Saturn Ion battery drain problems

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 Dec 29, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 157,280 miles · NY

I received a letter from saturn today 12/29/2014 with the letter stating december 2014. In the letter it states the following " this letter is intended to make you aware that your vehicle's transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the "lock" position after the vehicle has been shifted into park. If this occurs, the ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition cylinder without depressing the manual release plunger located on the underside of the steering column as described in the owners manual. A key left in the accessory position for an extended period of time may result in severe battery drain and a possible no start condition.

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 Jul 7, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for faulty ignition recall repairs. *smd the consumer stated upon returning to her vehicle, she discovered she was unable to use the remote, so she used the key, instead. She attempted to place the key inside the ignition and discovered the slot was not in the off position. The vehicle would not start due to the ignition not being in the off position and enabling her to pull the key out, as the battery was dead. It wasn't until january 7, 2014, she began experiencing problems again with the ignition, and the battery died again. After the vehicle was jump started, the consumer smelled gas. It was determined the rear fuel line had corroded, which formed holes and gas was pouring out the holes on both sides.

Filed Sep 21, 2011 · Electrical · 43,500 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was left parked and running until the battery died. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer and they advised her that the housing ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred approximatley ten months later. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,500.

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 Nov 29, 2010 · Body, Engine · 67 miles · TX

When I first got my 2006 saturn ion, I was the first and only owner bought it from the saturn dealership with less than a 50 miles on the car. Before 30 days of owning the automobile it quit on me in the middle of busy intersection endangering myself and my children. I took it to the dealership where they have claimed to fix the ignition switch on the automobile, several weeks later the same problem occurred they then replaced the key. Then months later my alarm started going off spontaneously, the battery went dead on the automobile which I have replaced 3 times, the ignition switch went out again I had to replace that myself out of pocket in march of 2009. Still after replacing the battery, getting the ignition switch fixed twice, and having the electrical parts looked at the car still continues to have the same problems. If I get gas why the car is not cranked it will not crank back up for hours!!! It will go dead while I'm driving on a freeway does this all the time! This saturn ion has caused me nothing but money and problems since I've had it I purchased a additional warranty on the automobile when I bought it and they refuse to replace or fix any of the work on the automobile when I only have gotten my car serviced with saturn they do all of my oil changes, and maintenance and charge me a arm and leg to maintain the maintenance on the automobile. I have had to pay so much money on this automobile for maintenance that should not even be a issue at this time my car doesn't even have 84k on it yet. The engine seems to shake when the car sits still, the car quits if the engine is not running when you get fuel, the car quits at red lights, the car power steering gets real hard to turn when you try to turn the steering wheel, the saturn ion is definitely a dud! You can smell gas sometimes coming from this automobile, and the battery is in the trunk of the car...so when it drains my battery goes go dead. The defects on this automobile will kill someone one day.

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 Mar 13, 2009 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · FL

We have a 2004 saturn ion that when it colds does not start. At first we thought it was the battery, but the battery is fine. Then we noticed that it only happened on cold days. If the temp was below 40 degrees f. And the car sat for several hours (mostly mornings), when you attempted to crank, the car would not start. If seems if you have a dead battery. Most of the time it would start after about 10 to 15 minutes. This is very dangerous, being stranded due to mildly cold weather. Thank god nothing bad has happened while waiting for car to crank. I have talked to several saturn owners, and they to have the same problem. At least I live in florida and it does not stay cold long. Saturn needs to fix this problem. Also, was told by a service person at saturn to take a blow dryer to warm the steering column. This has been happening for a few years now.