2003 Saturn Ion: won't start

Filed Aug 2, 2020 · Electrical, Transmission · 139,000 miles · LA

My key switch doesn't allow me to remove my key when I'm in parked and my transmission strands at times and my car doesn't start all the time when I try to start it I have to sit and wait awhile before it starts again I could be sitting in the drive thru on parked waiting to travel again on th he main roadway

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 Sep 28, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · KY

This is the third time in one year that my timing chain has slipped on my 2003 saturn ion. I have read that the oil port is not large enough to handle oiling the chain. I have already paid out of pocket nearly 2000 dollars and it is still in the shop. It has messed up other parts of the engine every time it has done this. So I have to have other parts replaced also that are result of this. It runs fine then suddenly and without warning I can go to start the car and it starts having a spasm and then shutters and will not start. I am so afraid to keep having the timing chain fixed on this since I have read that it is really a fault in the engineering of the engine to start with. Please help. I need a number to call to see if there is a recall or will gm fix this problem that is surely their fault and not the fault of the owner of the car. It is a good running car and I did enjoy driving it but I can't keep getting the timing chain fixed if fixing the timing chain is not the problem really but is something else that is causing the timing chain to fail.

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Engine · 132,000 miles · OH

While driving at steady speed of 70 MPH car fails to accelerate and boggs down when giving gas car then decelerates and stalls. Will not start back up for a few minutes then drives and runs like nothing happened

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 Nov 9, 2014 · Driver assistance, Steering · 140,000 miles · ND

Slight shudder at a stoplight.. Lost acceleration and power steering. Made it to shop. Code p0420 catcon was all that came up, battery and alternator(new) tested fine and vehicle started like nothing happened. I had exhaust tested and 4 hours of general diagnostics= "the car seems fine, yes that is weird, just keep an eye on it" it twice more, and consistently felt "rough" before february 2014, (two years) got new suspension, spark plugs, fuel and coolant systems cleaned, etc... My car felt almost new, a little rough so I babied it. After all, it is obsessively well maintained...immediately after recall ignition switch replaced by dealer, one month ago, the "really rough" feeling returned. Shifting hard, vibrating, it almost stalled at intersections intermittently. Dealer checked transmission (along with two other shops that love money)... All say transmission is fine, but to me it felt like it was falling apart. When I had a day off two days ago, I brought it to three transmission shops, two exhaust shops, and two tire shops (who also inspected my suspension, wheel balance and brakes) all said it was fine and that is "normal" to feel that way as I approached 183000 miles. The next day ( last night) when after ten minutes of driving, in the space of thirty seconds, I lost acceleration, power steering, radio was flashing lights, battery light and service engine warning came on along with the airbag light.. My car couldn't make it over the little hump across the intersection and I (5'3 120 lbs) was forced to push my running car across the highway that runs through town. I made it to the frontage road, barely able to turn which put me head on with another car that had to swerve around me. The car wouldn't start. Battery tested fine. Towed home.

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 96,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

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 Apr 25, 2014 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · SC

I purchased my saturn and a day later, I was having trouble with the ignition. The key wouldn't roll over. After a few days ,I found that if I rock the key back & forth or up & down, sometimes it would start or if I would rock the steering wheel it would let me start the car; by doing this, the key broke off, I still have enough of the key to get it to start. Also, when I go to turn it off, sometimes it won't! Or it will, but I can't get the key out. So I restart the car, put it in gear and then into park again, until it will allow me to take the key out. A year ago I had to have one portion of the ignition replaced, because when I'd go to start it,, it would make a noise, but would not start. I do not know why they did not fix the entire ignition at the time. I have had no trouble with the engine. But, something is keeping the A/C heater fans from working. I was living in another state at the time, and apparently their service practices could use some upgrading. I am now living in another state and in hopes that I get better service here. Thank you for listening.

Filed Apr 6, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 60 miles · NV

When I bought my car it wouldn't start, the dealer said it was because it sat for a long time. This problemhas been constantly been an issue since in extreme weather. I was told during one shop inspection it was electrical and they have seen a lot of this but don't know what causes it. With this case it has shut my radio on and off and a big issue that I have is when I am stopped with my foot on my brake the engine will rev up and jerk forward. This happens in the city when I'm driving at slower speeds. I've had to run off the road to avoid hitting people, the only thing that saves me from hitting anyone at lights or signs is my safety gap between me and a front car. I've been late for work, ruined vacations, been stranded with an infant in 100 degree weather, and wasted a lot of money trying to find the problems. I bought it new and have heard every excuse for the problems...you guys have finally stepped in on one of the problems we have been having now gm needs to answer the rest. I'm not the only one with these problems. If you do a search online you can pull up 100s of issues exactly the same. I have all my receipts when I took it onto saturn dealers. Now I have doors that don't seal but I'm sure this is because it's old or other excuses. I had to buy another car because my kids aren't safe in it. I can't even have a clean conscious trading it in so I still am stuck with it. I have complained about this issue before but no one listens.

Filed Mar 29, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 3,000 miles · MI

It don't happen all the time but it won't start you turn the key and nothing happen and you have to wait 15 minutes and try to start it most the time it will start but there were afew that it took a half hour sitting and waiting for it to reset had my car in the dealer want time and told them about they said nothing can been done about it intil it happen to them even whose the dashboard computer say service engines and it could happen everyday for a week than it could be months before it dose it again.

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Electrical · MI

We do not feel safe driving our 2003 saturn ion we purchased the car through right way located in livonia, mi in april 2013. Since december 2013 the ignition turns off while we are driving and it has stopped on us five or six times. We have taken it to the mechanic unique auto repair located in detroit, mi to find out what the problem is...the mechanic could not find what the problem was. Also, a light keeps coming on the panel; don't know if this is the cause of the ignition. In order to start the car, my fiance would have to lift the hood of the car to start it and we don't know what this item is called. This is taking up our time and time off of work when the car does not start. It has also sparked several times on us; this is a safety hazard. Me and my fiance has made plans to travel to atlanta, ga in april of this year. We were going to use our car for transportation; but we do not trust the car at all. We need a loaner (vehicle) to travel as soon as possible.