The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the contact would wiggle the key around in the ignition before being able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,350.
Saturn Ion engine failure problems
76 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe engine failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 76
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 90,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 48Stalling 7Power steering loss 4Won't start 3No deployment 3Loss of power 2Fuel leak 2Check engine light 2
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key remained seized in the ignition when the vehicle was shifted into park. The contact stated that the key seized midway while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle lost electrical power and took 15 to 20 minutes before starting. The contact stated that there was a click before the key was released. The battery and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact called saturn of memphis (2420 covington pike, memphis, tn 38128) and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to jim keras automotive (2000 covington pike, memphis, tn 38128). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the key seized in the ignition. The contact called a locksmith who removed the key and stated that the vehicle was subjected to an unknown recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2014 for an unknown recall, for a similar failure, at the weseloh chevrolet dealer located at 5335 paseo del norte, carlsbad, ca 92008. The contact called the same dealer and was informed that the recall was expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving at low speeds and parking the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact also mentioned that the key would not eject out of the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall and the recalled part would not be repaired again. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering seized and the power steering indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). While reversing, the check power steering warning message illuminated. The vehicle seized and the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 147,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving 65 MPH, the steering seized and the steering wheel could not be turned at all. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited for awhile. Afterward, the steering returned to normal. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, but could not repair the vehicle because they did not have the equipment to repair electric vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. While driving 45 MPH, the steering seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. In october of 2016, while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was suddenly depressed. However, the contact crashed into the rear of a vehicle and, in turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted to diagnose and repair the air bag failure. The failure mileage was unknown. In december of 2017, while driving at unknown speeds, a pick-up truck crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the right knee, which required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent auto body mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 43,000. Additionally, while driving, the steering seized and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local gmc dealer in bakersfield, california where it was diagnosed that the locking system and ignition key needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. While driving out of a parking space at a low speed, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn in any direction. After the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (maritime chevrolet, 985 post road, fairfield, ct 06824) and the technician stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 207,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saturn Ion engine failure
Which Saturn Ion years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (22 complaints), 2007 (18 complaints) and 2004 (15 complaints).
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