NHTSA — Latches/Locks/Linkages Problems

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Ion still had power steering issues and a defective ignition switch leftover from previous model years, but hey – at least Saturn improved some of its safety rating to marginal, right? Baby steps.

If you had to buy a Saturn Ion – and I would question why anyone would even consider it – I suppose the 2005 could be considered the best of a bad bunch? I mean, GM did finally get rid of that awful VTi transmission, and both the power steering problems and ignition switch defect that plagued owners were recalled. The problem is they waited 10 years to recall the ignition and let over 30,000 warranty claims get filed before they bothered to fix the power steering. So you kind of have to wonder, is GM making these fixes to keep owners safe or just to keep government lawyers from taking all their money? You be the judge.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,610 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.

2005 Saturn Ion accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2005 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #2

Jan 242010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 88,900 miles

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

In ambient temperature of 29 degrees, my vehicle would not start. Passlock light was blinking for 10 minutes and then stopped. After that, I was able to start the car. This has happened before.

- Durham, NC, USA

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problem #1

Dec 052010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 86,319 miles
Passlock malfunction due to faulty ignition switch causes no crank and activation of 10 minute relearn sequence. Only happens when temperatures are below 40 degrees. Has always happened ever since I bought the car January 3rd, 2009. Frequency of occurrence has increased, and I'm scared that it will cause a crash if I happen to stall in traffic. The remedy to this situation has been discussed in numerous technical forums on the internet - all of which point to replacement of the ignition switch. The cause is thought to be excessive grease applied to the internals of the switch. I think GM should recall the affected units exhibiting this problem and provide no cost replacement of the ignition switch. This is not a new problem. Thousands of owners have been experiencing this aggravating and sometimes dangerous technical fault. GM is ignoring the issue and offering Saturn owners absolutely no assistance to correct this serious problem. If GM does not act, the law of averages says that eventually someone may be injured or killed as a result of this malfunction. Please help us. This isn't fair at all.

- Durham, NC, USA

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