FaultScore

Saturn ION electrical problems

1,598 of the 5,471 complaints filed about the Saturn ION are about the electrical system — 29% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

1,598

Complaints

29%

Share of all complaints

51

Crashes

12

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

2003 ION 395 24.7%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2004 ION 353 22.1%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

2005 ION 232 14.5%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

2006 ION 399 25.0%

Median failure at 62,000 miles

2007 ION 218 13.6%

Median failure at 66,500 miles

2008 ION 1 0.1%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

What owners said

2003 Saturn ION Lincoln, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

2005 Saturn ION SAN Diego, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11699599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 167,000 miles Fort Pierce, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 167,000.

NHTSA complaint #11674938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 85,200 miles Berkeley, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.

NHTSA complaint #11649410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Fresno, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My key is stuck in the I can take it out the o2 seners not reading

NHTSA complaint #11648021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 111,350 miles Williamsport, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the contact would wiggle the key around in the ignition before being able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,350.

NHTSA complaint #11615481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 60,000 miles Homer, AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that occasionally the key failed to turn while in the ignition. The vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to avoid bumps in the roadway while driving. The lock symbol was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined to service the recall repairs due to an insurance issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another unknown local dealer, who informed the contact to place the vehicle in park(P) and restart the vehicle, and the symbol turned off. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim and informed the contact that a technician would be sent to the residence, but the technician failed to show up. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11612866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION Nashville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This problem has been ongoing for a while. The key gets stuck in the ignition for a while. Have to wait until it finally clicks twice. I have taken vehicle 3 different times to have this repaired. Last for a month or two and same thing starts happening again.

NHTSA complaint #11569795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 100,764 miles Arlington, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

 The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,764.

NHTSA complaint #11536214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION at 230,000 miles Sacramento, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

NHTSA complaint #11530643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION Citrus Springs, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car just shuts off while driving. Iginition gets stuck. Have to push button in hole on underside of ignition for key to release. Happens all the time. Constant.

NHTSA complaint #11526295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Duluth, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When pressing the gas pedal 2/3 of the way down the pedal got stuck causing the engine to rev high while driving forward. I had to put the car in neutral, shut the engine off and manually get the gas pedal unstuck by reaching down to the floor and pulling the pedal upwards with my hands. Also I had no floor mats in my car for the pedal to get stuck on. This has happened on multiple occasions.

NHTSA complaint #11500916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Duluth, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Power steering intermittently fails at random and steering wheel suddenly becomes immovable nearly causing serious accidents and endangerment to myself, my family, and others drivers on the roads.

NHTSA complaint #11498929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION Edison, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key would remain stuck in the ignition after turning off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred prior and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and reached out to the dealer that performed the recall and confirmed the date that the recall was serviced. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11495305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Lewiston, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I turn my turn signals on and nonthing happens in the Frontline bulbs are brand new doesn't matter back turn signal work,front turn signal dont.this has been happening since forever my inlaws didn't know we didn't know until they gave car.so don't know how long seems like forever

NHTSA complaint #11457641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION ST. Paul, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD FREQUENTLY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER MADE MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11452729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION Saint Clair Shores, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My gas tank is leaking a good amount of gas and is dripping all over my exhaust. Major fire risk and also my wiring has been all messed up. When my brights are on, my speakers make an unbearable screaming noise and I saw that this was an issue for many saturn ion users. There was a recall on this car for the same gas tank/pump issue years ago. Can I get this issue fixed free of charge or has the recall expired?

NHTSA complaint #11439840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Whitewater, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

It says I have 0 I repaired recalls. I have had the powers steering fail 2x. More importantly, the ignition cylinder locks up and I can’t get my keys out. I have to wait most times after turning the car off - for 3-5 minutes through a series of clicking noises in the ignition before the key will release. It is concerning because sometimes I have to get out immediately and the keys don’t release. The car automatically locks itself and if I don’t roll the window down- I become locked out. It yesterday had a issue with ignition all together and I wonder if it’s related. I was made aware again there were many recalls on this issue and hoped to get it repaired. However it now states there are none unrepaired. I’m wondering if it is a ongoing problem with the vehicle, it’s repair parts etc and if it’s just not been addressed because it’s so old that so few are left on the road. Thank you. This is a increasing problem and a daily or every time I drive it issue now. I worry too the power steering will just go out in the interstate.

NHTSA complaint #11434203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 90,000 miles Houston, TX Crash 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owned a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph and there was a stopped vehicle in the middle of the road, in order to avoid crashing the contact veered to the right lane but crashed into the rear of a truck. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, arm, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (Air bags, Electrical system). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to file for the class action lawsuit. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11425122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 110,000 miles Warrenton, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEERING ASSIST AND GAUGES WERE IN OPERABLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS RETURNED HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS INOPERABLE. OCEAN CREST CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (855 ALTERNATE HWY 101, WARRENTON, OR 97146, (866)607-2902) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #11416273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn ION problems