I purchase a 2004 Saturn Ion (6/11/04), brand new. The first sign of cold that year, late November, the car would not start at all. After awhile(10-15 min.) it would start up like nothing was wrong. I brought it in 12/28/04, which they replaced the ignition lock module; saying "that was the problem". I still had issues with the car through the winter, and they didn't know was what wrong. Everytime I brought it in, they would find nothing wrong and send me on my way since they couldn't reproduce the issue. The next winter than same thing happened. I was stuck in the cold a few mornings before work trying to get the car started. Saturn claimed it was too cold outside for my car to start, and told me to wait a bit before bringing it in. (it maybe went below 0 degrees that week twice) fed up I brought it in again on 1/17/05, which they replaced my block assembly, wire harness, starter, battery, and wire connecters. They really weren't sure what was wrong they admitted, but it seems to work now. The car would work for a few weeks, then the same issue arises again. On 4/15/05 Saturn had to replace my radio receiver for faulty issues. That same winter, my car would not start in the cold again. It was brought in on 12/20/05, which they replaced my ignition switch saying the usual "this will fix the problem". now, just under two years later, I am back to having the same issues of my car not starting in the cold. Saturn is now throwing their hands up saying I must purchase another ignition switch, and pay them to put it in for a total of $220. Unacceptable. I may have taken actions sooner, but I wasn't aware there were many more Saturn Ion drivers with the same issues I had.

- Wausau, WI, USA

Saturn 2004 Ion 3 if I have the wipers and heat or A/C on at the same time as the radio the radio led lights go out when the car is moving and I am not able to read the time or radio station on the radio. If I turn the wipers off the led lights come back on. Visibility problem causes driver to take vision off road longer-no specific accident has occurred but numerous close calls have occurred as a result of what apparently is a flaw. I have taken it to the dealership numerous times and the salesman and the general manage both said that is not right but the service manage tried to tell me that is normal operating condition. A Saturn management review team person from Saturn Corp. Said in a letter to me "your retail service team leader has reviewed my concern and determined that the condition is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. Since your vehicle is functioning within design specifications, we ask that you accept the diagnosis given at the time of this review." In other words they either do not want to fix the problem or don't know how to. This problem started happening after the turn signal/drl safety recall when they installed a drl jumper kit.

- Winnipeg, 00, USA

On 4 occasions now, when I leave work at around midnight in frigid weather, I attempt to start my 2004 Saturn Ion (manufactured in late 2003), and the starter will turn over approximately 1 or 2 revolutions, then stop. Immediate subsequent attempts to start simply result in the "click" of the ignition switch. If I wait about 5 to 10 minutes, it will turn over once or twice again, one time, then I must wait another 5-10 minutes before the starter will turn over again. According to a website I was reading, this is a common problem, and is usually due to a defect in the ignition pass lock switch, an antitheft system designed to cut off fuel supply, and some sort of grease that freezes. So far, jump-starts seem to help...but according to that website, simply attempting start, waiting 10 minutes, attempting again, waiting for 10 minutes, and trying again, eventually will start the car. Perhaps the time it takes to connect jumper cables is enough to "reset" this pass-lock system.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

Car wouldn't start numerous (cold) mornings, no way to get to work. Eventually, later in the day the car would start. Called Saturn dealer they told me to bring it in, I dropped it off; they called later to tell me it was my passlock sensor. In the meantime I check online and find a huge message board with tons of other people who have had the same problem. I talk to the service technician about it and he tells me that they have had this problem with the Ion, but that it was decided that it wasn't serious enough for a recall. Of course it's not life threatening but it's still a defective part!! I also talked to the service manager who explained to me that it was a known problem with the Ion but that I was now way past my warranty anyway. I don't care if I have 6 miles, 6,000 miles, 60,000 miles or 600,000 miles on the car this part should be replaced by Saturn at no charge. It is a known problem, why make the consumer pay for it?! the part was replaced and I paid for it because I didn't have a choice at the time, I need a vehicle for work. If this doesn't get resolved and/or I don't get a refund from Saturn, this will be the last vehicle I buy from them. That is a guarantee!

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

2004 Saturn Ion, refuses to start in cold weather - mainly after an overnight park in sub-freezing temperatures...wait 10 minutes, and it starts.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

Vehicle randomly won't start. More frequently during cold and/or damp weather, but not always. Vehicle will either do absolutely nothing or start to crank and stop or after repetitive tries, start and run very rough then cut out. I have lost count of the number of times this has occurred to me. In most cases I have left the disabled vehicle sitting for a day and tried again the following day to have it either start up like nothing ever happened or start, run rough and eventually smooth out. Many of these incidents have occurred in my driveway and just caused me to be late for work and inconvenienced. Twice it has left me stuck at work scrambling to find someone to pick my children up from day care. And tonight it left me stranded in the cold during the midst of an ice-storm at 11 pm...and again, late for work. These are not old vehicles experiencing this problem and after reading the vast complaints, it is certainly not an isolated problem. Something needs to be done, the consumer should not have to pay for an obvious manufacturer defect. I will be contacting Saturn in the morning to attempt getting it repaired.

- Rome, NY, USA

Car won't start in cold weather. Won't even turn on, then will and shuts right off.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

The contact stated digital clock was losing one minute of time per month. He had to look at his wrist watch to keep accurate time. Contacted the dealer, and they offered no free remedy.

- Barrington, IL, USA

The turn signals worked intermittently. Also, thee car would not start. The vehicle started after multiple attempts of turning the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who repaired the problem. They were aware of an ongoing issue with the ignition. The turn signals were repaired under a recall. Since then there was one incident where they did not work properly. The consumer felt they did not complete the repair. There was a tsb on the issue that the dealer used to correct it. These problems began in December 2004, and were thought to be corrected by the dealer. Last week after filling the gas tank up the vehicle would not start. The contact made several attempts to start the vehicle and was unsuccessful. The contact's husband came and turned the key in the ignition and the vehicle started. The vehicle was not returned to the dealer at that time. No further repairs on this matter.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

While driving down the road the vehicle dies. Sometimes will push the accelerator and nothing happens. When first bought the vehicle did this, readjusted the computer. And now was doing the same thing again. Took vehicle to Saturn, they kept saying nothing was wrong with the vehicle.

- Naperville, IL, USA

Usually I charge my cell phone at home overnight. But on Monday 9/20/04 I had forgotten to charge the phone and used the cell phone charger in my new 2004 Saturn Ion 2 sedan. I noticed that my turn signal indicator was flashing quickly. I stopped to check and found that the front turn signals were not working and the normal daytime running lights were not working. I went to the local Saturn dealer. He said I needed upgraded resistors and capacitors to handle my cell phone charger. This was done under warrantee in 2 hours. From research on the internet bulletin boards I found that this problem with the electrical system happens with some but not all cell phone chargers. The Saturn factory recognized the problem and put in the better resistors and capacitors to handle cell phone chargers in cars made after 5 months ago. This is a potential safety problem if people continue to drive with non working front turn signals, it could lead to an accident. I also wonder if people with the old electrical system might suffer damage to their electrical system with cell phone charges over time which could lead to a failure of the electrical system. In my case I immediately recognized the problem because my lights stopped working. What about someone who's cell phone charger doesn't turn off the lights but just strains the electrical system leading to electrical system failures.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

While the vehicle parked while running the vehicle idling high on its own. The driver noticed while driving the vehicle would hesitate and would stalled. The driver tried to restart, but was able to do so. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the vehicle was operating as design. (possible valve sticking) when accelerating from stop, the vehicle would hesitate, then take off at a high rate of speed. This would also occur in reverse as well. There were times when accidents would almost occur. There would be high RPM's of 6000 plus. This was an intermittent problem. It was believed to be a problem with the vti transmission. Additional problems: Wind noise when sunshade was cracked, turn signal would not cancel on turns and the chime would go off and was an intermittent problems, the driver's side dash seemed loose and or misaligned, and the wipers would not clear the window.

- Palos Hills, IL, USA

I purchased my 2004 Saturn Ion 3 on Thursday June 10, 2004. On Sunday June 13 there were substantial rains in the atlanta area and I noticed that the trunk was full of approximately 2 inches of standing water around the tire and battery. The box of books in the trunk along with some other personal items were damaged from the water. On Monday June 14, after having had the car in my posession for only 4 days I returned it to the dealership. They advised me on Tuesday June 15 that the hole where the water is supposed to drain out of if the car had a sunroof was left unplugged during manufacturing resulting in the flooding of the trunk. I was able to pick up my car on the morning of Wednesday June 16. Later that afternoon, as I was using the power outlets in the car the turn signals and daytime running lights became inoperable. In order for my turn signals and daytime running lights to work I must unplug whats in the power outlet and turn the ignition off. When I restart the car they are operable again, but if I need to use my power outlets I must use them knowning that I won't have turn signals or daytime running lights. I feel that this is a safety issue because I either have to give up the use of my power outlets or my turn signals and running lights.

- Marietta, GA, USA