Saturn Ion harsh shifting problems

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Steering · 115,000 miles · PA

Since having the recalls for the ignition done - when the car is placed in park I have to pull the shifter toward reverse to get the key out. Also since the recalls were done all the sudden my steering rack is making a clunking noise which my mechanic is saying will soon need replaced. It was perfectly fine before the recalls for the ignition and such were done on my car. Literally the days after is when it started and the dealership said that it is because my car is old. Not buying that answer. All of this has to be tied to a recall, I take great care of my car. I just had the control arms replaced as well and the mechanic said they were near disintegrated!

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Steering · 10,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that the steering wheel exhibited a clunking sound when completing a right or left turn. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 20, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 138,478 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 71,000 miles · MN

Car began to make excessive rattling and clunking in front end and the steering felt very loose. Took to gm dealer and they found the entire front end pretty much shot. Control arm bushings, sway bar links, and struts all replaced. The dealer said the steering column was fractured and near failure. Steering I shaft and column were replaced. Around $3000 in parts and labor at 71000, not my idea of a quality built vehicle. Major safety hazard for something with this kind of mileage.

Filed Mar 29, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · IL

I am not exactly sure on the dates of when we noticed the problems. So far I have had serious problems with my 04 ion's front suspension, the cheaply made plastic wiper linkages that break easy while driving down the road making it difficult and dangerous while driving in rain, the ignition lock cylinder has been replaced 3 times so far because the part fails and you cannot start your car, and most recently I went to my local dealer to ask about a "clunking" noise it makes when going over any bumps to find out that there is a bulletin for a known steering linkage or steering motor (eps) problem. I was told that on these cars the steering links/motor have tendancy to break! If that is to happen while driving down the road it could result in death! I've also done some searching online and found many forums/articles with others having the same problems with this specific make/model. One comment I read the person said "this car is a death trap!" mine and many other's 04 saturn ion's have alot of known yet serious issues but saturn still has no recalls for this car!! Somebody please help fix this problem! -concerned/frusturated saturn owner.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 15,000 miles · CA

I bought my 2006 ion brand new with only 10 miles on it now the car is at 27k miles and now it has a clunking noise in the front suspension, I have taken in to dealer many times they have replaced 1) intermediate shaft 2) lower control arm rear bushing 3) catalytic converter 4) steering rack: and on top of all this it has been 8 months and my car is still not fixed. The dealer told me they don't know what it is. I have done some research found tsb's for this both of which they have supposedly already done.

Filed Sep 20, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 6 miles · MI

Upon purchase of vehicle, over driveway slopes, or other road bumps vehicle has loud popping and clunking noise. Vehicle also has popping noise and feeling under feet of driver and passenger while steering at stand still or while driving...vehicle when experiencing road hazards that cause braking action while steering locks up and jolts forward causing loss of control of vehicle for random time amounts. All of these problems have been reported to dealer, taken in for repairs, (3x) each time I have been told problem is fixed, problem can not be duplicated. I drive vehicle home and the problem is either partially better for a couple weeks or not better at all. During the time that vehicle was partially better for a couple of weeks a strut mount was replaced on a vehicle with only 9,000 miles (after the 2nd attempt to discover issue) 3rd attempt only had a steering issue addressed,(I shaft dry and binding) however this has only partially solved the problem. Vehicle still pops, clunks and has issue with loss of control over unexpected road hazards while braking.

Filed Apr 10, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · KS

I have been having some issues with clunking and grinding noises when going over bumps or potholes or while making turns. I took my 2003 ion 2 to have this checked and I found out that the problems was both of my control arm bushings. My car is 2 months out of warranty and has only 38,000 miles on it, so at first I thought that this could be untrue. But, after internet research it seems that many 2003 ion drivers have had this problem. I called my saturn dealer and they acted like they had never heard of this problem and could do nothing to help me or fix it. My other problem with the car, which also seems to be a common problem, is that the service engine soon light comes on intermittently. One day it will be on, and the next it will be fine.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Wheels · 16,500 miles · GA

I had my 2004 ion 3 in to replace a tire on 11/19, then on 11/30 had tires rotated complained to dealer about a rattle. Per dealer the heat shields were cracked and the parts had to be ordered. When I left the dealer on that day the rattle in the front sounded worse, but I was told heat shields were the problem and I knew they would be fixed soon. Rattle proceeded to get worse, contacted dealer about part informed them of rattle getting worse, got appointment to bring back since part was in (appt would have been 12/26). Driving home from work on the evening of 12/20, I was getting off the interstate and the steering wheel started jerking to the right, heard horrible clunking sound coming from front end. Pulled into gas station, did not notice anything, sound quieted. While leaving gas station I heard a horrible clunking sound pulled over in parking lot, thought maybe I had a blowout. When I looked at the front driver side tire, there was one lug nut left in it and one lug nut hanging off. Called roadside assistance, upon further examination the screws had snapped off the wheels, fortunately there were two screws left otherwise I don't think the tow truck could have towed it. When I addressed concerns with the service manager, he was very helpful and fixed the car for free, said the studs(screws) were probably defective. Was advised by him this is most likely scenario as opposed to someone not tightening the lug nuts on the 11/30 tire rotation (because according to him I would not have been able to drive 900 miles if that were the case). The dealership went out of their way to help, but worried if its a defect this could happen at any point to the other 3 tires.

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Tires · 6,000 miles · OH

I own an 2004 saturn ion 3 that came with firestone, firehawk gta tires and the size is p205/55r16 89h m+s. I had an oil change and tire rotation at 6,000 miles. On 3/3/2005 I had a blowout while driving on the expressway. This was at nine at night and I had forgotten my cellphone and was made late for work. With semi's driving by at 70 MPH on I-75 I was in fear for my life while changing the tire. On 3/4/2005 I called the saturn dealership and asked them if they had the tire and how much etc. They transferred me to service and they said to bring the car in. I was happily surprised since this was friday at noon. They inspected the tire for punctures (found none) and I think they were surprised at the sidewall separation. They replaced the tire under warranty (no charge). The tire had 9,000 miles at the time. While driving down a side road at 30 MPH I heard a clunk and thought snow was hitting the tire. This then quieted down. I got on the expressway and went two miles before I heard a noise that I thought was a helecopter overhead. I pulled over and found the tire had blown out. Now I don't feel safe driving on the expressway in my new vehicle.