NHTSA — Unknown Or Other 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.

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,329 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2005 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #19

Feb 262022

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles

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

My 2015 Saturn ION was on a Recalled Warranty issued and concerning faulty ignition Switch problem. I have brought my car in (5) times since (2014) and it has occurred again in (2021) and G, M, dealer Mauer Chevrolet has refused to honor warranty recall stating that Gm has sent them letter to not service any more Saturn's ION with this problem due to cost. they refused to take my car in with key stuck ignition switch. I have filed complaint with MN. Attorney General office Consumer Division and they agreed that my consumer rights had been violated but Mauer Chevrolet still refuse's to fix my problem. My car has been sitting for over (3) months due to this problem. I need your assistance and hope you intervene as this has caused stress, hardship and depression being without a car. Car dealer is Mauer Chevrolet located inInver Grove Heights, MN. 1055 50th Street, 55075. (651-455-6283). Mauer Chevrolet has retained their attorney to assist them, so I need help, also. Please HELP!

- St. Paul, MN, USA

problem #18

Sep 242021

Ion

  • miles
It says I have 0 I repaired recalls. I have had the powers steering fail 2x. More importantly, the ignition cylinder locks up and I can-??t get my keys out. I have to wait most times after turning the car off - for 3-5 minutes through a series of clicking noises in the ignition before the key will release. It is concerning because sometimes I have to get out immediately and the keys don-??t release. The car automatically locks itself and if I don-??t roll the window down- I become locked out. It yesterday had a issue with ignition all together and I wonder if it-??s related. I was made aware again there were many recalls on this issue and hoped to get it repaired. However it now states there are none unrepaired. I-??m wondering if it is a ongoing problem with the vehicle, it-??s repair parts etc and if it-??s just not been addressed because it-??s so old that so few are left on the road. Thank you. This is a increasing problem and a daily or every time I drive it issue now. I worry too the power steering will just go out in the interstate.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #17

May 032019

Ion

  • miles
Daytime running light turn signal dont work for the passenger side which can cause a safety problem to other drivers

- Hugesville, MD, USA

problem #16

Nov 142018

Ion

  • 175,000 miles

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

I had the recall fixed in 2015. The same issues that I had before have returned. When driving and the tank is full, I will get a service engine light and the tank gauge will read empty. It was fine when I began driving. Upon restarting the car the error goes away. When I put my car in park and try to turn off my ignition I have to put he shiftier in park several times before I can remove my key. Today car ran great when trying to move my car after starting my car my power steering was gone. Again upon turning off my car and restarting it, the power steering returned. I called the GM recall number and a case was created but I was told that there were not any current recalls on my car. The service number is 8-4833918801. But was told that all repairs are my responseability.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

problem #15

Jun 042018

Ion

  • miles
La quinta chev/caddilac replaced my ignition per the GM recall a couple of years ago and now the ignition is locking up again. What can I do?

- La Quinta, CA, USA

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problem #14

Jul 012014

Ion

  • 105,000 miles
I have had issues with my car even after I have had some recalls done to it. The biggest issue is when I am driving or stationary with my car on, the car rumbles and feels like it is tugging backwards. The cylinder 2 keeps misfiring (P0302). I have seen several Saturn Ions that are having the same issue. Over the past four years this has been a problem consistently. There are periods where it doesn't happen much and sometimes it happens every time I drive. Furthermore, my car still doesn't turn on/off all the way sometimes and the ignition switch messes up.

- North Decatur, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 032014

Ion

  • 30,000 miles

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

Keys can not be removed from the ignition of the 2005 Saturn Ion. Research indicated that GM has this problem across several of its small car brands and models. The inability to remove the keys causes the battery to drain. It also leaves the car vulnerable to theft as the car can be started again. GM allegedly recognizes it as a problem with upwards of 88,000 vehicles. Articles written by mike colias in automotive news indicated that GM, being very well aware of the issue prompted GM to offer a "special coverage adjustment" in which they would repair the car for free, but not recall the affected cars. A local GM dealer was not aware of this special coverage adjustment and was not willing to repair the car for free, although they did say they would do more research on the problem. The problem only surfaces when the car is stationary and it will shut off. But if going away with the car or stopping for gas or errands forces you to leave the keys in the car, in addition to draining the battery it becomes a large target for theft.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 012013

Ion

  • 100,360 miles
When driving my check gas cap light comes on, as well as the coolant light comes on within 5 minutes of driving the vehicle. This has been happening since 2013, it happens during driving on a hwy, in the city everywhere the car is driven, I push the reset button and it clears however it comes back within 5 minutes....

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #11

Jun 282017

Ion

  • 153,000 miles
Car stopped in middle of street while going over a dip at 25mph and speedometer went up to 50mph after coming to a complete stop and vehicle wouldn't move. But if you put vehicle into drive it will show as if you are going 20mph while you just barley put it into drive.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 052015

Ion

  • 177,482 miles
The car was driven to Chevrolet and repairs were done but car would not start, we were told it had a bad computor and was given the option to purchase a 1600 dollar unit from Chevrolet, we did not have the funds. We got a computor after the told us this was not a related issue. Then towed it back for a third to to be to its not under warranty. We dont have money for an attorney and Chevrolet and Saturn refuses to correct there srew up. We drove the vehical in and they want us to to pull it out we dont know what to do.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #9

May 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

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

Took my Saturn 2005 to integrity Chevrolet in chattanooga, tn 4235359455 according to instructions on recall letter (13454) and received a rental (was told it could take weeks ) 2 days later got a message that my car was miraculously fixed. Josh baugh stated my car was ready and repaired.confused, went to get my car and upon arriving at my home, the key wouldn't come out of the ignition again.contacted josh baugh again and he said to bring the car by when I got a chance.received a call from GM stating the part for my car was in and to bring the car to be repaired.was just told by the wonderful dealership car was repaired. Took my car back and no repairs had been done.they lied. Left my car again and about a week later they call and I go to pick it up.told me the battery was dead I needed to buy another one I dont think so because they were the ones that ran the battery down by leaving the key in the ignition (I just happened to stop by got something out of my car a day after I left it opened the door there was the key still stuck in the ignition.I also submitted receipts in June of 2014 for ignition replacement for the same car. No response resubmitted receipts Dec 2014 josh baugh email needed the original receipts.February 5th 2015 took the receipts and said the receipts needed to have the VIN # but they could see it had my name and 2005 Saturn and the ignition had to replaced by lock and key comp because key was stuck and run battery down (at 10:30 at night)they could write the VIN # in for me. To my surprise (not really) a message the reimbursement couldn't be done because wasn't a VIN # on receipt its not like we are all trying to get reimbursed for something we didn't pay for or some government bailout!I am contacting you to let you know this dealership lied and continues to try to prevent customers from receiving the promises of the recall.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #8

Jan 012014

Ion

  • 121,506 miles
This is not the first problem I have had with this vehicle nor was it the last. Just one that I have documented. The vehicle completely would not start and I had to have it towed to epperly tire and auto. The day before the car shut off while I was at a red light and it took cranking multiple times before I could get it to start again. I was told by epperly that this was because I needed a new starter and the wiring in my vehicle needed to be replaced. I got all needed repairs. This did not fix the issue, the vehicle is still shutting off while I am driving.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #7

Dec 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
There was not an accident. The key will not come out of the ignition when you turn the key back, you have to wait for a while then it will finally come out. This is after the recall that fixes the ignition switch.

- Holland Patent, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 042014

Ion

  • 1 miles
Ignition switch will not turn off and power steering quits on occasions.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #5

Dec 082012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The power steering went out.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Jan 242010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 88,900 miles
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

problem #3

Aug 062010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
I own a 2005 Saturn Ion. The key continues to get stuck in the ignition. 3 different times now. I have a boat load of paper work from different shops, from them fixing (?) my car, starting with Saturn, than I had to go to the GMC dealership, due to Saturn being closed. Also, the car has stalled 3 times while I was driving it. It's an automatic. I went on line to ask a Saturn mechanic what can I do to get this fixed, and basically nothing. He said there would not be a recall due to Saturn being closed now, and it's not a safety issue. I don't know what to do if I'm unable to get it to a GMC dealership, unless there is one open 24/7 in the denver area. I'm at my whits end. I'm reporting the most recent incident, the 1st was in 2007.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #2

Jul 012006

Ion 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
I have a 2005 Saturn Ion. The ignition switch is defective. It randomly decides to not start on any day. I can drive to the gas station five miles down the road, get gas, get back in my car, and it not start. Some days my car will not start for two consecutive days, and then all of a sudden it will crank! started right after warranty expired and continues to do so.

- Moorinsport, LA, USA

problem #1

Sep 152005

Ion 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 10,000 miles
Shifter knob came detached during street driving.

- Centennial, CO, USA

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