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2003 Saturn Ion electrical complaints

Page 2 of 14: complaints 11 to 40 of 383, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Saturn Ion electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Electrical, Visibility · 78,585 miles · AK

Takata recall, my 2003 saturn ion has recalls on the ignition switch and cylinder which is causing my car to be impossible to drive. This recall is causing the system to have a short with all my electrical. For example, windows don't roll down/up, wipers don't work, heater doesn't work, blinkers don't work, dash lights stay on causing battery to constantly be dead. All because there are recalls that need to be fixed.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Electrical · 78,500 miles · VA

The ignition switch is not working properly. Sometimes, when vehicle is parked and an attempt make to turn ignition to off position, it won't go. It seemed to take 10 - 60 seconds for it to reset and then key could be removed. The latest incident occurred on 5/12-13/2018. The vehicle was parked, transmition in park position, and an attempt made to turn ignition to the off position. The key could not be moved. It did not reset itself. Key was stuck in the ignition, could be turned slightly to the right, vehicle could not be restarted. Then all power was lost, as though the battery was dead. The vehicle could not be locked of unlocked with the key for, had to use a second key to lock and unlock the vehicle. This vehicle was recalled for ignition switch problems in 2015 and was repaired. The same problem is occurring again. Gm tells me the new repair is not going to be covered by them. The reason, I'm told, is because the vehicle had to checked into the dealership no later than 5/17/18. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on that date. Due to severe storms in the area the tow truck driver arrived at the dealers ship a few minutes after the service department closed and deposited the key in the lock box. A rep from gm was supposed to have called the dealership on 5/17/18 between 5:45 and 6:00 to alert them the vehicle was on the was and might be a few minutes late and to please accept the vehicle and get it checked in. I am advised by the dealership they received no such call. This is going to be an expensive repair, I did everything the gm rep asked of me, I am 70 years old and have a very limited income. I can't be the only person this has happened to. Please help me.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · TX

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch and power steering recall notices issues. *smd

Filed Dec 13, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KY

Car just recently popped up power steering only happens when its sits over night and when I start it up in the morning it's very stiff to turn but if I drive it like that for a little and shut the car off the steering is fine. The dash lights flicker off and on and when doing so causes heat or A/C to cut out after driving it for alittle bit. The key locks in the ignition switch when I go to shut off the car and I have to press the plunger for it to release. Keeps saying coolant when going down the road even though the coolant is where it needs to be.

Filed Aug 25, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 69,000 miles · SC

Several times when I have gone to turn off my car the ignition switch will not release the key. When this happens I have to place my foot back on the brake and run through the gears with my gear stick. The ignition switch that is currently in my car is one that was used to replace the factory one when the ignition switch recall was issued. Also, recently my car has been showing problems with the power steering. It has gone out multiple times on my son while he was driving resulting in him having to fight the car to get it to turn. I have never had a problem before and I hear that there are recalls for both. These problems have happened multiple times and I do not have exact dates.

Filed Jun 22, 2017 · Electrical · 112,246 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power completely. The vehicle veered to the right side of the road and came to a rolling stop. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred on four separate occasions. The vehicle was repaired in may of 2014 per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (electrical system) at a unknown dealer, but the failure recurred. General motors was made aware of the failures and stated that the vehicle was under a twelve month warranty, which expired in april of 2015. The failure mileage was 112,246.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Electrical · WA

My ignition switch wouldnt turn once the key was in so I opened it up took a look and put it back in. Now it turns but it turns on and back off before after jiggling the key a little it would turn on. Now it doesnt just starts and turns off.

Filed May 16, 2017 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition failed to turn off and prevented the key from being removed. Also, the key was unable to start the ignition. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall for the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. *tt

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 141,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired per a recall. After the repairs, while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The air bag and check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The recall specifics were unknown. The failure mileage was 141,000. Updated 10/19/16*lj

Filed May 9, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 114,575 miles · OH

Takata recalls..I have a 2003 saturn ion I was driving fine hit cruise control button once I was at 55 an my car made a clicking sound started jerking like the cruise control keeps coming on...I've turned car off hit brakes which should reset it but it still happens..the car feels like its down shifting an trying to accelerate on its on the rpms hump real high wen this happens..you be driving doing 50 MPH an all the sudden car jerks like its trying to stop u feel I t in gas pedal also...

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. When the vehicle was parked, the key failed to remove from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switched needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failures explained in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and refused to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While the vehicle was parked and cold, it failed to start. The contact had to wait approximately 15 minutes for the vehicle to start. The failure only occurred when the vehicle was cold. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Electrical · OK

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to complete starter switch recall.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 129,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the gear was stuck in the park position and she was unable to move the vehicle. The power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. An independent mechanic checked the vehicle and suggested that the failure could be electrical. The technician advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to turn into the off position after numerous attempts. The cover underneath the lower steering column was removed to access a spring which was turned in a backward and forward motion in order to turn the engine off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions. The ignition tumblers and gear shift sensor were replaced. In addition, a new ignition key was provided. The failure persisted after the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. *bf consumer stated vehicle was never repaired and has been sold.

Filed Nov 10, 2015 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · CO

Ignition faulty, car will not start or release key from ignition. Has shut off while driving in the past 6 months

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · GA · crash

My car feels like a death trap. To start off with only one of my windshield wiper motors work . When I first bought the car from a single individual the passenger side wiper appeared to shake a little more than the driver side. As if it was working a little harder to keep up with the other wiper.. And then less than a month after purchasing vehicle it stopped working all together. Now I only have the driver side wiper that I use. Also when I go to turn on the blinker, go over a railroad track, make a turn iorn vehicle, or sometimes just sitting still. The wiper will start working without me having turnned it on. At first it would just come on for 3 or 4 swipes and then automatically stop again. But now its doing it more frequently and sometimes it will not stop swipping whichis very aggravating causing scratches on my windshield and wearing my one wiper down faster than it should be. Along with these problems my car has also been idleing extremly high upon cranking and while changing gears it acts as if it gets stuck between 1rst 2cd and 3rd. Also when I try to increase speed for passing or to make turns it sometimes just causes it to bog down more instead of increasing my speed it sounds as if its gonna blow up the engine.

Filed Oct 20, 2015 · Electrical · MN

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to steering column and ignition switch issues. *smd the consumer stated in the fall of 2011, she experienced a clicking sound in steering column. The consumer stated she would have to wait a few minutes, before she was able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where replaced the shift control assembly. The consumer continued to experience problems, so the vehicle was returned to the dealer. They determined the ignition switch was faulty and replaced it, the consumer received a recall notice in march 2014. The consumer only received reimbursement for the ignition switch and not the shift control assembly. On july 23, 2015, the clicking noise started again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. It was determined, the ignition switch needed to be replaced again. The dealer stated they were not going to replace the ignition again, but were willing to replaced the shifter interlock, instead.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Electrical · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a recall (lock cylinder/ignition switch replacement/ ignition key). The contact stated that the dealer provided her with the wrong key. The contact received a letter from the dealer on may 27, 2015 which stated that, as part of the repair, the dealer provided her with the wrong key. The dealer would not replace the key. The manufacturer was notified. The federal safety agency campaign number was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 100,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the front driver side turning indicator failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to find a failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 7/16/15*cn updated 10/12/2017

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Electrical · 214,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the key was still getting lodged inside the ignition switch. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 214,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Electrical · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition and was difficult to remove on more than one occasion. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken back and forth to the dealer more than twice and they were unable to remedy the failure. The contact reported the failure to the manufacturer and indicated that the remedy did not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was still at the dealer and was unable to be driven. The dealer stated that the manufacturer would not approve replacing the components. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 8/21/15*cn updated 9/28/2017

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Electrical · 204,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 saturn ion. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a fire started under the dashboard. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road and extinguish the fire. A police report was filed, but there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and, after evaluating pictures sent by the owner, stated that the failure was not related to the recall. The failure mileage was 204,000.

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 Dec 29, 2014 · Electrical · PA

2003 saturn ion safety recall for the ignition switch may move out of the "run" position, resulting in a partial loss of electrical power and turning off the engine. *mw the ignition switch was replaced, as directed by recall.

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the rear door failed to open. In addition, the front passenger side window failed to open. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed that there was a wiring failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2014 · Electrical · 119,180 miles · CA

I just bought a 2003 saturn ion 2 and the door locks "all of them" lock and unlock on their own. When I get out of the car and time passes by , "I don't know how much time has to pass between that triggers the doors to unlock but each time I go back to the car all doors have unlocked themselves..... " ". I believe this problem can possibly turn into a deadly issue regarding the life of a consumer and or others " " in the event of an accident who knows if the doors will unlock or open ? I believe that the doors may do just the opposite that the doors may remain locked preventing anyone from being able to get out of the vehicle in the event of fire< accident< or an other emergency.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 162,603 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. As a result, the vehicle lost power steering. After turning the vehicle off, it failed to start. The contact received notifications for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the vehicle was remedied by the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,603.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force to turn the wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt and had to wait several minutes before it started. In addition, the key failed to release from the ignition switch. The independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch twice but the failure persisted. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

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