65 of the 5,471 complaints filed about the Saturn ION are about the braking system — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
65
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
19
Crashes
0
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
🔑 IGNITION. WINDOW' DRIVER SIDE REMOTE
NHTSA complaint #11344155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I SLIGHTLY WAS GOING OFF THE CURVE TO THE RIGHT I TURNED THE WHEEL TO GET STRAIGHT THE STEERING WENT OUT I LOST CONTROL I MASHED BREAKS AND NOTHING STOPPED THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT CRASHING INTO A UTILITY POLE, FLIPPED AND THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE, HUB AND AXE CAME COMPLETELY OFF IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY THE POLE. I WAS ON A COUNTY ROAD I BE]BELIEVE THAT THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT AS WELL I KNOW THE STEERING DID I HAD NO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11310357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ON NOVEMBER 2, 2018, AND AFTER A TWO DAY TRAIN RIDE FROM WASHINGTON, I ARRIVED AT SMITH MOTORS TO INSPECT AND TEST DRIVE A 2007 SATURN ION 3 SEDAN THAT I HAD LOCATED ON CARGURUS.COM. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATED A CERTIFIED AUTOMOBILE INSPECTOR IN THAT AREA, AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE EXTERIOR DAMAGE, AND TEST DRIVING WITH THE DEFOGGER BLASTING CONCEALED THE DEFECT ABOUT WHICH I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE SALESMAN, CRAIG MANSKE, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED," AND HE ASSURED ME THAT THE SATURN HAD UNDERGONE A RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND SERVICING OF EQUAL QUALITY. HE LEFT ME IN THE AGGRESSIVE HANDS OF THE CLOSER, SMITH MOTORS'S BUSINESS MANAGER, ROSS KENT. MR. KENT INSISTED THAT I SIGN A FORM ACKNOWLEDGING THAT MY MODIFYING THE VEHICLE OR USING NON-GM PARTS MIGHT VOID THE WARRANTY. I REMINDED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD, HAD SIXTY-NINE THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND WAS UNDENIABLY OUT-OF-WARRANTY. HE MADE MY SIGNATURE A DEAL-BREAKER, SO I GAVE IN BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND EFFORT I HAD EXPENDED IN GETTING MYSELF TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE FIRST PLACE TO BUY THIS VEHICLE. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO WASHINGTON, BUT THE STIFF AND SQUEAKY PEDALS ANNOYED ME ENOUGH THAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST CHEVY, BUICK & GMC DEALERSHIP IN WARRENTON, OR. THAT TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO SILENCE THE SQUEAKY PEDALS WITH THE LITHIUM SPRAY DESIGNED FOR THE TASK. I ENDED UP PAYING $55 IN A SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT BY ANOTHER TECHNICIAN TO UNSTIFFEN AND SILENCE THE PEDALS, BUT IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE COST TO INSTALL A NEW CLUTCH PEDAL IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE, THERE IS NO NEW BRAKE PEDAL AVAILABLE, AND THE MECHANIC DID NOT RECOMMEND USING A SALVAGE PEDAL. MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM SMITH MOTORS, INC. WAS DENIED BY CONTROLLER, CARLA SHEELEY, WHO INSISTED IT WAS SOLD "AS IS."
NHTSA complaint #11154811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD
NHTSA complaint #11131268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF DOVER (1450 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901, (302) 760-9956), BUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #11115106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. IN OCTOBER OF 2016, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SUDDENLY DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AND, IN TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. IN DECEMBER OF 2017, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A PICK-UP TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL GMC DEALER IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11099248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I'VE HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHERE MY CAR WASN'T AS STABLE AS IT SHOULD BE. THE CAR ITSELF RUMBLES AND JERKS A LOT ON CITY STREETS AND AS I GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN A FEW ISSUES WITH THE BREAKS. DURING WINTER TIME, THE CAR WON'T START UP (I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NOW AND IT STILL HAPPENS). ACCELERATION IS OCCASIONALLY DELAYED. LASTLY THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHICH CONTINUES FROM THE TIME THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I TAKE IT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11063289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I BOUGHT MY 2004 SATURN ION 2 COUPE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS, THEY WERE WORN DOWN TO THE IRON. I BOUGHT AMERICAN STEEL ROTORS FROM MIDAS. I'M STILL USING THE NEW ROTORS AND EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE BRAKES, ARE STILL LIKE NEW. MY CAR IS IN A GARAGE AND I DON'T DO MUCH DRIVING. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I HAD MY NEW 1992 SATURN SL1. NOW I'M TOLD MY SWAY BAR IS GOING AGAIN. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES AND THE SWAY BAR BECAUSE IT'S A SATURN AND I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AND APPLY THE BRAKES HARDER AND PARTS FOR THE SWAY BAR ON THE 2004 HAD TO BE IMPORTED AND WERE POORLY MADE. I FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS TO SAY THE LEAST. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FENDER BENDER. I NOTED 2006 ON MY SATURN 2010 FROM IT'S FIRST PROBLEM, A YEAR LATER ON THE SWAY BAR AND A COUPLE MORE YEARS ON THE 2ND SWAY BAR. THE 1992 SATURN WAS AN ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE ROTORS TILL I JUNKED IT AROUND 2011.
NHTSA complaint #11022769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE & ITS ONLY JANUARY I'VE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND HAD TO REPLACE IT I'VE HAD BAD STRUTS HAD TO REPLACE IT BAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED IT BAD BATTERY REPLACED IT BAD BRAKES & ROTORS & I REPLACED IT. IT'S JUST A HORRIBLE CAR AND I WISH I HAD SPENT MY MONEY ELSE WHERE IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I TRADE IN THIS CAR FOR SOMETHING THE SAME VALUE I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10822719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY, THE IGNITION KEY BECAME JARRED AND MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, AND LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10809556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE SATURN ION RECALLED IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. ON 3/20/15, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF, AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, AND MANAGED TO BRING IT A STOP EVENTUALLY WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CHANGING GEARS. I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET SATISFACTORY INFORMATION FROM EITHER THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALERSHIP OR GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SO FAR. THE NEW IGNITION FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AND MY BRAKES TO FAIL. THIS CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE RECALL FAILED TO CORRECT THE IGNITION PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10700923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10693297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN TONIGHT AND NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AND RPMS WOULD STAY ELEVATED. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH. I WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION AND IT SIMPLY DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, LIKE IT WAS PULLING FORWARD. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNS RED AND I START TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE RESISTING AND IT WAS TAKING A LOT MORE PRESSURE THAN USUAL TO SLOW DOWN. MY CAR WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND I WAS GOING ~5MPH RIGHT UP TO THE CROSSWALK. THE CAR STARTED VIOLENTLY LURCHING FORWARD AND STILL, WASN'T COMING TO A STOP. THE RPMS WERE REVVING AND I WAS ABLE TO REACT IN TIME TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, KEEP BRAKING, AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF RIGHT BEFORE THINGS WOULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY. I KEPT MY CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT ON, AND IT WOULD SHOOT UP IMMEDIATELY TO 4000 RPM. I DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR AT ALL AT THIS POINT AND SAT IN -18 DEGREE WEATHER PROCESSING WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND WHAT TO DO NEXT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I HEARD WHAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL RELEASING OR POPPING BACK UP IN PLACE. THERE WAS NOTHING IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ON TO CAUSE IT TO STICK. TERRIFYING.
NHTSA complaint #10689732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE AND ONE DAY THE SECURITY LIGHT AND A FEW OTHER WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AS WELL AS "TRAC OFF" CAME UP ON THE SCREEN. MY GAS GAUGE ALSO WENT DOWN TO ZERO (EVEN THOUGH I HAD A FULL TANK.) THE CAR STILL RAN FINE AND NO CODES CAME UP SO I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND NOW MY CAR WILL START BUT I HAVE TO WAIT 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL LET ME PUT IT IN GEAR. EVERYTHING TURNS OFF AND WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AS THE CAR "WARMS UP?" AFTER 5 MINUTES IT WILL LET ME PUT IT IN GEAR BUT WARNING LIGHTS ABS, BRAKE, AND AIRBAG WILL STILL BE ON. IF I RESTART THE CAR THEN, THE LIGHTS GO OFF. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON!
NHTSA complaint #10653255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THE REAR BRAKES SHOES WERE WORN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10652718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THE REAR BRAKES SHOES WERE WORN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10652718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10638358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY SON WAS DRIVING AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM STOPPED SUDDENLY. HE HIT THE BRAKES AND FELT THE STEERING LOCK UP, BRAKES LOCKED AND HE COULDN'T STOP. HIT THE TRUCK HARD ENOUGH TO CRACK THE CORE SUPPORT IN THE SATURN BUT THE AIR BAG DO NOT EXPAND. HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN HIT ANOTHER CAR ENOUGH TO CRACK THE STEEL FRAME BUT NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10627670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I BELIEVE THAT THE POWER STEERING ISSUE (RECALLED RECENTLY AND RECEIVED LETTER) CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE VERY HARD TO CONTROL ON A DOWNSLOPE HILL AT 12 MPH COMING UP TO RED LIGHT. MY CAR WENT FROM THE RIGHT LANE TO THE LEFT LAND OF 4 LANE STREET AND I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW, HAVING RECEIVED INFORMATION TODAY ABOUT THE POWER STEERING RECALL, I HAVE AN APPT. AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION AND THE PIECE OF METAL THAT I BELIEVE TO BE BRAKE PAD THAT A FEW HOURS LATER SHOT OUT AND HIT CAR NEXT TO ME IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE IGNITION. I WILL KNOW MORE OF WHAT HAPPENED ONCE DEALERSHJP RUNS DIAGNOSTICS.
NHTSA complaint #10625771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCE HOW DANGEROUS IT COULD BE IF THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES MALFUNCTION. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY THE AIR BAGS DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS. I DON'T KNOW WHY GEICO INSURANCE DIDN'T FIND THIS CAR NOT TO BE AN SAFETY ISSUE?
NHTSA complaint #10622191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.