2003 Saturn Ion: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 157,280 miles · NY

I received a letter from saturn today 12/29/2014 with the letter stating december 2014. In the letter it states the following " this letter is intended to make you aware that your vehicle's transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the "lock" position after the vehicle has been shifted into park. If this occurs, the ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition cylinder without depressing the manual release plunger located on the underside of the steering column as described in the owners manual. A key left in the accessory position for an extended period of time may result in severe battery drain and a possible no start condition.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for faulty ignition recall repairs. *smd the consumer stated upon returning to her vehicle, she discovered she was unable to use the remote, so she used the key, instead. She attempted to place the key inside the ignition and discovered the slot was not in the off position. The vehicle would not start due to the ignition not being in the off position and enabling her to pull the key out, as the battery was dead. It wasn't until january 7, 2014, she began experiencing problems again with the ignition, and the battery died again. After the vehicle was jump started, the consumer smelled gas. It was determined the rear fuel line had corroded, which formed holes and gas was pouring out the holes on both sides.

Filed Jan 18, 2009 · Engine · 75,300 miles · MA

During every cold season since the purchase of 2003 saturn ion, there is a problem with starting the vehicle in cold weather (usually when below 25 deg f). This seems to be an intermittent problem. How the problem manifests is as follows: in cold weather, when trying to start the vehicle, engine frequently (at least 25% of the time) will not "catch" and run- just turns over. If immediately trying to start it again after a first failed start, engine turns over slowly and dies (similar to dead battery symptom, however battery has been checked and found to be ok). After letting the car sit for 5 minutes after a failed attempt, trying again may result in a moment of what appears to be fuel getting to the engine, and more engine turning, however engine stalls. After repeated waiting and start re-attempts (often 5- 10 times, and an elapsed period of time of 30- 60 minutes of re-attempts, the engine will frequently start and remain started. However the inconvenience of a 30-60 minute delay is disconcerting, and on some cold mornings, repeated failed attempts causes battery to drain and need for "jump starting" the car, at owner expense and inconvenience. An internet search on 2003 saturn ion cold starting problem indicates a pervasive and systematic problem in ignition switch design, however saturn has not yet acknowledged this design flaw in a formal recall. Today, repairs have to be made at owner expense ($200-300 replacement ignition switch seems to be the feedback). See website http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_97727.html my request of the federal safety agency is that you urge saturn to issue a formal recall for this problem immediately. Please respond with your inputs and intended approach on this situation. Also, if you are aware of other agencies that I should contact about this problem, I would greatly appreciate.

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Electrical · TX

On tuesday, december 11, I stopped at a blockbuster to drop off some movies. When I returned to my car, it would not start. The engine would not even try to turn over. I heard a clicking noise, and called a friend to come and give me a jump. I tried to jump it, and that did not work. I immediately called a saturn dealership that is nearby where I live. I told them what was going on so I could bring it in and have it looked at. I said that my car wouldn't start, when I tried to jump it that didn't work, and that my key is now stuck in the ignition and won't come out. His response to me was, "I bet it's the ignition switch. We have been having a lot of trouble with those now that the weather is cold. Did you say you jumped it? You shouldn't have done that. That can cause the battery to have a shortage". Today, I had my car towed to the dealership and they diagnosed my car with an ignition switch problem and a dead battery. I had them replace both, and I also kept both of my old parts.

Filed Dec 29, 2003 · Electrical · NY

I own a 2003 saturn ion. The battery went dead today because my wife left the lights on by accident. When the battery in this model car becomes discharged two undesireable problems arise. I feel that both of them introduce safety concerns. First, the key won't come out of the ignition switch through normal means. Second, the car can't be moved! The gear shift lever remains in the park position. I feel that a car designed such that these two problems occur when the battery fails is a poor design. The instruction manual provided with the car makes no mention of these problems occuring with a dead battery. In order to jump a dead battery in a car it is often necessary to move the car I n order to jump the battery from another car. I feel having an intentional design in a car that prevents it from being moved by the owner creates a safety concern. Regarding the key situation, my wife left her entire set of keys in the car when they got stuck in the ignition switch. Many important keys were left in the car unattended. It could have made a bad situation much worse. It turns out that the instruction manual in the car discusses how to get stuck keys out of the ignition switch, but no mention is made in the book that keys will get stuck in the ignition switch when the battery goes dead. I spoke to the consumer complaint department at saturn regarding this concern, but it is not saturn's policy to respond to this type of customer complaint. Since I feel these two problems do have a safety impact, I decided to register this complaint with the federal safety agency.