEN IT GETS WARMER OR THE SUN WARMS UP THE CAR. *TR

05/20/2008
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Incident Date: 05/19/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT MONITORING THE FUEL, AND WAS INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS PUMP WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A FIRE HAZARD. THE REPAIR OF THE FUEL PUMP, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC PARTS AND LABOR WAS $900. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,800. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/16/08

05/02/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F24Z******
Summary

LIKE MANY OTHERS I ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION AND IT WAS REPAIRED THIS PAST WINTER WHILE MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE SAME TIME THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY HEATER IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ITEM AGAIN. ALSO I HAD RECENTLY REPLACE THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET SINCE IT WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTING, (WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE) WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE ON. I AM ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH MY POWER STEERING TURNING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. MOST OF THESE ISSUES I HAVE FOUND ON HERE I HOPE SOMEONE IS REALLY LOOKING INTO THEM CAUSE SATURN CERTAINLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY DIDN'T CARE. *TR

04/24/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/07/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F84Z******
Summary

FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM: I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 SATURN ION SINCE NEW AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WILL TURN OFF RANDOMLY. IT STARTED TO HAPPEN VERY INFREQUENTLY, LESS THAN ONCE A DAY. NOW IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES IN ONE TRIP. IF I TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE CAR, IT WILL WORK AGAIN, NOTWITHSTANDING ANOTHER FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS QUOTED ME 700 DOLLARS TO DO THE REPAIR WORK. CONSIDERING THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE ION AND OTHER SATURN MODELS (FROM SEARCHES OF VARIOUS SATURN FORUMS), I FIND THIS TO BE UNCONSCIONABLE THAT SATURN WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEM. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR AN UNSUSPECTING PERSON IF IT TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNERING TURN. THE FORCES REQUIRED TO TURN THE WHEELS AND THE FAILED STEERING ASSIST MOTOR ARE MORE THAN EXPECTED. *TR

04/24/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY FRUSTRATED GM OWNER OUT THERE. THIS IS REGARDING MY 2004 SATURN ION WHICH IS MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS... WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO START NOTHING HAPPENS. NO CRANK, NOTHING. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING, I QUICKLY KNEW IT WAS MY IGNITION. ONE WOULD THINK THAT LIVING IN CALIFORNIA THE WEATHER WOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT ALMOST EVERY DAY NOW FOR THE LAST MONTH MY CAR WILL NOT TURN ON IMMEDIATELY. SOMETIMES I WOULD WAIT A COUPLE MINUTES AND IT WOULD TURN OVER, SOMETIMES I WOULD WAIT OVER 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN OVER AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN LATE NUMEROUS TIMES TO WORK AND HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TWICE TO A MECHANIC WHO ULTIMATELY COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON PARTS THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; WITH THAT RESPONSIBILITY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT I BE CORDIAL AND ON TIME ALWAYS. I HAVE BEEN REPRIMANDED SEVERAL TIMES FOR BEING LATE AND I'VE PRETTY MUCH HAD IT WITH THIS CAR. IF SATURN SUPPOSEDLY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST NOTIFIED THEIR OWNERS AND OFFERED SOME SORT OF RETRIBUTION OR RECONCILIATION FOR COSTS. *TR

04/22/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

IT SEEMS THAT WITH THE SATURN IONS, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS A DEFECT WHEREIN ABOUT EVERY TWO YEARS IT WILL FAIL TO START WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING (DUE TO THE "CONNECTION" BETWEEN IT AND THE CARS SAFETY FEATURE). NOT A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE A HEATED GARAGE, OR EVEN A GARAGE PERIOD, OR LIVE SOMEWHERE WARM. BUT GOD FORBID YOU LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS COLD WEATHER. THE LAST ESTIMATE I GOT FROM THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS OVER $200. *TR

04/14/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/15/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS AT 30 DEGREES F OR BELOW MY 2004 SATURN ION WILL NOT START DUE TO THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND COULD LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS STRANDED SITUATION. *TR

03/29/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/15/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START. SEEMS TO BE IGNITION SWITCH, AND/ OR RELATED CIRCUITS. LEAVES MOTORIST STRANDED, USUALLY IN BAD WEATHER. REPLACED BATTERY AT 18 MOS., WHICH WAS NOT PROBLEM. REQUIRED 'RESCUE' FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS MANY TIMES, IN LIEU OF TOW SERVICE. *TR

03/22/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

SINCE 45,000 MILES THE CARS POWER STEERING WILL STOP WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN THE STEERING WILL WORK FOR A FEW MILES. TROUBLE CODE C0475 MEANS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ACCORDING TO THE TSB. CAR HAS 67,000 MILES AND I REFUSE TO PAY $1000 FOR A POORLY DESIGNED GM PART JUST ASK THEY CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

03/17/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT IS USUALLY WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO ROLL OVER. IT WILL ACT LIKE THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAVE ATTEMPTED REPLACING THE BATTERY AND THE SAME INCIDENTS OCCUR WHEN IT GETS COLD OUT. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. FROM WHAT THE MECHANICS TOLD THEM, AND THAT IT WAS AROUND A $500 PART TO REPLACE. *TR

03/17/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/17/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

ON SEVERAL OCCASSION WHILE IT HAS BEEN COLD OUT, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AS A MATTER OF FACT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO ROLL OVER. THE ONLY WAY I COULD SEEM TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION WAS BY "JUMP STARTING" MY SATURN WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES IN THE WINTER THAT I FINALLY GOT SICK OF IT AND PARKED THE SATURN AND DROVE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I AM SO SICK OF MY CAR THAT I AM READY TO SELL IT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE. AFTER READING THE FIRST 20 SOME RESULTS AND SEEN THAT EVERYONE WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I WAS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS TOO AND AM GLAD THAT I HAVE NOT RAN INTO THEIR PROBLEM YET. IF SATURN DOES NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM REALLY SOON, I WILL SELL MY CAR AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN. THEY ARE REALLY MAKING A BAD PRODUCT THAT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY NEVER SELL AGAIN. AFTER ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS, NEVER BUY A SATURN. IT IS NOT JUST THE ION. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

03/10/2008
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F942******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V547000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). HE REPLACED THE BULBS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID, AND THE ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

03/05/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/13/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START AND WILL ONLY START AGAIN WITH NEW SPARK PLUGS. *TR

03/05/2008
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 02/23/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY FAILED. DRIVER'S SIDE PIVOT ARM IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BROKE SUDDENLY! CANNOT USE THE WIPERS AT ALL. DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM!!!!!! *TR

02/26/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/22/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. MUST WAIT BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MINUTES AFTER EACH START ATTEMPT. POSTED BULLETINS RELATE THE PROBLEM TO A FAULTY PASSLOCK SWITCH/IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

02/21/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/21/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION2 WILL NOT START IN VERY COLD WEATHER (SUB-ZERO AIR TEMPERATURES). AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS ARE MADE - WITH APPROX. 10-15 MINUTES BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT - THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP. THE IGNITION WILL NOT CRANK THE CAR, CAUSING IT TO NOT ROLL OVER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DISPLAY ON THE DASH READS "SERVICE VEHICLE". AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I'VE LEARNED THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I AM TOLD I MUST REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THAT THIS MAY NOT EVEN BE A PERMANENT FIX. I AM APPALLED BY SUCH FAULTY WORKMANSHIP IN AN AMERICAN-MADE CAR. *TR

02/20/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F542******
Summary

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS YEAR, MY 2004 ION WOULD NOT START DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED. MY OWN MECHANIC TOLD ME TO HAVE IT SERVICED BY A SATURN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ANTI THEFT CONTROLLER AND COULD ONLY BE WORKED ON BY THE DEALERSHIP. HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED (FOR $214.00).THE PARTS WERE ONLY $40.00.AS YOUR OWN WEBSITE(AND OTHERS)CONFIRM,THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM THAT MANY ION OWNERS EVENTUALLY WILL ENCOUNTER. DESPITE THIS "DEFECT", GENERAL MOTORS TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A LOGICAL STRATEGY TO HOLD ON TO AN ALREADY DWINDLING NUMBER OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR

02/20/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR BEGAN FAILING TO TURN OVER BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONTINUING TO TRY WOULD EVENTUALLY SUCCEED. SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED (EXCESSIVE MILEAGE) THE FAILURE REQUIRED SERVICE. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH WHICH WAS 'STICKING' AND CAUSING A SECURITY LOCKOUT. *TR

02/18/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/17/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F64Z******
Summary

SEVERAL TIMES, AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN! AFTER TRYING SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF IT FINALLY QUITS. I AM AFRAID THAT SOME DAY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *TR

02/12/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/12/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F14Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION I'M HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS. ON COLD DAYS THE CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES, BUT IF YOU WAIT A FEW MINUTES IT WILL START RIGHT UP. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SO LONG THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE IT AND GET A RIDE. *TR

02/08/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/10/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION WHICH WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED. ONE MORNING I WENT TO START THE CAR. ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED FINE, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER (NOTHING HAPPENED AT ALL). WHEN I RETURNED HOME THAT EVENING, THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY, RULING OUT A DEAD BATTERY. THIS FAILURE RE-OCCURS MOSTLY ON COLD MORNINGS. I DISCOVERED ON THE WEB THAT SATURN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH PASS LOCK SYSTEM WHEN IT IS COLD. SATURN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND ASKED HIM TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. HE MADE A SPECIAL TRIP TO THE SATURN DEALER (30+ MILES) TO GET A NEW SWITCH, HOWEVER HE DISCOVERED THAT THE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE PROGRAMMED AND ONLY A SATURN DEALER CAN DO THAT. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FAILED TO MENTION THIS TO HIM WHEN HE BOUGHT THE PART. NOW, I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALER TO HAVE THE SWITCH PROGRAMMED, AS WELL AS FOR NEARLY A WEEK OF WASTED TIME, MONEY, AND CONVENIENCE. *TR

01/31/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/31/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F94Z******
Summary

CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THE TEMP. IS VERY COLD. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO MISS WORK AND TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED THAT WERE IN WORKING CONDITION. RESEARCH HAS LED ME TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH. AFTER FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS THE CAR STARTED. *TR

01/31/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 01/31/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM14F64Z******
Summary

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD TO PUSH THIS SATURN INTO THE STREET TO GET OUR OTHER DRIVERS OFF TO WORK. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID MY FLOORMATS WERE TOO THICK AND NOT GENUINE SATURN PARTS AND CAUSED IT NOT TO START(NO KIDDING, THEY SAID THIS). A FEW WEEKS LATER IT ONCE AGAIN FAILED TO TURN OVER. ANOTHER TOW TO THE DEALER AND THIS TIME THEY RE-CODED THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH. SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IT HAS FAILED TO START. IF I WAIT 20 MINUTES, THE ANTI THEFT MODULE RE-SETS AND IT WILL START. THIS MORNING I SLIPPED ON ICE WHILE PUSHING IT INTO THE STREET AND FELL. MY BACK IS KILLING ME RIGHT NOW AND I'M VERY ANGRY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT SATURN IS IGNORING. NO SELF RESPECTING THIEF WOULD STEAL A SATURN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I SEE NO NEED FOR AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE ON THIS AWFUL CAR. *TR

01/29/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/16/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

SATURN 1ON 2004 BAD IGNITION SWITCH... *CN

01/26/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/25/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 ION WON'T START. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN NOVEMBER WITH COLD WEATHER, BUT HAS OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS NOT COLD OUT AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL I CAN'T START IT AT ALL AND ITS BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. I HAVE READ PROBABLY MORE THAN A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SATURN OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE'S SAFETY. WHAT IS THE POINT OF A CAR PAYMENT WHEN YOU CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR OR LEAVE IN AN EMERGENCY? I USED TO BE ABLE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE PASSLOCK TO DEACTIVATE, ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OF DOING THIS BEFORE I EVER GOT ANYWHERE, BUT NOW NOTHING. THE CAR IS OK OTHERWISE. MECHANICS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

01/22/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/20/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F34Z******
Summary

CAR DOES NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I WAS STUCK OUT IN SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES UNTIL IGNITION SWITCH WARMED UP ENOUGH TO START. I WILL HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED, BUT I AM WAITING TO SEE IF IT WILL BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. *TR

01/21/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/21/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

MY CAR WILL NOT CRANK WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO START. IT HAS COMPLETE POWER. THE BATTERY IS WELL WITHIN THE NORMAL LIMITS. THE INSTANCES WHEN THIS OCCUR ALL SEEM TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN OUTSIDE AND NOT RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS IN TEMPERATURES IN THE 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT RANGE OR COLDER. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON, AND ALL THE ACCESSORIES WORK WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO START, BUT THE STARTER DOES NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" MESSAGE FLASHES. I PULLED ALL THE ELECTRICAL RELAYS IN THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENGINE WILL NOW START WITH NO PROBLEM. IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THE SAME FIX WORKS EACH TIME. THERE IS MOST LIKELY A FAULT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH OR THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

01/20/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/17/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

HE SATURN ION WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AGAIN WHEN THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS RESET. PROBLEM IS IN THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM OF 2004 SATURN ION. CAR RUNS FINE UNTIL IT GETS COLD OUT AND THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNS. VERY DANGEROUS -- CAN STRAND DRIVER IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES. SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE FOR 4+ YEARS BUT CONTINUES TO RISK THE LIVES OF DRIVERS. *TR

01/17/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/17/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 04 SATURN ION WILL NOT START IN COLDER WEATHER. AFTER INVESTIGATING MANY WEB SITES, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I READ THAT SOMETIME IN 04 THEY STARTED USING A DIFFERENT SWITCH AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CARS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

01/17/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

NO WARNING ABOUT ISSUE TO COME BEFORE IT HAPPENED. THE FIRST COLD MORNING THIS WINTER MY WIFE'S 2004 SATURN ION-2 FAILED TO START. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR INTERMITTENTLY TRYING TO START IT, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY MORNING WHERE IT FELL BELOW 40DEG THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR NUMEROUS TIME TO MECHANICS TO DIAGNOSE. ORIGINAL ANSWER WAS I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH STRONGER BATTERY (HIGHER CCA RATING) AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. CAR HAS NEW BATTERY, FULL TANK OF GAS, AND SITS OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES DONE AND HAS HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS WINTER. MY RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE HAD PRODUCED NUMEROUS OTHER SATURN OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. AND NO AVAILABLE SOLUTIONS (I.E. REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH) GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WITH BE FIXED. *TR

01/10/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/10/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. COMES BACK ON IF CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. DEALERSHIP CHARGING @ $920.00 TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE OF SAME ISSUE. *TR

01/09/2008
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 01/01/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

POWER STEERING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. FOUND OTHERS ONLINE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. RESTART THE CAR AND IT COMES BACK ON MOST OF THE TIME. *TR

01/05/2008
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/03/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

ON 12/03/2007 AT 8:41 AM I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON I-240 EAST IN MEMPHIS TN. I WAS TRAILING TRAFFIC IN THE PASSING LANE, WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DIDNT REACT IN TIME AND SUFFERED A FRONTAL COLLISION TO A 2004 SATURN ION THAT I OWN. I WAS TRAVELLING APPROX 30-35 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTED IN MY GOING HEADFIRST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO HAVE TESTS AT THE DOCTOR FOR MIGRAINES AND STILL EXPERIENCE THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THIS ACCIDENT. *CN

01/05/2008
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/03/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

ON 12/03/2007 AT 8:41 AM I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON I-240 EAST IN MEMPHIS TN. I WAS TRAILING TRAFFIC IN THE PASSING LANE, WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DIDNT REACT IN TIME AND SUFFERED A FRONTAL COLLISION TO A 2004 SATURN ION THAT I OWN. I WAS TRAVELLING APPROX 30-35 MPH WHEN I STRUCK THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTED IN MY GOING HEADFIRST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO HAVE TESTS AT THE DOCTOR FOR MIGRAINES AND STILL EXPERIENCE THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THIS ACCIDENT. *CN

01/04/2008
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/04/2008
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK54F24Z******
Summary

DURING COLD WEATHER (AROUND 32 DEGREES F AND BELOW), CAR WILL NOT START FOR 8-10 MINUTES. ON INITIAL ATTEMPT TO START CAR, ENGINE BEGINS TO TURN OVER FOR LESS THAN 1 SECOND, THEN STOPS. A LOCK SYMBOL FLASHES ON THE DASH AND THE MESSAGE READOUT STATES "SERVICE ENGINE". ANY ADDITION ATTEMPS TO START THE CAR WILL RESULT IN ABSOLUTELY NO TURNOVER OF THE ENGINE. AFTER 8-10 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START RIGHT UP WITH NO PROBLEM. ATTEMPS TO JUMP START THE CAR WILL ARE NOT SUCESSFUL UNTIL AFTER THE 8-10 MINUTE PERIOD. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT AND FOUND TO BE FINE. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED A REPAIR YET. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 AND HAS OCCURRED OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. *CN

01/02/2008
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/10/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I COULD BARELY STEER THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY. AFTER I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND I WOULD PROCEED TO MY DESTINATION.*CN

12/29/2007
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/22/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52FX4Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 1 THE CAR REVS IT'S ENGINE TO OVER 3000 RPMS WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND IDLE. IF YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR IT IS OK, BUT IF YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR THE CAR THE LURCHES FORWARD UNSAFELY. *TR

12/27/2007
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 12/22/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F24Z******
Summary

FOLLOWING SEVERAL WEEKS OF HEAVY SNOWFALL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 SATURN ION FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A CLEAR DAY WHILE USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO CLEAN OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSED A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CONDITION DUE TO THE ACCUMULATION OF SALT RESIDUE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION AND SAID THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY "ICE LOADING" AND CAUTIONED ME TO MAKE SURE AND CLEAR AWAY ICE AND SNOW BEFORE ACTIVATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TR

12/18/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/18/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

PRIOR TO PURCHASING MY '04 SATURN ION I READ ALL THE REVIEWS AND CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS I CAME ACROSS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. I ASSUMED THAT SINCE I LIVED IN FLORIDA AND IT SEEMED MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS WHERE FROM OTHER STATES WHERE THEY GET FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. HOW WRONG I WAS, I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES NOW WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES. I CONTACTED SATURN AND ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THERE WASN'T A RECALL I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WHERE NOT EVEN THEM ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT HAS RESOLVED IT, I GUESS I'LL JUST LIVE WITH THE HEADACHE OF TRYING TO GET IT STARTED ON THE MORNINGS WHERE IT IS TOO COLD, THANKFULLY I DO LIVE IN FLORIDA AND THAT'S NOT VERY OFTEN. *TR

12/17/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 03/20/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY TRUNK HAS STARTED TO GET WATER IN IT. THIS CAUSED MY BATTERY TO FAIL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. NOW THAT IT IS WINTER I HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE IT FROZE . THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK IS DAMAGED. *TR

12/10/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/08/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SHE HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSES IMMEDIATELY BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

12/07/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/07/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION 3 WILL NOT START AT TIMES ON COLD MORNINGS, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND STILL NO START..IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON AN ONLINE FORUM I SEE THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD AND YET SATURN DOES NOTHING TO HELP, IT SEEMS TO BE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, BCM, AND OR THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. *TR

12/03/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 11/30/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I PURCHASE A 2004 SATURN ION (6/11/04), BRAND NEW. THE FIRST SIGN OF COLD THAT YEAR, LATE NOVEMBER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER AWHILE(10-15 MIN.) IT WOULD START UP LIKE NOTHING WAS WRONG. I BROUGHT IT IN 12/28/04, WHICH THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK MODULE; SAYING "THAT WAS THE PROBLEM". I STILL HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR THROUGH THE WINTER, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WAS WHAT WRONG. EVERYTIME I BROUGHT IT IN, THEY WOULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND SEND ME ON MY WAY SINCE THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. THE NEXT WINTER THAN SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS STUCK IN THE COLD A FEW MORNINGS BEFORE WORK TRYING TO GET THE CAR STARTED. SATURN CLAIMED IT WAS TOO COLD OUTSIDE FOR MY CAR TO START, AND TOLD ME TO WAIT A BIT BEFORE BRINGING IT IN. (IT MAYBE WENT BELOW 0 DEGREES THAT WEEK TWICE) FED UP I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN ON 1/17/05, WHICH THEY REPLACED MY BLOCK ASSEMBLY, WIRE HARNESS, STARTER, BATTERY, AND WIRE CONNECTERS. THEY REALLY WEREN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG THEY ADMITTED, BUT IT SEEMS TO WORK NOW. THE CAR WOULD WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN THE SAME ISSUE ARISES AGAIN. ON 4/15/05 SATURN HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIO RECEIVER FOR FAULTY ISSUES. THAT SAME WINTER, MY CAR WOULD NOT START IN THE COLD AGAIN. IT WAS BROUGHT IN ON 12/20/05, WHICH THEY REPLACED MY IGNITION SWITCH SAYING THE USUAL "THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM". NOW, JUST UNDER TWO YEARS LATER, I AM BACK TO HAVING THE SAME ISSUES OF MY CAR NOT STARTING IN THE COLD. SATURN IS NOW THROWING THEIR HANDS UP SAYING I MUST PURCHASE ANOTHER IGNITION SWITCH, AND PAY THEM TO PUT IT IN FOR A TOTAL OF $220. UNACCEPTABLE. I MAY HAVE TAKEN ACTIONS SOONER, BUT I WASN'T AWARE THERE WERE MANY MORE SATURN ION DRIVERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES I HAD. *TR

11/25/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/24/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F04Z******
Summary

CAR WILL NOT START BELOW 35 DEGREES AND WILL ALSO STALL AT ANY MOMENT DUE TO IMOBILIZER ACTIVATING. AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL START AGAIN WHEN THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS RESET. PROBLEM IS IN THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM OF MY CAR. IT IS A 2004 SATURN ION. CAR RUNS FINE UNTIL IT GETS COLD OUT AND THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNS. VERY DANGEROUS DURING DRIVING IF IT OCCURS. *TR

11/25/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/25/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE SATURN ION WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. SATURN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX MANY POSTS ON LINE OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AS I NEED TO MOVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE FOR WORK. *TR

11/14/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 11/07/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F34Z******
Summary

INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON DASH AND POWER STEERING WOULD STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENED ONCE ONE DAY AND TWICE THE SECOND DAY WHEN I CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER. THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1200. WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THIS JUST "SOMETIMES HAPPENS" BY THE DEALERSHIP, I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SERIOUS DEFECT AND RECALLED. I DECIDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IT HAPPENS TO SATURN IONS AS WELL AS OTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES. IN MY OPINION, A 4 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT JUST SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TRAGEDY. SUPPOSE A DRIVER HAS TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS AT THAT MOMENT. THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH I BELIEVE GM IS AWARE OF AND IS CHOOSING NOT TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT. I INTEND TO MAKE MY VOICE HEARD IN AS MANY FORUMS AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I SINCERELY HOPE IT CAN BE ADDRESSED BEFORE EVEN ONE PERSON LOSES THEIR LIFE. *TR

11/08/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/07/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F64Z******
Summary

WHEN THE WEATHER REACHES FREEZING AND CAR HAS BEEN LEFT OFF FOR ABOUT 6 TO 8 HOURS IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. I HAD THE PROBLEM TWO YEARS AGO AND SATURN REPLACED THE STARTER ON THE CAR AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN THIS WINTER. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL SITES AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS. REPLACING THE STARTER EVERY OTHER WINTER IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. *TR

10/30/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/30/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

MY CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT DROPS BELOW 32 DEGREES. I'VE DONE THE RESEARCH, AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL IS MADE SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH POTENTIAL TO DO HARM (THINK: BEING STRANDED IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES.) . *TR

10/17/2007
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/17/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F84Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION AND THERE WAS RECALL (04V547000) IN THIS VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS. APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO I CONTACTED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I RESEARCHED THIS FURTHER AND CALLED SATURN AGAIN AND NOW WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE ALSO READ ARTICLES AND PEOPLE WERE STATING THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE THE WORK DONE A FEW TIMES BECAUSE WHAT WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. SATURN IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DEFECT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK. *JB

10/04/2007
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BULB AND FUSES SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A RECALL WAS DISCOVERED FOR THIS COMPONENT, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

09/20/2007
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/30/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT HAS CHANGED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS 10 TIMES, WHICH PREVENTED THE TURN SIGNALS FROM WORKING ALSO. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V547000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL) WAS REFERENCED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE LEAVING THE MANUFACTURING PLANT, THEREFORE IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER THE CONTACT THREATENED LITIGATION, GENERAL MOTORS REPAIRED THE DRL JUMPER KIT AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,200.

09/17/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/04/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F54Z******
Summary

'04 SATURN ION FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER. SECURITY SYSTEM PREVENTS STARTING. MUST WARM KEY/IGNITION, AND AFTER 15 MINUTES CAR MAY START. *TR

08/27/2007
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 02/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN 2-5 MPH. ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOOKED AT BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,700.

08/20/2007
Components: STRUCTURE,TIRES
Incident Date: 06/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-95 GOING ABOUT 65 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND I SEE OUT OF MY LEFT SIDEVIEW MIRROR, THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUMPER FLIP UP INTO THE AIR. I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED SWERVING LEFT AND RIGHT. MY CAR CROSSED OVER THE RIGHT LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND INTO A GRASSY AREA JUST NORTH OF THE GLADES ROAD EXIT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DAMAGE, RIGHT AWAY I SEE LARGE PIECES OF MY TIRE TREAD LAYING IN THE ROAD ABOUT 20 FEET BACK. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUMPER IS SCRATCHED AND TORN FROM THE CAR. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD AND THE TREAD WAS PEALED OFF, LAYING IN THE STREET. THE PANEL BETWEEN MY BUMPER AND LEFT REAR DOOR IS SNAPPED OFF AND HANGING BY A SMALL PIECE. I OPENED THE LEFT REAR DOOR AND THE WHOLE INSIDE FRAME IS CRACKED AND IN PIECES. IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THE TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF, IT BEAT INTO THE DOOR, SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER AND BUSTED THEM RIGHT OFF. THE TIRE WAS NOT PUNCTURED NOR DID I RUN OVER ANY DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I CHANGED MY TIRE AND PUT THE SPARE ON AND DROVE TO A NEARBY SHOP TO HAVE A NEW TIRE PUT ON. I TAPED UP MY BUMPER BECAUSE IT WOULD FLAP AROUND AS I DRIVE. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE TIRE AND IT IS THE ORIGINAL TIRE THAT CAME ON MY 2004 BRAND NEW SATURN ION. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION AND MAKE THEM AWARE THAT THIS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I KEEP MY CAR IN TOP CONDITION, I GET OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES, FILL MY TIRES WITH AIR EVERY MONTH AND I ROTATE THEM EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE AS WELL. OF COURSE, FIRESTONE DENIED MY CLAIM ADVISING THE TIRE HAD OVER DEFLECTION AND THAT IS WHY THE TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF THE TIRE. I CALLED FIRESTONE AND SPOKE WITH THE PARALEGAL WHO SENT THE DENIAL LETTER. I ADVISED HER THAT FIRESTONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE DAMAGE ON MY VEHICLE OR PAYING MY $250 DEDUCTIBLE TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FIX THE DAMAGE. FIRESTONE DENIED. *TR

08/09/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/06/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY 2004 SATURN ION WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A WINDING STREET. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BUT A PERSON OF LESSER STRENGTH WOULD LIKELY HAVE CRASHED AS THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THE WHOLE STEERING ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1,079 PLUS #111 FOR A 2 DAY CAR RENTAL. THE AUTO WAS JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. DEALER KEPT OLD PARTS. *TR

07/05/2007
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/25/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

ON JUNE 25, 2007 THE 2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE CAME TO A DEAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR I WAS FORCED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP IN FORT LAUDERDALE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT SATURN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON CERTAIN TRANSMISSIONS MINE INCLUDED . WHEN I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL WAS TOLD NO. ALSO, I WAS TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE CAR BACK BY FRIDAY 6/29/07. LATER THAT DAY I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE VTI TRNSMISSION AND PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. I SHOULD HAVE MY CAR BACK ON FRIDAY, 6/29/07. ON FRIDAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISION WAS GOING TO NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AND THE PART HAD BEEN ORDERED. I WOULD GET THE CAR BACK ON 7/2/07, WEEK SINCE IT HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED ,AND THAT I WOULD HAVE THE CAR BACK ON THURSDAY SINCE WEDNESDAY. TODAY THURSDAY 7/5/07 I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT READY, AND THAT IT MAY NOT BE READY TOMORROW. WHY NOT RECALL CARS AFFECTED. *AK

07/03/2007
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 07/02/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED ON 2004 STAURN ION AT 62K MILES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BEND VALVES. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START. AT THIS POINT THE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS IS ~ $2,000.

06/20/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F84Z******
Summary

I LIVE IN MINNESOTA. I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION COUPE, WITH ONLY 84 MILES AND DROVE OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR. I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP ONCE IT STARTED , AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM IN THE CAR. THE SATURN HAS CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING OVER THE LAST COUPLE WINTERS. THIS PAST WINTER IT WAS EXTREMELY BAD. 2 OUT OF 7 DAYS THE CAR WOULDN'T START RIGHT AWAY ,BUT THEN I WOULD TRY AGAIN IN 20 MINUTES AND IT WOULD START. I TOOK THE SATURN REMOTE CONTROLS OFF THE KEY CHAIN THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM. BUT IT WASN'T . ALSO, I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP. IT SEEMED MANY WERE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THIS ALMOST COST ME A PAY RAISE. TOO MANY ABSENCES AT MY JOB WILL ELIMINATE ME.*AK

06/13/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 05/29/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AT THE BEGINING OF MAY I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE I COULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL ON. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLNDER. I THOUGHT ALL WAS WELL. *AK ON MAY,29 2007, I WAS TAKING MY WIFE OUT TO DINNER FOR HER BIRTHDAY. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND FOUND OUT THAT I COULD NOT PULL THE KEY OUT NOR COULD I TURN THE CAR OFF. I CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD TO TRY TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK. I INSTEAD HAD TO REMOVE THE CARS FUSE FOR THE FUEL RELAY PUMP. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER SITTING AT THE DEALER FOR OVER 4 HOURS I WAS TOLD THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE AND IGNITION COLUMN COULDNT BE REPROGRAMED BECAUSE THE COMPUTER HAD GONE OUT. I ENDED UP BUYING A NEW CAR.

06/10/2007
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 05/31/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F447******
Summary

ROTORS ON 2004 SATURN ION BRAKES ARE PREMATURELY RUSTING PRIOR TO NORMAL ROTOR WEAR AND TEAR AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO CONSUMER DUE TO THEIR OBVIOUS VERY POOR QUALLITY.

05/22/2007
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 04/23/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 2. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKED. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. SATURN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,326.

05/18/2007
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14PX4Z******
Summary

THE FAILURE WAS TO THE ARM THAT HELD THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN PLACE ON THE 2004 SATURN ION REDLINE. THE PART BROKE AND THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE ,AS SUCH THE CAR WAS RENDERED INOPERABLE. 5 MINUTES EARLIER I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH AT WHICH SPEED I COULD HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN WHICH LIVES MAY HAVE BEEN LOST. THE DEAL OFFERED TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC ARM WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC ARM. THE PART THAT REPLACED MINE HAD A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER THAN ON THE ORIGINAL CAR, I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS JUST A NEW PART NUMBER OR IF THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. IF THERE WAS ANY HISTORY ON THIS PART I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER, WHO WAS VERY UNWILLING TO COMPLY. THE DAMAGED PART WAS NOT RETURNED TO ME BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD TO RETURN ALL PARTS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

04/19/2007
Components: POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 04/19/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F24Z******
Summary

IT IS BECOMING APPARENT THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ON THE 2.2L AND 2.4L SATURN ION IS DEFECTIVE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS ACROSS THE INTERNET. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD MINE REPLACED ONCE AND IT NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL BE DRIVING AND THAT IT WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY AND NOT ALLOW ME TO SHIFT, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JB

03/29/2007
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 03/29/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SINCE I PURCHASED 2004 SATURN ION III QUAD COUPE IN NOVEMBER 2004 I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE WORST IT DRIFTED. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ONE MUST CONSTANTLY STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE DEALER MAINTAINED THE ALIGNMENT WAS FINE, AND THAT THE PULL WAS THE RESULT OF RADIAL TIRE DRIFT . NOT SATISFIED , I PAID TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY AN OUTSIDE VENDOR. THEY CORRECTED A MINOR PROBLEM THAT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE DRIFTING PROBLEM. SINCE THE TIRES WERE NOT WEARING ODDLY I PUT UP WITH THE DRIFT UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES, BUT THE DRIFTING CONTINUED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT VERY SLIGHTLY. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED THE CAR STILL DRIFTED. I COMPLAINED, AND WAS TOLD THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE DEALER ACCOMPANY ME ON A TEST DRIVE, AND THEY ADMITTED THE VEHICLE STILL DRIFTED. THE REGIONAL ENGINEER FOR SATURN EXAMINED THE CAR, AND RESPONDED AT THIS TIME THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR. BY DESIGN THERE WAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF ADJUSTMENT THEY COULD MAKE TO THE CAR TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REACHED THAT LIMIT, AND DEEMED THIS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THEY TOOK SEVERAL OTHER IONS OUT FOR TEST DRIVES. EVERY ONE THEY DROVE BEHAVED IN THE SAME MANNER. SO AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED MY VEHICLE IS OPERATING WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS. I HAVE ASKED THAT THEY PUT THIS IN WRITING WHICH THEY HAVE AGREED TO DO. I AM CONTACTING THE NHTSA BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM TO THE VEHICLE AND ITS DESIGN, AND REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU BECOME DISTRACTED IN THIS VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED YOU CAN VERY EASILY FIND YOURSELF IN THE NEXT LANE. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOME IS HURT OR KILLED. BY THE WAY SATURN'S SOLUTION KEEP A GOOD GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

03/29/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/28/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT START (WILL NOT CRANK). THE BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND A GOOD STATE OF CHARGE. IN GENERAL THE PROBLEM IS "CURED" BY WAITING 10 MINUTES OR SO, AND TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. THEN IT MIGHT BE SEVERAL WEEKS OF MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. *JB

03/09/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/08/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION - FAILURE TO START DURING VERY COLD WEATHER. CAR WOULD NOT START ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, IN EMPLOYER'S GARAGE, AND ALSO IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY KNEW ALL ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS MY STARTER WHICH WILL COST OVER $150 TO REPAIR. *JB

03/06/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/06/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F84Z******
Summary

SATURN 2004 ION 3 IF I HAVE THE WIPERS AND HEAT OR A/C ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE RADIO THE RADIO LED LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AND I AM NOT ABLE TO READ THE TIME OR RADIO STATION ON THE RADIO. IF I TURN THE WIPERS OFF THE LED LIGHTS COME BACK ON. VISIBILITY PROBLEM CAUSES DRIVER TO TAKE VISION OFF ROAD LONGER-NO SPECIFIC ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF WHAT APPARENTLY IS A FLAW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE SALESMAN AND THE GENERAL MANAGE BOTH SAID THAT IS NOT RIGHT BUT THE SERVICE MANAGE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION. A SATURN MANAGEMENT REVIEW TEAM PERSON FROM SATURN CORP. SAID IN A LETTER TO ME "YOUR RETAIL SERVICE TEAM LEADER HAS REVIEWED MY CONCERN AND DETERMINED THAT THE CONDITION IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE YOUR VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONING WITHIN DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS, WE ASK THAT YOU ACCEPT THE DIAGNOSIS GIVEN AT THE TIME OF THIS REVIEW." IN OTHER WORDS THEY EITHER DO NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR DON'T KNOW HOW TO. THIS PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL/DRL SAFETY RECALL WHEN THEY INSTALLED A DRL JUMPER KIT. *JB

03/02/2007
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/28/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 SATURN ION AT ABOUT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE. SHE S HIT THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT OF THE HER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT NO ONE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BAG. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DIDN'T DEPLOY FULLY. THE AIR BAG NEVER CAME IN CONTACT WITH HER. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE AIRBAG. THE CONTACT REMOVED HERSELF FROM THE VEHICLE AFRAID THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE. SHE CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE REPORTED THE CRASH. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25900, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26000. *AK

02/23/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 02/22/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FAILING TO START. I WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT SATURN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. THE REFERENCE NUMBERS IS 04-08-45-005C, DATE OF ISSUE DECEMBER 4, 2006 AFFECTING 2003-2006 SATURN IONS BUILT UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN BREAKPOINT 6Z147837. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT MY CAR HAD BOTH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES LISTED IN THIS BULLETIN. *JB

02/23/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/14/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION II WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. IT HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF THIS OCCURRING THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND THEY HAD BEEN SEEING THIS ON MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *JB

02/19/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SATURN ION WILL NOT START DUE TO COLD ISSUES AND IS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE IN THE STARTING MECHANISM. SOMETHING ABOUT THERE BEING A SECURITY FEATURE THAT CUTS THE CAR OFF FROM STARTING. CAR LEAVES YOU PRETTY MUCH STRANDED IN THE BITTER COLD WHEN IT WILL NOT START.*JB

02/19/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/03/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE IGNITION SWITCH FREEZES UP WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. HAD TO GET THE CAR JUMP STARTED WHEN IT WAS -10 DEGREES OUTSIDE. SATURN SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. ACCORDING TO THE DEALING NEAR ME, THERE WAS ABOUT 70 CARS THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM LAST WEEK WHEN IT WAS REALLY COLD. *NM

02/19/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/19/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

IN COLD WEATHER (USUALLY BELOW FREEZING), THE 2004 SATURN ION 2 WILL NOT START. THE CAR WILL GO INTO A PASSIVE LOCK SITUATION UPON INITIAL ATTEMPTS TO START IT, THEN WILL NOT ALLOW ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES. OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT START EVEN AFTER WAITING 10 MINUTES. THE DEALER WILL CHARGE AROUND $300.00 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF THE LOCK OUT. *NM

02/16/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/15/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

ON 4 OCCASIONS NOW, WHEN I LEAVE WORK AT AROUND MIDNIGHT IN FRIGID WEATHER, I ATTEMPT TO START MY 2004 SATURN ION (MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2003), AND THE STARTER WILL TURN OVER APPROXIMATELY 1 OR 2 REVOLUTIONS, THEN STOP. IMMEDIATE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO START SIMPLY RESULT IN THE "CLICK" OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IF I WAIT ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES, IT WILL TURN OVER ONCE OR TWICE AGAIN, ONE TIME, THEN I MUST WAIT ANOTHER 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE STARTER WILL TURN OVER AGAIN. ACCORDING TO A WEBSITE I WAS READING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IS USUALLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION PASS LOCK SWITCH, AN ANTITHEFT SYSTEM DESIGNED TO CUT OFF FUEL SUPPLY, AND SOME SORT OF GREASE THAT FREEZES. SO FAR, JUMP-STARTS SEEM TO HELP...BUT ACCORDING TO THAT WEBSITE, SIMPLY ATTEMPTING START, WAITING 10 MINUTES, ATTEMPTING AGAIN, WAITING FOR 10 MINUTES, AND TRYING AGAIN, EVENTUALLY WILL START THE CAR. PERHAPS THE TIME IT TAKES TO CONNECT JUMPER CABLES IS ENOUGH TO "RESET" THIS PASS-LOCK SYSTEM. *NM

02/16/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/16/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F44Z******
Summary

WHEN VERY COLD, CAR WILL NOT CRANK OR START- PASSLOCK SECURITY BECOMES ENABLED. *JB

02/15/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/13/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F04Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION FROM THE DEALER IN 2004. IN THE COLD WEATHER, 30 DEGREES AND LOWER, IF THE CAR SITS IT WILL NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES, LAST WEEK I GOT STRANDED AT WORK AT 2:00 AM WITH A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START. THE ENGINE TURNS OVER ONE TIME BUT DOES NOT START. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT LOOKS LIKE IGNITION SWITCH GREASE HARDENS AND SATURN KNOWS ABOUT IT AND EVEN CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY BUT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF US THAT OWN CARS BEFORE THIS CHANGE ARE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD! *JB

02/13/2007
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 01/01/2007
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION . WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH WITH THE ROAD CONDITION BEING EXTREMELY POOR THE VEHICLE SLID ON SOME ICE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE OF THE SIDE OF THE CURB. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS PUSHED BACK TO THE FENDER. THE RIGHT DRIVE AXLE BROKE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CV JOINT WAS STILL UNDAMAGED,NOT EVEN A TEAR IN THE BOOT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22500.*AK A MECHANIC WROTE THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN SO MUCH DAMAGE WHICH INVOLVED A LOW SPEED CURB IMPACT. UPDATED 03/13/07. *JB

02/13/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/13/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52FX4Z******
Summary

NUMEROUS NO-START CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH 2004 SATURN ION WITH 49,000 MILES. IF CURRENT IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IT WILL BE THE THIRD SINCE CAR WAS NEW. ANYTIME VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO 32 DEG. OR LESS TEMPERATURE FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS IGNITION SWITCH FAULTS AND ENGAGES ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. USUALLY TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 30 MINUTES TO ?? TO GET VEHICLE STARTED. BEING IN UPSTATE NY WHERE TEMPS AND WEATHER PUSH THE EXTREMES POSSIBILITY OF VEHICLE LEAVING SOMEONE STRANDED IS IMMINENT. I CANNOT RELY ON THIS VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER MONTHS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ISSUE ON INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR SATURN ION WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. SATURN NEEDS TO RE-DESIGN AND REPAIR ALL ASSOCIATED VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCHES. *JB

02/12/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/11/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 SATURN ION DID NOT CRANK OR START WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 35 DEGREES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT THE PASSLOCK SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLEWAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 SATURN ION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42000.*AK

02/11/2007
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/11/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION LEVEL 2 WILL NOT START WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT WITHIN THE LAST 4 DAYS IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES. IT IS THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW FUEL TO GO TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT SEND THE CORRECT MESSAGE TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE TO WAIT 8-20 MINUTES FOR THE CARS SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET. HOPEFULLY, IT WILL START AFTER THAT TIME PERIOD. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGE BY SATURN BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE COLDER REGIONS OF AMERICA BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN LATE SEVERAL TIMES TO WORK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT GONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT IT RECURS EVEN AFTER PARTS AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS BECAUSE OF THE COLDER TEMPERATURES THAT HAVE COME ACROSS AMERICA. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T ONLY EFFECT 04 IONS BUT ALSO 03 AND 05. SATURN HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM IN NEWER MODELS WHICH IS A SIGN THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING IN MANY GM MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. FINALLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER OF 2006 FOR MY CAR AND IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 30 TIMES. *NM

02/08/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/08/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION 3. I PURCHASED THIS FEB, 2006. DECEMBER OF 2006 MY CAR FAILED TO START. I CALLED FOR HELP AND BY THE TIME IT ARRIVED, THE CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN. ON FEB 7TH, 2007, THE CAR FAILED TO START AGAIN. IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE A BATTERY FAILURE. I FOUND THE TSB 040845005 ONLINE. I CALLED CORPORATE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY "LOGGED MY COMPLAINT". THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL AND SIMPLY DIRECTED ME TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS. THE ISSUE WAS INDEED THE SAME ISSUE IN THE TSB, WHICH IS IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEY ALSO NEED TO RESET THE PASSLOCK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD COST ME $291.00. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY KIND OF A BREAK ON THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AS THOSE TYPE OF DECISIONS WERE MADE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS AND PER THE SERVICE MANAGER "YOU HAVE OVER 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR" (I HAVE 30,700 AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR JUST SHORT OF 12 MONTHS), SO THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS AS SATURNS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE AND THIS IS A KNOWN PART FAILURE. *JB

02/01/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/01/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

2004 ION II INTERMITTENTLY WON'T START - MAKES A SHORT CRANKING SOUND AND THEN - NOTHING. AFTER WAITING FOR A WHILE (20-30 MINUTES OR S) IT WILL TURN OVER - ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER - HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR AND WAS SOLD A NEW STARTER BY THE DEALERSHIP. A MONTH LATER I HAD A STARTING PROBLEM AGAIN, BUT IT DID NOT REPEAT UNTIL TODAY. *NM

02/01/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/04/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR WOULDN'T START NUMEROUS (COLD) MORNINGS, NO WAY TO GET TO WORK. EVENTUALLY, LATER IN THE DAY THE CAR WOULD START. CALLED SATURN DEALER THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN, I DROPPED IT OFF; THEY CALLED LATER TO TELL ME IT WAS MY PASSLOCK SENSOR. IN THE MEANTIME I CHECK ONLINE AND FIND A HUGE MESSAGE BOARD WITH TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TALK TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ABOUT IT AND HE TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ION, BUT THAT IT WAS DECIDED THAT IT WASN'T SERIOUS ENOUGH FOR A RECALL. OF COURSE IT'S NOT LIFE THREATENING BUT IT'S STILL A DEFECTIVE PART!! I ALSO TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ION BUT THAT I WAS NOW WAY PAST MY WARRANTY ANYWAY. I DON'T CARE IF I HAVE 6 MILES, 6,000 MILES, 60,000 MILES OR 600,000 MILES ON THE CAR THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY SATURN AT NO CHARGE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, WHY MAKE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR IT?! THE PART WAS REPLACED AND I PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE AT THE TIME, I NEED A VEHICLE FOR WORK. IF THIS DOESN'T GET RESOLVED AND/OR I DON'T GET A REFUND FROM SATURN, THIS WILL BE THE LAST VEHICLE I BUY FROM THEM. THAT IS A GUARANTEE! *NM

01/21/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/01/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION, REFUSES TO START IN COLD WEATHER - MAINLY AFTER AN OVERNIGHT PARK IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES...WAIT 10 MINUTES, AND IT STARTS. *JB

01/17/2007
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/09/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY 2004 SATURN ION COUPE NEVER STARTS IN THE COLD. IT HAS BECOME SUCH A HEADACHE I WARM A TOWEL IN THE MORNING PUT IT ON THE ENGINE BEFORE I START IT. I GET SUCH A MIGRAINE WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR. I CALLED SATURN THEY SAID IT WAS A THEFT DEVICE AND MAYBE SOMEONE TRIED TO STEAL MY CAR OR GAS. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! *NM

01/16/2007
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/16/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F64Z******
Summary

VEHICLE RANDOMLY WON'T START. MORE FREQUENTLY DURING COLD AND/OR DAMP WEATHER, BUT NOT ALWAYS. VEHICLE WILL EITHER DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OR START TO CRANK AND STOP OR AFTER REPETITIVE TRIES, START AND RUN VERY ROUGH THEN CUT OUT. I HAVE LOST COUNT OF THE NUMBER OF TIMES THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME. IN MOST CASES I HAVE LEFT THE DISABLED VEHICLE SITTING FOR A DAY AND TRIED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HAVE IT EITHER START UP LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED OR START, RUN ROUGH AND EVENTUALLY SMOOTH OUT. MANY OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND JUST CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK AND INCONVENIENCED. TWICE IT HAS LEFT ME STUCK AT WORK SCRAMBLING TO FIND SOMEONE TO PICK MY CHILDREN UP FROM DAY CARE. AND TONIGHT IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE COLD DURING THE MIDST OF AN ICE-STORM AT 11 PM...AND AGAIN, LATE FOR WORK. THESE ARE NOT OLD VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND AFTER READING THE VAST COMPLAINTS, IT IS CERTAINLY NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I WILL BE CONTACTING SATURN IN THE MORNING TO ATTEMPT GETTING IT REPAIRED. *JB

01/15/2007
Components: VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 08/13/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52F14Z******
Summary

WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID PUMP! I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS, SO YOU WOULD NOT THINK THAT THE PUMP MOTOR WOULD GO OUT AFTER ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES OF USE BUT IT DID!! CALLED UP THE DEALERSHIP SAID TO BRING IT IN. AFTER UPON GETTING THE ITEM LOOKED AT TOLD ME THAT HEAVY USE OF THE ITEM LEADS TO PUMP MAL-FUNCTION. I THEN TOLD THEM WE LIVE IN THE DESERT! NO RAIN OR SNOW, HOW COULD I HEAVILY USE THIS ITEM. SO THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AT A WHOPPING 250.00 DOLLARS. SIX MONTHS LATER... YOU GUESSED IT PUMP OUT AGAIN. THEY THEN GIVE ME THE SAME LINES FROM ABOVE. THEY THEN WANT ME TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AGAIN! I TOLD THEM THAT MAYBE THEY GAVE ME A FAULTY PRODUCT OR THAT IT WAS REMANUFACTURED. THEY TOLD ME NO THAT IT IS A BRAND NEW PART NEVER USED. SO I CANT JUST HAVE NO FLUID ON A LONG ROAD TRIP DURING THE WINTER MONTHS SO I PAID FOR IT AGAIN! THIS SHOULD GO UNDER A RECALL!! THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS PART!!!!!!!*JB

01/10/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/06/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION. I PURCHASED IT IN JULY OF 04. IT NOW HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT & JUST STARTEDTO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ON VERY COLD MORNINGS (15-25 DGREES) IT WILL NOT START. AFTER TRYING TO START IT AFTER 15-30 MINUTES (OR TRYIN TO JUMP IT OFF) IT FINALLY CRANKS. NOW I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB (WHERE I GOT THIS WEBSITE) & NUMEROUS SATURN OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT IS THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). IT IS AROUND $600 TO REPLACE THIS. WHY SHOULD THE OWNERS HAVE TO PAY THIS IF ITS A PART THAT SHOULD BE CLEARLY RECALLED! ITS SATURNS FAULT, MAKE THEM PAY THE MONEY. NOT SINGLE MOTHERS SUCH AS MYSELF! *JB

01/08/2007
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/15/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F44Z******
Summary

MY 2004 ION HAS THE INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUE AS WELL. IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR HAD 42000 MILES (CURRENTLY AT 80000). THE DISPLAY ON THE DASH READS "SERVICE ENGINE" AND TURNING THE KEY RESULTS IN NOTHING. REPEAT ATTEMPTS IN 10 MINUTE INCREMENTS USUALLY FIXES IT RIGHT UP, AFTER 2 OR 3 TRIES. SATURN SHOULD REALLY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS THIS SEEMS TO BE THE RULE MORE SO THAN THE EXCEPTION WITH THESE IONS. *NM

12/17/2006
Components: SUSPENSION,TIRES
Incident Date: 12/17/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F84Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION WITH 19,200 MILES ORIGINAL FIRESTONE 690 ( P185/70 R 14 ) FRONT TIRES WORN DOWN TO TREAD LIFE INDICATORS. FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WORN TO STEEL BELT. MOST WEAR ON BOTH FROM INNERMOST TREAD. VEHICLE TRACKS TRUE,NO MISALIGNMENT. ANY RECALLS OR INFO ON THESE TIRES OR VEHICLE ? *JB

12/15/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/23/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AM12F84Z******
Summary

TRIED TO START CAR NOTHING, SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT COMES ON. REPLACED BATTERY AND NEXT DAY SAME THING NO START. AFTER WAITING 10-15 MINUTES CAR STARTS LIKE NOTHING EVER WRONG . CALLED DEALER TOLD ITS GOING TO COST $175 FOR NEW SWITCH. *NM

12/07/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/04/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F84Z******
Summary

I WENT TO START MY CAR 12-4-06 AT 6 AM CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. LATER THAT DAY AT 9:45 AM CAR DID TURN OVER. CALLED CAR DEALER AND SPOKE TO HEAD OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT HE SAID THAT SINCE CAR WAS STARTED PROBLEM MIGHT NOT SHOW UP ON DIAGNOSTIC. ON 12-5-2006 SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN IN THE MORNING CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AND SAT THE FOR A FEW HOURS TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS AN IGNITION SWITCH.(IN THERE WORDS THE GREASE THAT IS INSIDE GELS UP IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND DOES NOT MALE CONTACT TO TURN THE CAR ON. I FEEL THAT A DISSEVICE IS BEING DONE TO ANYONE THAT OWNS A SATURN ION. THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE RUNNING INTO A LOT , BUT WE THE CONSUMERS ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT. IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT START AND YOU GET STRANDED THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. *NM

12/06/2006
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 12/06/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON GRAVEL ROADS, DUST ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM ALL FOUR DOOR SEALS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED, AND SUGGESTED NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON GRAVEL ROADS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, IT WAS DETERMINED DUST ACCUMULATED AROUND THE DOOR SEALS WHICH CAUSED THE DOORS TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - DUST ALSO ACCUMULATED IN AND AROUND THE LOCKS. *NM

12/06/2006
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 10/30/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F64Z******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LOCKS DEVELOPED DUST AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DOOR CAME OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED A BUNGY CORD WAS USED TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT THEN CLEANED OFF HEAVY DUST FROM THE LOCKS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR SEALS BUT THAT DID NOT HELP*NM

12/04/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/02/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F14Z******
Summary

CAR WON'T START IN COLD WEATHER. WON'T EVEN TURN ON, THEN WILL AND SHUTS RIGHT OFF. *NM

12/01/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/30/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 SATURN ION NOT STARTING A FEW TIMES LAST WINTER I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO WATER IN THE FUEL OR A BATTERY PROBLEM AND AFTER TAKING STEPS TO FIX ANY DEFECTS WITH EITHER I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEM WITH MY CAR UNTIL THE FIRST COLD DAY THIS WINTER. IT HAS IN THE LAST MONTH FAILED TO START AT LEAST 6 TIMES, ALL ON COLD MORNINGS. IT WILL EVENTUALLY START AFTER TRYING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I DID SOME RESEARCH BEFORE CALLING THE DEALER AND FOUND OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM, THEY WERE STILL GOING TO CHARGE ME DIAGNOSTIC FEES IF I BROUGHT IN MY CAR. I CONTACTED THE SATURN CORPORATION TO FIND OUT WHY THAT HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND DID NOT GET AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTION. I AM PRESENTING THIS AS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR A FEW REASONS. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE SITTING IN YOUR CAR IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO EVENTUALLY START. YOU CAN'T PLAN AHEAD FOR EMERGENCIES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I HAVE AUTOMATIC LOCKS THAT UNLOCK EVERYTIME YOU REMOVE THE KEY AND THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN TURN OVER IF I DON'T REMOVE THE KEY IN BETWEEN EACH ATTEMPT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE SITTING IN MY CAR FOR 10-15 MINUTES, LATE AT NIGHT, AFTER WORK IN A DARK PARKING LOT WITHOUT LOCKED DOORS, AND I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE'S JUST BECAUSE THEIR CAR WASN'T BUILT PROPERLY. *NM

11/30/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/30/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

I HAVE HAD MY 04 ION FOR ONE AND HALF YEARS NOW, AND LAST YEAR WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COLD, IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GREASE AROUND THE IGNITION COULD NOT TOLERATE THE COLD WEATHER HERE IN NEVADA. SO I HAD IT REPLACED. PROBLEM SOLVED, UNTIL THIS YEAR. JUST TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, IT DIDN'T START. NOW THE WEATHER HERE HAS BEEN IN THE TEENS FOR THE PAST WEEK, THIS TELLS ME THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE TEMPERATURE, THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE. BUT NO ONE CAN TELL WHAT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JB

11/30/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 11/30/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F04Z******
Summary

WE OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS INTO THE BELOW 30 F, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY IS GOOD. SATURN HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS SO WIDESPREAD AND PERVASIVE OF A PROBLEM. THIS IS A RECALL SITUATION DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF SATURN/GM, AND THE OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF SATURN/GM. IN ADDITION, PUTTING A SMALL ELECTRIC HEATER IN THE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR TO KEEP THE CAR WARM, SO THE CAR WILL START WHEN IT IS COLD, PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION (FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, ETC) OWNERS OF AFFECTED SATURN'S SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENDURE. *NM

11/27/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/31/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV12F34Z******
Summary

CAR WOULDN'T START WHENEVER TEMP GOT BELOW 35 DEGREES. THIS HAPPENED TWICE.........THE SECOND TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THE STARTER SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED! THIS ON A CAR THAT HAS FEWER THAN 60K ON IT. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPROGRAM THE BCM. APPARENTLY, I'M ONE OF 100'S THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM! SATURN DEALER WAS VERY NICE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING............BUT IS THIS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE TEMP IS REALLY FRIGID AND YOUR CAR NEEDS TO START TO KEEP WARM?? *NM

11/01/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 10/28/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14FX4Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION III LOST 4 OF 5 QUARTS OF OIL AND THE OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,000. THE DEALER SAID, TOO BAD". *NM

10/22/2006
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/21/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AF52FX4Z******
Summary

DRIVING CAR IN FRONT STOPS FAST. I TURN TO MISS BUT NOT ENOUGH, SO WE CRASHED. NO AIR BAG COME ON, NO MOTOR KILL, NO FUEL KILL. AND WE WHERE GOING 35 AT THE MAX. *NM

09/29/2006
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/29/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F94Z******
Summary

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 35 MPH ON A STREET, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

09/11/2006
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 06/23/2006
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION RIGHT FRONT TIRE WORN DOWN TO METAL. THEN RIGHT FRONT LOWER ARM BROKE INTO CAUSING A CRASH. NO CORRECTIONS WERE DONE. SATURN CO. SAID IT WASN'T A FAULTY PART. SAID PART BROKE WHEN HITTING A THE CURB. CURB WAS HIT BECAUSE NO CONTROL OF STEERING. *NM

07/27/2006
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Incident Date: 07/23/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2004 SATURN ION COUPE. SHE IS A NEW DRIVER AND HAS TOLD ME AN SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE HOOD ON HER VEHICLE KEEPS OPENING BY ACCIDENT. I ASKED IF IT WAS OPENING ALL THE OR JUST PART OF THE WAY. SHE SAID JUST POPPING UP PART OF THE WAY AND SHE HAS TO OPEN IT FROM THE FRONT AND CLOSE IT COMPLETELY. I ASKED HER TO LET ME KNOW THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED AND SHE DID. I TOOK A LOOK AND SAW IT HAD RELEASED AND WAS ONLY BEING HELD SHUT BY THE SECONDARY SAFETY LATCH. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE I NOTED IT WAS LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S LEFT. WHEN I TESTED IT, THE RELEASE ACTIVATE VERY EASILY. THE POSITION OF THE RELEASE IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE DRIVER'S FOOT AND IS LIKELY BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE FOOT MOVES AROUND OR WHEN THE DRIVER IS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. IN FACT, I DROVE HER CAR LAST WEEK AND HAD THE HOOD ACCIDENTALLY RELEASE 3 TIMES. ONE TIME I NOTICED WHEN I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS CONDITION COULD EASILY LEAD TO A HOOD BLOWING UP AND OFF WHILE DRIVING IF THE SECONDARY SAFETY LATCH FAILS. THIS COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT. I CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, EXPLAINED MY CONCERN, AND WAS BASICALLY TREATED AS IF I WAS CRAZY. I ASKED FOR MY CONCERN TO BE SENT TO THE PRODUCT DESIGN AND SAFETY GROUP FOR REVIEW AND ASKED FOR A FOLLOW UP CALL. THEY TOLD ME "THAT'S THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED AND NO ONE WOULD BE GETTING BACK WITH ME." *JB

05/20/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 10/09/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SATURN ION 2004. TWO MAJOR DEFECTS. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCTOBER 2004. IN OCTOBER 2005, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. SATURN STATED THERE HAD BEEN MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, SO REPLACED IT FOR FREE. (MINUS MY INCURRED COSTS OF TRAVEL). SECOND MAJOR DEFECT: MAY 2006, A CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. SATURN HAS AGREED TO "REPLACE" THE CYLINDER HEAD, BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR $800.00 OF THE REPAIRS. A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TWO MAJOR DEFECTS. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 79K MILES. I KNOW THAT "REPLACING" THE CYLINDER HEAD WILL GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN, BUT IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME...AND I STILL OWE 10,000 DOLLARS ON THE CAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NM

03/14/2006
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 11/23/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY14P54Z******
Summary

OEM TIRES ON 2004 SATURN ION RED LINE UNSAFE TO USE ON WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. HAD TO REPLACE TIRES WITH WINTER RATED ONES. *JB THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE ON SLIPPERY SURFACE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WENT A HALF A BLOCK PAST THE CONSUMER'S TURN WHEN THE ABS ACTIVATED BUT COULDN'T FIND A TIRE WITH ENOUGH TRACTION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE OEM TIRES, DUNLOP SP9000, WERE THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCE. *NM

03/04/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/20/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

STARTER FAILURE SATURN ION IN COLD WEATHER. HALF HOUR TO 45 MINUTES TO CRANK - BACKFIRING IN A CLOSED SYSTEM WITH FUEL INJECTION OCCASIONALLY, TWICE BLOWING LID OFF OF AIR-FILTER COMPARTMENT - NOT A JOY. "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT GOES ON - LATE TO WORK - COMMON PROBLEM - LOTS OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS. REPLACED BATTERIES BELIEVING THIS TO BE PROBLEM. NEW BATTERIES WITH HIGHER CRANKING AMPS DOES NOT SOLVE. NOT A BATTERY PROBLEM. DATE GIVEN IS MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE, WITH ONLY ONE EVENT ON THAT DATE. IT ALSO OCCURRED ON 2/19/06, MANY TIMES IN 01/06, A FEW TIMES IN 12/05, AND SEVERAL TIMES IN 12/04, 01/05, AND 02/05. IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 02/04 - BUT THAT WAS A MUCH MILDER WINTER THAN YEARS THAT FOLLOWED. TREATMENT OF GASOLINE WITH "HEAT" DOES NOT SOLVE. CAR RUNS LIKE A DREAM WHEN WARMER WEATHER - UTTERLY INCONVENIENT AND EMBARRASSING ("WHAT? THIS IS A SATURN? NEW AND WON'T START? LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON IT?") WHEN COLD. BAD ADVERTISING FOR THE COMPANY TOO. *JB

03/02/2006
Components: VISIBILITY
Incident Date: 02/28/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F64Z******
Summary

NO SPECIFIC ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF WHAT APPARENTLY IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE DRIVER-SIDE OUTSIDE REAR-VIEW MIRROR CANNOT BE ADJUSTED (ELECTRICALLY OR MANUALLY) OVER THE ANGLE RANGES NEEDED FOR SAFE DRIVING AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES. THE MIRROR CAN BE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE DRIVER CAN SEE WELL BACK INTO THE VEHICLE (WHICH IS WORTHLESS) AND ONLY OUTWARDLY TO THE POINT THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR IS STILL VISIBLE. ADJUSTMENT TO ALLOW VISIBILITY OTHER THAN STRAIGHT BACK IS NOT POSSIBLE. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THAT A PHYSICAL STOP INSIDE THE HOUSING PREVENTED ANY MOVEMENT FURTHER OUT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. ENTERING A FREEWAY THIS WAY IS VERY HAZARDOUS SINCE THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC IN THE NEAR LANE CANNOT BE SEEN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW THE SERVICE PERSON HOW IT SHOULD WORK WE WENT TO ANOTHER MODEL OF SATURN AND THE RESULTS WERE EXACTLY THE SAME INDICATING THAT (AT LEAST) MORE THAN ONE MODEL OF SATURN HAS THIS SAME VISIBILITY PROBLEM. *NM

02/20/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 12/27/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAVE TAKEN MY SATURN ION3 IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES NOW FOR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. THE FIRST TIME WAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS 2005, THE SECOND WAS EXACTLY A MONTH LATER AND THE THIRD TIME WAS O WEEK AFTER THAT. ON THE FIRST VISIT THEY SAY THAT THEY REPLACED THE (BCM), ON THE SECOND VISIT THEY JUST REPLACED THE FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY AND THE THIRD VISIT THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO PICK UP MY CAR AFTER A WEEK. I PICKED MY CAR UP ON THURSDAY EVENING AND NOT 3 DAYS LATER AND THE FUSE IS BLOWN AGAIN. THEIR ONLY ANSWER WAS TO GIVE ME A COUPLE EXTRA FUSES IN THE PANEL AREA SO THAT I COULD CHANGE THEM MYSELF. *NM

02/10/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 02/08/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SINCE NOV. 2,2005 MY SATURN ION OF 20,000 MI. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP 5 TIMES,TOWED TWICE. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF NO ACCELERATION OR DROP OF SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 10 OR 30 MPH WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THIS LAST VISIT TO THE SHOP THEY FOUND "POWDER" IN MY FUEL TANK AND CLAIMS IT TO BE TALCUM POWDER. COULD THIS BE SUCH A THING OR HAS MY CAR BEEN TAMPERED WITH? OVERALL I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HAVE LOST FAITH IN SATURN CARS. *NM

02/08/2006
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/08/2006
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION NO CRANK AND NO START WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. LOTS OF IONS HAVE THIS ISSUE. *JB

01/04/2006
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

MULTIPLE EPISODES WITH THIS CAR OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAS HAD TO START CAR FOR ME 2 TIMES. ANOTHER TIME THE CAR STALLED WHILE IDLING 4 TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTE DRIVE. TONIGHT THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PAGE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SATURN HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS ON THEIR COMPUTER. I WOULD LIKE TO FIGHT THIS WITH THE LEMON LAW BUT I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW THAT I WANT TO JUST GET RID OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *JB

12/28/2005
Components: WHEELS
Incident Date: 11/28/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

INSIDE OF RIM ON 2004 ION 3 BROKE OFF BREAKING SEAL TO TIRE WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY CAUSING A FLAT TIRE. RIM WAS CAST BY DESIGN. *JB

12/21/2005
Components: WHEELS
Incident Date: 12/20/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I HAD MY 2004 ION 3 IN TO REPLACE A TIRE ON 11/19, THEN ON 11/30 HAD TIRES ROTATED COMPLAINED TO DEALER ABOUT A RATTLE. PER DEALER THE HEAT SHIELDS WERE CRACKED AND THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER ON THAT DAY THE RATTLE IN THE FRONT SOUNDED WORSE, BUT I WAS TOLD HEAT SHIELDS WERE THE PROBLEM AND I KNEW THEY WOULD BE FIXED SOON. RATTLE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE, CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PART INFORMED THEM OF RATTLE GETTING WORSE, GOT APPOINTMENT TO BRING BACK SINCE PART WAS IN (APPT WOULD HAVE BEEN 12/26). DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EVENING OF 12/20, I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED JERKING TO THE RIGHT, HEARD HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END. PULLED INTO GAS STATION, DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING, SOUND QUIETED. WHILE LEAVING GAS STATION I HEARD A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND PULLED OVER IN PARKING LOT, THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD A BLOWOUT. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, THERE WAS ONE LUG NUT LEFT IN IT AND ONE LUG NUT HANGING OFF. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION THE SCREWS HAD SNAPPED OFF THE WHEELS, FORTUNATELY THERE WERE TWO SCREWS LEFT OTHERWISE I DON'T THINK THE TOW TRUCK COULD HAVE TOWED IT. WHEN I ADDRESSED CONCERNS WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE WAS VERY HELPFUL AND FIXED THE CAR FOR FREE, SAID THE STUDS(SCREWS) WERE PROBABLY DEFECTIVE. WAS ADVISED BY HIM THIS IS MOST LIKELY SCENARIO AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE NOT TIGHTENING THE LUG NUTS ON THE 11/30 TIRE ROTATION (BECAUSE ACCORDING TO HIM I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE 900 MILES IF THAT WERE THE CASE). THE DEALERSHIP WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP, BUT WORRIED IF ITS A DEFECT THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY POINT TO THE OTHER 3 TIRES. *JB

12/18/2005
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 09/20/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F34Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION 2, CAR STALLS AND DOORS LOCK THE PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THESE 2 ISSUES AND HAS YET TO BE FIXED, CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING AT ANYTIME, SOMETIMES AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT OR TURNING A CORNER. *NM

12/14/2005
Components: WHEELS,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 12/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING SATURN ION ALUMINUM WHEELS. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL WHEELS DO TO THEM BENDING. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITION LEAKING WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

12/08/2005
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 12/07/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F54Z******
Summary

WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, OBSERVED A SOFT FLAPPING SOUND THAT CAUSED CONCERN. BEFORE I COULD SLOW DOWN OR TAKE ANY ACTION THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL AND THEN THE COMPLETE TIRE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE ROADWAY AND CALLED THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL. TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND REQUEST ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *JB

12/05/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 11/23/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 ION 3 QUAD PURCHASED NEW IN 2004 CURRENTLY HAVE 18K MILES ON IT. SO FAR WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT STABILIZER BUSHING, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. ALL HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. THE ELECTRIC STEERING STILL DOESN'T SEEM CORRECT. SOMETIMES THE CAR PULLS WHEN YOU RAPIDLY ACCELERATE AND IS VERY TOUCHY. I DID READ THAT GM MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE ELECTRIC STEERING FOR 2005 ION, BUT DEALERSHIP WILL NOT (SAYS CAN NOT) MAKE THE CHANGES TO THE 2004. NOW WE HAVE THE LOSS OF POWER PROBLEM. HAS DONE IT WHEN CAR IS COLD AND HOT, USUALLY WHEN ACCELERATING, BUT ONCE JUST DRIVING 35 MPH. IT'S NOT A STALL JUST LIKE A LOSS OF POWER. CAR DOESN'T SHAKE OR JERK. ALMOST LIKE YOU TOOK YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE FOR THIS AND THE DEALER RESPONSE IS THE SAME AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED "NO COMPUTER CODES, COULD NOT REPRODUCE, NO PROBLEM FOUND". IT'S AT THE SHOP NOW BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 12/2 AND WE AGAIN COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR LOST POWER AFTER PICKING IT UP THE LAST TIME. THE LAST TIME IT FAILED MY WIFE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT AND THE GUY BEHIND ALMOST HIT HER WHEN THE SATURN LOST POWER. LOOSING FAITH IN SATURN'S ENGINEERING. *NM

12/01/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/05/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL54F24Z******
Summary

DT: THE CONTACT STATED DIGITAL CLOCK WAS LOSING ONE MINUTE OF TIME PER MONTH. HE HAD TO LOOK AT HIS WRIST WATCH TO KEEP ACCURATE TIME. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

11/10/2005
Components: TIRES,WHEELS
Incident Date: 09/20/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F74Z******
Summary

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR SATURN ION. WE PURCHASED IT IN 2004, AND WE HAVE HAD THREE BENT ALUMINUM WHEELS AND NOW WE HAVE A BROKEN WHEEL. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK NUMEROUS TIMES TO BE FIXED TO SPACE COAST SATURN, WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR SATURN ONLY TO HERE EACH TIME THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR OUR SATURN BECAUSE IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT, IT IS OURS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR WITH OUR THREE CHILDREN. I AM AFRAID THAT WE COULD HAVE A BLOW OUT AND SOMEONE COULD BE HURT. *JB

10/25/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/24/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V547000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL. SHE HAD THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, SHE BELIEVED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE COSTS FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/29/05. **JB

10/14/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 12/17/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F74Z******
Summary

DT: THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THEE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE AWARE OF AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. THE TURN SIGNALS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. SINCE THEN THERE WAS ONE INCIDENT WHERE THEY DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER FELT THEY DID NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THERE WAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE THAT THE DEALER USED TO CORRECT IT. THESE PROBLEMS BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2004, AND WERE THOUGHT TO BE CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. LAST WEEK AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK UP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CAME AND TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RETURNED TO THE DEALER AT THAT TIME. NO FURTHER REPAIRS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

10/05/2005
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/16/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AV14F54Z******
Summary

DEAR NHTSA ASSOCIATE, I HAD A 100% PARALLEL, FULL FRONTAL IMPACT, NO ANGLE, AS MY NEW CAR TRAVELING 35 MPH HIT A LARGE DELIVERY VAN TWICE THE WEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE WITH A SQUARE AND STEEL BUMPER THAT WAS STOPPED ( 1 MPH ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORT ). THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY NECK AND HEAD WERE IMPACTED ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH I WAS USING MY SEATBELT PROPERLY. THE FORCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO STRAIN THE BELT AND INJURE MY HEAD. I HAD A CUT ON THE TOP OF MY FOREHEAD IN THE MIDDLE, A CONCUSSION, AND I AM CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR MIGRAINE TYPE HEADACHES BY A DOCTOR THAT HAVE OCCURRED DAILY SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I PLACED THE CAR INTO THE CARE OF A SATURN OWNED BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR AND ASKED THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM BE TESTED FOR FUNCTIONALITY. INSTEAD, I WAS GIVEN A 1-800 NUMBER FOR SATURN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO CALL. THEY SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS TO SEND ME THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURING INFORMATION BOOKLET AND TO CALL BACK AFTER READING IT. I DID SO AND ASKED THAT THE AIRBAGS BE TESTED WHILE IN THE CARE OF THE SATURN BODY SHOP, AS THE TYPE OF IMPACT AND MILES PER HOUR EXCEEDED THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CONTAINED IN THE MANUAL THEY SENT TO ME. INSTEAD OF GRANTING CLEARANCE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TEST THE AIRBAGS, IN LIGHT OF MY VALID ARGUMENT OF THEIR DOCUMENTATION CONTRADICTIONS, SATURN CORPORATE INSTEAD ISSUED ME AN INTERNAL "CASE NUMBER" 1-17876541 AND TOLD ME SOMEONE IN THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 6 TO 8 WEEKS. I MENTIONED I WOULD HAVE THE CAR BACK BEFORE THEN AND WOULD BE AFRAID AND NERVOUS DRIVING IT AS I AM SURE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE FRONT IS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL. THEY ACTUALLY SAID THEY COULD DENY TESTING THE SYSTEM AT ALL. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUE, THE BODY DAMAGE WAS FIXED, AT A COST OF ALMOST 7 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE FRONT END, INCLUDING CUTTING OUT A PIECE OF THE FRAME AND WELDING A NEW SECTION IN.*JB

09/28/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/28/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

AS I WAS GOING TO START MY 2004 SATURN ION THIS MORNING, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAITED 15 MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS ON AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE WARNING WAS ON. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS LATE FOR WORK DUE TO THIS. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED RECENTLY, SO I KNOW IT IS NOT MY FAULT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AT 9 AM AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN AT 4:00 PM , IF IT WOULD START. OTHERWISE IT WILL BE TOWED AND I WILL RECEIVE A RENTAL. *JB

09/18/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/20/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SHIFTER KNOB IN 04'SATURN ION REDLINE FELL OFF THE COLUMN WHILE SHIFTING 1-2. OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT, ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. ALL GEARS LOCKED OUT DUE TO REVERSE LOCKOUT, WAS ABLE TO REPLACE KNOB BY HAND AND UNLOCK GEARS. ALSO HAVE HAD CAP ON SHIFTER KNOB REPEATEDLY FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TO NO CONSEQUENCE OTHER THAN INCONVENIENCE. *NM

09/16/2005
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/15/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

DT: 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST NO POWER. THE RPMS WENT TO THE RED AREA, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONSUMER COASTED OFF THE ROAD, AFTER A BLOCK OR TWO SHE GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO IT UNTIL MONDAY. THIS HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005. *AK (11/15/05) *SC

09/13/2005
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/13/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F84Z******
Summary

ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH - AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

09/09/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/07/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F24Z******
Summary

I FIRST TOOK MY 2004 SATURN 3 ION QUAD COUPE TO THE DEALER WITH A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AS I WOULD ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD LOSE SPEED. I NEVER KNEW WHEN THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. AT THE TIME OF MY FIRST COMPLAINT THERE WAS 27,539. I NOW HAVE 33,020 AND FINALLY AFTER 3 MONTHS AND 12 TRIPS TO THE DEALER THEY ARE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. EVERY TRIP TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN MY BEING TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK WHILE THEIR MANAGER DROVE IT TO WORK AND HOME EVERYDAY AND HE SAID THE CAR NEVER ACTED UP ON HIM. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT STARTED ACTING UP. I HAD TO CALL THE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WROTE THEM 2 LETTERS AND FINALLY WHEN I SENT THEM LEMON LAW PAPERS AND TOLD THEM THEY COULD BUY IT BACK THEY DECIDED THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IN THE 3 MONTHS TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED SATURN REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, THE INPUT/OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR AND COVER GASKET, THEN THEY REPLACED THE COVER ASSEMBLY, VARIABLE DRIVE AND DRIVEN PULLEY A AND NOW THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACE. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG AND THEN IT WILL BE FOR SALE. *NM

09/07/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/05/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

2004 SATURN ION SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. THIS HAPPENED ON 8/5/05 AND 8/20/05. EVERYTHING DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING IN TRAFFIC. WHEN I CAME TO A SAFE STOP WITH THE STALLED VEHICLE I PULLED OUT THE IGNITION KEY AND RE-ENTERED IT. THE CAR THEN STARTED JUST FINE AND THERE WERE NO STALLING ISSUES SINCE THEN. THE PROBLEM I FORESEE IS THE FACT THAT SOMEONE COULD GET HURT AND GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER IN TRAFFIC. ALSO, AS A REACTION TO THE ENGINE STALL, SOMEONE MIGHT TRY TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH COULD BE LETHAL. I ALSO FIND IT IRRITATING THAT YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT A 10 MONTH OLD CAR WITH APPROX. 8000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING (I.E. NO ENGINE NOISE, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FULL TANK OF GAS..ETC.) WHILE CRUISING ALONG. I ALSO BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WILL HAVE A HARD TIME TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE ENGINE STALL HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE CAR RUNS FINE OTHERWISE. THIS IS WHY I HAVE NOT YET REPORTED THE INCIDENTS TO THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME UNTIL MORE ION OWNERS REPORT THIS ISSUE TO YOU FOLKS. HOWEVER, I JUST WANTED TO GET THE WORD OUT. I LOOKS LIKE MY ION IS NOT THE ONLY SATURN ION WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE ALREADY EXISTING CAR STALLING COMPLAINTS. *JB

09/06/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/06/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN ION, IT DIES FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE NO CONSISTENCIES TO THE PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPEN APPROXIMATELY 25 TIMES OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME THIS EVENING. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CANNOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. I COULD BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND HAVE INDICATED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SATURN CORPORATION THAT I FEEL I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR. THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM

08/29/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/29/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P94Z******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION RED LINE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION (ONLY TRANSMISSION OFFERED). I WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, IN TRAFFIC, AND THE ENTIRE SHIFT KNOB ASSEMBLY CAME OFF IN MY HAND. THE KNOB FELL TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR, CAUSING ME TO LOOK DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE IS THEN DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, AND THE PULL UP FOR REVERSE FEATURE WAS VERY DIFFICULT. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON HTTP://WWW.SATURNFANS.COM. THE "FIX" IS TO EPOXY THE KNOB BACK ONTO THE SHIFTER BAR AS IT IS A PRESS FIT DESIGN (NO MECHANICAL LOCK OR FASTENERS).*JB

08/24/2005
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 05/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P04Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION RIGHT BLINKER MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT BLINKER AND THE EXTERIOR BLINKER DO NOT FUNCTION UNTIL SECONDS AFTER AND IN SOME CASES NOT AT ALL. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, HARD TO DIAGNOSE AND HARD TO PREDICT WHILE DRIVING. THE SHIFTER KNOB BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. *JB

08/20/2005
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/20/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F04Z******
Summary

COLD CAR START - BACKED FROM GARAGE, WHILE IDLE SEEMED VERY HIGH. DROVE ONE BLOCK AND THROTTLE SEEMED TO STICK. FOOT OFF GAS, CAR STILL TRAVELED AT 30MPH AND WOULD NOT SLOW. RPM AT 2000. STOPPED CAR AND FOUND THAT GAS PEDAL CABLE LINKAGE AT ROTATING CONNECTION TO "THROTTLE BODY" DID NOT FULLY RETURN TO FULL RELEASE POSITION UNTIL MANUALLY MOVED FULL STROKE ABOUT TEN TIMES. - CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

08/05/2005
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/02/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ54F24Z******
Summary

3 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INCORRECTLY. RATHER THEN ONE LARGE AIR BAG, IT CAME OUT IN TWO PIECES DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE STEERING WHEEL "OPENING" COMPLETELY TO RELEASE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG. THIS LEFT THE TOP PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL EXPOSED. *JB

08/01/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/21/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F14Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, MY VEHICLE JUST DIED - NO WARNING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAD HAPPENED. THERE IS NO POWER & MUST BE PULLED OFF THE ROAD & RESTARTED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION - RAPID DECELERATION ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY COULD BE FATAL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE COMPUTER, THEREFORE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. TALKING TO THE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE REP RETURNED THE SAME RESPONSE. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, IT IS A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND THE CAR IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD. IT IS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE ANYTHING BECAUSE "NOTHING IS WRONG. *JB

07/20/2005
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/16/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P44Z******
Summary

MY CAR HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. ONCE THE CLUTCH IS OUT AND YOU APPLY THE THROTTLE THE CAR GOES THEN LOOSES POWER AND THEN GOES AGAIN. THIS CAR WAS IS IN THE SHOP THE LAST 26 OF 39 DAYS FOR 4 SEPERATE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. THE DEALER STATES THEY CAN NOT FIX IT AND THAT SATURN CORPORATE HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT EITHER. NO ONE FROM SATURN CUSTOMER CARE HAS ONCE ASKED ME FOR MY SIDE OF THE STORY OR THE 6 PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION ON HOW I WAS TREATED AND TOLD WOULD BE DONE TO REPAIR MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO TO REPAIR MY CAR. MY CAR IS NOW AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THE DAY AFTER I WAS TOLD TO PICK IT UP BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN APPROXIMATLEY 60 MINUES AFTER PICK UP FROM THE ORIGINAL DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM. IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANT SATURN ION REDLINES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET...

07/15/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 03/26/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. AT DIFFERENT TIMES IT COULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS TO GO. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, AND HAPPENED ONCE WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SATURN DEALER, AND WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE ACTION. *AK *JB

07/15/2005
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 06/10/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON JUNE 10 2005 THE VEHICLE MOVED ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS HIT BY TWO OTHERS TRUCKS. THESE WERE MORE OF A SIDE IMPACT. IT WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A SEMI TRUCK THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED. HE HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THERE SEAT BELTS. DAUGHTER FLEW OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT BELT OF THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS THE DRIVING. THEY WERE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT, AND THE ROADWAY WAS WET. ON THE POLICE REPORT THEY LISTED IT AS HYDROPLANE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST IN THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THERE ARE PICTURES, POLICE REPORT AND REPAIR INVOICES AVAILABLE FOR THE ODI OFFICE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT SHE HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG.*AK

07/08/2005
Components: SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 05/30/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD NOISE, THE BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING FORWARD THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION, BUT DO NOT MAKE ANY NOISE. *AK THERE WAS A SHIMMY AT 60- 65 MPH AND THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB

06/14/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/08/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F74Z******
Summary

DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE DIES. SOMETIMES WILL PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE DID THIS, READJUSTED THE COMPUTER. AND NOW WAS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN . TOOK VEHICLE TO SATURN, THEY KEPT SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

06/10/2005
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 11/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F44Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SIGNALS AND RUNNING LIGHTS.*MR THE TURN SIGNALS AND RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE TURN SIGNAL AND RUNNING LIGHTS AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE PARTS BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING ON THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. *NM

06/07/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/14/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

DT: CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN TURN THE CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY CANT HELP CALLER.*AK

06/02/2005
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 06/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F94Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR *NM

05/18/2005
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

CAR WILL SUDDENLY STALL AND SHUT DOWN

05/18/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 05/13/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

DURING BRAKING, WHEN GEARS SHOULD BE DOWNSHIFTING, MY AUTOMATIC SATURN ION 3 RPMS WOULD SEEM TO BE RACING UPWARDS BY SEVERAL 1000'S. I COMPLAINED ON 2 PRIOR OCCASSIONS TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". ON 05/13/05 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, CAR SEEMED TO LURCH BACKWARDS. WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT THE RPMS RACED ABOVE 3000. IT LURCHED ME OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE ROAD. PUT IN REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK. TURNED IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED. IN PARK CAR WAS IDLING AT 3500 RPMS. RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES WITH SAME RESULT. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE B/C CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TOW GUY HAD TO BRAKE ENTIRE TIME HE WAS LOADING CAR ONTO STEEP INCLINE OF TRUCK BED B/C HE SAID CAR WAS QUICKLY MOVING FORWARD AND UP ON IT'S OWN. WAITED W/ SERVICE PEOPLE AT SATURN TO MAKE SURE THEY COULD "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THEY DID. REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. COMPLAINED HARSHLY B/C THIS WAS 3RD TIME IN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED IN MARCH B/C IT WOULDN'T START IN THE A.M. TOW GUY COULDN'T START EITHER. OF COURSE SATURN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM EITHER AND STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE COLD WEATHER. DON'T LIVE IN ALASKA... MARCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA DOES NOT WARRANT A 1 YR OLD, GARAGE KEPT CAR NOT STARTING. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING OR OF RPMS AND THEY DID NOTHING. SATURN MADE EFFORTS, AFTER THE MAY INCIDENT, TO COMPENSATE. WILL UPDATE WHEN ALL DETAILS ARE WORKED OUT.

05/11/2005
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F24Z******
Summary

STEERING FAILURE DURING STATIC AND VERY SLOW TURNING EXERCISES. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. WE TEACH NEW DRIVERS AND RE-TRAIN ELDERLY DRIVERS AND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR A TRAINING VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. HE PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK WITH THE FOLLOWING RESULTS. "SINCE MOST OCCURRENCES OF THE DTC ARE CAUSED BY FREQUENT STATIC STEERING, SUCH AS PARKING MANEUVERS AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, REVIEW THE EPS SYSTEM WITH THE CUSTOMER TOI DETERMINE THE CONDITIONSL UNDER WHICH THE DTC SET". THE SYSTEM RESET WHICH DOES NOT HELP. INCREASING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DOES THAT. THE DEALER HAS NO CURE. I THINK A MANUFACTURER HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE THAT CAN SAFELY BE OPERATED UPON A ROAD WAY REGARDLESS OF STATIC STEERING OR SLOW STEERING.

04/27/2005
Components: SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 03/29/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F44Z******
Summary

BY 3500 MILES (AFTER 1500MI WHEN WE COULD HAVE RETURNED IT), THE FRONT PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL BURNT OUT. THE CAR WAS ALSO SPUTTERING WHEN WE STARTED THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC FOUND A CRACKED HEAD, THAT WE WERE TOLD WAS PROBABLY PRESENT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR; HAD WE KNOWN WE WOULD'VE RETURNED THE CAR. WE WERE GIVEN A RENTAL CAR, BUT HAD TO DRIVE 45 MIN ONE WAY TO GET TO SATURN OF GREEN BAY. WITHIN A MONTH, THE FRONT DRIVER TURN SIGNAL HAD BURNT OUT. THE WIRING WAS REPLACED WHILE WE WAITED 2 HRS WITH OUR 3 YEAR OLD. WE HAD TO DRIVE 1 HR 1WAY TO SATURN OF APPLETON FOR REPAIRS. IN AUG 2004, THE CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE WHEN WE TURNED ONTO A STEEP GRADE. IN MI FOR VACATION, WE HAD TO DRIVE OVER 1 HR 1WAY TO SATURN OF TROY; THE SWAYBAR AND MOUNTING BRACKETS HAD TO BE FIXED. WE WAITED FOR OVER 2 HRS WITH OUR SON WHILE IT WAS FIXED. IN SEPT 2004, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL HAD TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR. WE DROVE 1 HR 1 WAY FOR THE REPAIR, AND HAD TO WAIT 2 HRS WITH OUR SON. WE HAD ASKED ABOUT THE CRUISE MAKING A FUNNY NOISE, BUT IT WAS CHECKED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS FINE. IN APRIL 2005, THE CRUISE STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO BE FIXED. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK FOR THE PART TO COME IN, AND ALMOST 2 WEEKS FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED AT SATURN OF GREEN BAY. I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER 30 MINUTES EARLY, BE DRIVEN OVER TO MY SCHOOL WHERE I TEACH, WALK TO MY SECOND SCHOOL I TEACH AT, AND WAIT FOR A DRIVER TO PICK ME UP (20-40 MIN PAST WHEN I WAS DONE FOR THE DAY). DESPITE EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN THROUGH WITH A NEW CAR THAT SHOULD NEED MINIMAL CARE AT THIS POINT, WE'VE BEEN BASICALLY TOLD THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE $2600 HIT TO BUY A NEW CAR WHILE THE DEALER BREAKS EVEN. THIS IS POOR SALESMANSHIP, AND WE WILL NOT BE PURCHASING SATURN PRODUCTS ANY LONGER.

04/22/2005
Components: SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 04/21/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F84Z******
Summary

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CHILD IN THE REAR LEFT SEAT COMPLAINED THAT THE SEAT BELT HARNESSING THE CHILD WAS TOO TIGHT AROUND HIS/HER NECK. THE DRIVER HAD TO CALL 911 TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT CUT AWAY FROM THE CHILD'S NECK AND THROAT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

04/15/2005
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 01/01/1901
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

2004 SATURN ION RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT KIT WAS REPLACED. ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE USED FOR THE REPAIR CAME FROM SATURN. THE VEHICLE STRUT BRACKET THAT WAS WELDED TO THE STRUT WHICH HELD THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD BROKEN OFF AND CUT INTO THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. *BF *NM

04/12/2005
Components: AIR BAGS,TIRES
Incident Date: 08/03/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW14F14Z******
Summary

ON JULY 21, 2004, I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE AND ON AUGUST 3, 2004, I EXPERIENCED TREAD AND BELT SEPARATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND DISCOVERED I HAD NO BRAKES EITHER, (THE TIRE HAD RIPPED THE BRAKE LINES). I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER HITTING A ROAD SIGN. THE TIRE IN QUESTION, CAME STANDARD ON THE VEHICLE (WHICH HAD 816 MILES ON IT) AND WAS A FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 03, (P205/55R16). I SUFFERED A FRACTURE TO MY RIGHT FOREARM, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS, APPROXIMATELY $6000 WORTH OF VEHICLE DAMAGE, (NOT INCLUDING THE IMMEDIATE DEPRECIATION OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE), AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF MY EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO NO TRANSPORTATION. I CALLED THE SATURN CUSTOMER SVC. CENTER AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE THERE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS, WHEN THEY HAD A SATURN REPRESENTATIVE FLY DOWN FROM TN TO TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH NOT ONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE, HOWEVER IN THE MEANTIME I MUST IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THEIR PREMISES!! I FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT AND SHIPPED THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE, PER THEIR REQUEST, ONLY TO BE TOLD 28 DAYS LATER THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF A "360 DEGREE SPIN CUT THROUGH THE TREAD". MY INSURANCE TOLD ME THAT IF I FILED THE CLAIM THROUGH THEM THAT I WOULD BE "HEAVILY PENALIZED" SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT. SO, I LOST MY JOB, SPENT ALL OF MY SAVINGS, GOT BEHIND ON ALL OF MY BILLS AND ALL I HAVE TO SHOW FOR IT IS A NEW CAR THAT IS NOT DRIVABLE! *JB

04/04/2005
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 06/24/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

03/25/2005
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 12/02/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F54Z******
Summary

ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, THE CAR CONTINUED SPEEDING, TRIED TO BRAKE BUT BRAKES WORN OUT, WAS INEFFECTICE, CRASHED 5 CARS BECAUSE THE CAR WONT STOP.*AK

03/11/2005
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 02/02/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY SUSAN'S MOTHER BRENDA O'BRIEN.*AK

03/10/2005
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 03/01/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' 2004 SATURN ION DAYTIME LAMP/TURN SIGNAL BULB REPLACEMENT. *BF WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO PICK UP HIS VEHICLE HE WAS TOLD THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED, BUT THE TURN SIGNAL WAS STILL INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED, THE WORK WAS DONE, BUT CONDENSATION WAS INSIDE THE UNIT THAT CONTAINED THE BULB IN QUESTION AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *JB

03/09/2005
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/22/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F14Z******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY 2004 SATURN ION IN APRIL, 2004. IN JUNE, 2004 MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING MY RUNNING LIGHT ON THAT SIDE NOT TO WORK EITHER.*AK IN JULY, 2004 WHEN OPENING UP THE HOOD TO REFILL WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID, THE HOOD LATCH INSIDE THE CAR CAME OFF IN MY HAND. ON DEC 22, 2004, THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 SATURN ION FAILED TO WORK CAUSE ME TO GO THROUGH A STOP SIGN, WHICH RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER CAR. BOTH CARS WERE ONLY MOVING ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH, BUT ON IMPACT THE WHOLE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) SIDE BUMPER BROKE UP AND WAS ON THE GROUND. LEAVING A BIG GAPPING HOLE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN PLACED ON DEFECTIVE BRAKES, AS OF THIS DATE. IN FEBRUARY, 2005, WHEN COMING OUT TO START CAR AFTER WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE KEY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION, THE HOOD AND THE TRUNK LOCKED AND COULDN'T GET THEM OPEN TO GET A JUMP FROM THE TOW TRUCK. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE SAME DAY I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WENT INTO A STORE WHEN I CAME OUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME THE KEY DIDN'T LOCK IN IGNITION SO I WAS ABLE TO GET A JUMP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ABOUT 4 DIFFERENT OCCASION, WITH THE DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

03/04/2005
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 03/03/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F14Z******
Summary

I OWN AN 2004 SATURN ION 3 THAT CAME WITH FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK GTA TIRES AND THE SIZE IS P205/55R16 89H M+S. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT 6,000 MILES. ON 3/3/2005 I HAD A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS WAS AT NINE AT NIGHT AND I HAD FORGOTTEN MY CELLPHONE AND WAS MADE LATE FOR WORK. WITH SEMI'S DRIVING BY AT 70 MPH ON I-75 I WAS IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE. ON 3/4/2005 I CALLED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM IF THEY HAD THE TIRE AND HOW MUCH ETC. THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO SERVICE AND THEY SAID TO BRING THE CAR IN. I WAS HAPPILY SURPRISED SINCE THIS WAS FRIDAY AT NOON. THEY INSPECTED THE TIRE FOR PUNCTURES (FOUND NONE) AND I THINK THEY WERE SURPRISED AT THE SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY (NO CHARGE). THE TIRE HAD 9,000 MILES AT THE TIME. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD AT 30 MPH I HEARD A CLUNK AND THOUGHT SNOW WAS HITTING THE TIRE. THIS THEN QUIETED DOWN. I GOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WENT TWO MILES BEFORE I HEARD A NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A HELECOPTER OVERHEAD. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. NOW I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN MY NEW VEHICLE. *AK

03/01/2005
Components: SEATS
Incident Date: 02/21/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F94Z******
Summary

THE DRIVER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER, AND I REAR ENDED HER. IT WAS A MINOR ACCIDENT - ONLY GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH - SO MINOR THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. BOTH OF MY REAR SEATS, HOWEVER, CAME UNLATCHED AND FLEW FORWARD, PUSHING MY DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT INTO THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, EVEN WITH THE SEAT BELT BEING LOOPED THROUGH THE SHOULDER HARNESS OF THE CAR SEAT. THANKFULLY, SHE WAS NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. I CALLED SATURN TO REPORT IT. THEY SPOKE WITH THE COLLISION CENTER WHERE MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED, AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING BROKEN THAT COULD BE FIXED. THE COLLISION CENTER ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THEY TRIED TO GET THE SEATS UNLATCHED BY PULLING ON THEM FROM THE FRONT AND BY TRYING TO KICK THEM FROM INSIDE THE TRUNK, NEITHER OF WHICH SIMULATES WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACTUAL CAR ACCIDENT, WITH THAT KIND OF INERTIA. THE PERSON WHO INSPECTED MY CAR TOLD ME THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK UNLATCHED THE LOCKS DURING THE ACCIDENT. SATURN TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I EVEN SPOKE WITH A SUPERVISOR. I EVEN ASKED IF THEY COULD SOMEHOW INSTALL A BETTER LOCK TO MAKE SURE THE SEATS WOULDN'T UNLATCH. THEY TOLD ME OVER AND OVER THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE NOTHING IS BROKEN. BUT SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG FOR THE SEATS TO HAVE COME UNLATCHED. AT THIS TIME, I STILL FEEL THAT MY REAR SEATS ARE UNSAFE AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR BACK FROM THE COLLISION CENTER. *JB

01/28/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/16/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WILL JUST SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH. WHILE DRIVING UP THE HILL VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UP TO 25 MPH. *AK

01/27/2005
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 01/18/2005
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F24Z******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

01/26/2005
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/22/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

FRIDAY THERE WAS A SNOWFALL. SATURDAY MORNING, I DROVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND ENCOUNTERED SEVERE DIFFICULTY HANDLING THE STEERING OF THE CAR. AS I APPROACHED 40 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I COULD NOT GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, SO I TRIED TO COPE BY SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN. THREE TIMES, I ALMOST CRASHED - TWICE INTO OTHER CARS, ONCE INTO THE HIGHWAY BARRIER. THE FASTER I WENT, THE MORE VIOLENT THE SHAKING. I WAS TRAVELLING FROM THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE ENTRANCE TO 280 TO 94 WEST TO THE 35W SOUTH. I GOT OFF AT THE FIRST EXIT I COULD ON 35W. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AS I DROVE ON THE CITY STREETS. ON TUESDAY I CALLED SATURN TO HAVE THEM FIX MY CAR. THEY INFORMED ME THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 100 CALLS OF THIS KIND THIS WEEKEND AND THAT THIS WAS A RESULT OF SNOW GETTING INTO WHERE THE TIRE-WHEEL IS. IT WAS SUGGESTED I GO TO A CAR WASH AND THAW OUT THE SNOW AND WAS TOLD THEY'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT FOR ME. PART OF WHY I CHOSE THIS CAR IS BECAUSE THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT HAS COMPUTERIZED HANDLING THAT WOULD FACILITATE MY DRIVING. OBVIOUSLY, I AM DISSATISFIED. WHEN THE SNOW MELTED OFF, THE CAR DROVE WELL. HOWEVER, I LIVE IN MN, WHERE THERE IS SNOW HALF OF THE YEAR. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT MY CAR WOULD HAVE THIS HAPPEN. I CANNOT HANDLE THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE. *AK

01/23/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 01/22/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

3 DAYS IN A ROW 2004 SATURN ION 2 WON'T START. AFTER WAITING 10 MIN I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUR TEMP.HAVE BEEN AVERAGING -4 TO 13 DEGRESS.WILL BE GOING INTO THE DEALERS TUES.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PASS LOCK SENSOR SINCE I HAVE READ ON ANOTHER SITE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS IS CAUSING WITH SATURN NOT STARTING. *JB

01/21/2005
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 01/07/2005
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P24Z******
Summary

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THERE WAS A PULSING WHICH WOULD MAKE IT HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN LINE. THE BRAKES WERE USELESS. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

01/18/2005
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/21/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I LIVE IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA AND HAVE HAD MY ION FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THAT IS UNTIL THIS WINTER. 4 TIMES I HAVE CAME OUT OF WORK AT NIGHT ON COLD NIGHTS TO START MY CAR ONLY TO HAVE IT NOT START. AFTER ABOUT 15 - 25 MINUTES OF TRYING MY CAR FINALLY STARTS UP. AFTER I HAVE SAT IN THE COLD. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DAY IT DECIDES NOT TO START. ANYWAY I NEVER LEFT ANYTHING ON , NO DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN,NOTHING. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BATTERY BEING LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR OR NOT. EVERYTHING ELSE IS FINE AND IT RUNS FINE AFTER I DO GET IT TO START. WE ARE EXPECTING SOME COLD DAYS AHEAD WERE IN LIVE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, SO I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. WE I LEAVE WORK EVERYONE AROUND ME HAS NO PROBLEM STARTING UP THERE CAR DIFFERENT MAKES AND YEARS NO PROBLEM. I WILL BE GIVING MY DEALERSHIP A CALL TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP BUT I AM SURE AS MOST DEALERSHIPS ARE THEY WON'T. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? *NM

01/03/2005
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 01/25/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

I BOUGHT MY 04 ION2 IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD DOWNSHIFT WHILE BRAKING DOWNHILLS, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE RPMS TO ACCELERATE EXTREMELY HIGH. THE CAR WOULD THE JERK ITSELF BACK INTO THE GEAR IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN. THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS AND IS STILL OCCURING. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO SATURN OF SPRINGFIELD COUNTLESS TIMES. AT ONE POINT I WAS IN THERE MUTLIPLE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. NOT ONLY DID IS ACCELERATE GOING DOWNHILL BUT IT WON'T SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR GOING UP HILL, AND TO TOP IT OFF WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WONT SHIFT INTO 5 GEAR WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, I HAVE TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT. SATURN HAS TOLD ME COUNTLESS TIMES THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I ONLY AVERAGE ABOUT 16 MILES TO THE GALLON NO MATTER IF IT IS THE HIGHWAY OR CITY. I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WERE SATURN CALLS ME THE NEXT DAY AFTER EVERY SERVICE CALL. OH AND I JUST HAD TO HAVE MY POSTIVE BATTERY CABLE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T STAY ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY WHICH WOULD'T ALLOW THE CAR TO START.*AK

12/27/2004
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/23/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY PARENTS BOUGHT A SATURN ION 2, IT IS ONLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO THEIR LOCATION AND TURNING IT OFF, THEY CAME BACK TO THE CAR (MAYBE 2 HOURS LATER), TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES ON THE REMOTE. AFTER ABOUT 20 PUSHES THE CAR WAS FINIALLY ABLE TO BE STARTED. THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ONLY TO HAVE SOMEONE TELL THEM THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND DON'T KNOW WHY IT DID NOT START. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, SPOKE WITH SOMEONE IN THE SHOP AREA AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP THEM OUT BUT IF THEY BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE SHOP, IT WOULD HAVE TO LEFT OVER NIGHT TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND ANY PROBLEMS. WE TRIED TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE AS WE WERE TOLD LAST TIME TO DO THIS - IT DIDN'T WORK THIS TIME. AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, THE CAR FINIALLY DID START. ALSO ON TWO OTHER SEPARATE OCCASSIONS, ON THE DASH PANEL, THE MILEAGE WOULD DISSAPPEAR AND WORDS WOULD APPEAR. I DONT KNOW WHAT THIS WAS ABOUT, BUT WHEN THIS WAS MENTIONED TO THE SHOP THEY SAID NOT TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND THAT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO THEM. ON BOTH OF THESE OCCASSIONS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, THE WORDS DISAPPEAR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS? *AK

12/22/2004
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 12/20/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AY12P64Z******
Summary

THE CONSUMER SLID ON A PATCH OF ICE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HITTING THE CURB. UPON IMPACT THE TIRE FOLDED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S HOME. THE CONSUMER JACKED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE UP AND NOTICED THAT THE METAL PIECE THAT THE HUB WAS MOUNTED TO ALONG WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD CAME APART AND FOLDED DOWN. *JB

12/14/2004
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/22/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52F14Z******
Summary

ENGINE SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WHEN VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER ROAD BUMPS. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS SHOWED NO APPARENT PROBLEM. *AK

11/26/2004
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 11/20/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG54F24Z******
Summary

PROBLEMS: A. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY . B. DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSE AND DENT REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING. UPON IMPACT SEAT FLEW BACK, HIT BACK SEAT AND DENTED. OUR STOPPED CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. OUR CAR WAS SMASHED AT FRONT AND BACK AND NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO SKID MARKS REPORTED AND NO BRAKES APPLIED BY OFFENDING CAR SO OUR 2004 SATURN ION TOOK THE FULL IMPACT AND WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN A CAMRY FROM BEHIND AND A GMC JIMMY IN FRONT. WOMAN IN JIMMY TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL SINCE SHE WAS PREGNANT. MY SON DRIVING THE SATURN HAD HIS WIFE PICK HIM UP AND PROCEEDED TO E/R WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CERVICAL STRAIN. DRIVER OF CAMRY HAD HER HUSBAND PICK HER UP. ALL 3 VEHICLES WERE TOWED. OUR SATURN WILL MOST LIKELY BE TOTALED. WE TOOK PICTURES AS DID THE POLICE IN SPOKANE, WA.. *AK

11/24/2004
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 11/15/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: FILL IN******
Summary

THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE HARD TO MANEUVER. THE BRAKES SHOOK ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

11/16/2004
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 10/19/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F44Z******
Summary

VEHICLE VIBRATED/SHOOK DURING BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO NOTICED RUST ON THE LEFT ROTOR, WHICH WAS TURNED, AND BOTH REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND READJUSTED. *AK

10/11/2004
Components: SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 09/03/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

RECEIVED FIRST SATURN ION 04 AND WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE CAR WAS DISPLAYING CLEAR SIGNS OF EITHER AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. WAS REPLACED WITH A SECOND ION O4. NOTICED A STRANGE CLUNKING SOUND. BROUGHT CAR IN AT 3600 MILES, AND IT WAS TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AXELS, AND BREAK ROTORS. CAR WAS RETURNED WITH A BROKEN PIECE IN THE INTERIOR, AND SMELLING OF BURNING PLASTIC. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE, AND SATURN REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN MAKE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THAT I SHOULD BE ISSUED A REFUND, DUE TO FAULTY CONSTRUCTION. *NM

09/24/2004
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/14/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH WAS NOT BOLTED DOWN, CAME OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE SHOE AND IT WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FLOORBOARD AND THE PEDAL. THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SECURE THE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO END CAPS TO KEEP THE PEDAL IN PLACE. CONSUMER ASKED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE EQUAL IN VALUE TO THE ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED. DEALER OFFERED CONSUMER A VEHICLE OF LESSER VALUE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ONE OF THE SAME VALUE. *AK

09/21/2004
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 09/20/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52FX4Z******
Summary

USUALLY I CHARGE MY CELL PHONE AT HOME OVERNIGHT. BUT ON MONDAY 9/20/04 I HAD FORGOTTEN TO CHARGE THE PHONE AND USED THE CELL PHONE CHARGER IN MY NEW 2004 SATURN ION 2 SEDAN. I NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR WAS FLASHING QUICKLY. I STOPPED TO CHECK AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING AND THE NORMAL DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I WENT TO THE LOCAL SATURN DEALER. HE SAID I NEEDED UPGRADED RESISTORS AND CAPACITORS TO HANDLE MY CELL PHONE CHARGER. THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTEE IN 2 HOURS. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET BULLETIN BOARDS I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAPPENS WITH SOME BUT NOT ALL CELL PHONE CHARGERS. THE SATURN FACTORY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND PUT IN THE BETTER RESISTORS AND CAPACITORS TO HANDLE CELL PHONE CHARGERS IN CARS MADE AFTER 5 MONTHS AGO. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM IF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH NON WORKING FRONT TURN SIGNALS, IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO WONDER IF PEOPLE WITH THE OLD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MIGHT SUFFER DAMAGE TO THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH CELL PHONE CHARGES OVER TIME WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN MY CASE I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHAT ABOUT SOMEONE WHO'S CELL PHONE CHARGER DOESN'T TURN OFF THE LIGHTS BUT JUST STRAINS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LEADING TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES. *AK

09/19/2004
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Incident Date: 09/17/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SATURN ION 2004 I4, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WAS LOOKED AT ON 19TH SEPT 2004 BY DEALERSHIP. ON SEP 20TH I WENT TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND I COULD NOT. GAS SPILLED OUT OF THE CAR. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR, AS IT WILL NOW ALLOW ME TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I WAS STUCK AT HOME AFTER RETURNING FROM GAS STATION.*AK

09/13/2004
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 07/15/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F64Z******
Summary

WHILE THE VEHICLE PARKED WHILE RUNNING THE VEHICLE IDLING HIGH ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND WOULD STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART,BUT WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGN. *NM (POSSIBLE VALVE STICKING) WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, THEN TAKE OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS WOULD ALSO OCCUR IN REVERSE AS WELL. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN ACCIDENTS WOULD ALMOST OCCUR. THERE WOULD BE HIGH RPM'S OF 6000 PLUS. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT WAS BELIEVED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VTI TRANSMISSION. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS: WIND NOISE WHEN SUNSHADE WAS CRACKED, TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT CANCEL ON TURNS AND THE CHIME WOULD GO OFF AND WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH SEEMED LOOSE AND OR MISALIGNED, AND THE WIPERS WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOW. *SC

09/13/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/28/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F34Z******
Summary

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION , AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN VEHICLE WAS COLD . CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALERSHIP WAS DOING NOTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING, FEARING THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. *AK

09/13/2004
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 09/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AG52F64Z******
Summary

THE VEHICLE MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 28-32 MPH. AT ALL OTHER SPEEDS THE VEHICLE IS QUIET. *NM THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW. NO ONE COULD GIVE THE CONSUMER AN ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *JB

09/01/2004
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/10/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE DRIVING MOTOR FAILED. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

08/14/2004
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/12/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AZ52F74Z******
Summary

PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW SATURN ION-2 ON 11 AUG 04 AT 6:30 P.M. FROM THE SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE, NC DEALERSHIP. ROVE THE VEHICLE TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ON 12 AUG O4. 12 AUG 04, MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 56 MILES HILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON. IT REMAINED ON FOR 10-15 SECONDS. AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES PER HOUR, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND REMAIND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS. 3 AUG 04. VEHICLE MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 87 MILES THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FOR A SERVICE CHECK, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND REMAINED ON FRO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS.. VEHICLE MILAGE :102 AT TIME OF SERVICE THE SATURN SERVICE DEPATEMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NO INDICATION THAT THE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, BUT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN BRING IT BACK.*AK

08/12/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 06/20/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F74Z******
Summary

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE RPM WOULD GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND NO PROBLEM WOULD BE FOUND BY THE SERVICE DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD ALMOST EXPERIENCED 2 REAR END COLLISIONS AND 1 BROADSIDE COLLISION. *SC *JB

08/12/2004
Components: SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 11/12/2003
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F54Z******
Summary

IN OCTOBER OF 1993, I BOUGHT A 2004 ION 2 QUAD COUPE FROM SATURN OF LARCHMONT. I TRADED IN MY 1997 SC1 FOR THIS CAR. IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, I NEEDED TO HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT BULB REPLACED BECAUSE IT BURNED OUT. IN JANUARY, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE AND TWO RECALLS. IT ALSO TO MADE A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH. THIS FIRST TIME, THE LINK AND TORSION BAR SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED. I RETURNED ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER WITH THE RATTLE AND AN ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT. THE CAR HAD STALLED WHILE DRIVING IT. I WAS TOLD THAT A BOOK UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WAS MAKING THE RATTLING NOISE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE STALLING COULDNT BE DUPLICATED, SO THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I RETURNED ONE WEEK LATER WITH THE SAME RATTLING PROBLEM. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND DROVE IT OVER SIXTY MILES. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS. FINALLY, THE NOISE STOPPED! IN JULY I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SATURN OF WHITE PLAINS. THE CAR HAD STALLED AGAIN AND STARTED STUTTERING WHEN STEPPING ON OR RELEASING THE GAS PETAL. AGAIN NO CODES WERE FOUND TO INDICATE WHY IT STALLED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE STUTTERING WAS NORMAL FOR THE VTI ENGINE BECAUSE OF ITS NEW TECHNOLOGY. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THE RATTLING STARTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO SATURN OF WHITE PLAINS AGAIN. TWO DAYS BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT, THE RADIO HAD RESET ITSELF. ON THE DAY OF MY APPOINTMENT, THE TECHNICIAN TOOK THE CAR OUT AND SAID HE HEARD NO NOISE AND FELT NO RATTLING. HE TOOK ME OUT WITH HIM AND SAID WHAT I HEARD WAS NORMAL. AGAIN A TEST WAS RUN AND NO CODES WERE FOUND. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SATURN OF LARCHMONT ON JULY 30, 2004 BECAUSE THE RATTLING CONTINUED AND THE RADIO RESET ITSELF AGAIN. BOB LINDER, THE SERVICE MANAGER, TOOK HIS TIME AND LOGGED MY ISSUES FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO ADDRESS THEM. THE STABILIZER LINKS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. A NEW RADIO WAS ORDERED TO REPLACE THE ONE IN THE CAR. THE BANGING UNDERNEATH THE CAR HAS RETURNED.

08/10/2004
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/06/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F64Z******
Summary

THE AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE IS CALLED. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE WITHOUT AIR BAGS.*AK

08/02/2004
Components: CHILD SEAT
Incident Date: 08/02/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH CONSUMER BRAKED SUDDENLY TO AVOID A COLLISION AND HEARD A DISTURBANCE IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE GUARD ON THE SEAT SEPARATED, AND THE CHILD WAS LYING AGAINST THE FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED BY THE MISHAP.*AK

07/23/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 03/10/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F54Z******
Summary

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION 2 IN JANUARY SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE ONLY GOT AN AVERAGE OF 22.5 MPG THAT IS 270 MILES PER 12 GALLON TANK (AND IT STILL CONTINUES). IN MARCH AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD, IT LURCHED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT BOGGED DOWN, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50MPH AND WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH, FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING A GOLF CART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RECALLS ON THE FUEL FILTER AND COMPUTER SYSTEM WERE COMPLETED. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WAS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPEATED. JUNE 10TH, THE CAR REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN, THEY DID THE 6,000 MILE SERVICE ON IT. PER MY RECORDS, EVERYTHING "CHECKED OUT". THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPEATED. THE CAR WAS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED. 3 WEEKS LATER, DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR ONCE AGAIN, LURCHED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WENT FROM 65  40 MPH. THANKFULLY I DID NOT GET REAR-ENDED. I EXITED THE FREEWAY, HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT, THEN DURING A LEFT HAND TURN HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR FINALLY CORRECTED ITS PROBLEM, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED MY VALVE BODY AND NOW MY CAR IS RUNNING WORSE THEN IT WAS BEFORE. I STOPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP A DAY AGO, AND TALKED TO THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER, AND HE STATED THAT HE HOPES THEY REPLACE THE CAR, SINCE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO ME AND OTHERS AROUND. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NO LONGER COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND AS I HAVE READ OTHERS TOO, IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!*AK

07/06/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 07/04/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F14Z******
Summary

WE OWN A 2004 SATURN ION3 QUAD COUPE, IT HAS A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION THEN THE OTHERS. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 31, 2003. IT HAD 91 MILES ON IT. WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HESITATE A LITTLE GOING FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE IN MARCH, WE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REPORTED BACK THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A 4 CYLINDER TO ACT THE WAY IT WAS. ASSUMING THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WE LEFT IT AT THAT. WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR PAINT DAMAGE THEY HAD CAUSED WHEN THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR THE OIL CHANGE, AND AGAIN ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION (ONLY ABOUT A WEEK LATER). THEY AGAIN REPORTED THEY TEST DROVE AND IT WAS FINE. NOW THIS PAST WEEK FOR IT'S SECOND OIL CHANGE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 29TH, WE AGAIN ASKED THEM BECAUSE IT SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. THEY AGAIN REPORTED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION. NOT A WEEK AFTER THAT REPORT ON SUNDAY, JULY 4TH AMIDST OUT 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION WE DROVE A BLOCK AND A HALF FROM HOME AND TURNED A CORNER ONTO THE MAIN ROAD. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR REVVED AND DIDN'T SWITCH INTO SECOND GEAR. IT FOUGHT TO GO FASTER IN FIRST GEAR, BUT NEVER SWITCHED. WE NOTICED IMMEDIATELY AND TRIED PARKING AND AGAIN MOVING INTO DRIVE, THINKING MAYBE IT HAD DROPPED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. AGAIN THE SAME THING, WE SLOWLY TURNED THE CORNER AND PUTTED OUR WAY BACK DOWN THE BLOCK TO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MILES AN HOUR SO AS NOT TO FURTHER DAMAGE THE ENGINE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 7000 MILES ON IT AND A TRANSMISSION THAT DOESN'T WORK. WE MEET WITH THE DEALERSHIP TODAY TO DISCUSS RETRIBUTION. *NM

06/23/2004
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/20/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52FX4Z******
Summary

ELECTRONIC ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM:RAVALING AT INTERSTATE SPEED - DESIGN FLAW.ESIGN FLAW RESULT - LOST CONTROL OF CAR DUE TO SUDDEN JERK OF WHEEL TO AVOID COLLISION WITH MOTORIST COMING INTO OUR LANE. DID 270 DEG SPIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. CAME TO STOP AGAINST MEDIAN GUARDRAIL AFTER CROSSING TWO LANES.PEED 65 MPH WITH TRAFIC FLOW. MISC. NOTES: 1) CAR OCCUPANTS = 3EA. 2) IT IS PREDICTED THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXPOSED TO NEWS REELS DETAILING FLAW RESULTING IN DEATHS, SATURN WILL BE FORCED TO RECALL. TIME TO GET BUSY TO MAKE RECALL EFFORT REALITY.*AK

06/23/2004
Components: AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/10/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DAUGHTER WAS HIT BY A HARLEY DAVIDSON F150 TRUCK IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE SHE TURNED AND THE HARLEY HIT HER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE DAUGHTER DROVE 4 MILES, AND PARKED, THEN FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE BRAKES HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT OFF. *SC *JB (DUPLICATE REPORT - SEE ODI REF. NO. 10074368 *MJJ)

06/16/2004
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 06/16/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AK52F64Z******
Summary

I PURCHASED MY 2004 SATURN ION 3 ON THURSDAY JUNE 10, 2004. ON SUNDAY JUNE 13 THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL RAINS IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND I NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK WAS FULL OF APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER AROUND THE TIRE AND BATTERY. THE BOX OF BOOKS IN THE TRUNK ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS WERE DAMAGED FROM THE WATER. ON MONDAY JUNE 14, AFTER HAVING HAD THE CAR IN MY POSESSION FOR ONLY 4 DAYS I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED ME ON TUESDAY JUNE 15 THAT THE HOLE WHERE THE WATER IS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN OUT OF IF THE CAR HAD A SUNROOF WAS LEFT UNPLUGGED DURING MANUFACTURING RESULTING IN THE FLOODING OF THE TRUNK. I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP MY CAR ON THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY JUNE 16. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AS I WAS USING THE POWER OUTLETS IN THE CAR THE TURN SIGNALS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ORDER FOR MY TURN SIGNALS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO WORK I MUST UNPLUG WHATS IN THE POWER OUTLET AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR THEY ARE OPERABLE AGAIN, BUT IF I NEED TO USE MY POWER OUTLETS I MUST USE THEM KNOWNING THAT I WON'T HAVE TURN SIGNALS OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I EITHER HAVE TO GIVE UP THE USE OF MY POWER OUTLETS OR MY TURN SIGNALS AND RUNNING LIGHTS.*AK

06/10/2004
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 02/01/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING, 3 TIMES. THE SATURN DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS.*AK

05/27/2004
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/10/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: FILLIN******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

05/18/2004
Components: SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 05/11/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F54Z******
Summary

THERE IS A THUMPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END WHICH SEND A VIBRATION THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR WHILE GOING OVER DIPS AND STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES AND THE CURRENT DIAGNOSES IS THAT IT'S A NORMAL NOISE. CONFIRMED WITH OTHER DEALERS THAT THE NOISE IS NOT NORMAL. VISIT 1: REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. VISIT 2: REPLACED RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM VISIT 3: REPLACED RIGHT FRONT STRUT VISIT 4: REPLACED POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND BOTH TORSION BAR SUPPORTS VISIT 5: "IT'S A NORMAL NOISE" I'VE TEST DRIVEN OTHER NEW CARS AND THE NOISE IS NOT PRESENT. I WILL BE PERSUING THE LEMON LAW AT THIS TIME.*AK

05/10/2004
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Incident Date: 03/26/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1J8AF52F54Z******
Summary

INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED, THEY DID NOT CLOSE FULLY, THEY STAYED AJAR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DOOR FLYING OPEN WHEN TURNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE. *JB

04/27/2004
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 04/20/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AN12F64Z******
Summary

VEHICLE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *AK

03/22/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 03/04/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AJ52F54Z******
Summary

WHEN I ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY THE CAR DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED, IT BUCKS THEN PUSHES ITSELF. THE ENGINE IS VERY LOUD. SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING OR WHIRRING. THEY HAVE HAD TO CALIBRATE THE VEHICLE 2 TIMES IN THE 3 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN TODAY. (3RD TIME). *AK

03/02/2004
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 02/03/2004
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AW12F24Z******
Summary

VTI TRANSMISSION CAUSES SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION. *AK

02/12/2004
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 12/09/2003
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

A BRAKE PAD FELL OFF THE TRAILER IN FRONT AND STRUCK HIS VEHICLE DAMAGING THE TIRE.

01/13/2004
Components: EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 01/10/2004
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 1G8AL52FX4Z******
Summary

BRAKES FAILURE

10 Recalls

for 2004 SATURN ION
06/01/2004
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V002000
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE JOINT MAY BE REDUCED AND SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAY RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Campaign Number: 04V002000
Manufacture: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Summary

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME WELDS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTOR RAIL AND THE FRONT BUMPER BRACKET DO NOT MEET ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03067. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

05/01/2004
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IF CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER PROGRESSES TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE IN THE SHELL, FUEL DROPLETS COULD FORM AND DROP TO THE GROUND. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Campaign Number: 04V003000
Manufacture: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILTER THAT COULD CORRODE PREMATURELY ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03068. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

05/01/2004
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V004000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
IF UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE VEHICLE AND OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS OR SUNROOF, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Campaign Number: 04V004000
Manufacture: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Summary

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS AND/OR SUNROOF MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03069. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

08/06/2004
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Campaign Number: 04V281000
Manufacture: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUPERCHARGED 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (LSJ) ENGINE WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FEED PIPE THAT COULD CRACK AND LEAK FUEL NEAR THE FUEL RAIL. IF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL FEED PIPE, THERE WOULD BE A NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04053. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

16/11/2004
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V547000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
IF A FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE, OTHERS MAY REACT MORE SLOWLY TO A TURNING VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Campaign Number: 04V547000
Manufacture: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Summary

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) ON EITHER FRONT SIDE CAN STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04095. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

07/04/2009
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Campaign Number: 09E012000
Manufacture: SABERSPORT
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

30/04/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Campaign Number: 14E021000
Manufacture: UCI-FRAM Group
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Summary

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

10/02/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000
AIR BAGS
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Campaign Number: 14V047000
Manufacture: General Motors LLC
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

31/03/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 14V153000
Manufacture: General Motors LLC
Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

10/04/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Campaign Number: 14V171000
Manufacture: General Motors LLC
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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