2006 SATURN ION Power Train Problems

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that upon switching gears to reverse, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. The contact stated that she was unable to shift gears and continued to drive the vehicle in third gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the clutch was fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to their location in two weeks for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

Mileage: 195,000

2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE SHIFTER SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TO TURN OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF. THIS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIR.

I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONE OF THE TIMES GM PAID FOR IT DUE TO A RECALL WITHIN MONTHS THE CAR WAS BACK INTO PASSLOCK LIGHT COMING ON CAR STALLING WHILE IN MOVEMENT KEY STUCK IN IGNITION HAVE TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT BACK INTO THE TURN OFF POSITION. THIS LAST TIME AS OF TODAY THE CAR WILL NOT RUN YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT OF A LOCK THE PASSLOCK IS SHOWING ON THE CAR DASHBOARD.

Mileage: 124,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ACCIDENTALLY STRUCK AND THE VEHICLE REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE. WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND MERGING INTO FAST MOVING TRAFFIC (APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH TRAFFIC). I SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR AND THEN DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO SAFELY MERGE LEFTWARD. WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT AWAY FROM THE PEDAL IT STAYED FULLY DEPRESSED (FULLY ACCELERATING). I HIT THE BRAKES MODERATELY, AND IT WAS STILL ACCELERATING, THEN I HIT THE BRAKES HARDER TO DECREASE MY SPEED (FROM 70+ DOWN TO 60) AS I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I KICKED DOWN HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT RELEASED BACK TO THE DEFAULT POSITION. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON THAT MUST BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR HAS COME OFF. THE BUTTON CAN BE REPLACED, BUT MUST BE PROPERLY LINED UP AND CAN IMMEDIATELY FALL OFF AGAIN. THIS COULD CAUSE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF IT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 80,343

THIS CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN GEAR TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. SO I LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS IN NEUTRAL TO THE STREET. I PUMPED THE CLUTCH TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK. IT WOULDN'T GO INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN I WOULD TRY TO GET IT IN GEAR IT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T IN GEAR. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND THEY WERE FINE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN FIRST IT WENT INTO FIRST GEAR JUST FINE AND WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION ON, IT LUNGED ME FORWARD. I DROVE ABOUT 25 FEET WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE INTO SECOND GEAR, IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. SO I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AGAIN SO IT WOULD GO INTO FIRST GEAR THEN I STARTED IT UP AND IT LUNGED ME FORWARD AGAIN. I NEEDED TO TURN AROUND TO GET BACK TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS CLEARLY WRONG. I TRIED ONCE AGAIN TO PUT IT IN SECOND, SAME PROBLEM I HAD TO TURN IT OFF THEN THROW IT IN FIRST AND START IT UP REAL QUICK. I FINALLY GOT IT IN SECOND GEAR AND DROVE IT HOME. I STAYED IDLING IN SECOND GEAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE FOR ABOUT 5-7 MIN. THEN I TRIED TO GO AND IT WORKED, IT WENT INTO GEAR WITH EASE, AND CHANGED INTO ALL THE OTHER GEARS WITH EASE AS I DOVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUST LIKE IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR AGAIN & ALL DAY LIKE NOTHING HAD EVER HAPPENED. NOW EVERY MORNING SINCE THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED SO I TAKE THE SAME STEPS, I PUMP THE CLUTCH AND LET IT SIT ABOUT 5 MIN. AND END UP APPLYING PRESSURE TO GET IT INTO GEAR AND IT WILL WORK ALL DAY UNTIL THIS MORNING. IT WILL STILL GO INTO GEAR WHEN ITS OFF AND STARTS THE SAME WAY AS I EXPLAINED BUT NOW AFTER WAITING THE 5-7 MIN BEFORE I TAKE OFF IT STILL WONT GO INTO GEAR OR "FIX ITSELF" LIKE IT DID BEFORE. HAVE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS? I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR AND REPORTED IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER, IT WILL COST $115.00 JUST FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE IT AND IM ON A LIMITED INCOME. *TR

Mileage: 59,502

I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE IGNITION RECALL AND EVER SINCE THAT MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION HALF WAY. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY WAS STUCK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THEN BACK TO PARK WHERE THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVEN OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 96,000

L WAS DRIVING MY 2006 SATURN ION WHICH L BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2006 GOING TO PICK UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN HOWELL MI I WAS ON INTERSTATE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON AS L WENT ON EXIT INTERSTATE,L TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL WHEN L DID THAT IT SHUT MY CAR DOWN COMPLETELY ,L WAS MERGING ON ANOTHER INTERSTATE WITH NO ENGINE RUNNING NO POWER STEERING AND UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE . THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER OFF ROAD SAFELY , L WAS ALMOST KILLED CAR HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO RESTART . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 DIFFERENT TIMES , L HAVE TAKEN CAR TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP MANY TIME COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS MATTER, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS , L HAVE STOPPED USING MY CRUISE CONTROL . L REALLY HAVE A LEMON SUNROOF DOES NOT WORK SUN ROOF LEAKS , THE CAR STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO , LAM RETIRED 65 YEARS OLD AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE SATURN ION , L WOULD BE AFRAID TO SELL THIS 2006 SATURN ION TO THE PUBLIC , L DON'T WANT TO KILL ANYONE , THE CAR SITS ,NOT USING IT , WON'T SELL IT, WHAT CAN BE DONE? AND THERE IS NO RETAIL VALUE FOR THIS CAR .NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH I FEEL SO VERY SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LOST THEIR LIVES,L WAS LUCKY THAT L WAS NOT ONE THAT WAS KILLED ,AS L SAID EARLIER, THIS CAR WENT TO DEALERSHIP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ON THIS MATTER , LAST TIME L TOOK THE CAR IN WAS LAST SUMMER 2013 , MECHANIC DROVE SATURN ION AND TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG . THE CAR SITS. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY START RIGHT UP OR IT SOMETIMES TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 2 MINUTES TO 10 MINUTES TO GET STARTED. HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR LOOKED AT AND THAT IS FINE. CARS LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING TURNS ON AND TESTED THE BATTERY THAT IS FINE. CAR SIMPLY WON'T GO INTO THE RUN POSITION. MAYBE THE NEW FIX WILL CHANGE THIS WITH THE RECALL BUT JUST ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I HAVE SEEN DOCUMENTED ONLINE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED CONSTANTLY. *JS

Mileage: 88,000

ON FRIDAY WE GOT OUR 2006 SATURN ION OUT OF THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER HAVING A FROZEN AIR COMPRESSOR AND RIPPED SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED ($1400), ALONG WITH A TRANSMISSION LINE. AFTER DRIVING AND STOPPING THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ENGINE OFF AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, BUT IT WAS LOCKED. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT MOVED FINE, BUT WHEN I DROVE BACK INTO PLACE AND TRIED TO SHUT IT OFF AGAIN, THE KEY WOULDN'T BUDGE SO THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. WE DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WANTED TO CHARGE US AGAIN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. WE ALSO NOTICED THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALL THE FLUIDS CHECKED TWO WEEKS PRIOR WHEN GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER SAID TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THIS DIDN'T WORK. ANOTHER RELIABLE SOURCE INSTRUCTED US TO DISCONNECT THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO AVOID THE ENGINE RUNNING ON THE ALTERNATOR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIND A DISTRIBUTOR CAP, WE REALIZED THERE WAS NONE. A NEIGHBOR CAME AND DISCONNECTED A FUSE. THE KEY IS STILL LODGED IN THE IGNITION. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BEYOND WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR MAINTENANCE: POWER STEERING REPLACED AND THE GAS TANK REPLACED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE NIPPLE. I AM PETITIONING THAT THIS VEHICLE BE RECALLED AS IT WAS IN CERTAIN "HOT" STATES. THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES EXPERIENCED IN MID-EAST STATES, COUPLED BY INADEQUATE SERVICE AND MATERIALS HAVE CREATED CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE NO LESS THAN THOSE EXPERIENCED IN THE INITIAL STATES WHERE RECALLS HAPPENED. WHAT ALSO SHOULD BE NOTED IS THAT CONSUMER REPORT DOCUMENT 491 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

2006 SATURN ION MANUAL TRANS. KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. TO TURN CAR OFF, NEED TO STALL ENGINE (POP CLUTCH), THEN DISCONNECT BATTERY SINCE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS REMAIN ON. REPAIR WAS IGNITION LOCK REPLACEMENT BY DEALER (APPROX $400). BASED ON COMMENTS AT NHTSA AND OTHER SITES, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE TYPE. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

I WAS GOING DOWN ROAD, STEERING BECAUSE HARD, TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK, PWR STR LIGHT CAME UP ON MILEAGE SCREEN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS READING THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 112,000

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY,POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON ANDWAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF AND TURN ON MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, JUST SO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD UNLOCK. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TIME FIXING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND NOW HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. WHENEVER IT IS COLD OUTSIDE MY CAR DOES NOT START. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORK AND THE CAR WILL MAKE A CLICK, BUT THE CAR ITSELF WILL NOT TURN ON. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES AT NIGHT IN THE FREEZING COLD WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. TWO TIMES I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING GARAGE. THIS IS CONSTANTLY RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM AND I SEE THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE SHOP I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED,AND THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN TODAY BECAUSE THERE WERE MORE ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL IN MY CAR WAS NOT HEATING UP THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, AND I WAS GETTING ABOUT 30% LESS MILES PER TANK THAN BEFORE. OVER THE FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD CORDS TO THE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED, REMOVED, ADJUSTED, ETV. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS FOR A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT. AND IT IS THE SAME PROBLEMS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE SINCE IT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

2006 SATURN ION REDLINE 32,000 MILES HAD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR AT IDLE. TOOK THE CAR INTO A MECHANIC WHICH INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING BELT AND GEARS WERE SHOT AND THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THAT IT DIDN'T FLY APART ON MY WAY INTO THE SHOP. THE REPAIRS WILL COST APPROX $1100. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT ONLY 32K MILES AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT HAD IT NOT BEEN CAUGHT IN TIME. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

YES A FEW MONTHS AFO I FINANCED A 2006 SATURN ION LEVEL 3 SINCE THE FIRST WEEK HAVING IT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS INCLUDING A MAJOR GAS LEAK AND SEVERE GAS FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAB WHEN RUNNING AND NOT. THE DEALER HAD GIVIN ME NOTHING BUT LIES AND THE FUN AROUND AND ATTITUDE. HAD BEEN DOCUMENTED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC THE CAR IN UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROADS AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION WHICH THE DEALER DID. I REALLY NEED HELP. I KNOW IT'S A GOOD CHANCE IT'S A FLOOD CAR THEY SOLD ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHUT OFF, KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THIS SAME VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND WAS LEAKING GAS, HAD THIS OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY UNSAFE FOR THE CAR TO HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE ENTIRE TIME WITH A GAS LEAK. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

I OWN A 2006 SATURN ION 3. MY PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2006, ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T REALIZE IT AT THE TIME. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION. WHEN I RETURNED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND I COULDN'T PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT IT WAS SOMETHING I HAD DONE WRONG. FAST FORWARD TO 2008,NOW THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. THE LIGHT INDICATING POWER STEERING STARTED COMING ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WHENEVER I WOULD COME TO A STOP OR SIMPLY TURNING A CORNER. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT NO LONGER COME ON BUT THE VEHICLE STILL CONTINUE TO STOP. AS I BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AND HAS TO BE TURNED BACK ON AT LEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES BEFORE LEAVING THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN I FINALLY GET IT STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING SPACE OR DOWN THE ROAD IT SHUTS OFF AGAIN. IT SHUT OFF WHEN EVER I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I AM TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO BE STRUCK AND KILLED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO DEALER WHO TESTED IT AND SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THE POWER STEERING MODULE OR SOME OTHER PART DEALING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO ANOTHER AUTOCARE CENTER TO HAVE IT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE WHICH THEY QUOTED ME $100.00 JUST TO CHECK IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME BECAUSE I'M EVEN MORE AFRAID OF THE REPAIR BILL, BUT FROM READING ALL THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT ARE LIKE MY STORY, I AM SURE THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 87,000 MILES AND ONLY HAD 18MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN OFF MY IGNITION OR REMOVE MY KEY TWO SEPARATE TIMES. NOT ONLY THAT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MOST RECENTLY ALONG WITH THE KEY IGNITION PROBLEM, THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION WAS FIXED IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THIS TIME IT IS NOT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL BLOGS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM SUFFERING CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

2006 SATURN ION-3 AUTOMATIC 2.4L 1. POWER STEERING: POWER STEERING GOES OUT NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SATURN DEALERSHIP CHANGED A SENSOR I THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING IN THE CITY WITHOUT POWER STEERING. 2. IGNITION: CAR REFUSES TO START WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 15-20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BECAUSE OF THIS COMMON SATURN FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY 2006 SATURN ION LOST POWER STEERING CAPABILITY WHILE I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (DOING 65MPH)! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I NARROWLY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND WAS DISMAYED TO SUBSEQUENTLY FIND OUT THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR (ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP) WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY SINCE IT ALREADY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT BUT IT WAS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH MY FIRST SATURN FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. I WAS AT A NEW JOB AND NEEDED A CAR DESPERATELY. I CHOSE SATURN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE BRAND'S RELIABILITY, EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY OWN PERSONAL SATISFACTION AS A PREVIOUS SATURN OWNER. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE LAST WEEK TO CHECK WHETHER THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS A RECALL ITEM, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR. TODAY I WAS INFORMED BY GM/SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE $525.00 REPAIR OF THIS MAJOR DEFECT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CAR HAD ACCORDING TO THEM, "EXCESS MILEAGE" (AT 50,000 MILES, A 3-YR. OLD CAR SHOULD NOT LOSE A MAJOR COMPONENT SUCH AS THE POWER STEERING TO MY THINKING). I WAS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ENOUGH ABOUT THIS DEFECT TO CONTACT YOU TO SEE IF YOU CAN BRING SOME RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. I'VE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF SATURN ION OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE IN PRECARIOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. IS GM WAITING FOR A FATALITY BEFORE THEY ISSUE A RECALL, OR IS IT BECAUSE THE COMPANY IS BANKRUPT THAT THEY DECIDED TO PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH OUR SAFETY? NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY TRUST AND FAITH IN GM IS COMPROMISED AND I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT IN THE CAR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT FIRST STARTED ONCE EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TURN IT ON AND DRIVE MORE THEN 100 YARDS. L HAVE CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR IT. BUT I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE CAR IS A LEASE AND THEY SAID I AM OVER MY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I ONLY HAVE 36,000 MILES IN 5 YEARS. *TR

DING ON DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN FIRST OCCURRED, I COULD DRIVE ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW IT HAPPENS AS SOON AS I GET INTO CAR. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

VEHICLE INITIALLY HAD TROUBLE STARTING, MADE STRANGE SOUNDS,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,WOULD NOT GO OVER 25-30MPH., FOLLOWED TOWTRUCK TO SATURN DEALER, WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL, THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS KNOWN AND THAT GM WAS AWARE OF IT BUT HAD NOT RECALLED. TURNED OUT THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION MODULE, SWITCH,COIL, HARNESS ETC., JUST UNDER $800 TO REPAIR. IT'S STILL SITTING IN THE GARAGE. THING IS...I PURCHASED THIS CAR ALMOST NEW B/C I HAD AN OLDER CAR & WANTED A NEW CAR IN CASE THE OTHER QUIT! WOW. WHO NEW? POWER STEERING ALSO GROANS AND ITS FULL OF FLUID. BECAUSE OF THIS,(IGNITION), THE KEY HAD TO BE MANUALLY PULLED OUT, TO GET THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING,ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED ON, HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, WAS TOLD DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT, THE DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT. YET THEY DON'T WANT TO RECALL BECAUSE OF THE RE-ORGANIZATION? WHAT ABOUT MY SAFETY? GOD KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED! *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION WITH 35,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW IN OCTOBER 2005 AND ONLY SERVICED AT SATURN. IT SLIPS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM MANUALLY BUT COULD NOT GET A TROUBLE CODE. ALTHOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED, THE DEALER WILL DO NOTHING UNTIL AND UNLESS IT WILL GENERATE A CODE, AND SAYS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THEY ALSO WILL NOT SELL ME A GM EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY ON LENGTH OF TIME. I AM TOLD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT GETS BAD ENOUGH THAT IT WILL PRODUCE A TROUBLE CODE. BY THAT TIME IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY NO LONGER BE CLOSE TO THE WARRANTY MILEAGE AND IT WILL PROBABLY COST AS MUCH AS THE CAR IS WORTH TO REPAIR IT. SINCE IT HAS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES, I WANT IT REPAIRED NOW AT NO COST. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

CV DRIVESHAFTS FAIL ON THE HIGH PERFORMANCE REDLINE MODEL MADE BY SATURN AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER GM WARRENTY. *TR

Mileage: 18,600

A WEEK AGO, I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT LOSING REVERSE IN MY TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE DEALER REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE OR LABOR COSTS. I APPLAUD JAY WOLFE SATURN OF TIFFANY SPRINGS, MISSOURI. FOR TAKING THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 56,891

A WEEK AGO, I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ABOUT LOSING REVERSE IN MY TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE DEALER REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE OR LABOR COSTS. I APPLAUD JAY WOLFE SATURN OF TIFFANY SPRINGS, MISSOURI. FOR TAKING THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 56,891

I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ON MONDAY MARCH 16, 2008. THE CAR STARTED. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE DOORS LOCKED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO BACKWARD. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALERS FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING. *TR

Mileage: 56,545

MY AUTOMATIC SATURN ION WITH 61K MILES AND NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM, ON ITS OWN DOWNSHIFTED FROM ABOUT 65MILES TO 30 MILES. ONCE I MOVED IT OVER ONE LANE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN ANY GEAR. THE ANALYSIS WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I BELIEVE IT IS A BAD DESIGN FOR A CAR TO GIVE NO WARNINGS AND THEN DOWNSHIFT ON IT OWN. WITH THE CAR STOPPING SO ABRUPTLY, IF MY FAMILY AND I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED SATURN DIRECTLY CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION 2 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR NOT GOING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM NEUTRAL AND NOT GOING INTO OTHER GEARS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO GO IN GEAR. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO START BACK UP BECAUSE IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND SHAKE REALLY BAD THEN SHUT OFF IF YOU TRIED TO START IT RIGHT BACK UP. I WAS TRYING TO GO OUT OF TOWN JULY 31, 2006. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO FIRST GEAR FROM NEUTRAL. I FINALLY HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF TO GET IT TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT LURCHED FORWARD, SHOOK REALLY BAD, AND SHUT BACK OFF. IT REPEATEDLY DID THIS. I HAD TO LET THE CAR SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT THE RED LIGHT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE I COULD START THE CAR. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF THE ROAD HEADING TO A GAS STATION. IT SHUT OFF AGAIN, AND WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR THROUGH THE PARKING LOT WHERE WE WAITED ON A TOW TRUCK. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH, GA HAS NOT HELPED ME AT ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON MY CAR AT ALL UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEIR TECHS. IT DID NOT MATTER THAT I WAS PAYING FOR A BRAND NEW CAR WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. THE CORPORATE OFFICE IN SPRINGHILL, TN SIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I AM STILL PROCEEDING WITH THE LEMON LAW PROCESS ALMOST A YEAR LATER. ON JULY 25, 2007, I WILL BE ATTENDING MY SECOND ARBITRATION HEARING. I AM STILL PAYING FOR A CAR I CANNOT USE AS WELL AS FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE. THEY ALSO REFUSE TO PAY FOR ALL OF MY RENTAL BILL EVEN THOUGH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED RENTALS AND I NEEDED A WAY TO WORK. *TR

Mileage: 5,394

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE MORE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE IGNITED. DURING THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AND REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY LUBRICATE THE SYSTEM BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT BEGAN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND STILL PERSISTS TODAY. WE CANNOT TAKE ANY MORE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP TO BE TOLD THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM OR THE TRANSMISSION/GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM THAT MAY BE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONING COOLANT HAS RUN OUT AND THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE LEAK, AND THE SUNROOF BROKE. FINALLY, ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR WENT OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ACTED AS THOUGH THE CAR HAD A WRECK, CUTTING THE MOTOR AND SHOWING THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED WHEN IT HAD NOT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED UP JUST FINE WITH NO ADVERSE AFFECTS. THE DEALER SAYS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND CAN'T THINK OF HOW/WHY IT HAPPENED. *JB