NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Saturn Ion. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
SATURN ION 2005 MODEL DOES NOT RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE CAR. *TR
ON 1/9/10 THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50-55MPH DURING A RAIN STORM CAUSING THE WIPERS TO BECOME ENTANGLED. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND THE PART WAS PLACED BY THE APPROPRIATE SATURN WIPER TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON 1/18/11 UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS.
2005 SATURN ION RECALL- I HAVE THIS CAR A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS THE IGNITION. CAR WONT START ESPECIALLY ON A COLD WEATHER. I NEED TO WAIT FOR 15-20 MINS BEFORE IT STARTS. I'VE BEEN LATE AT WORK MANY TIME S ALREADY AND I'VE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS CAR BUT I THINK ITS NOT WORTH IT. AND ALSO, I CAN PULL OUT THE KEYS WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING,WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. WEIRD! YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK CONSMERAFFAIRS.COM--SEARCH SATURN ION TO CHECK ON THE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PASTED SOME FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT. THANK YOU AND I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. CAMERON OF GRAND RAPIDS MI (01/20/09) I ALSO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. I BOUGHT THE ION 04 BRAND NEW AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS. LATELY I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK AND MISSED OTHER APPOINTMENTS DUE TO THE ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOSE OF US LIVING IN THE COLD NORTH. IMAGINE YOUR CAR NOT STARTING IN BELOW ZERO TEMPS. I'M NOT WILLING TO FREEZE TO DEATH OVER THIS. IN THE SAME BREATH I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SATURN IS WELL AWARE OF AND BASED ON COMMENTS ON THIS SITE HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. IF THEY ARE UNWILLING TO RECALL THESE CARS AND PARTS THEN I'M SURE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WOULD GET THEIR ATTENTION! LAURA OF TAMPA FL (01/19/09) I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION LOCK AS APPARENTLY MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS. I STARTED BY CALLING THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WANTED ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY CAUSED BY USING FAULTY PARTS. $171.83 WAS THE AMOUNT QUOTED TO ME. OBVIOUSLY I WOULD LIKE TO DO ANYTHING IN MY POWER TO ENSURE SATURN DOESN'T GET A SINGLE DIME MORE FROM ME. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (800-553-6000)TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE REASONING BEHIND NOT ISSUING A RECALL. I WAS GIVEN THE SAME LINE ABOUT IT NOT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER AT NIGHT WILL START IN DAYTIME IN COLD NOT A POWER ISSUE, NOT STARTER OR ALTERNATOR SOME KIND OF ODD WIRING ISSUE CAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN DAYTIME. *TR
I HAVE A SATURN ION1. I HAVE 73,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING IT ON DAYS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 35 DEGREES. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AND KEEP IT TURNED UNTIL IT CAN RUN WITHOUT ME HOLDING THE KEY AND REV THE ENGINE TO ATLEAST 3-4 RPMS. I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR 15-20 MIN. UNTIL IT CAN IDOL ON ITS OWN, BEFORE I DECIDE TO DRIVE OR THE CAR WILL NOT REMAIN ON. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF. NOW IF I MAKE A SHARP TURN IT TURNS OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACE ONCE. I ALSO HAD BEEN TOLD BY SATURN THAT MY KEYS WERE TOO HEAVY, SO I BEGAN DRIVING WITH ONLY THE KEY AND THE KEY RING. THE PROBLEM IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. LUCKILY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET. IT IS MY ONLY CAR AND I HAVE A LOT MORE TO PAY ON IT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR. I AM STUCK. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION, IT WAS SNOWING HERE IN SEATTLE. THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING GAVE OUT. I COULD NOT MANEUVER MY CAR AND THE CAR ENDED UP HITTING THE SIDEWALK WITH ALOT OF FORCE AND CAUSING FRONT DAMAGE. WHEN I CONTACTED SATURN THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE NOT ISSUING A RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,100.
TWO DAYS AFTER MOVING TO NJ FROM FL AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I FOUND THAT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN THE STEERING IS GOOD FOR MAYBE 20 MINUTES. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSE AND TOOK IT TO A SHOP. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I DO SOME RESEARCH BECAUSE A CAR THIS YOUNG SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME MODEL. MY CAR IS A SATURN, ION 2005. *TR
SATURN ION 2005 PROBLEM STARTING-EVERY THREE OR FOUR STARTS, THE LOCK SYMBOL SHOWS UP AND CAR WILL NOT START, PANEL, HEADLAMPS, ACCESSORIES ARE OPERATING, BUT STARTER SEEMS LOCKED OUT. AFTER 10-20 MINUTE WAIT, IT USUALLY STARTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. IT TOOK TWO TO THREE MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
2003 SATURN ION WON'T START WHEN IT'S COLD. *TR
WENT TO START MY CAR AT 7:30 AM THE 1ST WEEK OR SO IN DECEMBER, WOULDN'T START. WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINS LATER, STARTED. IT HAS KEPT HAPPENING UNTIL I WENT TO SATURN IN REGINA SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, AND THEY WENT AND REPLACED MY IGNITION SWITCH, THAT WAS LAST WEDNESDAY SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN JAN. 7TH 2009. SO FAR NO MORE PROBLEMS. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH RECOGNITION BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE ANTI-THEFT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT HOURS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. KEY WOULD GET LOCKED IN IGNITION WITH ACCESSORIES ON AND NOT GO OFF. BATTERY WOULD DIE. WHEN JUMPING THE CAR THE KEY WOULD STILL BE LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION AND BEGIN TURNING ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. CAR BLEW FUSE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MAX SPEED REDUCED TO 30 MPH. WHEN TURNING ON KEY WOULD BE 1/2 RECOGNIZED AND LIGHTS/ELECTRIC WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND FUSES/COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED/RESET. CAR DID THE LIGHT/ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHILE ON AND DRIVING, KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. CAR WAS TOWED BY PALMETTO CHEVY IN CONWAY SC, WHO DESPITE RECALL AND VEHICLE HISTORY REFUSE TO FIX THE CAR OR GIVE LOANER AS STATED ON WEBSITE. I HAVE BEEN CALLING SINCE 2008 ABOUT THE ISSUE. GM SAYS TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ISSUES. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ON TUESDAY 3/11/14 TO PALMETTO CHEVY, AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PICK IT UP BUT WERE A NO SHOW ON MONDAY 3/10/14. AGAIN, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RECALL. STATING THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION. *TR
I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN ONE OF MY KEYS LOCKS THE IGNITION, ALL OCCURRENCES WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE CAR ON, AND I HAD TO REALLY WORK AT IT TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. IT COULD TAKE UP TO 5 MINUTES OF JIGGLING THE KEY HARD BEFORE IT TURNS. THIS ENDED WHEN I STARTED USING MY OTHER KEY. WITH THIS OTHER KEY, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE RADIO TURNS ON BUT THERE IS ONLY A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. IF I WAIT LONG ENOUGH, THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY START. HOWEVER, I DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO WAIT. THIS HAPPENS BOTH AFTER THE CAR SITS NO MORE THAN A FEW DAYS OR AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT THE DAY BEFORE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND IN MODERATE WEATHER. I CANNOT DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SO UNRELIABLE, BUT I ALSO CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR
THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH THE IGNITION IN HER VEHICLE. DURING COLD TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER SEASONS, THE KEY WOULD FAIL TO START THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING IN THE VEHICLE WOULD ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. SHE READ INFORMATION CONCERNING WARMING UP THE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE INFORMATION STATED THAT SHE MUST SOMEHOW HEAT UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER SHE FOLLOWED THIS ADVICE, THE ENGINE STARTED IN HER VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT SHE SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHE FEELS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR IN PREVIOUS WINTERS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INDOOR GARAGE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING PARKED IN AN OUTSIDE PARKING LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. ALSO THE ANIT-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
IGNITION LOCKS. CANNOT GET KEY TO TURN. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION-3 WITH 87,639 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK ON THE FREEWAY OUT OF NOW WHERE MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED ME TO SWERVE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I THEN PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RE-GROUP AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING, IT WAS AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT NOW. IT OCCASIONALLY TRIPS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT, SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SATURN DEALER. THEY SCANNED THE CAR TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILED POWER STEERING MODULE. THEY WANT $955.00 PLUS TAX TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. HOWEVER I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DEAL WITH IT FOR I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY. *TR
WHEN I SHUT OFF MY 2005 SATURN ION, THE KEY DOES NOT ALWAYS COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE KEY WILL COME OUT. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING. THE PWR STR COMES ON ALL THE TIME. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, IT RESETS, BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I TOOK MY CAR TO SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE (NC) WHEN THE POWER STEERING FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, AND THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT IF IT KEPT HAPPENING I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STEERING CONSOLE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FIXING IT? OVER $900. *TR
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND REPAIRS. *SMD IN SEPTEMBER 2008, THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. IN JUNE 2011, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. IN MAY 2012, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS STICKING, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TUMBLER WERE REPLACED. *JB
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN MY CAR OFF THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE BATTERY TAKEN OUT TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN TWO WEEKS. EACH TIME THE IGNITION CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKED TO THE POINT THAT A TIRE GAUGE CAN BE PLACED INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND THE CONTACT WAS ORDERED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. SHE WENT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE HER TIRES AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID FOR NEW TIRES, BUT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,240. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED HER VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. SHE DROVE TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE BY PULLING WIRES AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,600. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND HOUSING WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/06/08. *JB
I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION QUAD /. IN FEB OF 07 I WENT TO PARK MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR NOR COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. IN JUNE OF 07 THIS OCCURRED AGAIN, IT WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THEN IN AGAIN THE SAME THING OCCURRED IN AUG 07 AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. IN JAN OF 2008, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT HAD STUCK ON ME SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE IGNITION. LAST WEEK I WAS 500 MILES FROM HOME AND PULLED OFF TO GET GAS AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO FUEL UP. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. TWO DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE IGNITION REPLACED. I JUST WENT OVER MY 36,000 BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 1 YR PARTS WARRANTY, SO I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING FOR THE REPAIR. BUT I AM STILL UPSET ABOUT A COMMON PROBLEM NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY SATURN. THEY EITHER HAVE FAULTY IGNITION PARTS OR THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. REPLACING AN IGNITION 5 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS IS NOT NORMAL. I PULLED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SO THIS SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 13 MONTHS FROM NOW, IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEN I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SATURNS FAULT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SATURN CORP AND THEY CANT EXPLAIN WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS PART. *TR
IGNITION LOCKS UP. *TR
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.*TR
THE KEY IN MY 2005 SATURN ION STARTING GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. ON 6/20/08, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, I WAS STILL UNABLE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITHOUT STALLING THE CAR AND PULLING THE BATTERY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING SERVICED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO CRANK AFTER THE ENGINE HAD STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
2005 SATURN ION 2 - TWO PROBLEMS 1. MOST RECENT - KEY STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF! TURNED KEY MANY TIMES, TRIED PLIERS AND THE KEY STILL STUCK. BATTERY NOW DISCONNECTED AND RELAY DISCONNECTED. HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH IONS. 2. STEERING COLUMN - FAULT CODE "PWR STR" COMES UP AND CAR LOSES POWER STEERING. WILL RESET IF CAR IS TURNED OFF, BUT WILL DO IT AGAIN WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES. *TR
KEY CAME OUT OF IGNITION WHILE DRIVING; ALSO KEYS IS STUCK WHEN TURNING CAR OFF. *TR
SATURN ION, BASE MODEL ONGOING WIRING/ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE DECEMBER 2006 TO PRESENTLY. THE REDUCED POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND I LOSE ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN DECEMBER 2006, THE PEDAL ACTUALLY ACCELERATED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AVERTED AN ACCIDENT. STARTED AT 21K, UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 60K. NOW AT 47K, AND PROBLEM STILL NOT CORRECTED. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW FOR THE SIXTH TIME FOR ELECTRICAL/WIRING ISSUES REGARDING REDUCED POWER. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER ON JUNE 20, 2008. THE DEALER REWIRED THE ECM SENSOR AND DROVE 554 MILES TO TEST THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, ON JULY 1, 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER. I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AVERTED TRAFFIC HAZARDS WHEN THE REDUCE POWER COMES ON. I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR SATURN TRY TO REPAIR IT, TO NO AVAIL. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AGAIN. THEY WON'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL FIX THE WIRING ISSUES TO COMPLETE SATISFACTION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE REDUCE POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUES TO BE DEFECTIVE. THEY HAVE REPLACED SENSOR, MODULES, WIRING CONNECTORS, COMPUTER UPDATES, ACCELERATOR PEDALS. IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I WILL BE CONCERNED FOR MINE AND OTHERS SAFETY. *TR
MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG OF OUR 2005 SATURN ION 3 COUPE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED AND IT SLIDON ITS SIDE. BY MIRACLE, THE DRIVER WAS NOT KILLED, OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN RESUMED WORKING. SHE STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN THE FOG LAMP WAS CRAXKED. UPDATED 12/16/08.*JB
I HAVE 2005 SATURN ION AND WHEN I GO TO TURN THE CAR OFF THE KEY GETS STUCK. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SO FAR. SATURN IS NOT WILLING TO FIX IT. *TR
VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES. HAPPENED AT 16,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGN. SWITCH. HAPPENING AGAIN AT 43,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY. I DISAGREE. FAULTY SWITCHES SHOULD THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM NOW GOING ON THE 3RD TIME WITH OUR SATURN ION. NO CRANK NO START, LIKE YOU CUT THE POWER OFF TO THE CAR. NO GAUGES ,NO LIGHTS NO EMERGENCY SIGNALS. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE FUSE BOX, IT SEEMS TO BREAK CONTACT WITH IN THE AREA THAT CONTROLS THIS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THE PART, 2ND TIME WE HAD NO WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY $550. NOW IT HAS DONE IT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT WHEN IT JUST SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS OR EMERGENCY SIGNALS AND SHE WAS ON A DARK HIGHWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR WAS PLACED INTO PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE IGNITION FUSES TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,199. UPDATED 06/25/08 *BF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS SEIZED INSIDE THE HOUSING. UPDATED 06/26/08
AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES, THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WITH KEY FROM THE SATURN DEALER FOR ABOUT $140.00 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF (THANK GOD I'M A MECHANIC) OR THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT TRIPLE. SATURN DOES NOT CLAIM ANY DESIGN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF KEY SWITCH FAILURES, BUT GM IS CERTAINLY WILLING TO TAKE OUR MONEY TO REPAIR A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. NEXT VEHICLE I PURCHASE WILL BE MADE BY CHRYSLER-2005 CARAVAN SXT IS MECHANICALLY PERFECT WITH VERY GOOD FUEL ECONOMY. NO MORE GM PRODUCTS FOR THIS FAMILY! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES P195/60R15 TIRES, THAT HAVE 20,300 MILES. ON 2/16/08 I WENT TO A TIRE SHOP AS BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD LOST MOST OF THE AIR. THE MANAGER INSPECTED ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED ME THAT THE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AND HOW IT WAS WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. FOR SAFETY REASONS I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES. BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT AND FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
THE SATURN VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES AT OR APPROACHING 32 DEGREES F FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING (USUALLY 6-10 HOURS.) I ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CLICKS AND THE CAR STALLS. THE SECURITY SYSTEM KICKS IN. THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS AND THE ODOMETER SCREEN READS: 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON.' FUEL WILL NOT BE SENT TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOW NOT START FOR ABOUT 8-10 MINUTES AS THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS. AFTER 8-10 MINUTES, THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL STOP BLINKING AND THEN GO OUT. 'THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON' SCROLL LIGHT WILL STOP AND ALSO GO OUT. NOW, IF I ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH GREASE HAS NOT ADEQUATELY WARMED, THEN THE PROCESS WILL BEGIN AGAIN. *TR
2005 SATURN ION. FRONT AND BACK BLINKERS WILL NOT BLINK. I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS AND ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT INSPECTABLE BECAUSE IT HAS TO HAVE ALL LIGHTS WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH AN AUTO MECHANIC/ELECTRICIAN FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW AND IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNACCEPTABLE. SATURN HAS TO FIND A WAY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. IT SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION. NOT ONLY HAVE I HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SATURN AND THE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING REPAIR PARTS, BUT TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO WORK ON THEM IS NOT EASY EITHER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING EXPENSE THAT APPEARS TO BE NEVER ENDING . THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROADS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED AND UNKNOWING EVENTS OF WHEN AND WHAT WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I ALSO FEEL THAT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REFUNDED TO EACH CUSTOMER AS AN "ALLOWANCE" TO PUT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A SAFER VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO THE FULLEST BY THE NHTSA IMMEDIATELY. *TR
PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL OF A 2005 SATURN ION 3, STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY WITH 27,000 MILES, LOCKED UP ON DEC 22, 2007 CAUSING A SINGLE CAR COLLISION. AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOKED THE CAR OVER AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AND SAW THAT THE SPINDLE WAS BROKEN, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD CAUSE ENOUGH FORCE TO BREAK THE SPINDLE. HIS OPINION IS THAT THE SPINDLE (CAST ALUMINUM) WAS OVER-TIGHTENED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A DEFECT/HAIRLINE CRACK THAT FINALLY FAILED. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLAM INTO THE GUARDRAIL, THEN SPIN INTO A DITCH. WHEN THE SPINDLE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOTHING. INSURANCE HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE DAMAGE, AND DECLARED THE DAMAGE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
OUR SATURN ION 3 WOULD NOT TURN OFF. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION IN THESE CARS. WHY HASN'T SATURN/GENERAL MOTORS RECALLED THIS PART. SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED. WE HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN A SECOND TIME. *TR
IN COLD WEATHER MY SATURN ION WILL FAIL TO START. THE IGNITION WILL CLICK A COUPLE OF TIME THEN NOTHING. I WAIT 8-10 MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN SOMETIMES IT WILL ATTEMPT TO START SOMETIMES NOT. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT SOME MORE AND TRY AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT WILL START. I HAD 2 NEW BATTERIES REPLACED AND STILL PROBLEM PERSISTS. I FOUND A SATURN MESSAGE BOARD THAT ADDRESSED THIS VERY PROBLEM. HOPE YOU CAN GET SATURN TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
SIMILAR TO THE 04 SATURN IONS, MY 2005 ION HAS THE SAME FRONT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE BULB QUITS FLASHING, BUT IS NOT BURNED OUT, IT IS LOSING CONTACT IN THE SOCKET. I CALLED SATURN, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR MY VIN, BIT IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE 04. *TR
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT I NOTICED HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS ON THIS SITE. THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. I AM FORCED TO RESTART THE CAR ABOUT 3-4 TIMES EVERY TIME I WANT TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A PART HAD TO BE ORDERED, THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THE PART WAS RECEIVED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. A MONTH LATER I CALLED TO "CHECK" ON THE PART AND WAS TOLD IT WAS RECEIVED THE DAY BEFORE AND THAT THE WORK COULD NOT BE COMPLETED ON A WEEKEND. I TOLD THEM I COULD NOT BE WITHOUT MY CAR AND COULD NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL I HAD A DAY OFF OF WORK. AT THIS POINT I ASKED IF I WENT OUT OF MY WARRANTY IN THE INTERN IF IT WOULD STILL BE COVERED. I WAS TOLD THAT "SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DOCUMENTED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD BE COVERED." WHEN I WAS ABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT A MONTH LATER, THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT BECAUSE I WAS "OUT OF WARRANTY" AND WANT CLOSE TO $400 FOR THE FIX. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH SATURN, NOT ONLY WITH THE CAR ITSELF, BUT ALSO WITH THEIR NEGLECT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CAR'S DEFECT, AS WELL CORPORATE RESPONSE TO THE CLAIM THAT I ISSUED BACK IN MARCH (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS CLOSED WITHOUT RESOLUTION OR EXPLANATION). I HAVE SINCE OPENED ANOTHER CLAIM. *TR
FRONT DIRECTIONAL SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DON'T. AT TIMES IT IS LEFT SIDE OTHER TIMES RIGHT SIDE. BOTH 2003 & 2004 MODEL YEARS OF SATURN ION HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT I HAVE A 2005 AND DEALER AND SATURN CORPORATE SAY THEY CAN'T HELP UNTIL 2005 IS ADDED TO RECALL. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026