2006 Saturn Ion: won't start

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Fuel system · 123,456 miles · IA

I started smelling gas when getting out of car. Then it got progressively stronger gas smell that lingered on strong an hour after the car had been sitting. So I checked for gas leak on exterior of gas tank and found extreme amount of gas coming from both of the fuel lines of the fuel module on top of tank. This didn't start until the weather has become warm in the 80 s and 90s.

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 72,401 miles · TX

Key gets stuck in ignition and car won't start. Unable to retrieve key from ignition switch. Vehicle was stationary.

Filed Jul 26, 2016 · Fuel system · 84,000 miles · NY

A week ago, my car wouldn't start on the first try, but did start on the second. As I drove around town that day running errands (multiple stops/starts), I began to smell gas as I walked around the back of the car. The next time I drove the car was 3 days ago; every time I tried to start the car it took 2 tries, and the gas smell near the back of the car was worse. I also began to smell a strong gas smell as I loaded bags into the trunk. Yesterday, I experienced all of those issues, plus I had to drive with the windows open because the gas smell was now very bad inside the car. When I parked at the supermarket, I was able to see a small amount of gas on the rain-wet pavement, coming from just ahead of the rear driver side tire. The progression of the leak was fast - over 7 days, and only about 70 miles driven (I drive <5,000 mi / yr). I went online to research the problem, and found gm recall #090226 / the federal safety agency campaign id# 09v419000, which perfectly describes what's happening. I'm planning to call gm tomorrow about this, but I expect to be disappointed, since my car was not purchased or registered in any of the states listed in the recall. It shouldn't matter where I bought or registered my saturn; if my car demonstrates the same defect, the repair should be covered by gm. I also found a scary number of complaints on various websites from other saturn owners who are experiencing the same problems, but are also not included in the recall. How many is 'enough' for gm to expand the recall? Gm's failure to address *all* of the cars affected by this problem is appalling and dangerous.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 88,687 miles · SC

Just entered onto a highway and suddenly could not accelerate. When hitting the gas pedal, car would not accelerate. The car was in drive and had been moving for 10 minutes prior with no issues. No prior issues before this. Pulled off the side of the highway and turned off car. When turned on again, would not crank. Lights worked fine but car just wouldn't turn on. Mechanic is not sure why car won't start still.

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · TX

One day upon exiting the vehicle I experienced a very strong odor of gasoline. I lived in the country at the time and also in texas. I shrugged it off thinking I maybe got some on the side of the car or my clothes. Later I entered the vehicle and attempted to start it. Turns over 6 times after a single bump of the key but this time the car did not start. I then remembered that earlier I smelled fuel. I thought maybe I have a leak in the lines. I cycled the key 3 times then tried to start it again. After the first turn it cranked right up. When I returned home that afternoon I researched a little and found that its been notorious for developing a crack in the lines right off of the pump. I looked for a recall but found nothing. Nothing but complaints that is. Www.rockauto.com saved me $200 from the price that o'reillys wanted me to pay but regardless this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 82,710 miles · NV

On or about 9/12/2012, I was driving in my saturn ion going 45 miles an hour, in heavy morning traffic, when in an instant my car decelerated and was at a slow crawl. I could not get any acceleration even when pressing the gas. I was only a couple blocks away from work, so I coasted until I got there. I was almost hit. But I could not go any faster. I was afraid to turn off the car for fear that it would not start up again. I was afraid to drive it and I called to have it towed to the dealership to have it looked at. Henderson chevrolet looked at it and said that it was the computer motherboard of the car. This was replaced at a cost to me of $800.00+. It happened again on 11/20/12. The car went from 30 to 5 miles per hour in a split second! No warnings. I took it back to the dealership. They said that they had no idea what want going on with it nor why it was doing this. Their suggestion to me was to get another vehicle. What my saturn did is the same thing described in the ignition recall. When this happened to me , there was no recall. No one thought of looking at the ignition. When I lost power, my thought was not gee, maybe my keys are too heavy & my car turned off! Me see if my ignition turned off when I went over that bump. Had the recall ignition problem had been something that gm was aware of at the time and notice was received, the mechanic would have known that this was the problem. But I replaced the brain of my car at $800 when it was not needed. Not wanting it to happen again (say on the freeway), I traded in the car. I feel that I should be reimbursed for the costs I paid to repair my vehiclewhen it should have been taken care of by the recall. My experience happened before anyone knew about this kind of thing happening to these vehicles. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 07/28/14

Filed Apr 28, 2014 · Engine · 80,000 miles · FL

Vehicle doesn't turn on in below freezing temperatures. Has happened on multiple occasions. Electrical works, but engine won't turn over, just makes a clicking noise. After temperature warms, vehicle will start.

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · OH

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall notice. *smd the consumer stated on several occasions, the vehicle would not start. She had to turn the key a certain way, in order for it to start.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · WI

On cold mornings car will not start. Radio and lights work. The passlock security light on the dash blinks. Leaving key in ignition for ten minutes then the car will start.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Electrical · 53,000 miles · AZ

The car would not start on several occasions. Would have a hard time turning the key in the ignition and it will start after 15-20 minutes. This would happen anywhere, anytime. So, we took it to the dealer biddulph mazda, which is where we purchased it. They serviced the car. They tested the starter, there was nothing wrong with the starter. They could not pin point the problem, so they told us to have a new key made. Got a new key made, but the problem continued. To this day, it still happens occasionally.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Electrical · 105,328 miles · WI

On some cold days, the car will not start. This is an intermittent problem. The lights, radio, etc. Will turn on when the key is turned, but the car will not start and the anti-theft indicator light will blink. You have to wait anywhere from 10-30 minutes for the anti-theft system to reset to allow the vehicle to start. I only have this problem on cold days. This has happened multiple times and we've contacted gm twice, but they say they have never heard of any complaints.

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Steering · 102,000 miles · AZ

Pwr steering fail while driving. Car dings and displays the pwr steering code in dash. Known issue by gm. Took it to dealer today, they said they'll fix it free of charge based on 10187a special policy. It only covers the motor/module and not the steering column. I am afraid that they are going to rip me off by simply saying the whole column is the problem so I'm out a lot of money. Based on research and complaints gm recalled other cars with the same problem. If they used the same part and they were recalled in other models then the saturn one should also be recalled. It was very scary losing power steering. Gm needs to make saturn owners "whole" because there have been various issues already. I replaced the ignition switch twice, the key would get stuck and sometimes would not start.