NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2003 Saturn Ion (Page 1 of 12)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: The Saturn Ion was a compact bundle of hurt wrapped up in a cheap, plastic shell. With so many defective components and a safety rating that a bicycle would be ashamed of, it’s a blessing this car only lasted five model years.

The 2003 (and 2004) Ion was cursed with GM’s flawed attempt at a continuously variable transmission, known as the VTi. It had such a high failure rate that a class-action lawsuit was filed against GM, eventually prompting a settlement and a warranty extension. GM discontinued the VTi for the 2005 model year – surprise, surprise.

The 2003 Ion was also part of one of the largest and most controversial recalls of all-time. A defective ignition switch in millions of GM vehicles could accidentally turn the car off and disable important safety components like the power steering and airbags. The problem resulted in at least 13 deaths, but what made it worse was that GM knew about the issue for 10 years before doing anything about it.

So was the transmission warranty extended? Yeah. Was the ignition switch recalled? Eventually. Is this car safe to drive? Not really. Honestly, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,733 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #228

Jan 012015

Ion

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Homer, AK, USA

problem #227

Dec 082020

Ion

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key remained seized in the ignition when the vehicle was shifted into park. The contact stated that the key seized midway while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle lost electrical power and took 15 to 20 minutes before starting. The contact stated that there was a click before the key was released. The battery and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact called Saturn of memphis (2420 covington pike, memphis, tn 38128) and informed the dealer of the failure. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to jim keras automotive (2000 covington pike, memphis, tn 38128). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #226

Aug 012018

Ion

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, when the vehicle began to stall and another vehicle rear ended her. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a concussion and back injuries. The contact was taken by an ambulance to seek medical attention and also seek physical therapy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to repair shop and was not repaired at that moment. The contact stated the vehicle had the battery was replaced prior to the accident. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- 371 S 2nd St, PA, USA

problem #225

Apr 192018

Ion

  • 139,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My key switch doesn't allow me to remove my key when I'm in parked and my transmission strands at times and my car doesn't start all the time when I try to start it I have to sit and wait awhile before it starts again I could be sitting in the drive thru on parked waiting to travel again on th he main roadway

- Duson, LA, USA

problem #224

Dec 202017

Ion

  • 78,585 miles
Takata recall, my 2003 Saturn Ion has recalls on the ignition switch and cylinder which is causing my car to be impossible to drive. This recall is causing the system to have a short with all my electrical. For example, windows don't roll down/up, wipers don't work, heater doesn't work, blinkers don't work, dash lights stay on causing battery to constantly be dead. All because there are recalls that need to be fixed.

- Naknek, AK, USA

problem #223

May 132018

Ion

  • 78,500 miles
The ignition switch is not working properly. Sometimes, when vehicle is parked and an attempt make to turn ignition to off position, it won't go. It seemed to take 10 - 60 seconds for it to reset and then key could be removed. The latest incident occurred on 5/12-13/2018. The vehicle was parked, transmition in park position, and an attempt made to turn ignition to the off position. The key could not be moved. It did not reset itself. Key was stuck in the ignition, could be turned slightly to the right, vehicle could not be restarted. Then all power was lost, as though the battery was dead. The vehicle could not be locked of unlocked with the key for, had to use a second key to lock and unlock the vehicle. This vehicle was recalled for ignition switch problems in 2015 and was repaired. The same problem is occurring again. GM tells me the new repair is not going to be covered by them. The reason, I'm told, is because the vehicle had to checked into the dealership no later than 5/17/18. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on that date. Due to severe storms in the area the tow truck driver arrived at the dealers ship a few minutes after the service department closed and deposited the key in the lock box. A rep from GM was supposed to have called the dealership on 5/17/18 between 5:45 and 6:00 to alert them the vehicle was on the was and might be a few minutes late and to please accept the vehicle and get it checked in. I am advised by the dealership they received no such call. This is going to be an expensive repair, I did everything the GM rep asked of me, I am 70 years old and have a very limited income. I can't be the only person this has happened to. Please help me.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #222

Dec 132017

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car just recently popped up power steering only happens when its sits over night and when I start it up in the morning it's very stiff to turn but if I drive it like that for a little and shut the car off the steering is fine. The dash lights flicker off and on and when doing so causes heat or A/C to cut out after driving it for alittle bit. The key locks in the ignition switch when I go to shut off the car and I have to press the plunger for it to release. Keeps saying coolant when going down the road even though the coolant is where it needs to be.

- Brandenburg, KY, USA

problem #221

Aug 112017

Ion

  • 69,000 miles
Several times when I have gone to turn off my car the ignition switch will not release the key. When this happens I have to place my foot back on the brake and run through the gears with my gear stick. The ignition switch that is currently in my car is one that was used to replace the factory one when the ignition switch recall was issued. Also, recently my car has been showing problems with the power steering. It has gone out multiple times on my son while he was driving resulting in him having to fight the car to get it to turn. I have never had a problem before and I hear that there are recalls for both. These problems have happened multiple times and I do not have exact dates.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #220

Jun 172017

Ion

  • 112,246 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power completely. The vehicle veered to the right side of the road and came to a rolling stop. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred on four separate occasions. The vehicle was repaired in may of 2014 per NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (electrical system) at a unknown dealer, but the failure recurred. General Motors was made aware of the failures and stated that the vehicle was under a twelve month warranty, which expired in April of 2015. The failure mileage was 112,246.

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #219

May 232017

Ion

  • miles
My ignition switch wouldnt turn once the key was in so I opened it up took a look and put it back in. Now it turns but it turns on and back off before after jiggling the key a little it would turn on. Now it doesnt just starts and turns off.

- Quincy, WA, USA

problem #218

May 152017

Ion

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition failed to turn off and prevented the key from being removed. Also, the key was unable to start the ignition. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Ferry Heights, IL, USA

problem #217

Jan 152017

Ion 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall for the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Atlantic City, NJ, USA

problem #216

Jun 012016

Ion 4-cyl

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and repaired per a recall. After the repairs, while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The air bag and check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The recall specifics were unknown. The failure mileage was 141,000. Updated 10/19/16

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #215

Apr 272016

Ion

  • 114,575 miles
Takata recalls..I have a 2003 Saturn Ion I was driving fine hit cruise control button once I was at 55 an my car made a clicking sound started jerking like the cruise control keeps coming on...I've turned car off hit brakes which should reset it but it still happens..the car feels like its down shifting an trying to accelerate on its on the rpms hump real high wen this happens..you be driving doing 50 mph an all the sudden car jerks like its trying to stop U feel I T in gas pedal also...

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #214

Apr 082015

Ion

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. When the vehicle was parked, the key failed to remove from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switched needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failures explained in NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and refused to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #213

Mar 152014

Ion

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While the vehicle was parked and cold, it failed to start. The contact had to wait approximately 15 minutes for the vehicle to start. The failure only occurred when the vehicle was cold. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #212

Feb 012016

Ion

  • miles
2003 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to complete starter switch recall.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #211

Jan 052016

Ion

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the gear was stuck in the park position and she was unable to move the vehicle. The power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. An independent mechanic checked the vehicle and suggested that the failure could be electrical. The technician advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

problem #210

Nov 122013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to turn into the off position after numerous attempts. The cover underneath the lower steering column was removed to access a spring which was turned in a backward and forward motion in order to turn the engine off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions. The ignition tumblers and gear shift sensor were replaced. In addition, a new ignition key was provided. The failure persisted after the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Consumer stated vehicle was never repaired and has been sold.

- Bellefonte, PA, USA

problem #209

Nov 102015

Ion

  • 125,000 miles
Ignition faulty, car will not start or release key from ignition. Has shut off while driving in the past 6 months

- Lakewood, CO, USA

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