Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition and the contact was unable to power off the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned he was able to switch gears without depressing the brake. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ignition key cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.
2006 Saturn Ion electrical complaints
Page 7 of 14: complaints 161 to 190 of 392, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition and the contact was unable to power off the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and was advised that a foreign object had become fractured inside of the ignition switch. The dealer replaced the ignition switch. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Key locks up in ignition and will not turn to off position. Key is stuck and will not release from ignition. To get key out car must be turned to on position and back off again. Friends of ours also had a saturn ion from 2005 and they had the same issue. The key would become stuck in the ignition and they would have to start the car and turn it off (sometimes several times) to get the key out. Our worry is that the problem will become more extreme and dangerous where we cannot turn the car off (as I have read in other complaints) as well as not being able to eventually free the key. This is a defect that needs to be recalled and fixed!
Put the key in and now it will not shut off....had to pull fuse...key will not turn back and can not get it out.
When I try to take out my key I can not remove it. I am able to turn off the motor, but then the key is stuck in that position and I can not remove it. I am concern that they key could stick in the position where the car is still running or that it won't come out at all.. I sometimes have to stay in my car for 2-3 minutes, so that I can remove the key. I know I can remove the key when the car makes a certain sound. It is a soft click, as if something is released. It sounds similar to the when you unlock your car doors with the automatic switch, but quieter. The key sticks 1-2 times/week at least. (I use my car twice a day, to and from work, this has been going on since I purchased the car several years ago. At the time it had maybe 40,000 miles. Now it has 82000 miles.
This vehicle was purchased brand new and driven very little. Protected in closed in garage. Drove to colorado springs for vacation and went to visit relatives. Parked vehicle in front of relative home and the key couldn't be turned to shut off the car. Fortunately there was a neighbor of my relatives that new how to shut it off by disconnecting the battery cables. To start the car the cables had to be hooked back up. Drove to ferguson buick gmc in colorado springs and they checked it. The tumbler came apart, won't turn off , replaced ignition lock. Was charged for housing kit (15857948), code cyl, cylinder kit (20869121), labor and cost of parts totalled $614.22. With only 16, 607 miles from 2006 to 2012 this should not have happened. Today, november 30, 2012, I went to drive my vehicle and when I started the engine all the lights on the dash and message about steering off trac keeps flashing and it said something about steering fluid, brakes and the lights were going crazy. I am afraid to drive it so I drove it back into my garage. Couldn't drive it like that. Now what is wrong. This vehilce has been paid for since 2008 and only has 19, 000 miles on it. My husband bought me this vehicle as a surprise and little did he know he would get pancreatic cancer the following year. He wanted me to have a dependable extra vehicle. I cannot keep paying money to fix a vehicle that I am afraid to drive. May get stranded somewhere. I wouldn't feel in good conscious to even sell it to anyone. Not worth what he paid for it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion 2. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and after waiting ten minutes the vehicle restarted. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the faulty anti theft pass lock would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition and she was unable to get it out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The key is stuck in the on position in the ignition switch and will not come out. This has happened twice. Had it repaired on 08/28/2012 and happened again on 10/20/2012.
I have had a slight problem with my saturn ion since I have purchased it from my dealership. The key will get stuck every other time I have tried to shut it off. It was a minor inconvenience at the most. But yesterday I had my key get stuck while the vehicle was running! I had to have the battery disconnected and pull a fuse just to get it to shut off. I looked online for hours and hours and found out it is most likely the ignition lock cylinder. There were so many complaints on the saturn ions doing this I was shocked that a recall has not been issued. I am frustrated at the dealership saying it will be $90 just to look at it, and then they will give me an estimate. Online I have seen that the average cost paid to have this fixed is $300-$500. Why should I have to spend more of my hard earned money if this is clearly the manufacturers fault? If nothing is done about this I will have lost all faith in people.
Power steering repeatedly shows up on the dash and the power steering does seem tight and its a loud clunk when you turn the wheel back and fourth slowly. Its common and there has been a recall in some states a lot of people got this paid for and its 1200 to fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. While parked, the contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition but was unable to because the key had become stuck. The contact stated that in order to shut off the vehicle off he had to disconnect the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the lock assembly and the wiring harness would have to be replaced. After the repair the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The current mileage was 121,459. Updated 12/11/12*lj updated 12/1212
This is the second time this has happen. My key is stuck in the ignition and wont turn off. I believe gm should help resolve this ongoing problem with these ignition switches. For some reason I was unable to put the date that this first happen, (may, 2011) and now again this week.
I am unable to turn off ignition, can "not" turn key to the off position to release key. Car is in the park gear and remaining running. After many calls for help I learned I could pull the fuse to turn car off but key still will not release. Please read online about many other saturn customers having the same trouble I am having with my 2006 saturn ion with the key stuck in the on position. It appears that there are many saturn owners with the same problem can you please help can not afford to fix car hoping this is part of a recall but have not been able to find that information yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key would not release from the ignition switch. The contact had to restart and shut the vehicle off constantly in order for the key to be removed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the ignition switch replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact did not take the vehicle to another dealer or local mechanic. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available. Vin not available
Ignition switch went bad, keys were stuck in the ingition and it would not turn off.
Ignition would not shut off would not release to turn off I see there is other veh. Having same issues we need this fixed so we don't run into more problems that could go wrong (like new motors) can't shut off motors and then starters get worn quickly just a thought.
My car won't start due to ignition switch malfunction. I've replaced ignition switch as suggested by owner's manual to no avail, problem persists. I've also taken the car for service to a certified gm/saturn service center (dealer service). The car battery and starter motor are in good condition. Only after many, many, attempts to start the car it'll eventually turn on. Once car is turn off, for example stopping at gas station for gas, problem manifests itself again, car won't start. There are numerous accounts of this problem (2006 saturn ion ignition switch malfunction) found by doing an online (internet) search. Please help!
In 2008 my key was stuck in the ignition not allowing my car to shut off. After several hours in the blazing son with my son, a tow truck came and had to disconnect my battery and take out the ignition relay just to get my car to stop running. My car almost over heated and ran out most my gas.the ignition cylinder and switch was replaced costing over seven hundred dollars. Now in 2012 the same thing has happened again. I was quoted another six hundred and eighty dollars to replace it again. Since I do not have the funds to replace such a costly unexpected repair I am forced to live with a car that I can not drive. My key is stuck in the ignition not allowing me to lock my doors which leaves my car open for anyone to destroy it or rob it. Since you can only access the battery by the truck and the trunk can only be opened by key or automatic key ring. I can no longer access my battery to hook it back up. This is because the only other way to get to open the trunk is by having the seats down in the back and climbing through the trunk to open it. Even if someone else does open the trunk. Connecting the battery and disconnecting the battery in hundred degree weather is not acceptable. Since being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder I can no longer due such thing. If connected I can start my vehicle. Actually after replacing the ignition relay it starts itself. I see online that the ignition or its parts is an ongoing problem with my vehicle. When is it going to become a recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition failed and as a result, he was unable to turn the ignition to the off position. The contact mentioned that in order to turn off the vehicle he had to disconnect the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition lock cylinder and the ignition lock housing needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated the ignition switch failed. The contact stated that in some instance the key became lodge in the ignition switch which prevented that the vehicle was turn off. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle will not start for 30 minutes or more. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while parked he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact had to remove a fuse in order to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition key seized in the 'on' position, which prevented him from turning the engine off and removing the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 59,500.
My key is locked in the ignition in the on position, and will not turn to off, the only way to turn off the vehicle is to stall it , and disconnect the battery wires to keep the battery from draining down too much.
The ignition lock cylinder in my vehicle seized up - my car was running, and I was unable to turn the key or turn the car off, though I can remove the key and the car stays running. The key is still stuck to "on" and the only way I'm able to turn the car off is to stall it (manual transmission) and pull the battery fuse. From reading forums on this problem I know this is a very, very common problem for saturn ions. This part absolutely needs to be recalled. In the meantime, to save hundreds at the dealer I will have to replace the part myself.
I am not able to turn off the car. The key will not turn to shut off the car. I had to find the fuse for the ignition in order to be able to turn off the car. I have read that there are many people having this issue and this could have been a disaster if I were out of town. I can't believe there is not a recall for this issue. This also happened to my son who has the same model and year that I have. I don't know how I am going to get gas as you have to turn the car off to do this, as it is a federal regulation.
Received notice from gm regarding power steering assist motor recall. Drove with no power steering 40 miles to local dealership.towed it home 4 days later. The car hasn't started since. I was aware of the pass lock problem and told the dealer the car might take a few tries to start. The steering wheel is now crooked and the key sticks in the ignition. This is a new problem. For three hundred dollars the dealer said he would fix it. He claims he did the work requested. I wouldn't know because the car hasn't started since. Drive it in and tow it out ...now that's customer service for you!!! A free repair cost me the use of my car and 200 in gas and tow expenses. Wonder if I have power steering??? Hard to trust a dealer that states" I never touched the column,your pump is under the hood" pump??? Even I know there is no pump or power steering fluid.
Every time fuel is slightly below a quarter tank the engine stalls as if the car is running out of gas and the cars drastically reduces speed with minimum power. Also, after the incident occurred I went online to research the problem and found out that the vehicle had been recalled for fuel pump problems as well as lighting irregularities. Furthermore, as I continued using my vehicle the ignition switch cylinder broke causing the key to be stuck and was unable to turn off the ignition of the car. Luckily, I have a stick shift transmission and was able to turn off the car by putting it into 4th gear and letting go of the clutch to turn off the ignition. Unfortunately, the car battery remains on and in order to completely turn off the car I have to disconnect the battery cable so the batter life is not drained.
Out of nowhere, when I turned my car off the key would not come out. I have read about this problem with 06 ion's several times and believe it needs investigated. Thank you!
Ignition key cylinder failure: the key would turn but not advance beyond "run" to start the engine. After replacing the key cylinder the ignition key works but the ignition switch passlock system would not engage; saturn was faulted with the ease of theft of their vehicles prompting their initiation of the failure-prone passlock system. This owner works in high risk/dangerous area on a federal facility. Fortunately this time the incident occurred at home after driving from that facility. We noted there are many hundreds of complaints filed against gm for this defect, many with personal/property risk as noted here, but nothing has been done. If this recurs with personal damage we guarantee there will be a significant class action suit filed against gm which is likely to be highly successful; we are seeking the advice of our attorneys. We will not divulge any other such or related information at this time. We additionally noted to date nothing has been done by gm to correct this problem, vis-a-vis in a recall or refund for time/material/labor or personal time lost, other than to discontinue the saturn brand. It has been difficult to find suitable service of any kind, mainly because gm dealers refuse to work on saturns: "we hate those cars". At this point the reprogramming feature of the dysfunctional passlock system does not work. The vehicle will have to be towed 39 miles to a dealership.
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