3-16-2005 car leaking red fluid: diagnosis-axle not seated, new parts ordered, car repaired 4-7-2005 car making thud sound when shifting: diagnosis-not duplicated (never checked transmission-just drove car) 9-29-2005 car not going into 1st and 2nd gears smoothly, car not starting when key in ignition, internal car gauges not working: diagnosis-internal computer parts fixed-could not duplicate gear issues (again-did remove transmission and investigate) 3-24-2008 previous gear problems persisted, car would not go into 1st gear; took car to dealer, dealer would not look at because out of warranty due to mileage although problem was reported prior unless I paid 9-1-2008 car will not go into 1st or 2nd; diagnosis (paid for at my expense)-transmission needs to be repaired (at my expense) 9-11-2008 car repaired and while driving home car would not go in any gears: returned to dealer and found red fluid leaking from vehicle: diagnosis-additional part in transmission loose.
2005 Saturn Ion electrical complaints
Page 8 of 9: complaints 191 to 220 of 227, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When I shut off my 2005 saturn ion, the key does not always come out of the ignition as it should. I have to wait a few minutes before the key will come out. This is a recurring problem and has been going on for over a year. I am also having problems with my power steering. The pwr str comes on all the time. When I shut the car off, it resets, but after a few minutes it comes back on again. This has been happening for the past two months. I took my car to saturn of fayetteville (nc) when the power steering first started acting up, and the mechanic said he could not find the problem, but if it kept happening I would have to have the steering console replaced. The estimated cost of fixing it? Over $900.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. When the contact parked her vehicle, it would not shut off. She drove to a mechanic shop and they manually turned off the vehicle by pulling wires and disconnecting the battery. Also, the key would not release from the ignition. The ignition was replaced for the second time. The failure mileage was 46,600. Updated 10/03/08 *bf the ignition cylinder and housing was replaced. Updated 10/06/08.
Ignition locks up.
Key came out of ignition while driving; also keys is stuck when turning car off.
I have a 2005 saturn ion quad /. In feb of 07 I went to park my car and the key would not turn off the car nor come out of the ignition. The car was towed to the nearest saturn dealership and the ignition was replaced. In june of 07 this occurred again, it was towed and the ignition was replaced. Then in again the same thing occurred in aug 07 and the ignition was replaced. In jan of 2008, when I took the car in for service, I asked them to check the ignition because it had stuck on me several times before I was able to turn the car off. They once again replaced the ignition. Last week I was 500 miles from home and pulled off to get gas and was unable to turn the car off to fuel up. By the time I got home I was able to shut the car off. Two days later, it happened again. The car was towed and the ignition replaced. I just went over my 36,000 but the dealership said it would be covered under the 1 yr parts warranty, so I did not have to pay anything for the repair. But I am still upset about a common problem not being addressed by saturn. They either have faulty ignition parts or there is something else going on to cause this problem and it needs to be investigated. Replacing an ignition 5 times in 18 months is not normal. I pulled it up on the internet and this seems to be a common problem. So this situation is not unique to me. What happens when 13 months from now, it happens again then I will have to pay out of my pocket for something that is saturns fault. I have contacted the saturn corp and they cant explain why no recall has been issued on this part.
In cold weather my saturn ion will fail to start. The ignition will click a couple of time then nothing. I wait 8-10 minutes and try again sometimes it will attempt to start sometimes not. Then I have to wait some more and try again, eventually it will start. I had 2 new batteries replaced and still problem persists. I found a saturn message board that addressed this very problem. Hope you can get saturn to recall this issue.
The key in my 2005 saturn ion starting getting stuck in the ignition for approximately several days prior to the incident. On 6/20/08, I was unable to turn the car off due to this issue. When I was finally able to remove the key from the ignition, I was still unable to shut down the engine without stalling the car and pulling the battery.
2005 saturn ion 2 - two problems 1. Most recent - key stuck in ignition and the car will not shut off! Turned key many times, tried pliers and the key still stuck. Battery now disconnected and relay disconnected. Have seen other complaints of this problem with ions. 2. Steering column - fault code "pwr str" comes up and car loses power steering. Will reset if car is turned off, but will do it again within a couple of minutes.
Tl*the contact's mother owns a 2005 saturn ion. After driving the vehicle, the gear was placed into park, but the vehicle would not shut off. The vehicle would not shift out of park and the contact had to remove ignition fuses to shut off the vehicle. The dealer has been notified. The current and failure mileages were 45,199. Updated 06/25/08 *bf the ignition lock cylinder was seized inside the housing. Updated 06/26/08
I own a 2005 saturn ion. I have the same issue that I noticed has been documented by many other saturn owners on this site. The key gets stuck in the ignition and will not release after the car has been turned off. I am forced to restart the car about 3-4 times every time I want to get out of my car. I brought the car to the dealership while still under warranty and they told me that a part had to be ordered, that they would notify me when the part was received, and that it would be covered. A month later I called to "check" on the part and was told it was received the day before and that the work could not be completed on a weekend. I told them I could not be without my car and could not make an appointment until I had a day off of work. At this point I asked if I went out of my warranty in the intern if it would still be covered. I was told that "since the problem was documented while still under warranty it would be covered." when I was able to make an appointment a month later, they refused to cover it because I was "out of warranty" and want close to $400 for the fix. Needless to say I am very disappointed with saturn, not only with the car itself, but also with their neglect to take responsibility for the car's defect, as well corporate response to the claim that I issued back in march (which by the way was closed without resolution or explanation). I have since opened another claim.
Vehicle will not start at times. Happened at 16,000 miles. Dealership replaced ign. Switch. Happening again at 43,000 miles. Dealership says its my responsibility to pay. I disagree. Faulty switches should the company's responsibility.
The saturn vehicle is exposed to temperatures at or approaching 32 degrees f for several hours when the engine is not running (usually 6-10 hours.) I attempt to start the vehicle, the ignition switch clicks and the car stalls. The security system kicks in. The security light blinks and the odometer screen reads: 'service engine soon.' fuel will not be sent to the engine. The vehicle will now not start for about 8-10 minutes as the security system resets. After 8-10 minutes, the security light will stop blinking and then go out. 'the service engine soon' scroll light will stop and also go out. Now, if I attempt to start the vehicle again, if the ignition switch grease has not adequately warmed, then the process will begin again.
Our saturn ion 3 would not turn off. Apparently there is a serious problem with the ignition in these cars. Why hasn't saturn/general motors recalled this part. Someone could get killed. We have had it repaired only to have it happen a second time.
Saturn 2005 ion would not turn off, would not release the engine key or turn. I drove car to walmart to have service tech remove the battery. They had to disable something else. This is second episode with ignition key and this car.
I bought the car brand new, drove one mile off the lot, the engine stopped and would not start. It was towed the next morning to the dealer and they replaced the engine control module. At 15,400 miles the car again would not start, they replaced the ignition switch. At 16,000 miles the chime for the ignition would not turn off and the ignition housing was replaced. At 19,500 miles I complained that the car would start and immediately turn off again, the dealer said nothing was wrong. The next day the ignition would not turn off and the key was stuck. They replaced the ignition housing again. At 22,300 miles I complained that the key was sticking in the ignition, the dealer said nothing was wrong. About 6 months later (last weekend before leaving to go out of town) at 27,200 miles the ignition would not turn off and the key was stuck again. The ignition housing was replaced for the third time! I contacted the manufacturer and was only offered a one year extension on the warranty. What good will an extended warranty do for a car that you can't trust to drive because you never know whether it will start or turn off when you need it to!!! I will never buy another saturn again!!!!!
I purchased a 2005 saturn ion with 32 miles on it july 11, 2005. On september 22, 2005 while driving my daughter to school in the rain, the car stalled and began to fill with water from the floor up. I had it towed to the dealer for repair and was told the left fron sunroof drain hose was plugged. They said this caused an electrical problem which caused the stall. The service dept. Said they cleaned the drain hose and all was ok. Well, we had a heavy rain, not the first since 11/2005, on august 18, 2007. I was able to start the car, but it stalled right away. In addition, the floor on the driver's side was wet. This occurred on a saturday and by monday when the car was towed to the saturn dealership, there was a "pond" of water on the floor of the car. In addition, the cd player has been replaced because it ate cd's. The new radio worked ok for about 6 month's, but is now unable to pick up reception to any station. Also, at one time, the driver's side door became jammed and could not be opened from the inside or outside. The lock rod and inside door handle were bent. At the same time water was leaking through the driver's side window and the window was off the track and falling into the door. This was also repaired by the dealer because I purchased the extended warranty. This car has been nothing but trouble and I regret purchasing it. I have never had so many problems with a new car and I would not recommend this car to anyone.
I could not shut off the car which was a 2005 saturn ion 3. The key locked in the ignition switch and would not shut off the y engine. The only way I was able to shut it off was by dumping the clutch, but the ignition was still on. I took the car to saturn of indianapolis. They told me that the ignition key lock cylinder was binding and they needed to install a new ignition lock cylinder and housing. They installed a new lock cylinder, lock cylinder housing and cut two new keys.
2005 saturn ion 1 failure to start. Faulty design related to the ignition switch.
I own a 2005 saturn ion 1. I bought it brand new in late 2004, and have not had any problems with it at all until this winter (2006). My problem has been that when it is cold outside, the car refuses to crank at all. I took it to a saturn dealer and they said it was the battery. I paid over $100 to have a new battery put in, and was reassured that it fixed the starting problem. I thought it had until about a week later. The car has started to have problems starting again, so I paid for a brand new car battery that I didn't need in the first place. I originally was going to take it back to saturn to get them to look at the car again, but I started doing research online. I found that saturns not starting in cold weather is a widespread problem, and saturn refuses to do anything about it. I am not going to go pay to have a new ignition switch put it, when that doesn't solve the problem at all. It's ridiculous that saturn isn't owning up to the problems so many people are having with the vehicles they own. So much money is being wasted by the consumer, trying to get a problem fixed, that isn't fixable unless gm recalls this faulty ignition switch.
Dt*: the contact stated after being parked a few days, the vehicle would not start. It was towed to the dealer who determined the vehicle needed to be started or driven more often.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle would not shift out of first gear. The service engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. It was started after one half hour and moved off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice where an undetermined part was replaced in the transmission and the ignition switch was also replaced. The problem reoccurred and the vehicle was driven to the dealer and the wring harness was replaced. The problem has not reoccurred.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was in an idle state or placed in reverse, the engine intermittently stalled without warning. The engine easily restarted after stalling. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the excessive weight of all the key chains used by the contact allowed the ignition to turn off on its own. After the dealer's assessment, only one key chain was used while the keys were in the ignition, but the engine stalling persisted. The manufacturer was alerted.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated there were several problems with the vehicle. While turning the ignition on, the battery light illuminated for 30 seconds. Second, the driver's side window fell off the track and caused the window to fall into the door. Third, there was a grinding noise heard in the motor and the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, the headlight seal around the headlight was broken allowing water to get inside. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and all repairs were made.
Dt*: the consumer stated while driving, electrical gauge indicator lights illuminated and the motor shut off inadvertently. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership on five separate occasions for this problem. The dealership performed diagnostics test on the vehicle and were unable to determine cause of the problem.
Dt: the contact stated intermittently the vehicle will accelerate with the contact's foot on the brake. The vehicle has been to the dealership, and they were unable to duplicate the problem, and no codes were found. This caused the consumer's vehicle to rear end another vehicle. There was property damage. The hood buckled and the grill was damaged. There have been no repairs done. *ak the consumer experienced electrical problems such as the right front turn signal, which turned out to be a loose connection. The vehicle would not start until 10 minutes after the initial start. It was determined the vehicle needed a new module. Updated 01/25/06.
The almost crash: 1. Driving along the road; 2. Passlock anti-theft deterent light came on; 3. Car stopped in the road causing drivers to take evasive action around my car.
Purchased a 2005 saturn ion 2 in 12/04. 3 episodes of car stalling while making turns at low rate of speed, took car into dearlship in june 2. Saturn installed new programming. June 13 (213 miles later) car stalls again. Saturn replaces engine wiring. June 27, the car stalls in reverse. Saturn resecured ign. Fuse. On august 21 cars stall twice in one day. Saturn currently has car. Throughout all this time have also had dash indicators go out several times but will self correct next day.
Dt: vehicle was parked outside in the yard and consumer went to the vehicle to get some papers out of the glove compartment and smelled smoke coming from both front and back of the vehicle. No flames at this time. Consumer did not enter the vehicle. Ran inside the house and called the fire department. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department investigated the vehicle and determined it was an electrical fire, and most likely was linked to the battery, where they believed the fire originated. No repairs were made. The insurance company did not determine if vehicle was totaled at this time.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Saturn Ion?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history