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.
7.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $330
- Average Mileage:
- 90,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 12 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (10 reports)
- have had new starter 2 new bateries tune since buying 10-08 (1 reports)
- install remote start (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful websites
- This Is Where I Got My Info And It Worked - It is the ignotion relay. It is a fairly cheap part around 60 at a GM dealership or online here for under 30 http://www.car-stuff.com/2003saturnion3ignitionswitch.htm . it take a few mins to instal and 20 - 30 mins to program once it is in. my boyfriend did mine total in about 40 mins or so. and it has been done for over a year now and I have not had one problem with it since
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Car will sometimes not start in cold weather. It acts like the battery is dead but if I turn the headlights on they are as bright as they should be. It only happens when it is cold out. I roamed the internet and found many complaints of the same deal happening to many other people.
From hours spent on the web researching this I have found what it is. Saturn used some type of grease in the ignition system (for the start key) that was not rated for cold climates. This grease will not transmit the information from your coded key to the ignition system. This in turn activates the ANTI THEFT system and shuts off the FUEL PUMP. You can continue to crank away all day and it will never start. Refer to your owners manual about the anti theft system.
The only solution is to wait about fifteen minutes and attempt to start it again. I have never had mine fail to start after waiting. I guess you could have a mechanic replace the grease. I totaled my car out on a big deer so the point is moot with mine.
Other than that I really liked the car.
- Steve R., Melvin, MI, US