2004 Saturn ION fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car started getting a strong odor of gas. A fuel pipe leak is causing the odor

NHTSA complaint #11446156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hi I am a kind of new owner of an 04 saturn ion, this is actually the second complaint I've filled out. Last July I had a mechanic friend look at my fuel filter and he had said the fuel line needed to be cut off becuase of how rusted on to the original fuel filter I'd got it with was and I didn't believe him so I replace it myself and when I got it off I had cleaned up the metal fuel line the best I could and put a new filter on. Well now it leaks gas right where the hook up is and very strong fuel smells come from there too, I've gotten numerous comments about how un safe that is to be driving it but I need to have a way to work and then someone had mentioned to check for recalls and I seen on there that this car did have a recall for faulty fuel filter gas lines. If you could get back to me as soon as possible about an inspection if needed or whatever else you'd need on my behalf. Please and thank you for your time

NHTSA complaint #11432589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TRIED TAKING FUEL FILTER OFF LAST JULY TOOK A WHOLE WEEKEND OF USING PENATRATING OIL AND FREEZE OFF THEN I FINALLY GOT THE TABS TO COME LOOSE, I THOUGHT MAYBE I MESSED UP THE NEW FILTER OR DIDNT GET ENOUGH RUST OFF THE FUEL LINE AND THAT'S WHAT WAS CAUSING THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS ND POOR PERFORMANCE BUT CHANGED IT AGAIN AND STILL THAT SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW THERES A LEAK. THE CAR WAS ON BACK TIRE RAMPS THE GIRL FUEL FILTER CHANGE THEN THE 2ND ONE WAS DONE WITH A HOIST AND CURRENTLY THIS CAR IS THE ONLY THING I CAN COUNT ON TO MAKE IT TO WORK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #11398818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING, GM REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN ISN'T ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR SAYS IT HAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AND PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #11390624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LEAK ON REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY. IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE THE DATE AND MILEAGE STATED BELOW BUT THAT'S WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE FUEL LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #11378021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,639.

NHTSA complaint #11325424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE FUEL INJECTOR LINE OR FUEL PUMP BUT I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY CAR BUT IT'S NOT SHOWING UP ON MY VIN NUMBER

NHTSA complaint #11317140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2004 SATURN ION 2.2/4 ENGINE STARTED SMELLING GAS FUEL LINE ISSUES FOUND ... OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE THERE ARE RECALLS BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN VIN #S 107,000 MILES HOW MANY CARS BEFORE NATION WIDE RECALL ??!!

NHTSA complaint #11102391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 2.2L L4 (VIN: [XXX]) FOR MY SON 4 MONTHS AGO. IT IS NOW LEAKING A PUDDLE GASOLINE AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN. I LOOKED ON LINE AND THERE DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED) YET MY VIN IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST. CALLED SATURN 800.972.8876, THEY SAID IT WASN'T ON A RECALL LIST ALSO. DEALER WANTS $600+ FOR REPAIRS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10970522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR IS UNDER 80,000 MILES AND HAS A LEAKING FUEL LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10969431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE DUE TO THE SMELL OF FUEL AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10968735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SOLD ME THIS CAR WITH WARRANTEE NEVER GUARANTEED THE WARRANTEE LATER ON ALSO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A WHOLE PATCH IN THE GAS TANK AND I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I WAS AFRAID OF THEIR SAFETY AND RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOT FOR SELLING ME A IN SAFE VEHICLE. THERE AND I WANT TO TAKE FAULT FOR THE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND I WANT TO COVER THE WARRANTY THAT WAS PROMISED TO ME ON THE CONTRACT.

NHTSA complaint #10956085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRONG GAS SMELL & STARTED NOTICING POOR GAS MILEAGE AND IT GOT WORSE. THEN NOTICE IT IS LEAKING GAS BY THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. ALSO THE RUNNING LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY COME ON DURING THE DAY BUT NOT AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10950318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT MY 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT MY FUEL LINES NEED REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND IT SHOULD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10928783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT MY 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT MY FUEL LINES NEED REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND IT SHOULD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10928783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE RECALLS PREFORMED AND THE FUEL LEAK LOOKED AT, THEY SAID, ON PAPER, "C/S FUEL LEAKING UNDER VEHICLE." "FUEL FEED LINE LEAKING FUEL,ACTIVE LEAK,DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE. REPLACE FOR $689.99 PLUS TAX CUSTOMER DECLINED." I DECLINED BECAUSE THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, WHICH I WILL TAKE THEIR CAUTION AND NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TILL IT CAN FIXED. I AM BRINGING THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THEIR CLAIMS VERIFIED BY A NONE GM COMPANY. I LIVE IN NY, THEY USED TO USE SALTS ON THE ROAD WHICH MAY HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ISSUE, THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AT ONLY 62K MILES. DISAPPOINTING. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. 1 MONTH AGO AT 61K MILES PRIVATELY, I ASSUME THE SELLER SOLD THE CAR DUE TO THE GAS LEAK AND DIDN'T INFORM ME.

NHTSA complaint #10918890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IN ADDITION, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10917342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #10876390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE LEAK STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10870487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAK. CHANGING FUEL LINE AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIX WORKS. SAME THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING ON OUR 2006 SATURN VIN [XXX]. FRUSTRATING READING ALL THE YEARS OF COMPLAINTS WITH LIMITED RECALLS. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10822693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ANY TIME THE FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING, FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK A RUNNING DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. LEAVES ABOUT 12" PUDDLE ON THE GROUND AFTER RUNNING 10 TO 30 SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10808435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT REACHED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FELT FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,714.

NHTSA complaint #10806554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #10806355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED A GAS SMELL REALLY STRONG IT GOT WORSE WHEN THEN I NOTICED THAT I WAS GOING THREW GAS LIKE CRAZY AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY . ONE DAY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG WHEN I GOT OUT THE CAR I LOOKED UNDER THAT CAR AND SAW THAT ONE OF LINES WAS LEAKING GAS I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I DO HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR AND THAT ITS A BAD DANGER CHANCE OF FIRES TO START

NHTSA complaint #10789289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/15/15.

NHTSA complaint #10785653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT NEAR FUEL FILTER AND DIRECTLY ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON GROUND AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, FUEL CONTINUED TO FLOW OUT OF RUSTED FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.

NHTSA complaint #10763577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND FUEL LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA complaint #10745419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON THE 20TH OF JULY I NOTICED A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. I CHECKED THE GAS CAN FOR MY LAWN EQUIPMENT AND IT WAS NOT THE SOURCE ON THE ODOR. I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL PUDDLE OF GAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHERE MY REAR TIRE WAS. AS THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AT THE SUSPECT LOCATION AND NOTICED STEADY DRIPS COMING FROM UNDER A PLASTIC CLIP WHICH HELD THE FUEL LINES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH RIGHT AT THAT CLIP. AFTER READING UP ON THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS BOTH ION AND COBALT VEHICLES SINCE I BELIEVE THEY ARE "DELTA" BODIES. DUE TO THE NATURE AND THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I DO NOT HAVE THE 400-500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE THE LEAK IS SCANT INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THEREFORE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD. GM SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10735918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. MA 10/2

NHTSA complaint #10733980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER HAVING MY EMISSIONS TESTED IN WI IN WHICH IT PASSED AT THE TIME ON OR ABOUT MAY 27, 2015. ABOUT A WEEK LATET, I BEGAN TO SMELL A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE DIIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR, AFTER I DROVE IT AND THEN PARKED IT AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING DRIPPING FROM THE CAR TO THE GROUNC, I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE BECAME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 17, 2015 WHEN THE SMELL WAS SO GREAT AND I HADNT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR WELL OVER A WEEK BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID SOMETHING WAS LEAKING OR WOULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. MY BROTHER SMELLED IT ALSO WHEN I BACKED UP AND PULLED FORWARD. WE CHECKED UNDER HOOD, BUT NOTHING AND NO SPOTS ON THE GROUND. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC AND OWNER SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. NEEDED REPLACING AND R WHICH COST APPROXIMATELY $263 .. I ALSO LOOKED UP INFORMATION BY A MECHANIC WHO STATES THAT EVERY SIGNGLE COBALT AND ION HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM SINCE THE CARS WERE BUILT. HE GAVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT TAKES TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FUEL LINES, FUEL FILTER, ETC. WHENEVER I TOOK OUT THE CAR, THAT CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED OR STARTED AN ENGINE FIRE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE INVOLVED THE LOSS OF NOT ONLY THE VEHICLES, BUT PEOPLES LIVES. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THESE VEHICLES ON RECALL FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL TANK, FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINES AND BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS ON THE CARS AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10731798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.