NHTSA — Electronic Stability Control: Automatic (Asc) Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the 2004 Saturn Ion: defective transmission, deadly ignition switch, temperamental power steering and a cheap plastic exterior that won’t protect you in a crash. What more could you want?

The 2004 Ion was part of GM’s massive ignition switch recall where it was revealed they waited 10 years – and let 13 people die – before doing anything about it. It also features GM’s now infamous VTi continuously variable transmission. Let me tell you, the only thing the VTi did continuously was fail on its owners. GM scrapped it after only two model years.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

2004 Saturn Ion brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #1

Mar 292007

Ion 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles

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

Since I purchased 2004 Saturn Ion III quad coupe in November 2004 I have complained to the dealer that the vehicle drifted to the left. The faster the vehicle was driven the worst it drifted. At highway speeds one must constantly steer the car to the right to keep the vehicle going in a straight line. The dealer maintained the alignment was fine, and that the pull was the result of radial tire drift. Not satisfied, I paid to have the alignment checked by an outside vendor. They corrected a minor problem that had no effect on the drifting problem. Since the tires were not wearing oddly I put up with the drift until recently when I had to change the tires, but the drifting continued. I took the vehicle back to the dealer, who suggested the vehicle needed an alignment. The alignment was out very slightly. After the repair was completed the car still drifted. I complained, and was told the dealer could not replicate the problem. I had the dealer accompany me on a test drive, and they admitted the vehicle still drifted. The regional engineer for Saturn examined the car, and responded at this time they could not repair the car. By design there was a limited amount of adjustment they could make to the car to compensate for the problem. They have reached that limit, and deemed this a manufacturing problem. They took several other Ions out for test drives. Every one they drove behaved in the same manner. So as far as they are concerned my vehicle is operating within normal parameters. I have asked that they put this in writing which they have agreed to do. I am contacting the NHTSA because I believe this is an endemic problem to the vehicle and its design, and represents a serious safety issue. If you become distracted in this vehicle at highway speed you can very easily find yourself in the next lane. Could someone please look into this before some is hurt or killed. By the way Saturn's solution keep a good grip on the steering wheel.

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

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