Saturn Ion headlights problems

Filed Nov 15, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · CA

This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it’ll stay off for an hour sometimes it’ll stay off for weeks and I can’t figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.

Filed Dec 21, 2022 · Lights · NM

Headlights are to deem even on high beems.cant see anything coming or the on coming traffic can't see me coming.

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Lights · 80,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that upon activation of the headlights, the headlights were dim causing poor forward visibility while driving at night or in low light conditions. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 09e012000 (exterior lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

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 Dec 23, 2014 · Electrical · 121,000 miles · NC

I parked the car in front of my house, leaving the headlights on. When I went to put it in the garage, I turned the key in the ignition switch, and heard no sound. I realized I had left the headlights on and the battery was dead. Then the key would not turn in the lock so I could remove it. I could not open the trunk with the button on the dash, in order to replace the battery. The car is now useless to me. I will get a battery charger to charge the battery from the engine compartment, but some reports online report that the ignition switch must also be repaired. This ignition switch area was just repaired in a recall.

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 Aug 12, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 111,500 miles · MI · fire

While driving in pre-dawn hours (headlights & defrosters on), started smelling something melting or burning. Then instrument panel lights went out for a few seconds. Instrument panel lights then came back on & started flashing on & off really fast. At that same time, door locks started locking & unlocking repeatedly on their own. Burning & melting smell was getting stronger. As I was pulling over, I entered a more well-lit area and saw smoke accumulating inside car near roof & top of windshield. Shut car off immediately.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Lights · 50,000 miles · MN

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle my tail light and the headlight on the opposite side from that tail light went out. I replace the lights and have a mechanic looks at the issue at least once a year but they continue to go out constantly. I have been pulled over several times for this issue and have paid many tickets. This has to be something wrong with this vehicle, I have never had to change my lights on my previous cars like this and it is costing me a fortune not to mention dangerous if since it affects my turn signals as well.

Filed Jun 14, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · FL

Have a 2005 saturn ion that was part of ignition switch and cylinder recalls. Have had issues with ignition and electrical since 2006, but was "put off" by local saturn dealership on at least 6 occasions when I questioned them about the problem. Finally received recent ignition recall, and contacted chevy dealer to fix. Dealer paid for rental car until repair was done (about 1 month) as instructed by gm corporate. I asked dealer about power steering recall as corporate had stated my vehicle was involved in that recall as well. Dealer found no history of recall in their system (checked on 2 occasions). I called gm corporate 3 times and was told the same story...my car is part of power steering recall (as per VIN), and I would receive my recall letter shortly. It is now june, have not received recall letter for power steering. Ignition working okay now, but other electrical problems still occurring. Alert chime for headlights and turn signals does not work. Unable to change radio station on digital factory radio with digital screen turning off when I attempt any station change or press any button on the radio. All windows but driver's back window wouldn't roll down. Was told by chevy dealer that the electrical issues were not related to ignition switch, may be related to dashboard malfunction. Windows were related to door motor (replaced myself, 3rd time for this). Dealer refused to fix electrical issues, and refused to proactively fix the power steering in accordance with corporate recall cause they didn't have paperwork. Dealer was going to charge me large fee for fixing any of the other issues except for ignition switch and cylinder. Gm has made substandard vehicles for years and dragging their feet to fix their mistakes. Can't trade or sell my vehicle til this is fixed. Feel like I've been driving around a death trap. Do something some one please!!!!!!