2003 Saturn ION engine problems

ENGINE

I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would cost me they said around $800.so it has now been 2 weeks my car has been there at Graue Chevrolet Dealership unfixed and they refused to fix please help me it's my only means of transportation and I have health issues that I have to go to Dr appointments quite frequently.

NHTSA complaint #11755714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

2003 SATURN ION, CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11441262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

FUEL LINE TO THROTTLE BODY LEAKED FUEL DUE TO STRESS CRACKS. PART THAT FAILED IS " NO LONGER AVAILABLE" ACCORDING TO GM PARTS SALES. .MECHANIC WELDED CRACKED PIPE AND SAID EH HAS FIXED QUITE A FEW OF THESE. I HAVE RECEIPT FROM REPAIR SHOP

NHTSA complaint #11093262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10895916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON SAT., JULY 2, 2016 I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. BEING A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, I HAD TO WAIT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUES., JULY 5, 2016. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC THAT DAY AFTER A RUNAROUND AT THE DEALERSHIP AND FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW HOW I MADE IT TO HIS SHOP. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE AND TENSIONER HAD BROKE OFF INSIDE AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF BOLTS. LOOKING AT THE OIL NOZZLER IT WAS BLOCKED WHICH COULD BE CAUSING LACK OF OIL GOING TO THE TENSIONER/CHAIN. I HAVE READ POSTS THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE ON CERTAIN SATURN CARS AS WELL AS TIMING CHAIN. I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW IN JUNE 2003 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT VERY WELL, BARELY DRIVING 5,000 MI./YR. KEEPING THE OIL CHANGED WHEN REQUIRED. I AM NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED OR IF IT HAPPENED AT START UP. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE MECHANIC, HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEE HOW I COULD HAVE MADE IT THERE DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE PARTS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FWY. AT 65 MPH AND MADE IT THERE SAFELY.

NHTSA complaint #10886156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN ONE YEAR THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAS SLIPPED ON MY 2003 SATURN ION. I HAVE READ THAT THE OIL PORT IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE OILING THE CHAIN. I HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT OF POCKET NEARLY 2000 DOLLARS AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS MESSED UP OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE EVERY TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. SO I HAVE TO HAVE OTHER PARTS REPLACED ALSO THAT ARE RESULT OF THIS. IT RUNS FINE THEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING I CAN GO TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTS HAVING A SPASM AND THEN SHUTTERS AND WILL NOT START. I AM SO AFRAID TO KEEP HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN FIXED ON THIS SINCE I HAVE READ THAT IT IS REALLY A FAULT IN THE ENGINEERING OF THE ENGINE TO START WITH. PLEASE HELP. I NEED A NUMBER TO CALL TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR WILL GM FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT IS SURELY THEIR FAULT AND NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER OF THE CAR. IT IS A GOOD RUNNING CAR AND I DID ENJOY DRIVING IT BUT I CAN'T KEEP GETTING THE TIMING CHAIN FIXED IF FIXING THE TIMING CHAIN IS NOT THE PROBLEM REALLY BUT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10777975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT STEADY SPEED OF 70 MPH CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AND BOGGS DOWN WHEN GIVING GAS CAR THEN DECELERATES AND STALLS. WILL NOT START BACK UP FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN DRIVES AND RUNS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #10746457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10681725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN BROKE, AFTER HAVING CLEARED A TUNE UP ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, AND FROM DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH 2003 IONS BUT GM HAD NO RECALL INFORMATION FOR ME, ON MY PROFILE PAGE ON THEIR WEBSITE. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR AND NO WAY TO AFFORD A NEW ONE, AND THE ONLY THING I'M THANKFUL FOR, IS THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYTHING WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND IT OCCURRED WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10650001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ASK A MECHANIC SPRING 2014, WE HAD THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION FIXED ON MY 2003 SATURN. ON SEPTEMBER 9TH MY SON DROVE THE SATURN TO DETROIT MI. ABOUT HALF WAY THERE ON I-94, AT RUSH HOUR, THE SATURN LOST POWER AND BEGAN STOPPING. HE WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MILES/HOUR AND DIDN'T HAVE EXTRA KEYS ON THE KEY RING. LUCKILY, HE IS STRONG, SMART AND QUICK THINKING. HE WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE THE STEERING COLUMN TOWARD AN EXIT, WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH AND RESTARTING THE CAR. THANKFULLY IT STARTED! IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR, I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE DONE THOSE THINGS. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED THE CAR AND AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZED TO TOW THE CAR AND FIX IT. NOW SEVERAL WEEKS LATER AND IN RESPONSE TO LETTERS SENT TO GM EXECUTIVES, THEY TELL US THE SAME THING. I AM TELLING THEM THEIR FIX IS NOT A FIX! I DON'T WANT OTHERS INJURED OR DEAD. WHY IS THIS ENTITLED 'ASK A MECHANIC'? WE WERE TOLD MANY YEARS AGO BY A MECHANIC AT THE SATURN DEALER NOT TO HANG EXTRA KEYS ON OUR RING. THIS DEALER HAS BEEN GONE FOR MANY YEARS. MAYBE SOMEONE NEEDS TO ASK A CURRENT MECHANIC IF THIS IS THE RIGHT FIX FOR GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10640439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #10620730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

KEY CAME OUT, BUT CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. PUT KEY BACK IN MANAGED TO GET TURN OFF ENGINE, HOWEVER KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR OVER 15MIN! THIS KEEPS HAPPENING TO ME. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH CHAPMAN CHEVROLET TEMPE, AZ TO REPAIR ACCORDING TO RECALL INSTRUCTIONS THAT I SUBMITTED TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. THEY SAY THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THE PARTS COME IN, BUT IT HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OR MORE ALREADY. I BELIEVE MY FAMILY AND MY SELF ARE IN DANGER OF A FATAL ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING; SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT SURRENDER THE IGNITION KEY FOR IN HOUR. ALREADY HAD NEW KEY MADE AT CHAPMAN CHEVROLET WHICH MAKES STARTING SOMEWHAT EASIER, BEFORE, IT WOULD TAKE, OFTEN TIMES, 10MIN OR MORE JUST TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. PLEASE HELP CHAPMAN CHEVROLET GET THE PARTS THEY NEED OR STOP IGNORING MY REQUEST FOR THE HONORING OF THE RECALL WORK I REQUESTED OF THEM. IM AFRAID THIS WILL NOT HOLD UP MUCH LONGER AS IS.

NHTSA complaint #10597224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,495.

NHTSA complaint #10585589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE IT SAT FOR A LONG TIME. THIS PROBLEMHAS BEEN CONSTANTLY BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE IN EXTREME WEATHER. I WAS TOLD DURING ONE SHOP INSPECTION IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. WITH THIS CASE IT HAS SHUT MY RADIO ON AND OFF AND A BIG ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS WHEN I AM STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND JERK FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I'VE HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVES ME FROM HITTING ANYONE AT LIGHTS OR SIGNS IS MY SAFETY GAP BETWEEN ME AND A FRONT CAR. I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK, RUINED VACATIONS, BEEN STRANDED WITH AN INFANT IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER, AND WASTED A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE FOR THE PROBLEMS...YOU GUYS HAVE FINALLY STEPPED IN ON ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING NOW GM NEEDS TO ANSWER THE REST. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ONLINE YOU CAN PULL UP 100S OF ISSUES EXACTLY THE SAME. I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK IT ONTO SATURN DEALERS. NOW I HAVE DOORS THAT DON'T SEAL BUT I'M SURE THIS IS BECAUSE IT'S OLD OR OTHER EXCUSES. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY KIDS AREN'T SAFE IN IT. I CAN'T EVEN HAVE A CLEAN CONSCIOUS TRADING IT IN SO I STILL AM STUCK WITH IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE BUT NO ONE LISTENS.

NHTSA complaint #10577748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

IT DON'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT WON'T START YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPEN AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES AND TRY TO START IT MOST THE TIME IT WILL START BUT THERE WERE AFEW THAT IT TOOK A HALF HOUR SITTING AND WAITING FOR IT TO RESET HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALER WANT TIME AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BEEN DONE ABOUT IT INTIL IT HAPPEN TO THEM EVEN WHOSE THE DASHBOARD COMPUTER SAY SERVICE ENGINES AND IT COULD HAPPEN EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK THAN IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE IT DOSE IT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10575510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 2-3YRS, THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 3,500RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IF I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN (UP TO 25MPH). I'VE HAD MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS INSPECT AND TRY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT NONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA complaint #10565927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL, WITH NO CRUISE CONTROL OPTION, IT'S UNSOLVED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE WORKS WHILE IT'S HAPPENING, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, THE MOST RECENT TIME I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, I COULD SMELL THE TRANSMISSION, I TURNED VEHICLE OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WENT TO OVER 5 RPM STILL, TURNED BACK OFF, SAT AND WAITED, IT WAS 2AM SO I COULDN'T CALL ANYONE. AFTER 10 MINUTES IT FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THAT WAS THE MOST SEVERE, IT'S HAD SLIGHTLY SIMILAR ISSUES AT LEAST 4 TIMES. FIRST MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, THEN I TOLD HIM I WAS LEAVING SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL. DON'T WANT HIM WORKING ON IT. 2ND ONE RAN COMPUTER CHECK, NO ISSUE FOUND. HOPEFULLY GM RECALLS THIS BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY ISSUES ME AND MY FATHER COULD FIX, IGNITION SWITCH, WIPER BLADE TRANSMISSION, COOLANT LIGHT BUT THIS ONE ISN'T EASY.

NHTSA complaint #10566175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS (DIFFERENT DATES, MOST RECENT WERE 1-26-2014 & 2-19-2014) ENGINE REVVED AND CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WITHOUT GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED. MOST SERIOUS OCCURRENCE, CAR ACCELERATED, BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT (PUSHED TO THE FLOOR), RAN RED LIGHT, WENT OFF ROAD, SLAMMED TRANSMISSION INTO PARK TO STOP. SHUT OFF CAR, THEN STARTED IT AGAIN, AND IT RAN NORMAL. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC. NO COMPUTER CODES. NOTHING MECHANICAL WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE INEVITABILITY OF A COLLISION WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE.

NHTSA complaint #10565038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WIFE AND CHILDREN RIDING DOWN ROAD WHEN CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF AND LOOSES ALL POWER. SHE WAS LUCKILY ENOUGH TO MERGE ACROSS 2 LANES AT A COAST WITH NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THEN IT TOOK UP TO 30 MIN OF SITTING ON THE SIDE OF VERY BUSY I-16 TILL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND SHE COULD CONTINUE HER WAY HOME WITH MY 2 AND 8 YEAR OLD KIDS IN THE CAR. NOW ALL THE CAR WILL DO IS FLASH THAT PASSLOCK LIGHT AFTER I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH,STARTER,BATTERY,ALTERNATOR AND MANY FUSES ALSO FOLLOWING THE RELEARN PROCEDURE EACH TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10550115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10463420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WOULD CEASE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS WARM BUT COULD STILL BE HEARD AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH OF THE FAILURES WERE COMMON, BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10452258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10447274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2003 SATURN ION . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THEN IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. THEN HALF OF THE DASH WENT BLACK. THE NEXT WINDOW WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WITH NO CONTACT OF ANY TYPE. THEN THE CONTROLS TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRONIC LOCK/OPENING DEVICE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS ANY LONGER OR LOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACT TO BEING IN PARK, SO THEREFORE, SHE HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. THE O2 SENSOR AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER PROPERLY REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10427257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

2003 SATURN ION . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THEN IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. THEN HALF OF THE DASH WENT BLACK. THE NEXT WINDOW WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WITH NO CONTACT OF ANY TYPE. THEN THE CONTROLS TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND THE ELECTRONIC LOCK/OPENING DEVICE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS ANY LONGER OR LOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACT TO BEING IN PARK, SO THEREFORE, SHE HAD DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. THE O2 SENSOR AND THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NEVER PROPERLY REPLACED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP.

NHTSA complaint #10427257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR SLOWS DOWN AND MAKES SOME FUNNY GRINDING NOISE. DOES NOT BLOW AS STRONG AS IT USED TO ON MY 2003 SATURN ION.

NHTSA complaint #10419349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE GOES INTO HIGH IDLE RPM, 1500 TO 2200 RPM, AFTER BEING DRIVEN A PERIOD OF TIME AT HIGH SPEED. IF YOU SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART ENGINE IDLE RESUMES TO 800 RPM, BUT IF DRIVEN ENGINE IDLE WILL GO BACK TO HIGH IDLE AGAIN. DEALER REPROGRAMMED (PCM) POWER CONTROL MODEL AS PER SATURN FIX ALERT OF 4/2004; BUT THIS DID NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10362649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION . WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM NHTSA TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 15-20 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED .THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74500.

NHTSA complaint #10319935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THIS BEGAN 3 MONTHS AGO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WINTER SEASON, UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL I WAS LET GO FOR SHOWING UP LATE TO WORK (APPARENTLY, A CAR THAT PROBLEMATIC WAS INCONCEIVABLE). I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT MOSTLY IN THE EARLY MORNING OR LATE EVENING WHEN IT'S COLDEST OUTSIDE. THIS PAST WEEK ALONE, MY CAR WOULDN'T START 3 TIMES. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN SATURN ION'S (2003-2006 MODELS). SOME COMPLAINTS HAVE SUGGESTED IT'S THE IGNITION, THE PASSLOCK KEY, OR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, AND MY MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO THE FUEL PUMP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC DOESN'T READ A PROBLEM IF THE CAR IS STARTING, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CASE BY THE TIME THE MECHANIC'S SHOP OPENS (WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FAIRLY GOOD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON MOST DAYS). THE OTHER DAY, MY CAR HAD STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, THANKFULLY ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL STREET, BECAUSE IT DID NOT WANT TO RESTART. IT TOOK 10 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR GOING AGAIN. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW DISASTROUS THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR BUSY CITY ROAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY GM. I HAVE ALSO MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE FTC & TO SATURN. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, REPLACING THE PART DOESN'T EVEN HELP BECAUSE ALL OF THESE ION PARTS ARE FAULTY. PLEASE SEE TO IT THAT CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10301938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.