NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2006 Saturn Ion (Page 8 of 16)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: When it comes to the 2006 Ion, the biggest questions are: what big problem is going to pop up next? And how long until GM chooses to address it?

The 2006 Ion has a defective ignition switch that gave owners fits. Their keys would get stuck in the ignition, the engine wouldn’t shut off or in some cases it would shut off at the most dangerous time. The ignition was eventually recalled as part of one of the largest recalls of all-time , but it took GM 10 years to do it. Then there’s this car’s temperamental power steering which is prone to stop working randomly while driving. It too was eventually recalled, even if GM took their sweet time about it.

Lastly, it turns out a car built with plastic doors, fenders and bumpers – while fun for a game of “shopping cart bocce” – is horrible for safety.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
56,186 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.

2006 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 8 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #169

Feb 182013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 98,000 miles

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

My key became stuck in the ignition and would not turn while the car was still running. I had to pull the fuel injector fuse and disconnect my battery to turn the car off. In researching this problem online, I've found that tons of other Saturn owners have encountered this same problem with their ignition cylinders. I believe since this is such an expensive and common problem, that there should be a recall made on this part.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #168

Feb 052013

Ion

  • miles
My car will not start when it is cold it has to warm up before it will start right up now when it is warm out side not cold it starts right up. Then my key got stuck in the on position and could not cut the car off. Had to look on google for other similar problems to find out how to get the car to turn off.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #167

Feb 082011

Ion

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key was unable to be removed from the ignition and the contact was unable to power off the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned he was able to switch gears without depressing the brake. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ignition key cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

- Port Charlotte , FL, USA

problem #166

Jan 152013

Ion

  • 69,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition and the contact was unable to power off the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and was advised that a foreign object had become fractured inside of the ignition switch. The dealer replaced the ignition switch. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Fontana, WI, USA

problem #165

Mar 012012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Key locks up in ignition and will not turn to off position. Key is stuck and will not release from ignition. To get key out car must be turned to on position and back off again. Friends of ours also had a Saturn Ion from 2005 and they had the same issue. The key would become stuck in the ignition and they would have to start the car and turn it off (sometimes several times) to get the key out. Our worry is that the problem will become more extreme and dangerous where we cannot turn the car off (as I have read in other complaints) as well as not being able to eventually free the key. This is a defect that needs to be recalled and fixed!

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #164

Dec 032012

Ion

  • 35,000 miles
Put the key in and now it will not shut off....had to pull fuse...key will not turn back and can not get it out.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

problem #163

Dec 012010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

When I try to take out my key I can not remove it. I am able to turn off the motor, but then the key is stuck in that position and I can not remove it. I am concern that they key could stick in the position where the car is still running or that it won't come out at all.. I sometimes have to stay in my car for 2-3 minutes, so that I can remove the key. I know I can remove the key when the car makes a certain sound. It is a soft click, as if something is released. It sounds similar to the when you unlock your car doors with the automatic switch, but quieter. The key sticks 1-2 times/week at least. (I use my car twice a day, to and from work, this has been going on since I purchased the car several years ago. At the time it had maybe 40,000 miles. Now it has 82000 miles.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #162

Jul 132012

Ion

  • 16,607 miles
This vehicle was purchased brand new and driven very little. Protected in closed in garage. Drove to Colorado springs for vacation and went to visit relatives. Parked vehicle in front of relative home and the key couldn't be turned to shut off the car. Fortunately there was a neighbor of my relatives that new how to shut it off by disconnecting the battery cables. To start the car the cables had to be hooked back up. Drove to ferguson Buick GMC in Colorado springs and they checked it. The tumbler came apart, won't turn off, replaced ignition lock. Was charged for housing kit (15857948), code cyl, cylinder kit (20869121), labor and cost of parts totalled $614.22. With only 16, 607 miles from 2006 to 2012 this should not have happened. Today, November 30, 2012, I went to drive my vehicle and when I started the engine all the lights on the dash and message about steering off trac keeps flashing and it said something about steering fluid, brakes and the lights were going crazy. I am afraid to drive it so I drove it back into my garage. Couldn't drive it like that. Now what is wrong. This vehilce has been paid for since 2008 and only has 19, 000 miles on it. My husband bought me this vehicle as a surprise and little did he know he would get pancreatic cancer the following year. He wanted me to have a dependable extra vehicle. I cannot keep paying money to fix a vehicle that I am afraid to drive. May get stranded somewhere. I wouldn't feel in good conscious to even sell it to anyone. Not worth what he paid for it.

- Newcastle, OK, USA

problem #161

Apr 072010

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion 2. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and after waiting ten minutes the vehicle restarted. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the faulty anti theft pass lock would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #160

Oct 182012

Ion

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition and she was unable to get it out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #159

Aug 282012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

The key is stuck in the on position in the ignition switch and will not come out. This has happened twice. Had it repaired on 08/28/2012 and happened again on 10/20/2012.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #158

Oct 192012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
I have had a slight problem with my Saturn Ion since I have purchased it from my dealership. The key will get stuck every other time I have tried to shut it off. It was a minor inconvenience at the most. But yesterday I had my key get stuck while the vehicle was running! I had to have the battery disconnected and pull a fuse just to get it to shut off. I looked online for hours and hours and found out it is most likely the ignition lock cylinder. There were so many complaints on the Saturn Ions doing this I was shocked that a recall has not been issued. I am frustrated at the dealership saying it will be $90 just to look at it, and then they will give me an estimate. Online I have seen that the average cost paid to have this fixed is $300-$500. Why should I have to spend more of my hard earned money if this is clearly the manufacturers fault? if nothing is done about this I will have lost all faith in people.

- Fernley, NV, USA

problem #157

Oct 052012

Ion

  • 138,478 miles
Power steering repeatedly shows up on the dash and the power steering does seem tight and its a loud clunk when you turn the wheel back and fourth slowly. Its common and there has been a recall in some states a lot of people got this paid for and its 1200 to fix.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #156

Mar 142011

Ion 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While parked, the contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition but was unable to because the key had become stuck. The contact stated that in order to shut off the vehicle off he had to disconnect the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the lock assembly and the wiring harness would have to be replaced. After the repair the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The current mileage was 121,459. Updated 12/11/12 updated 12/1212

- Lewistown , PA, USA

problem #155

Oct 112012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
This is the second time this has happen. My key is stuck in the ignition and wont turn off. I believe GM should help resolve this ongoing problem with these ignition switches. For some reason I was unable to put the date that this first happen, (may, 2011) and now again this week.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #154

Oct 012011

Ion

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key would not release from the ignition switch. The contact had to restart and shut the vehicle off constantly in order for the key to be removed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the ignition switch replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact did not take the vehicle to another dealer or local mechanic. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available. VIN not available

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #153

Aug 202012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Ignition switch went bad, keys were stuck in the ingition and it would not turn off.

- Geneva, NY, USA

problem #152

Sep 112012

Ion

  • 57,000 miles
Ignition would not shut off would not release to turn off I see there is other veh. Having same issues we need this fixed so we don't run into more problems that could go wrong (like new motors) can't shut off motors and then starters get worn quickly just a thought.

- Dover, TN, USA

problem #151

Jun 152012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
My car won't start due to ignition switch malfunction. I've replaced ignition switch as suggested by owner's manual to no avail, problem persists. I've also taken the car for service to a certified GM/Saturn service center (dealer service). The car battery and starter motor are in good condition. Only after many, many, attempts to start the car it'll eventually turn on. Once car is turn off, for example stopping at gas station for gas, problem manifests itself again, car won't start. There are numerous accounts of this problem (2006 Saturn Ion ignition switch malfunction) found by doing an online (internet) search. Please help!

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #150

Jun 102008

Ion 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
In 2008 my key was stuck in the ignition not allowing my car to shut off. After several hours in the blazing son with my son, a tow truck came and had to disconnect my battery and take out the ignition relay just to get my car to stop running. My car almost over heated and ran out most my gas.the ignition cylinder and switch was replaced costing over seven hundred dollars. Now in 2012 the same thing has happened again. I was quoted another six hundred and eighty dollars to replace it again. Since I do not have the funds to replace such a costly unexpected repair I am forced to live with a car that I can not drive. My key is stuck in the ignition not allowing me to lock my doors which leaves my car open for anyone to destroy it or rob it. Since you can only access the battery by the truck and the trunk can only be opened by key or automatic key ring. I can no longer access my battery to hook it back up. This is because the only other way to get to open the trunk is by having the seats down in the back and climbing through the trunk to open it. Even if someone else does open the trunk. Connecting the battery and disconnecting the battery in hundred degree weather is not acceptable. Since being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder I can no longer due such thing. If connected I can start my vehicle. Actually after replacing the ignition relay it starts itself. I see online that the ignition or its parts is an ongoing problem with my vehicle. When is it going to become a recall?

- Bradenton , FL, USA

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