2006 Saturn Ion: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · 68,000 miles · OH

The warning chimes and audible turn signal indicators stopped working. While the headlight on when vehicle is shut off or key left in switch will not cause any safety problem (I don't think), not having the turn signal clicking may lead to driving with a signal left on while driving straight. The other potential problem is that the sound chime no longer works to indicate that the seat belts are not fastened which could cause one to drive without seat belt and increase potential injury in case of a crash.

Filed Dec 27, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 190,000 miles · CA

Apparently either the "new ignitions" are also faulty or the dealership lied about having replaced it as they did about having completed the 3rd recall repairs (I'd receive a letter from gm some weeks later saying the parts were now in and to take the car to the dealership to have the work done). This evening at about 5:35pm pacific time I came home and yet one more time the key would not come out of the ignition as it was in the alt position. I tried 5 or 6 times over a span of 10-15 minutes to no avail. The headlights had to be turned off manually as did the overhead light. I was getting my house key off the ring so I could get my tools out of the house to one more time disconnect the battery and decided to try to remove the key again. It was at that point that the key finally came out of the ignition. The reason I suspect it may be the dealership is that although the saturn was still on the recall list for the third repair on the site until about a week later, coincidently a few days after filing a complaint with gm over the continuing rude and disrespectful treatment at the dealership.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Airbags · 88,600 miles · KS · crash

I was traveling down the highway at between 70-75mph when I lost control of the vehicle and struck the guard cable, traveling through over 200 ft of it. The front end of the car was demolished, the front axle was broken in half, the rear quarter panel of the driver's side was ripped off, the roof was horribly dented and scratched, the windshield was broken in multiple places - one spot by my head - and the front bumper and headlights were no longer there. The vehicle was totaled out by the insurance co... My air bags did not deploy. I had a terrible concussion and severe whiplash on an already pre-existing degenerative spine condition, and the only thing that saved my life was my seatbelt. There is no reason according to the police and first responders on the scene as well as the facility where my car was towed for the insurance company. I feel like my neck surgery to replace a disc and fuse my spine with a titanium cage at the end of 2012 has been severely aggravated and my 20 months of healing has gone back to square one. This is devastating to me and I will go public about this in any way I know possible. This never should've happened.

Filed May 4, 2014 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · NJ

Car would not turn off when I parked in my drive way, gm took 1 hr ad 1/2 to come to my house. Fortunate it did not happen on the road. The federal safety agency and gm knew of this recall before it happened to me. Why did the federal safety agency not report this? I paid for the repair not knowing of the recall. The media made me aware and I got a refund much later. My car is on its 6th recall. 2 are pending. Again I found out from the media. I called gm, they are taking their time in these repairs. I called gm on 3-18-14 about these 2 current recalls, I feel they are putting me on the back burner to repair them. How many recalls can 1 car have before its considered unsafe??? What are my rights? Is this car a lemon or just an accident waiting to happen/???? Your site says there's another recall for my car for the head lights. That will make a 7th recall. The federal safety agency is suppose protect the consumers . My car makes me very nervous. Gm should have tested more before selling it to the public. I now know why gm stopped making my saturn.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · OH

My 2006 ion has only 24,000 miles and has always been garaged and properly maintained. Suddenly, it would not start.....all dash lights on, headlights worked, etc. But engine would not crank. I tried later and it started right up. Next day, same routine. When I got it running, I went straight to the saturn dealer and they replaced the ignition switch. My car is out of warranty, so I had to pay. At the time, I did not realize that so many other saturn ion owners were having the same experience. I called saturn customer service and was told there were never any bulletins issued on this problem and there was no way of determining if there were any other complaints about this issue. I've read that replacing the ignition switch doesn't always take care of the problem. I am very concerned about getting stuck somewhere and don't think I should be expected to sit in a cold car, hoping the 10-minute waiting period will allow my car to start.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 11,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. While driving 1-50 MPH in wet, slippery, or icy roads, the tires would spin out and cause the vehicle to lose control and the throttle power failed for 5-8 seconds. In november of 2007, the dealer stated that they could not duplicate the failure; however, they stated that the wiring harness needed to be replaced due to the air conditioner. After it snowed, the vehicle also began to spin and lose power while driving uphill and then slid back down. On february 13, 2008, the dealer stated that the failure was due to the fuel regulator and kept the vehicle for over three weeks. An unauthorized driver at the dealer crashed the vehicle into a ditch with two feet of water, causing water to enter the headlights. The contact has 56 photos available. He was advised that his vehicle does not qualify for the lemon law. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, transmission type, powertrain, and fuel type were unknown. The current mileage was 38,200 and failure mileage was 11,000.