FaultScore

Saturn ION seat belt problems

31 of the 5,471 complaints filed about the Saturn ION are about the seat belts — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

31

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

Seat Belts complaints by model year

2003 ION 7 22.6%

Median failure at 97,000 miles

2004 ION 5 16.1%

Median failure at 179,756 miles

2005 ION 4 12.9%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

2006 ION 6 19.4%

Median failure at 10,350 miles

2007 ION 9 29.0%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

What owners said

2003 Saturn ION at 151,472 miles Irving, TX

SEAT BELTS

TAKATA RECALL THE SEAT BELTS WHEN STOPPING SUDDENLY DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN PRODUCING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF FUELING UP. AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL KNOCK OCCASIONALLY EVEN AFTER IT'S BEEN CHANGED. THE SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD AND DANGEROUS, RATTLING NOISE AND SHAKING.

NHTSA complaint #11122785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 130,000 miles Mesquite, TX

SEAT BELTS

FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS DIFFICULT TO SNAP IN. POWER STEERING WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING

NHTSA complaint #11076322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 77,000 miles Sulphur, LA

SEAT BELTS

OVER THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS MY POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAS ALMOST FALLEN OFF TWICE I HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED MY CAR DON'T WANT TO START AFTER I FILL IT UP IT'S SPUTTERS EVERY TIME AND I'VE HAD LITERALLY HAD TO GET CUT OUT OF MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT UNLATCH AND MIKEY DON'T WANT TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION HAVE THE TIME. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ALMOST FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING AND OF COURSE I'M STOPPED WHEN I'M FUELING AND I WAS STOPPED WHEN I WAS STUCK IN MY SEATBELT AND STOPPED EVERY TIME I TRY TO TAKE MY KEY OUT

NHTSA complaint #11045315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 145,000 miles South Boston, VA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

I HYDRAPLAINED, DID A 360 AND GOT HIT HEAD ON. I HAD MY SET BELT ON, BUT IT DID NOT CATCH AND LOCK IN PLACE, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE....TO STOP ME FROM HITTING TO REAR VIEW MIRROR WITH MY HEAD, MY CHEST ON THE SHEARING WHEEL AND MY LEGS WITH THE UNDER PART OF THE DASH...I WAS ON A MAIN HWY...I DO NOT HAVE THE POLICE REPORT , BUT I DO HAVE A FEW PICTURE..

NHTSA complaint #10984760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION Ramsey, MN Crash

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #10882584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 58,164 miles Port Jervis, NY

SEAT BELTS

THE SEAT BELT GET LOOKED IN BUCKLE AND DON'T RELEASE WHEN U TRY TO UNLOCK IT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THEY ALWAYS LOCK UP WHEN PUTTING YOUR SEAT BELT ON THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THE VEHICLE IS IN STATIONARY .

NHTSA complaint #10845685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 55,000 miles Clifton Park, NY

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLATCH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #10780861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 84,000 miles Miami, FL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

THERE IS A BOSH/CDR REPORT FROM ESIS OF GENERAL MOTORS OUTLINING THE DATA RECEIVED FROM THE CRASH FOR NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. MR. SEGOVIA OF GM STATED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BASED ON THE STATISTIC FROM THIS REPORT. I DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE HAS STATED. I NEED A REVIEW OF THE REPORT FOR COMPLIANCE REGARDING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG TO MY 2007 SATURN ION. GM THROUGH ESIS HAS REFUSED TO SURRENDER THE REPORT TO THE DEFECTED SEATBELTS. MY GENERAL MOTORS PENDING CLAIM #816261. I HAVE NOTICED ANDREW SEGOVIA, ESQ., MS. MARY T. BARRA, CEO, MR. DANIEL AMMANN, PRESIDENT OF GM REGARDING THE SECOND HALF OF THE CLAIM OF THE DEFAULTED/RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING DURING THE CRASH. MR. SEGOVIA HAS CONFIRMED ESIS'S EMAIL STATING THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING RECALL/DEFECT TO MY CAR VIN NUMBER AND REMAINED OPEN. THERE WAS THE DEBRIS ON THE HIGHWAY THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AND THEN THERE WAS THE DEFECTED POWER STEERING PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 SATURN ION WHICH CAUSED THE CRASH. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BY GM. THE DEFAULTED POWER STEERING CAUSED THE CRASH. IN THE OUTSET OF THIS CLAIM, GENERAL MOTORS WAS AWARE THAT THE POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRASH INTO THE RAIL GUARD BUT FAILED. I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL AND DEFECT, THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND OPERABLE AT THE TIME THE CAR CRASHED. BUT GENERAL MOTORS DEFECTED POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE RAIL GUARD SO THE CAR WOULD NOT CRASH INTO THE RAIL GUARD. THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE AND AS A RESULT CAUSED THE CRASH. I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE BACK FROM GENERAL MOTORS IN THE RESOLUTION/SETTLEMENT OF THIS MATTER AS WELL AND OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE LOANER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10762327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 135,000 miles Corydon, IN Crash

SEAT BELTS

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO MISS THAT ONE BUT ANOTHER ONE CAME OUT AND I HIT IT. IT HIT SO HARD AND MY STEERING WAS HARD LIKE A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE LIKE THAT TOO. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SAFETY BELTS CATCH ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER. IT DID $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND MY HEAD SLAMMED UP AGAINST THE DRIVER WINDOW, MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN HER CARSEAT BUT I HAD IT IN THE FRONT SEAT SO IT RELEASED THE CARSEAT. SHE HAD BRUISES AND A BLACK EYE, AND NOW 3 YEARS LATER, THAT SAME EYE IS CAUSING HER PROBLEMS SEEING. EVERYDAY I FEEL SO BAD BECAUSE SHE WAS IN MY SATURN THAT NIGHT. PEOPLE ASKED ME OVER AND OVER WHAT ABOUT YOUR AIRBAGS, ETC. I NEVER KNEW WHAT TO SAY UNTIL I STARTED GETTING THE RECALLS AND REALIZED WHAT GM HAD KNOWN ALL ALONG ABOUT MY IGNITION. THIS YEAR MY CAR GOT STUCK IN THE RUN POSITION AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE GONE FOR THE DAY. I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. FINALLY AFTER TOTAL DISGUST, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW TANK LID POPPED OFF AND SHOT ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE, IT JUST BARELY MISSED MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP COYLE CHEVROLET OF CLARSKVILLE IN CAME AND PICKED UP THE CAR, AND IN THE PROCESS RIPPED THE WIND SHIELD FOR THE SUNROOF OFF, AND CALLED ME TO TELL ME MY CAR NOW HAD A NOISE IN THE LOWER END OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD BE $600.00 AND UP. THEY TEST DROVE IT, AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE IN IT. I HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. GM AND COYLE BOTH SAY SORRY THE IGNITION IS THE ORIGINAL REASON FOR THE ENGINE THAT IS NOW LOCKED UP AFTER I WAS TOLD I HAD TO COME GET IT OR I WOULD BE CHARGED A STORAGE FEE LOCKED UP ON ME ON THE EXPRESSWAY HOME. THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND I STILL HAVE NOTHING AND THEY WON'T HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10670847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 87,000 miles Warwcik, RI

SEAT BELTS

MY SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER BUCKLE. MY SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARK AND JUMPS INTO OTHER GEARS(NEUTRAL) AND THE CAR REVS ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON GAS. MY SHIFT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS THE RECALL FOR THE AURA AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $700.00 IN REPAIRS AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR 6 MONTHS. I DO NOT HAVE MY VIN# AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK WITH HERB CHAMBERS SATURN -WARWICK, RI.

NHTSA complaint #10663040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 138,000 miles Portland, OR

SEAT BELTS

ON MAY 21ST 2014 FIDELITY FLEET AND FINANCE IN PORTLAND OR KNOWING SOLD ME A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH IS INVOLVED IN THE GM IGNITION RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL THE RESPONSE WAS CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS THE CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS SAFE AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP USES DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND SELLS UNSAFE VEHICLES INCLUDING THOSE LINKED TO DEATHS AND THOUSANDS OF INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO FAILED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE IN OVER 70 DAYS SINCE THE PURCHASE.

NHTSA complaint #10621691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 86,000 miles Detroit, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL AUTO ACCELERATED AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #10621694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 120,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

SEAT BELTS

CAR STALLED THEN RAN AGAIN FINE. THOUGHT MAYBE BAD GAS OR SOMETHING. STARTED HEARING A LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. CHANGE OIL CAME ON AND SO I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED ONLY TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED KEYS. THIS IS A TERRIBLE ISSUE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO WRECK HAD I NOT HAD PLENTY OF ROOM TO COAST OFF THE ROAD. ALSO SEAT BELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT UNBUTTON SO I AM UNABLE TO BUCKLE UP THE RIGHT WAY UNTIL THAT'S FIXED TOO. LOOKING ONLINE ALL OF THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM HOWEVER IT APPEARS PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FROM IT BEFORE A RECALL IS GIVEN. I URGE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SEATBELTS AND THE TIMING CHAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10596909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION at 120,000 miles Naugatuck, CT

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC GUIDE FOR THE SEAT BELT ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO LIE ON THE NECK INSTEAD OF ACROSS THE CHEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA complaint #10569124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION Uncasville, CT

SEAT BELTS

I HAVE CONTACTED SATURN ABOUT THE SEAT BELT ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BELT WILL NOT CLICK OR UNCLICK WHEN PUTTING THE SEAT BELT ON. MY HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FAN DOES NOT WANT TO WORK UNLESS I PUT THE FAN ONTO NUMBER 3 AND IT IS DRAWING TOO MUCH POWER FROM THE BATTERY. I JUST NEED THESE FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA complaint #10523136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION at 239,512 miles Clayton, NC Crash

SEAT BELTS

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND THE CAR STRUCK IT. THE CAR SUSTAINED SOME FRONT END DAMAGE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE SEAT-BELTS LOCKED UP BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE SEAT-BELTS ARE LOCKED UP. IT CONCERNS ME THAT WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE WHEN OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10502620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION Salisbury, MD

SEAT BELTS

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS UNATTACHED FROM THE FLOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10444315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 86,000 miles Uncasville, CT

SEAT BELTS

MY 2007 SATURN ION 2 PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN MY PASSENGERS BUCKLE UP, THE SEAT BELT WILL NO RELEASE WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN I STOP.I AM AFRAID THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THAT THE PERSON WILL BE TRAPPED. ALSO WHEN SOMEONE IS BUCKLED, THE SEAT BELT BUZZES AND DOES NOT STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10421258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 78,000 miles Crossville, TN Crash

SEAT BELTS

MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE IN AN AUTOMILE ACCIDENT BY HITTING A DEER HEAD ON THEN LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HITTING AND EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. WE HIT THE EMBANKMENT SO HARD THAT THE 2005 SATURN ION BOUNCED BACK OFF AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT NEVER CAUGHT RESULTING MY GIRLFRIEND TO BE INJURED BY THE STEERING WHEEL WITH LACERATIONS TO HER CHIN AND HER TEETH WENT THROUGH THE BACK OF HER LIP AND ALSO NECK AND BACK INJURIES FROM THE HARD IMPACT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FRONT FRAME AND UNDERNEATH DAMAGE IT CAUSE. SHE HIT SO HARD THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS PUSHED INTO THE MOTOR AND THE MOTOR WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE FIREWALL.

NHTSA complaint #10374787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 56,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

SEAT BELTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNFASTEN THE SEAT BELT, SOMEONE HAD TO CUT IT IN ORDER TO FREE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SHE FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT; THEREFORE, THE REPAIR SHOULD BE FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000. UPDATED 12/1/08 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE SET BELT AND BUCKLE. UPDATED 12/05/08.

NHTSA complaint #10248384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn ION problems