2003 saturn ion coupe will not start in cold humid weather.
2003 Saturn Ion electrical complaints
Page 7 of 14: complaints 161 to 190 of 383, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2003 saturn ion and it has the same starting problems reported extensively on this website. On cold days, the car will not start at times. It always seems to happen at the most importune times and locations. When this happens, there is no noise and no cranking sound when I turn the ignition key on. However, when I try to start the car about 5 to 15 minutes later, it starts without any problem. I replaced the battery, but it did not make any difference. The alternator checks out fine. I believe the problem is a faulty ignition module, but that is a guess on my part based on the numerous online complaints by other saturn owners. There is only one authorized saturn dealer/service facility left in the houston. The technician there told me he has serviced numerous saturns with the same exact problem and that replacing the ignition module seems to fix the problem, although not in every case. He said that gm has not issued a bulletin or recalled saturns to repair the units. Gm's denial of a potentially lethal problem is not unlike that of toyota in addressing stuck accelerators and braking problems. Maybe gm does not care because it is closing down its saturn division. I can see where saturn owners, who are unaware of the extent of the starting problem, wind up having their batteries, alternators and other components replaced at enormous cost and inconvenience before saturn suggests replacing the ignition unit. This is a situation that is ripe for exploitation because the problem is intermittent. The national transportation safety board needs to weigh in on this safety issue and not wait for people to get hurt.
I've been having cold starting problems with my 2003 saturn ion. I've had this problem fix by dealer 3 times in the past. At 620.00 a pop that's hard . Now after talking to a technician that used to work for saturn before they closed ,that the problem is caused by oil that releases from the part when cold and leaks down from the ignition to the pass lock switch this should have a recall before this burns someone up and kills them . They should have to fix all these cars .do it right and stop charging people for something that really cant be fixed simply by replacing a part that will continue leaking oil when cold. I am really surprised this hasn't already been recalled. I can only wait to see if this happens they need to pay ,I cant afford to go buy a car with work slow so saturn and gm should be held responsible. All this is in the ignition switch inside the car and if a fire starts with you in it at the wheel you lose a car and possible a life or more if in heavy traffic and this locks down your car. It's not only me its my kids and others on the road at danger it's all who drive a saturn ion 2003.
Car has frequent intermittent starting problems (about one in 4 starting attempts is a no-go). Internet research brings up many complaints of the ignition switch sending the wrong signal to the computer which in turn activates the security system (passlock, in gm speak) and prevents the car from starting. Gm recognizes the issue in tsb #3493a which recommends replacing the ignition switch. Since this is a known failure to gm, I believe the switch replacement should be done at the manufacturer's cost, not the consumer's cost. It is an expensive procedure and consumers are forced to go to the dealer for the repair because the car's computer (bcm) has to be reprogrammed after the switch replacement.
Car will not start in the cold weather. When attempting to start security light turn on and won't start for at least 15 minutes. I have replaced the battery but that's not the solution. This happens at least three times a week. Its horrible being stranded out in the cold when is below zero for at least 15 minutes. Saturn needs to do something out this problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. During cold weather the vehicle failed to start since there is a defect in the ignition switch. The vehicle resets to a security mode as if it has been stolen. The dealer advised the contact to replace the switch; however, they would use the defective switch when they repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Car will not start in cold weather. This began 3 months ago at the beginning of the winter season, unfortunately the first day of a new job. This happened a number of times until I was let go for showing up late to work (apparently, a car that problematic was inconceivable). I had the battery replaced, but that didn't help. This happens sporadically, but mostly in the early morning or late evening when it's coldest outside. This past week alone, my car wouldn't start 3 times. I've done some research on the internet and have found hundreds of complaints of the same problem in saturn ion's (2003-2006 models). Some complaints have suggested it's the ignition, the passlock key, or an electrical issue, and my mechanic is looking into the fuel pump. The problem is that the diagnostic doesn't read a problem if the car is starting, which seems to be the case by the time the mechanic's shop opens (weather conditions are fairly good in southern california on most days). The other day, my car had stalled while driving in heavy rain conditions, thankfully on a small residential street, because it did not want to restart. It took 10 minutes to get the car going again. You can imagine how disastrous this situation could have been while driving on the freeway or busy city road. This is an extremely dangerous issue that must be taken seriously by gm. I have also made complaints to the ftc & to saturn. From what I've read online, replacing the part doesn't even help because all of these ion parts are faulty. Please see to it that consumers are protected. Thank you.
Tl*the contact owns a used 2003 saturn ion which was purchased in 2008. In cold temperatures, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to her local repair shop, and the fuel injector was replaced. There were no recalls for the failure. Two weeks later, in cold and raining temperatures the vehicle would not start. No further repairs were made to the vehicle to date. The failure and current mileages were 82,221. Updated 02/03/10 *bf the consumer stated the grease in the ignition switch is freezing and/or hardening so that the ignition switch will not engage. The consumer believed the vehicle should be recalled so the ignition switch and grease can be replaced. Updated 02/11/10.
My 2003 saturn ion refuses to start when it is cold but after 10 mins it will decide it wants to start. I have been stranded and put hundreds of dollars into this problem with the mechanic not seeing the problem. Put a new ignition switch in the car and still has the problem. After doing some research on the web many saturn owners are having the same problems. This needs to be a recall and saturn is refusing to do so.
Car won't start when the temp is below 20 f, have to wait 10 min for anti theft to reset and then try again. Some times have to try 3 or 4 times. Dealer say it's a know problem and I have to replace the ignition switch at my expense.
2003 saturn ion will not start due to the passlock timing me out. It has left me stranded too many times and yesterday I had to wait 3 hrs for my car to start. I have read reports of other consumers having the same issue and wanted to file a written complaint.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion which was purchased in 2003. She stated that in cold weather conditions, the vehicle would not start and it would stall intermittently. The dealer replaced the ignition switch at the owner's expense; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle continued to stall in cold weather and the manufacturer advised getting the ignition switch replaced a second time at the owner's expense. The failure and current mileages were under 88,500. Updated 01/29/10. *lj updated 02/01/10.
2003 saturn ion. This car will not start in the cold weather. If the temperature is below 32 degrees f for an extended period of time, the car will stall. I have read that the difficultly may have to do with a type of lubricant on the starter, which hardens in the cold weather. The car stalls as a result, and then the pass-lock kicks in. After 8 minutes, the car may start, or one may have to wait an additional 8 minutes (or more) for the ignition switch to loosen up enough to start the engine. However, the car may stall yet again---and set off the passlock system yet again.
2003 ion, will not start when the weather is cold, the error noted on the display notes theft interlock, if you wait 10 minutes, the car will start. At times the key will stick in the ignition and will not come out, at times the car will not shut off. This interlock needs to be a saturn recall.
For the past several years I have had an issue with my 2003 saturn ion starting in the cold weather. I have had my starter checked along with several battery replacements, yet there has not yet been a stop to this issue. I've looked online for solutions to this issue and unfortunately no one has a solution only complaints. This seems to be an issue with thousands of saturn ion's and gm does not seem to feel the need to recall the vehicle. This is a safety issue as far as I am concerned. I have read about mothers and children being stranded because they are unable to start their saturns in the cold weather and they do not have anyone in the vicinity to help them out. The car usually takes about a half hour to start after initially trying - which no car should have to do. Please get on gm/saturn to do something about this issue.
Passlock system fails on an intermittent basis (generally cold conditions) preventing vehicle from starting for ten (10) minutes prior to next attempt. This could pose a safety hazard/risk to an individual in need of immediate transportation due to the need for medical treatment (ie., woman in labor) or an individual fleeing a dangerous situation (ie., mandatory evacuations). This is a security feature and not required for safe operation of the vehicle, as such; in lieu of the number of malfunctions with said system, the owner of said vehicle should have the option of having said system disabled at their discretion incurring little or no cost by the manufacturer/dealer.
I have been having an issue with my 2003 saturn ion quad coupe and after research I have concluded that these people(http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/saturn/ion/r97727/comments/) have been having the same problem. This started nov. 2008 when I would go to start my car and it wouldn't start. It would make no noise what so ever or it would start and stall...after 10 to 20 minutes it would start like nothing was wrong. Then it didn't do it for another 2 weeks...then it was 2 days...then 3 weeks...there was no pattern. In dec. 2008 I took it to my mechanic who replaced the battery. Then two days later they replaced the starter...I still had the problem but because the car didn't have the issue with the mechanic and I had no way of knowing when it would happen they couldn't help. This stopped in april and I had no trouble until nov. 27, 2009 and it's been happening every few days since. I haven't called saturn b/c I'm afraid they will be like my mechanic and either not be able to fix it or charge me an arm and a leg to get it fix...I was laid off twice this year and am currently unemployed so paying a lot for this issue when saturn should recall the vehicle for the mass amount of people having issues with this car!
I'm having the same issues that a lot of ion owners are having. Car will not start when it is cold and the passlock system kicks in. Once this kicks in you have to leave the key in the accessories position for 10 minutes, passlock will then shut off and you can retry.if it does not start you have to wait another 10 minutes to try and start. Supposedly this is because of grease that is in the ignition switch. This grease freezes up when cold. It does seem to help if you warm up the ignition switch with a hair dryer or lighter.I don't know why gm does not recall this. They are passing their screw up onto the consumer. This problem has left many people stranded. It is just a matter of time till some one is in a really bad situation because of this. 'sorry your having a heart attack maybe I can start the car in another 10 minutes'. I wouldn't be surprised if someone froze to death because of this. At the very least I know people have missed many hours of work. Anyways, I am going to replace the ignition switch to see if this works. I already bought a remote start which bypasses the passlock when remote start but no one will install this on a manual car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. When attempting to start the vehicle, the engine would hesitate before it turned on. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the ignition switch was replaced. The repair did not remedy the failure. The current and failure mileages were 115000.
Whenever the temperature is significantly below freezing my 2003 saturn ion will not start. I sat in the car and tried to start the engine for over 20 minutes this morning before giving up and calling off the interview I was supposed to go to. It is not a battery issue, as the battery is completely charged. This issue has occurred roughly 15 times in the past two years, often leaving me stranded without a way to get home.
I recently purchased a saturn ion 2003 and it at times doesn't start. This has happened on numerous occasions and even after replacing the starter. After about 10-15 minutes, the car starts up. I cannot have a car that could possibly leave me stranded miles from my house in the cold.
The event leading up to the failure was driving 3 miles from work to babysitters. The failure is the car refuses to turn over after turned off. This happens commonly in colder weather. Battery was replaced, starter was replaced, and then after research learned this is an ignition issue saturn is aware of.
Saturn ion 2003 does not start when cold, common problem with many people.
Saturn ion 2003 ignition switch and ignition cylinder bad 3 times since I bought the vehicle brand new in 2003. I have had to pay to replace the switch, at about $300., each time. No one but a gm dealer can replace this switch, which fails once the temp. Drops, because of gm not releasing the computer codes. The ignition cylinder is bad, but at a cost of $100. Just for the cylinder and another cost of $100 for the labor, I have to leave a key in the ignition at all times in the run position, so I can start my car. Saturn has admitted to these being faulty parts, but refuses to recall the cars, so the consumer is forced to pay over and over again for the same repairs.
2003 saturn ion service bulletin # 040845005. The federal safety agency item #: 10007431. No crank no start when ambient temperatures when cold. Had this car for 6 years with minor issues beginning as described above last winter season in 2008. Now the issue is frequent, multiple times a day if weather is cold. I live in the north east it gets cold here often. I have been unemployed for 14 months and can not afford the $270 saturn is claiming to repair this situation. After doing some research I found that this is a common problem with people owning the saturn ion, saturn is aware of this and it is a design defect. Why can't this be recalled? It leaves me stranded in awkward and unpleasant weather conditions. I currently have to heat up my car key with a lighter to make it warm enough to heat up the ignition switch and the grease inside. Is there anything you can do? Thank you.
In the colder weather, my car (which is a 2003 saturn ion) will not start. It often will start and run for a few seconds and then will stall out, and will not be able to be started again for about 10 minutes. It has been happening frequently (multiple times in one week) beginning around the date listed below. I have kept my car in good repair and have taken it in for servicing on a regular basis; I am concerned, now that I will be out somewhere in a city (or other dangerous place) at night and my car won't start. As a single young woman, this problem is a huge safety concern for me. I rely on my car very heavily to get me places, and knowing there are many thousands of other saturns out there with the same problem as mine is a scary thought.
Saturn ion 2003 car would not start.
There is an issue that affects a sensor in the ignition switch. This causes the car to lock up because it is getting a false signal that the car is being stolen. This is a known issue that affects the car's "passlock" system and I think it needs to be recalled. This happens when (1) the temperature is below 0 degrees c over night or an extended time period. (2) the only way to solve the problem is to keep replacing the ignition switch when it goes bad. Attached below is taken from another owner of the saturn ion. "the problem with the ion not starting in many cases is due to a poorly designed anti theft system. The system looks for the presence of the key in the lock when the ignition key is turned. The system looks for a low resistance, but not zero ohms, and can be trained to look for a specific value. If it does not find what it is looking for, the car will not start. One solution is to change the switch. Anyone that can use a wrench and screw driver can do this. The switch costs about $30. The problem, is that they don't last too long, sometimes less than a year. A simple solution I found elsewhere, is to cut the white wire from the ignition switch while the engine is running. Leave enough length after the switch so it can be spliced back together. I did this today, it was easy, and seems to work. It does give you a service warning. Another option, is to install a bypass device that is designed for remote starters. Another option, which is simpler, and depending on where you live (I haven't tested this) is to leave the key in the ignition all the time. Use a second key to lock the doors" a short search of saturn ions not starting in cold weather will show thousands of people who have experienced the exact same problem. Why this issue has not been dealt with is a mystery.
My 2003 saturn ion keeps having ignition switch issues. I was first told by saturn that I needed to replace my battery. Did that but the problem still happens. The ignition won't turn over but will after several minutes. Being a woman, this makes me very nervous because just yesterday when I stalled my car while on route I had to have my husband push me over to the side of the road where I had to wait until I could start it again. I could have been all by myself and had to rely on total strangers for help. :-(
My 2003 saturn ion has an ignition problem. Sometimes it won't start. It is intermittent. Today the car started, I started driving all the warning lights came on, the power steering went off, the ABS brake light came on. I got the car stopped, turned off the car. Tried to start it again, to no avail. Waited a few minutes, started the car, turned around, went back to beg. Destination. Turned off car. Tried to restart - no restart. Waited 30 min. Tried again, no start. Waited 1 hour, started but none of the items on the dash would work. This problem has happened several times. What would have happened if I were on the freeway and all this just stopped and the power steering went out?
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