2003 Saturn Ion: jerking or lurching

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 Feb 21, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 144,000 miles · MI

I was driving my saturn tonight and noticed that even when I would let off the brake, the car would accelerate and rpms would stay elevated. I was driving at about 35-40mph. I was coming up to an intersection and it simply didn't feel right, like it was pulling forward. The traffic light turns red and I start to apply pressure to the brakes. It felt like the brakes were resisting and it was taking a lot more pressure than usual to slow down. My car would not come to a complete stop and I was going ~5mph right up to the crosswalk. The car started violently lurching forward and still, wasn't coming to a stop. The rpms were revving and I was able to react in time to put the car in neutral, keep braking, and turn the engine off right before things would have ended very badly. I kept my car in park and turned it on, and it would shoot up immediately to 4000 RPM. I didn't trust the car at all at this point and sat in -18 degree weather processing what had just happened and what to do next. After about 5 minutes I heard what can be described as the acceleration pedal releasing or popping back up in place. There was nothing it could have been caught on to cause it to stick. Terrifying.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the vehicle jerked. The contact mentioned that the eps warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart and function normally. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Aug 14, 2011 · Acceleration · 89,000 miles · CO

The car will be running just fine. Then all of a sudden it accelerates and wants to go fast. I put on the brakes and it does not want to stop. Then the acceleration stops by itself and the car jerks like it is missing a gear. It does this probably about 2 times per week.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Steering · 55,000 miles · CA

Power steering failure. Sporadic lurching left or right at any given time. Unsafe condition.

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Transmission · 800 miles · PA

Dt: the consumer stated transmission has never worked properly. The vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times, they stated could duplicate the problem. The problem was duplicated once, and the transmission module was replaced. The consumer has gone through 1-800- my- lemon, and since that, the dealership was not willing to help her anymore. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also claim ed it could not be t be duplicated, so they could not help. There have been multiple things wrong with the vehicle; the gas gauge and other things. The consumer did have the work orders and could send in that information. The transmission would go up to high rpms. It would jerk, and almost shut off. It happed on straight roads as well as hills.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 1,984 miles · FL

I bought a 2003 saturn ion 3 march 17, 2003. Within 2 weeks the car had a cracked cylinder with coolant leaking into the engine. Saturn corp. Recalled the car. The purchase of [xxx] was canceled 4/17/03 and I purchased a 2nd 2003 saturn ion 3, [xxx], on 4/17/03. The 2nd car from the beginning had transmission problems shifting between gears, jerking up and down from 30 MPH to 70 MPH, kicks when started, rattles loudly in reverse, and steering problems coming out of turns. The car has been in service 4 times (bumper to bumper warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 12, 2003 · Acceleration, Transmission · 10,600 miles · CA

The two saturn 2003 ions I have driven (including my current vehicle) have a transmission problem where, when engaging in third gear, the transmission will "freewheel" for several seconds before engaging with a lurch. The problem can be created by accelerating around a corner while the transmission is shifting from second to third. The cars were manufactured in march/april, 2003.

Filed Aug 18, 2003 · Engine · 98 miles · MA

Within 1 week of purchasing vehicle, engine light was coming on and car would shake. Brought in to dealer and they ran a diagnostic test which determined nothing was wrong. Within 2 days engine light continued to come on, sometimes staying on steady and sometimes blinking. Vehicle will start to shake and will not accelerate. When going down hills (even small ones) vehicle will suddenly feel like the brakes have been put on and vehicle jerks forward. The car feels like it's about to stall out when trying to accelerate. When opening the trunk it was very hot and you could not put your hand down in it. Called dealer to make another service appt. This week.

Filed Jul 4, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

March 22, 2003 I purchased an saturn ion 3. Within the 1st the week there was problems starting the car. The car was in for service 2 times in 2 weeks. Finally the engine light started flashing (3rd time). Supposedly the car was fixed. 3 days later the dealer's service department called me at saturn corp.'s request to immediately return the car as the engine could blow up. The engine had a cracked cylinder which caused coolant to leak into the engine with about 650 miles. Also, another saturn ion with 2500 miles was sitting in the dealer's lot with a cracked cylinder in the engine. I was released from the sale on april 17, 2003. I took a 2nd saturn ion 3 on april 17, 2003. This car has jerky steering problems coming out of turns and sever transmission problems. The car kicks when turning on the ignition, engine gets racketing when put into reverse, when changing gears - kicks, slides, and will surge, and bounce through gears between 30 MPH to above 70 MPH. The service manager said, "all the ions drive this way. There's nothing wrong with the car". This car has been in for service 4 times. Each time the car is returned worse than the time before.