2003 Saturn Ion: windshield wiper failure

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 Jul 13, 2017 · Visibility · 80,000 miles · FL

In the photograph below you will see the wiper transmission, made of plastic, that broke on my 2003 saturn ion and was replaced on my vehicle on 7/7/2017 at my expense of $298. I was stunned to learn that any car manufacturer would use plastic for any moving part in a vehicle engine compartment. I have been in contact with general motors, and at first they told me there was nothing they could do. However, I have requested that they do a recall on the 2003 saturn to replace the wipers transmissions. I have also been told not to waste my time that this is not considered a safety issue by the federal safety agency. Let me assure you, it most definitely is a safety issue. It is extremely dangerous to drive without the use of wipers when it is pouring rain. The wiper broker while I was driving in morning rush hour traffic when I thought a rock had hit my windshield. It wasn't a rock, it was the wiper that had slammed back into my windshield. I had no choice but to keep going until I reached my destination at which time I called a friend who loaned me their car until I could get this fixed. I have also done a little bit of research on this and found that my car is not the only saturn 2003 that has had this problem. The case file numbers with gm are 8-2993888661 and 8-3078081084, with the latter being the most recent communication. And, while I know my care is 14 years old, the age should not be an issue since the wiper transmission is made of plastic. I thank you for your consideration of this matter, and if this is not on your list of safety/hazardous conditions that it be added to the list.

Filed Nov 16, 2016 · Visibility · GA

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to defective plastic linkage on the transmission connects the wiper motor to the windshield wiper arm. *smd the consumer stated the defective part was made out of plastic, which was not durable in such a critical place as the windshield wiper transmission.

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 Feb 6, 2015 · Engine, Visibility · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · Visibility · 161,000 miles · OK · 1 injury

While going down the interstate at 75, my wiper motor linkage blew apart because of the plastic. I couldn't see because of the snow, and had to reach out and grab the wipers, they cut my hand.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 133,000 miles · PA

On multiple occasions this vehicle has accelerated without pushing the gas pedal, with no cruise control option, it's unsolved by multiple mechanics. Sometimes the brake works while it's happening, sometimes it doesn't, the most recent time I pulled into a parking lot where I had to hold the brake down to shut the car off, I could smell the transmission, I turned vehicle off, turned it back on and it went to over 5 RPM still, turned back off, sat and waited, it was 2am so I couldn't call anyone. After 10 minutes it finally went back to normal. That was the most severe, it's had slightly similar issues at least 4 times. First mechanic said it was a cruise control issue, then I told him I was leaving since the vehicle doesn't have cruise control at all. Don't want him working on it. 2nd one ran computer check, no issue found. Hopefully gm recalls this before it kills someone. This car has had many issues me and my father could fix, ignition switch, wiper blade transmission, coolant light but this one isn't easy.

Filed May 23, 2012 · Steering, Visibility · 160,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the power steering seized. In addition, the windshield wiper failed and the front windows driver and passenger side windows could not be opened or closed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified who advised the contact that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer and they would decide if they should offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2012 · Visibility · 79,501 miles · UT

. I was driving south on I-15 between cedar city and st. George utah.around 4:00 pm when I drove into a very heavy rain storm, I turned on the windshield wipers to clear the windshield. At which point the wipers went up and then quite. The driver side wiper went all the way to the left side of the windshield and stopped. The passenger side worked for a few minutes and then quite I had to pull over stop and water for the rain storm to pass over. Upon later inspection I found that the plastic housing that holds the wiper mounts to the main assembly had broken away from both sides causing the wipers to quit working. Since the car was out of warranty I went down to stephen wade chevrolet and purchased a new wiper motor module assembly. Which cost me $196,00. While I was replacing this wiper module assembly I noticed that the new wiper motor module assembly has no plastic parts.the unit was solid metal. Which should have been done in the first place to avoid this very serious safety issue. I did write saturn a letter and sent pictures as well showing them the problem this problem happens over a long period of time as hot and cold weather causes the plastic to get brittle and then brake. I am very concerned about the publics safety and advised saturn that I felt they should seriously consider issuing a recall and replace any of these vehicles which may have these plastic part installed on them. I have been driving for many years. As experienced driver I knew what to do. But for a younger or elder driver I really think this situation could have turned out very bad. Let's get something done before someone gets hurt or even worse killed. I just don't feel that saturn will do anything more about this safety issue. So I hope you will. Thanks for taking the time to read this letter and for your consideration, cooporation and concerns.

Filed Sep 29, 2011 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the windshield wiper arm failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the dealer stated that the windshield wiper motor and arm needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the VIN did not apply to recall campaign id number 02v283000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor). The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 70,000. Updated 10/19/11*lj updated 01/30/12*bf complaint status update 02/08/12

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Visibility · 52,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the while driving in incliment weather, he noticed that the windshield wipers would not operate. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls addressing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 28, 2011 · Visibility · NC

I am the owner of a 2003 saturn ion and was driving down the highway when it started raining. I have very poor visibility because the drivers side wiper blade flew off the side of the windshield. I called saturn about this concern, was told I have to replace it. It shows the connective joint on the wiper broke loose and after reading several hundred complaints online about this same problem, it is apparent that saturn knows of this defective product, but charges hundreds of dollars to repair the problem. Many injuries and possibly death could result from this defect and I am very unhappy with saturn's lack of concern for public safety. I can only drive my car when it is not raining because I cannot afford 481.00 to fix what should not have broken in the first place. The plastic molding on the windshield cavity is not sufficient or safe for any vehicle. Please attend to this matter before someone is killed.