2005 Saturn Ion: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Mar 10, 2018 · 30,000 miles · NY

Keys can not be removed from the ignition of the 2005 saturn ion. Research indicated that gm has this problem across several of its small car brands and models. The inability to remove the keys causes the battery to drain. It also leaves the car vulnerable to theft as the car can be started again. Gm allegedly recognizes it as a problem with upwards of 88,000 vehicles. Articles written by mike colias in automotive news indicated that gm, being very well aware of the issue prompted gm to offer a "special coverage adjustment" in which they would repair the car for free, but not recall the affected cars. A local gm dealer was not aware of this special coverage adjustment and was not willing to repair the car for free, although they did say they would do more research on the problem. The problem only surfaces when the car is stationary and it will shut off. But if going away with the car or stopping for gas or errands forces you to leave the keys in the car, in addition to draining the battery it becomes a large target for theft.

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Electrical · MD

My car's battery keeps dying on me. It will do so if I'm driving or if it is park and sits. The battery drains. I have driven the car, the battery light will come on and then no power (very scary when driving!!). The car has been park and completely dies and I will need a hot shot. I had the car towed in to the gm dealership in owings mills, md and they told me that the cause is because of the notice of the vehicle transmission shifter needs to be replaced. I am still waiting for this to be fixed. The car is at the dealership and I had to call them so that they could tell me that the part isn't available anywhere and I have to wait. They wanted me to pick up the car and drive it off the lot and this car isn't saved to drive (reason why I had it towed there). I requested a loaner vehicle while the part comes in on 1/29/15 and I'm waiting to here back from the manager but have not received a loaner car.

Filed Oct 5, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 40,000 miles · CA

Key becomes stuck in the accessory position after turning vehicle off, approximately 90% of the time I drive it. When this occurs, I have two options: allow the battery to be drained and jumpstart the next time I use my car, or attempt to locate the manual release inside the steering column. I've had the recall maintenance done on my car, and it did not fix the problem. Gm told me that I would need to have the gear shifter assembly replaced (cost to be paid by me). In the meantime, they suggested that I continue to release the key manually. Every time I use my car, I feel unsafe - I am putting myself at risk of electrocution constantly, whether by jumpstarting the dead battery or manipulating the wires under the steering column. Gm is aware of this issue and taking no steps to fix it, much like the other ignition/power steering problems they willingly ignored.

Filed Apr 1, 2011 · Electrical · MD

2005 saturn ion, multiple problems, such as the key getting stuck in the ignition switch, in order to release the key I need to push a button underneath and inside the steering column. Also, the passlock system is defective, it prevents the car from starting and drains the battery, I have replaced the battery twice in one year.

Filed Dec 28, 2009 · Electrical · 59,000 miles · MA

Key will not release from my ignition. It appears that the ignition does not read that the stick shift is engaged in park and does not release the key from the ignition. This began happening just as my car reached 60,000 miles (my car is currently at 84,000). There does not seem to be any pattern to the problem, just random and in any weather condition. Sometimes I just have to leave the key in the ignition and leave the vehicle. The key is still in accessory mode and does drain the battery. I brought it to the dealer at my first incidence and the ignition was replaced. It was covered under the warranty at the time, but the warranty expired just after.

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Electrical · 12,814 miles · WA

The car started experiencing electrical issues. The accessory jack became inoperable, the radio would stop putting out sound, even though it was on you would not be able to turn it off then the ABS light would stay on and the warning bell would go off. Finally the anti-theft light would come on and stay on. Upon going to my car after work it would not start. I thought it was a dead battery so we jumped the car and after about 15 minutes it started. 1 week later the light came on and stayed on again, but after restarting the car it went out. Again when I went out another day to start by car after my lunch break the car wouldn't start. I called saturn and requested road side assistance, but after 15 minutes the car started. I took it to the saturn dealership and they replaced the computer (control) body system. The next day the anti theft light came on again, I took it back and they had to replace the switch in the ignition. In june the radio again was not working properly. After restarting the car it worked again. I called saturn again to complain and took it in for diagnostic at that time they could not find any codes. 1 week later the radio again would not work, so I drove straight to the dealership without restarting the car so that they could see the problem in action. I was told that it was the radio only and they would replace it. A new radio has been ordered but during this time the ABS system again came on with a warning bell. I turned the car off and back on the system reset itself. 2 days later after leaving the store the ABS light went on again with the bell and the anti-theft light came on. I restarted the car, but the anti-theft light stayed on the entire trip home. I was told that if the light was on the car should not run, but it did. I took the car in today for them to "look" at it and they said they are going to replace the radio and run a diagnostic on it.