Saturn Ion will not start. Sporadically the vehicle will not start. Problem is caused by issue with ignition switch passlock system. After waiting a period of time (10 minutes?) system will start vehicle. Has been an on going issue since purchasing vehicle.

- Rochester, NH, USA

Car has not started 8 times. Saturn Ion 2004. 40,000 miles. Bought it used 5 months ago. Runs fine in warm weather. Bought new battery, still wouldn't start. Bought new alternator. Still wouldn't start. Jump start it, it will start sometimes. Called Saturn recall; 2nd time, they said it was a faulty wire but no one has recalled the wire. The problem: White wire in ignition switch. When it gets too cold outside, not enough volts go through white wire and car thinks someone is breaking in and will not start. Found this out on carspace.com. Other people with my same car have same problem. You have to clip the white wire then your car will run with no problem. Newer model Saturn are having the same problem. Next I was going to get a new starter, but other have gotten that and starter goes out within a year. It stressful to get into a fairly new car and it not start. All lights come on but engine will not. Now I know to wait 15 minutes and then try starting car again. Why hasn't this been recalled" so here I am again leaving work tonight in the cold and seeing if it will start and if it doesn't sitting around for 15 minutes and then trying it again. It is soooo aggravating!! so again why hasn't this been recalled"

- Decatur, AL, USA

My 2004 Saturn Ion intermittently won't start. This began about a week ago. I took it to a local car repair shop, and they advised me that there are 2 service bulletins for my car that pertain to this problem: One is for reprogramming the body control module (BCM) and the other is for an ignition system repair. They told me to bring the car to a Saturn dealer to be repaired. I plan to do so tonight. I learned that this is a very frequent problem that Saturn is well aware of, but that Saturn won't make this a recall because then Saturn would have to pay for the diagnosis and repair. Please have GM/Saturn change the 2 service bulletins (listed above) to recalls!

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

2004 Saturn Ion - won't start when cold. This looks to be a very common issue, please see www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_73169.html or search it is all over the internet. It's a shame that this is such a prevalent problem and yet Saturn does not acknowledge it as a defect that would warrant a recall. Certainly this could be considered a safety problem if someone's car would fail to start. I was stuck in my car for over an hour in negative temps and became ill afterwards.

- Thornton, CO, USA

I own a 2004 Saturn Ion 2. on cold mornings the car will not start leaving me stranded. This has occurred numerous time. Upon taking the car to a mechanic, the ignition switch was replaced. I've read hundreds of complaints from other Saturn owners. This is an obvious safety issue Saturn needs to address.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

This has occurred several times before, usually when its colder out. I go to start my car and nothing happens, then a security feature lights up. My car thinks I'm stealing it, apparently. Sometimes my key won't come out of the ignition when this happens either, and I've had to get it towed and repaired. Usually after sitting there and trying to start it for a period of ten to thirty minutes, the car starts as if nothing happened, but is a huge inconvenience seeing as I've been out of town a couple of times when this has happened and it also makes me late for work. I've talked to other Saturn owners and they've said they've also had this happen. I'd say that this happens about twice a month.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. On several occasions, the vehicle failed to start unless she waited 15 to 20 minutes. The dealer determined that the ignition switch failed and replaced it. One year later, when trying to start the vehicle it would not start unless she waited 15 minutes after the first attempt. On December 12, 2008, the vehicle failed to start and the check engine light was illuminated. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated no failure was found. The manufacturer stated that they are aware of the failure and there was no recall. The contact was later informed that the ignition switch would have to be replaced again with no guarantee that the dealer would assume the cost. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.

- Iselin, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. In 20 degree temperature or below, the vehicle fails to start. The contact stated that it takes 20 minutes for the vehicle to start. She notified the dealer and manufacturer and they stated that the ignition switch can be replaced, but it would not correct the issue. The contact feels that the failure is unsafe and an inconvenience because she works at night while the weather is cold. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 53,000.

- Loveland, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start in cold weather. The dealer stated that the ignition and start switches were defective. The ignition switch was replaced at the owner's expense. In addition, the temperature coolant switch continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 53,000 and current mileage was 69,240.

- Berkley, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. In cold weather conditions, the contact had to make several attempts to start the vehicle. The dealer stated that she needed to replace the ignition module at the cost of $300. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The manufacturer referred her to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 107,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Won't start in cold for about ten minutes. It gets worse every winter. It happens about once every day or two from December-February. Common problem. In Saturn

- Whittaker, MI, USA

My 2004 Saturn Ion has problems starting in the cold after about 10-15 minutes of trying it will start, everything such as starter battery fuel pump has been checked. My security light is on when this is happening.

- Batavia, OH, USA

Failure of a wiring harness in a front door that controls windows, mirrors and door lock. A 2004 Saturn Ion with 25, 106 miles had 5 broken wires in the drivers door. The left rear door has no power at the window switch. This failure is due to an inherent design flaw that forces tiny wires to bend 2 times at 90 degrees and be slammed by a door!! think of the safety of unlocking a door in a panic situation or driving with a window down in rain, sleet, cold, etc., and a fuse is not the problem.

- Warminster, PA, USA

In 2005 a recall was issued for the 2004 Saturn Ion front headlamps. I had the recalled parts replaced. For the past few months my left blinker has gone out about five times. I have replaced bulbs, had the dealer replace the sockets, and am now about to have the wiring harness replaced. The dealer said that no one else has had this problem. However, I have been researching the problem and have found hundreds of the same occurrences online and have seen other Saturn Ions around town with the same blinker out. I believe this problem is not normal wear and tear. I believe it is directly related to the 2005 recall.

- Mableton, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. During the winter, it takes a half an hour to get the vehicle started. The dealer replaced the starter assembly solenoid in 2007. The manufacturer stated that the failure was a factory defect. The oil that was used at the time of manufacturing prevents the electricity to connect to the starter. The manufacturer would not assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 3,200 and current mileage was 7,200.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

I have been having a problem with the anti theft/passlock system on my Saturn Ion. Today is not the first time it has happen and after reading complaints from other consumers I see I am not the only one having the issue. The car will turnover but nothing will happen. All the lights come on the display as well as a service vehicle indicator. At first it would take 5 or 10 minutes to start and has progressively gotten worse. Today for example I waited a half hour for the car to start. I called the Saturn dealership here in my town only to end up in a argument with the person that sold me the piece of crap. I don't know how Saturn is still in business. I spent a pretty penny on the vehicle and no one wants to help. To know that a vehicle that you sell is causing so many customers so many problems and do not even want to help them resolve the issue is just pathetic to me. I am at the point of taking the car back to the dealership and taking a voluntary repo. I will never buy a car from Saturn or GM again.

- Sparks, NV, USA

Ignition switch of all Saturn Ions are bad. It seems that the lubricant used for the internal parts is not well made and sticks to the internal parts in cold weather. When this happens, car will not start and will leave you stranded. It seems like it happens on every Saturn Ion yet Saturn won't do anything about it. In the replacement parts the problem has not been corrected thus making this repair useful only until the next wave of cold temperatures comes along.

- Woodbury, NJ, USA

Car does not start when weather is very cold. Changed battery and had alternator checked. Took it in to etna battery to have checked out. Car started when it gets warmer or the sun warms up the car.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

Like many others I also had the problem with the ignition and it was repaired this past winter while my car is under warranty. At the same time they attempted to repair a strange grinding noise coming from my heater it has been replaced twice with no success in solving the issue and I was told by the dealer hey would not replace the item again. Also I had recently replace the right head light socket since it was overheating and melting, (which could have caused a fire) while the lights were on. I am also having issues with my power steering turning off and on while driving. Most of these issues I have found on here I hope someone is really looking into them cause Saturn certainly made it clear that they didn't care.

- Derry, NH, USA

My 2004 Saturn Ion 3 will not start at times on cold mornings, the battery was replaced and still no start..it is in the shop right now after reading other complaints on an online forum I see this is a wide spread and yet Saturn does nothing to help, it seems to be in the ignition switch, BCM, and or the passlock system.

- Pontiac, MI, USA