My 2004 saturn ion intermittently will not release the key from the acc position as well as when trying to start it the security system will intermittently keep the car from starting, I will go to start the vehicle and then it will start to crank then shut down, I have to wait 10 min then the car will start. It is starting to happen more frequently and I seen the just did a recall on 2/25/2014 on ignition switches for my year and model of saturn but my VIN was not included and I can see that several complaints have been put in and this in many cases was just a start to what other people have incurred @ some point most other people complain eventually then cannot get the engine to stop running. I am trying to find out why my VIN is not included in this recall as I just took my vehicle to the shop coincidentally for this problem as they told me was the ignition switch but did not have the funds to repair it. This to me is absurd when you see the amount of complaints and now I find out 13 people have died!
2004 Saturn Ion electrical complaints
Page 5 of 12: complaints 101 to 130 of 331, newest first, as owners wrote them.
It turns out saturn ion ignition switches came with a flaw from the factory, excessive grease with poor cold weather performance.the passlock issue presents itself as your car suddenly not starting. Suffice it to say if there's no obvious reason for your vehicle to not start, it's probably passlock related. If you've noticed that waiting a few minutes seems to help, that's the clincher. Ten minutes is the magic number, that's when the computer resets. If you were charged for a new battery, starter, ignition switch or a tow I suggest you not let the issue drop, it wasn't your fault or responsibility. Gm should take responsibility. Forgetting the unpleasantness of being stranded in 10 minute increments (also, the car fails to start several times in a row, as long as 40 minutes before) this is a safety issue that should be dealt with accordingly. Calling the problem a safety issue might seem like a stretch but let's think for a moment. What if you're trying to flee an emergency situation (stalker, landslide, fire, flood, etc.) and your car fails to start? What if it's -10 outside and your car won't start? You're now stuck in a freezing car for a minimum of 10 extra minutes, going inside isn't always an option! Leaving aside the safety examples, think of everyday life, today is big meeting day, you're ready to leave and... Car won't start. Safety & reliability are two (2) key items definitely failing in order for driving to and from any destination. I feel gm/saturn should be held responsible for this defect. As far as I know, there has been no notification from gm/saturn regarding this defect. With the recent fix, I paid $550.00 for the repair of the ignition switch, new battery, starter and plugs, which all needed to be changed due to the stress & strain of this "starting" issue. I would appreciate reimbursement of the amount stated. Please reply...[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2004 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to electronic power steering failure. *smd the consumer stated she first started having front suspension problems, which the dealer fixed free of charge. The exhaust was leaking and she paid to have it replaced, along with the catalytic converter. Also, the horn stopped working. The consumer received a letter in july 2012, from gm stating the warranty was being extended because the electric power steering could fail. On december 16, 2013, the power steering failed, as the consumer was leaving a parking lot. She had to use extra force to turn the steering wheel. After a couple of minutes, it was back to normal. A test revealed, there was indeed a failure. When the consumer called gm, she was informed the extended warranty had expired on 11/28/13 the consumer no longer owns the vehicle. Updated 02/5/14
I was driving into parking lot and electric power steering warning with alarm came on the readout on the dash. At that time it had become nearly impossible to turn the steering wheel in any direction. If anyone had been close enough to me there would have been a collision. I turned the ignition off and then on again and the electric steering returned. I am the original owner of the vehicle and this incident put me in a panic mode because I am physically disabled with disabilities that affect my arms and legs. Trying to turn the steering wheel when the electric steering failed caused me great pain. I fear that if this happens again there could be a serious accident with other vehicles or even serious injuries to pedestrians. There was no way I could control that vehicle without a fully functional electric steering. I consider myself lucky that the vehicle was going at a very slow rate of speed and not on the roadway when this happened.
Driving on the freeway, at approximately 65 MPH, when a chime went off. Steering immediately became difficult and I noticed that the power steering indicator light was on. I exited the freeway carefully and pulled over, turned off the car, then restarted it and the power steering came back on. Since this initial incident the problem has become more frequent. I am unable to safely drive the car and have been told it will cost over $1,000.00 to replace a power steering motor in the steering column. Also I have discovered this to be a frequent issue for this model vehicle. With the danger involved shouldn't a recall be in order?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that after powering off the vehicle, the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicate and two new keys were provided to the contact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000 and the current mileage was 28,000. Updated 9/24/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition switch key was engaged repeatedly and the engine would not operate. The failure occurred ten times. The vehicle was towed to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing which detected a trouble code related to a module. The contact was uncertain of the part that was replaced. The problem continued and the vehicle remained at the dealer for further investigation. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
When starting the saturn on a cold morning, the ignition fails to start the car. I get a service message. After waiting about 10 minutes the car will start as if the security was resetting itself. I've read several complaints of this problem on the internet. Gm will not own up to a faulty product that leaves saturn owners completely stranded. This problem occurs at random times, even on warm days. A recall must be approved for this massive safety problem. It's a safety concern because in an emergency the cars shouldn't have to sit for an additional ten minutes or stall out in unsafe areas. The problem seems to correct itself after this ignition switch inside of the steering column has been replaced based on hundreds of testaments. I have replaced my stater and battery before realizing the problem was a faulty ignition switch that numerous other saturn owners have had the unpleasant experience of dealing with.
The ignition would not engage could not start the car and replaced the entire system at 400.00 cost. Less than a year later, the key now will not come out of the ignition and the car will not turn off. I disconnected the battery and it still would not turn off. After more than 30 minutes, and the engine overheating we were able to pull enough fuses to shut the engine off. They say I have to replace the same system again. I have heard that this is a recurring problem with this car and I can't get any answers from gm. I can not afford to replace this system again at a cost of 400.00 please help me with.
Our car, 2004, saturn ion3, caught on fire in the driveway on it's own about 2 hours after it was driven home on 4 nov 2011. No driver - no key in the vehicle when it caught fire. I submitted an initial request for review to gm claims along with all documentation that we had via emails and our claim was denied.
When I turn my car on the parking lights and front turn signals starting blinking really quick like strobing. I can turn my left turn signal on and it will blink inside hearing the normal ticking. If I turn my right turn signal on it the arrow on the inside blinks slower and makes no ticking sound.if I push on my brake the light work probably and the ticking sound on the right turn signal inside starts. If I put my emergency brake on it works properly. The strobing of the front outside parking lights stop. If I turn my parking light on and drive with them on everything works properly. I know this has something to do with the recall. It is effecting my car so bad that my radio display light blinks also. So it is getting feedback from this problem before I have a wreck. I am a single mother with 2 children.
For the second time the ignition lock cylinder broke. Today we unable to turn off the engine. We had to remove fuses to kill the engine and disconnect the battery. The first time it happened we were stuck in the grocery store parking lot because the key would not turn to start. In both cases we had to break the ignition lock in order to remove the lock cylinder. With the cylinder removed we can use a screw driver to start the car. The screw is much more reliable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact was driving 20 MPH when she began to smell burning rubber and plastic. The contact stopped the vehicle and at discovered that the power windows and power locks had become inoperable. The fuse was replaced for the windows and they began to function properly. A personal mechanic advised the contact that the new fuse would need to be removed to ensure that no electrical fires occurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 94,500.
Multiple failures of electrical system. Gauges drop to zero, the engine may or may not stop running, then the dash warning lights ( ie oil warning light, ect ) come on, and then dash returns to normal. If the car is moving the engine starts running again. One steering warning message during a left hand turn. The car was difficult to steer into and out of the corner. I am willing to turn my car over to have the steering and electrical system checked out. Saturn has been unable to repair the electrical system since the car was new. The factory extended warranty was used to check this issue out as well.
When starting the saturn on a cold morning, the ignition fails to start the car. I get a service message. After waiting about 10 minutes the car will start as if the security was resetting itself. I've read several complaints of this problem on the internet. Gm will not own up to a faulty product that leaves 100s of people stranded. As time goes by this problem occurs at random times, even on warm days. I would like a recall approved for this massive safety problem. It's a safety concern because in an emergency our cars shouldn't have to sit for an additional ten minutes or stall us in a potentially bad neighborhood. The problem seems to correct itself after this ignition switch inside of the steering column has been replaced based on hundreds of testaments. I want to add that my saturn when it was new had other recall issues like the automatic light sensor. Also, another safety issue.
I was on the highway at 65 MPH when the indicator light for the steering lit up and my power steering went out. I stopped and restarted my car and the power steering worked for about 5 minutes. The indicator light came on again and the steering failed. The following day my vehicle was checked out by a mechanic who diagnosed the issue as a failed eps (electronic power steering). The estimated cost of just the part is $1200. I did not ask about the cost of labor. I have started the vehicle several times since the initial incident and sometimes the indicator light is not on and the power steering works for a few minutes. Ultimately the light comes on and the steering fails again within 5 minutes. At other times I have started the vehicle and the indicator light is on and there is no power steering.as I am the original owner of this vehicle, this is very upsetting.
The power steering is failing nearly every time the car is used. It fails within minutes after the car is started. Making turns requires a lot of effort in turning the steering wheel. The car can still be driven without the power steering, but one would hardly call it safe.
The litany of problems with this unsafe and unreliable vehicle is long and varied. Multiple transmission problems, electrical issues, losing power while driving, etc.. Gm and saturn knew of these issues, especially the ones concerning the vti transmission, yet they chose to continue to put the public at risk by denying their responsibilities to correct these problems. The only real way, in my opinion, to make this right is to fully recall and replace these vehicles. This car has been nothing but a nightmare since I bought it brand new in late 2003 and continues to be a hazard. Please force gm to do the right thing and get these cars off the road before someone gets killed.
Key stuck in the ignition. Car would not start. A new key had to be cut.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was carefully maneuvered to the shoulder and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The failure had since recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently experience a failure in which it would not start. Whenever the failure occurred, the contact would have to wait approximately ten minutes before the vehicle would successfully start. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The key of my saturn ion will not come out when the vehicle is shut down. When the vehicle is stopped and in park, the key turns back to off but will not come out. This is the second ignition switch we've had put in this car, and there are literally thousands of people that this is happening to.
I have had same problem with 2004 saturn since day when I bought it. Take to dealer and they don't know what the problem is. Bought new battery cause that is what a mech said to do need larger size. Last month every time never failed you get in vehicle turn key on . Sounds like it wants to start, but no you have to wait 10 min then turn key and it starts. Cold or warm weather didn't seem to matter. I was told maybe starter! So I took it to a new mechanic that I had a dealing with on another issue different vehicle. He did testing and replaced the pass lock key . Something to do with the alarming system. So knock on wood.. This last week starts everytime its working. Total cost for part is 250.00 plus you need to have new key made and coded.
I have a 2004 saturn ion. I bought in the winter of 2007. It immediately presented with the problem of not starting in really cold weather. I took it to the dealership it was bought from and they told me they couldn't find a problem. I have been told by another mechanic that he couldn't find the problem either. I sometimes have to wait up to 30 minutes for my car to start in freezing cold weather. About 6 or 8 months ago the key wouldn't turn when it was inserted into the ignition. I have to jiggle it back and forth, sometimes the key almost coming out totally before it will turn over. Today it took 15 minutes to finally get it unlocked and turned over to start.
2004 saturn ion. Consumer states problem with faulty ignition. *tgw the consumer stated the dashboard lights would illuminate, when the key was turned, but the vehicle would not start. The consumer stated she would have to wait ten minutes or longer, before the vehicle would start. *jb the consumer was informed an ignition housing problem was common with her vehicle. Updated 06/23/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that during cold weather the vehicle intermittently failed to start. During the failure, the engine rpms would momentarily increase and the security warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that the security light indicated that the vehicle did not recognize the key. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the failure may be due to a wiring issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the key became wedged in the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
I just brought a 2004 saturn ion 2 a couple days ago. Today I got up and ready for work and my car wouldn't start. I tried several times to start the car and still nothing but the lights and radio etc come on. I was lookin for a reliable car to get me and my son back and forth being as though we have no family that lives close by;;; turns out I think I might have made a wrong decision. I have had this car less than 2 weeks now and it already is turning into a nightmare. I am hesitant on putting my son in this car because if I do get it to turn on and this happens again what are we to do? It is freezing outside!
My car will not start when the weather turns cold. I am the original owner of this car and keep up on the maintenance. After researching the problem, I have read numerous complaints on line about the same problem from other saturn ion owners and have concluded that the passlock system is misinterpreting a theft and locking up the fuel . I read that changing the grease in the ignition switch will correct this problem and that saturn (gm) has known of this complaint for some time now. They have a new improved part to replace this bad one but I don't feel it is worth $400.00+ to pay for replacement when it is a quick fix and it is their fault to start with. Please issue a recall for this problem. I have been stranded in the cold waiting and praying for the car to start so that I can get to work on time and back home. It is not too much to ask. The car only has about 42,000 miles on it.
Without notice, the car will not start. The car will start and run like it was designed too, but after the car has been turned off, there have been instants where the car will not start again. The battery is not dead, all the lights, gauges and horn will work, but no power goes to the starter. After a extended period of time, ten minutes or more, the car will start. This is a random condition, there are no warning signs of when it will not start. I have been told that there is either a glitch in the security program or there is a problem with the grease in the started switch.
My 2004 saturn ion 2 will not start on many cold mornings. It started initially, I drove it to the gas station, then it would not start again. The battery was fine, but I replaced it anyway. This issue presents in two different ways: turn key and get nothing, or turn key and hear an initial crank and then it shuts off. Lights and radio still work. Car will eventually crank and turn over after 10-20 minutes.
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