NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

2004 Saturn Ion (Page 1 of 3)

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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:
22 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 3
Average Mileage:
35,424 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Aug 202014

Ion

  • 230,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #41

Jun 192023

Ion

  • miles
Airbags did not deploy

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #40

Aug 272011

Ion

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall. Consumer states that they were never notified of recall and during an auto accident airbags did not deploy.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #39

Dec 142015

Ion

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving 50 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. At the time of the crash, the seat belt detached and the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Ramsey, MN, USA

problem #38

Jul 072014

Ion

  • miles
Car went for recall 7/7/14 about 3 times after the first recall I contact general motor to ask what have happend why tyhe car need to go back in again for the second recall Chevrolet sayd that they did not perfom the job right once again I contact general motor in deceber they send me a letter telling me and comes back with the same problems driving the car in the freeway car stop could not get out because car lock me inside the key did not want to come out after the recalls the car still have problems with the ignition

- Reseda, CA, USA

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problem #37

Feb 212014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owned a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 62 mph, the vehicle stalled and came to a sudden stop as the contact attempted to exit the freeway. The vehicle rolled over two times and landed upside down. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), 14V171000 (electrical system), and 14V153000 (steering) after the crash occurred. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #36

Feb 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Vehicle was involved in car accident shortly before recall was issued. Customer needs assistance in getting this matter resolved. The consumer lost control of the vehicle, it slid and rolled over twice and landed upside down. Also, the air bag did not deploy. The consumer suffered serious injuries.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #35

Feb 112015

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), 14V171000 (electrical system), and 14153000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #34

Sep 132014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
Was on way home car started going to the right and when tried to correct it car wouldn't turn left kept going into a tree and car is now damaged. Over two months ago GM sent out somebody to look at car this was around October 15 and have not heard a word back from anybody. Which isn't a surprise because the accident happened September 13 and we were given the run around from the beginning. Appointments made and not kept, phone calls transferred from one person to another all with different answers and responses. My question to you is when is somebody going to contact us and give us some answers" I took the car in for the first call back and had no problems but this is ridiculous, not only has nothing been done or said but the air bags didn't even go off but the car had to be towed away and the adjuster you sent out said he didn't know why as we were told it was because it was between the censors. I wasn't born yesterday but didn't say anything was waiting for the report. Still waiting, I know we live in a rural area but three months is a little long to wait don't you think"

- Mount Shasta, CA, USA

problem #33

May 012014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system). The contact stated that both recalls exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced any failures.

- Fredericksburg , VA, USA

problem #32

Dec 222013

Ion

  • 194,000 miles

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

An accident occurred while traveling on the tollway, the other vehicle came in my lane, passing lane, just as I was passing him causing major damage to the right front, passenger, part of the car.the airbags on the passenger side did open, no problem.,the driver side air bag spilt causing the powder to come into my face.I did lose a tooth but neither the other person insurance would not pay for it nor my health insurance. One good thing the ignition did shut off, which was good because there was a gas leak which could have cause a fire. I lost overtime pay.my job requires me to have all my teeth because I talk for a living. This cause undo stress and financial hardship

- Willow Springs, IL, USA

problem #31

Jan 102014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
S10 direct reply- to the secretary from constituent re expressing concerns regarding General Motors recalls on 2004 Saturn Ion (recall nos. 14063/14113 and 14115. Date of purchase Dec. 27, 2013). The consumer stated on January 10, 2014, the vehicle would not start. Roadside service was called, and they charged the battery. As the consumer began backing out of her parking space, she noticed the vehicle seemed very stiff; she did not immediately notice the power steering signal and continued to maneuver the vehicle. She drove to the dealer, about a mile away with power steering. When she arrived, she mentioned the power steering issue and they replaced the battery. A fuse was replaced, which corrected the issue, but only temporarily. The consumer stated the power steering and ignition problem were resolved. However, within the past two weeks, she encountered another problem. They key became stuck in the ignition and would not release. When the key finally released, the vehicle would not start, even though the interior lights were on. Updated 11/19/14. Updated 11/24/14. Jb updated 12/04/14

- Willowbrook, IL, USA

problem #30

Apr 012014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), and NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the parts were not available for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced the failure.

- Minneapolis , MN, USA

problem #29

Jun 302014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 134,000 miles
Was travelling on my way home from work and a fox darted out in front of me in the center of the road. I swerved slightly to miss the fox and the power steering in the car went out. I was unable to straighten the wheel and the car went into a 180 degree spin and ended up facing the other direction flipped up on the passenger side. I crawled out of the drivers window. Air bags did not deploy either. Had I not been wearing my seatbelt, I probably would have ended up underneath the car and if traffic had been coming, I could have killed someone else in oncoming traffic.

- Thomson, GA, USA

problem #28

Apr 112014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that in April of 2014, he received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system ). the contact stated that he attempted to get the vehicle repaired but the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced the failure.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #27

Jun 182014

Ion

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated she had her vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The contact mentioned that when she came to pick up the vehicle the exhaust pipe was visibly on the floor. The contact immediately informed the service manager since the vehicle was not in that condition prior to the repairs. The service manager agreed to repair the failure by reattaching one side of the exhaust pipe with a wire hanger. The contact reluctantly took the vehicle home and while on the way home the air bag, alternator and battery light illuminated on the instrumental panel. Shortly after the lights illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

- Homestead , PA, USA

problem #26

Jun 022014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
Letter from senator nelson on behalf of constituent re his mother's Saturn Ion that has been recalled, due to ignition switch default. The consumer was informed, the parts were not available. The consumer was getting the run-around regarding the availability of parts.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #25

Jan 032014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice and requests reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated he/she experienced issues with the vehicle, prior to the recall being issued, but was always told the vehicle was not under warranty. The consumer was almost involved in several accidents, due to the defect. The ignition switch was eventually replaced.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #24

Jun 022014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice information. The consumer was informed, the parts were not available.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #23

Mar 172014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received the recall notification related to NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The contact stated that the repair was not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. The dealer indicated that the parts were not available. Contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer had not been contacted.

- Macon, GA, USA

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