Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Saturn ION problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

757 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

71,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 553 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 229 of 757 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior16021.1%
Electrical and battery issues13017.2%
Engine operation729.5%
Transmission and shifting587.7%
Braking behavior466.1%
Fuel system concerns121.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
229
Steering
129
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
68
Electrical System:Ignition
54
Air Bags
39
Engine And Engine Cooling
33
Vehicle Speed Control
32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
31
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System229
Steering129
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch68
Electrical System:Ignition54
Air Bags39
Engine And Engine Cooling33
Vehicle Speed Control32
Power Train:Automatic Transmission31

Electrical System: 229; Steering: 129; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 68; Electrical System:Ignition: 54; Air Bags: 39; Engine And Engine Cooling: 33; Vehicle Speed Control: 32; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 31

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
87
25,000 to 49,999
84
50,000 to 74,999
126
75,000 to 99,999
85
100,000 to 149,999
114
150,000 and above
57
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00087
25,000 to 49,99984
50,000 to 74,999126
75,000 to 99,99985
100,000 to 149,999114
150,000 and above57

Under 25,000: 87; 25,000 to 49,999: 84; 50,000 to 74,999: 126; 75,000 to 99,999: 85; 100,000 to 149,999: 114; 150,000 and above: 57

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (126). 204 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
44
2004
60
2005
21
2006
29
2007
69
2008
82
2009
79
2010
53
2011
44
2012
20
2013
17
2014
140
2015
33
2016
23
2017
12
2018
7
2019
7
2020
6
2021
5
2023
1
2024
3
2025
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200344
200460
200521
200629
200769
200882
200979
201053
201144
201220
201317
2014140
201533
201623
201712
20187
20197
20206
20215
20231
20243
20251
20261

2003: 44; 2004: 60; 2005: 21; 2006: 29; 2007: 69; 2008: 82; 2009: 79; 2010: 53; 2011: 44; 2012: 20; 2013: 17; 2014: 140; 2015: 33; 2016: 23; 2017: 12; 2018: 7; 2019: 7; 2020: 6; 2021: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 160 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 130 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 72 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10019030 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)

NEW SATURN ION 2003 STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, MUST STOP SUDDENLY TO RESTART AND GAIN CONTROL OF CAR. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019030 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10021800 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING , THE STEERING KNUCKLE SHEARED OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK DEALER REPAIRED AT NO COST. REPLACED RIGHT FRONT KNUCKLED AND ASSOCIATED SUSPENSION PARTS. FRONT RIGHT WHEEL,TIRE, SPOILER AND UNDER SKIRTING. SATURN'S ENGINEER'S OF DETROIT SENT THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT DAMAGED PARTS FOR INVESTIGATION. CONSUMER HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. *PH *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021800 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10030545 · 2003-07-31 (July 31, 2003)

ELECTRICAL; DOOR SEALS LOOSE; CAR RETURNED UP TO 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE ON 7/13/03. SATURN ION 3 COUPE--TURN SIGNALS BURNED OUT W/IN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER; REQUESTED CHECK OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. JULY 26, 2003 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED. COMPLAINED ABOUT DOOR SEAL AT SAME TIME & SERVICE DEPT DID NOT CHECK IT OUT UNTIL THEY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX ON JULY 31. REQUESTED TO RETURN VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD "IT WOULD BE FIXED TO MY SATISFACTION". DOOR SEAL WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY & I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR A FOURTH TIME TO GET THIS REPAIRED …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030545 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10051264 · 2003-12-29 (December 29, 2003)

I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION. THE BATTERY WENT DEAD TODAY BECAUSE MY WIFE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON BY ACCIDENT. WHEN THE BATTERY IN THIS MODEL CAR BECOMES DISCHARGED TWO UNDESIREABLE PROBLEMS ARISE. I FEEL THAT BOTH OF THEM INTRODUCE SAFETY CONCERNS. FIRST, THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THROUGH NORMAL MEANS. SECOND, THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED! THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REMAINS IN THE PARK POSITION. I FEEL THAT A CAR DESIGNED SUCH THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE BATTERY FAILS IS A POOR DESIGN. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL PROVIDED WITH THE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008156 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)

DEAR ADMINISTRATOR: I PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN ION 2 ON DECEMBER 28, 2002. I REPORTED TO BOTH THE SATURN CORPORATION AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T SAFE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 80 MILES. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP ON 4 SEPERATE OCCASIONS , TWO OF WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACCEPT MY VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 10, NOT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, SATURN KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR NEARLY ONE WEEK. AFTER THE LOAN WAS APPROVED ON THE VEHICLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008156 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025418 · 2003-07-04 (July 4, 2003)

MARCH 22, 2003 I PURCHASED AN SATURN ION 3. WITHIN THE 1ST THE WEEK THERE WAS PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. FINALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (3RD TIME). SUPPOSEDLY THE CAR WAS FIXED. 3 DAYS LATER THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME AT SATURN CORP.'S REQUEST TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE CAR AS THE ENGINE COULD BLOW UP. THE ENGINE HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE WITH ABOUT 650 MILES. ALSO, ANOTHER SATURN ION WITH 2500 MILES WAS SITTING IN THE DEALER'S LOT …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025418 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10028649 · 2003-07-20 (July 20, 2003)

MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A SATURN ION III. SHE HAS RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE WITH HER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SATURN HAS ACKNOWELDGED A HARD SHIFTING PROBLEM FROM 2ND TO 3RD, BUT SINCE A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT, IT IS BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NOW BEGUN TO BE A WAY MORE SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE IT WILL COMPLETELY SLIP, (LOSE ALL POWER), FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN EVER INCREASING LONGER INTERVAL AND MORE FREQUENTLY. SHE HAS HAD THIS HAPPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,225 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028649 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033002 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)

WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND CAR WOULD SHAKE. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. WITHIN 2 DAYS ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON, SOMETIMES STAYING ON STEADY AND SOMETIMES BLINKING. VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS (EVEN SMALL ONES) VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY FEEL LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PUT ON AND VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO STALL OUT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN OPENING THE TR…

Owner-reported narrative. 98 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033002 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10090971 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)

THE AREA IN MY TRUNK ABOVE THE MUFFLER HAS STARTED GETTING EXTREMELY HOT. ITEMS STORED IN THE TRUNK ARE HOT TO THE TOUCH AND THE METAL IN THE TRUNK IS TOO HOT TO LAY A HAND ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER DROPPED ITEMS WHILE REMOVING THEM FROM THE TRUNK BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE FEBRUARY 2003. I HAVE HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND IT IS IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH TO MONTH AND A HALF BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090971 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149374 · 2006-02-03 (February 3, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY SINCE THE REPAIR, LAST YEAR; THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149374 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10211112 · 2007-12-07 (December 7, 2007)

THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON MY 2003 SATURN ION ON 11-28-07. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE BELT BREAKING IT MESSED UP THE VALVES, HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP. WHICH IS COSTING ME ALMOST $3000. THE BELT SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN WITH THAT FEW OF MILES ON IT. NOW I AM DOWN TO ONE CAR AND IT HAS BECOME A HUGE HASSLE. I AM NEVER GOING TO BUY A SATURN AGAIN. IN MY OPINION THE WARRANTY IS AWFUL AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON-EXISTENT. THE WARRANTY IS ONLY ON THE FIRST 30,000 MILES AND OR 3 YEARS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CAN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10211112 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

757 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

73.1%Usable mileage553 / 757 records
98.8%Valid incident date748 / 757 records
100.0%Valid filing date757 / 757 records
98.8%Ordered incident and filing dates748 / 757 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200320042005200620072008
Steering
12917.0%
ODI 10052273

WHEN TIRES SPIN TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTS. THEN. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SNOWING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN.*AK

Look up ODI 10052273 at NHTSA ↗

32336.0%
ODI 10191451 · 45,326 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 2. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKED. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. SATURN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,326.

Look up ODI 10191451 at NHTSA ↗

25544.5%
ODI 10138987 · 16,000 mi

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LINES ON MD I-97 NORTH BOUND FROM THE SLOW RIGHT LANE TO THE FAST LANE LEFT LANE. WHEN A CAR IN THE FAST LANE SPEED UP WHICH NEVER ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES, I CONTINUED TO TRAVEL IN THE SAME SLOW RIGHT LANE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE AFTER THAT ACTION OF THE ATTEMPTED LANE CHANGE, I EXPERIENCED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING ERRATICALLY AND TRYING TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR STARTED FISHING TAILING OR SWERVING. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW…

Look up ODI 10138987 at NHTSA ↗

52442.4%
ODI 10172994 · 1,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND WOULD NOT NEED FIXED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Look up ODI 10172994 at NHTSA ↗

39745.3%
ODI 10200698 · 17 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 2-60 MPH. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE STEERING WHEEL BUT, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,058.

Look up ODI 10200698 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
22930.3%
ODI 10018187

WHEN THE CONSUMER PLUGGED DEVICES INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT WORK. *NLM

Look up ODI 10018187 at NHTSA ↗

23325.9%
ODI 10078329 · 230 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10078329 at NHTSA ↗

17330.2%
ODI 10124351 · 86 mi

DT: THE CAR IS LOSING POWER AT 70MPH AND IS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 3 AND IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 4 WITH THIS HAPPENING 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. THE SALES PERSON SAID "STAY THERE AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE". THE SALES PERSON DID COME AND PICK UP THE CONSUMER. THE SALES PERSON SAID THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CONSUMER'S KEYCHAIN WAS AT FAULT. THE KEYCHAIN WEIGHED ABOUT AN OUNCE OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP IS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO INDICATOR…

Look up ODI 10124351 at NHTSA ↗

31025.1%
ODI 10144029 · 65 mi

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR LESS THAN 72 HOUR OLD CAR AND THE UNDERNEATH CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BUT SATURN SAYS WE MUST HAVE IT A MOVING BLANKET! WE HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND BARELY GOT THEM OUT BEFORE THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. WHO'S IDEA WAS IT TO MAKE FUEL LINES OUT OF NYLON ANYWAY? *JB

Look up ODI 10144029 at NHTSA ↗

16919.3%
ODI 10201613 · 6,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY FOUR MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE SECOND FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND T…

Look up ODI 10201613 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10566353 · 75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Look up ODI 10566353 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System
192.5%
ODI 10478257 · 82,000 mi

CAR WAS PARKED WHEN STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. MOVED CAR TO HARD SURFACE AND DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING RATHER LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM AREA BEHIND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP HOUSING. NOTICED 2007 MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR FUEL PUMP ISSUE. FURTHER STUDY SHOULD PROBABLY BE DONE TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE ENTIRE ION LINE. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL RELEASED AFTER PART FAILURE IS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Look up ODI 10478257 at NHTSA ↗

364.0%
ODI 10468989 · 94,376 mi

STARTED LEAKING GAS FROM FUEL FILTER AND I CHECKED ON LINE FOR RECALLS AND WAS ONE FOR THAT VEHICLE I CALLED SATURN THEY SAID THERE WASN'T. *TR

Look up ODI 10468989 at NHTSA ↗

213.7%
ODI 10584198 · 80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PULLING OUT THE NOZZLE, THE FILLER NECK CAME COMPLETELY OUT WITH IT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,184.

Look up ODI 10584198 at NHTSA ↗

1119.0%
ODI 10460432 · 90,000 mi

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN CAR. GAS LEAKING UNDER THE CAR. IT HAS A CRACK IN THE FITTING ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE SAME PROBLEM GM HAS HAD A PARTIAL RECALL ON. INFORMED BY SATURN THAT OUR CAR ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN ITS THE EXACT SAME PART AND PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH GM OR SATURN AND WILL NEVER BY OTHER GM AGAIN IF THIS IS HOW THEY DO BUSINESS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Look up ODI 10460432 at NHTSA ↗

13014.8%
ODI 10460164 · 110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS DECREASING MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE SUPPLY LINE OF THE FUEL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. T…

Look up ODI 10460164 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
395.2%
ODI 10041950

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Look up ODI 10041950 at NHTSA ↗

424.7%
ODI 10079846

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DAUGHTER WAS HIT BY A HARLEY DAVIDSON F150 TRUCK IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE SHE TURNED AND THE HARLEY HIT HER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE DAUGHTER DROVE 4 MILES, AND PARKED, THEN FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE BRAKES HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT OFF…

Look up ODI 10079846 at NHTSA ↗

295.1%
ODI 10161049 · 26,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING AND THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES.

Look up ODI 10161049 at NHTSA ↗

574.6%
ODI 10184279

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE ROAD AND I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE STREET WAS COVERED IN BLACK ICE. I SPUN OUT AND CRASHED STRAIGHT INTO A CAR SITTING IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND SOME MUSCLE SORENESS AND BRUISING. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT OFF AND THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY. *JB

Look up ODI 10184279 at NHTSA ↗

637.2%
ODI 10178130 · 5,620 mi

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I WAS CUT OFF BY A CAR FROM THE RIGHT LANE WHILE TRAVELING ON I280 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WAS FORCED INTO THE NEXT LANE TO MY LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION - I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS A RENTAL (ENTERPRISE-RENT-A-CAR) - MY ATTEMPTS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AS TO ANY POSSIBLE DEFECTS OF THE CAR FROM ENTERPRISE (& ELCO ADMIN SERVICES) HAVE PROVED FRUITLESS. I REPEATEDLY INFORMED ENTERPRISE THAT I W…

Look up ODI 10178130 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10615155 · 82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,200.

Look up ODI 10615155 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition
547.1%
ODI 10039290

KEY ALWAYS STUCK IN IGNITION, CAR DOESN'T START CAR DOOR LOCK BROKEN. *JB

Look up ODI 10039290 at NHTSA ↗

475.2%
ODI 10104585 · 4,300 mi

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY PARENTS BOUGHT A SATURN ION 2, IT IS ONLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO THEIR LOCATION AND TURNING IT OFF, THEY CAME BACK TO THE CAR (MAYBE 2 HOURS LATER), TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES ON THE REMOTE. AFTER ABOUT 20 PUSHES THE CAR WAS FINIALLY ABLE TO BE STARTED. THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ONLY TO HAVE SOMEONE TELL THEM THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG …

Look up ODI 10104585 at NHTSA ↗

386.6%
ODI 10168551 · 9,400 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN IDLE STATE OR PLACED IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE EASILY RESTARTED AFTER STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OF ALL THE KEY CHAINS USED BY THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF ON ITS OWN. AFTER THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT, ONLY ONE KEY CHAIN WAS USED WHILE THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK

Look up ODI 10168551 at NHTSA ↗

564.5%
ODI 10211611

ONCE A SATURN VEHICLE (MOSTLY IONS) ARE EXPOSED TO COLD TEMPERATURES AT OR APPROACHING 32 DEGRESS F FOR SEVERAL HOURS (WORK / SLEEP) WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT IS A FAILURE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. SATURN ADMITTED THIS IN 2005 WHEN I HAD MY 2004 MODEL IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. BUT NOW MY 2006 MODEL IS DOING THE SAME THING AND THE KEY WILL ALSO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM YOU CAN SEE COMMENTS AT HTTP://WWW.64.4.38.249/ATT/GETATTACHMENT.ASPX?FILE=... (CA…

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354.0%
ODI 10231223 · 63,500 mi

I PURCHASED A USED 2007 SATURN ION IN JULY OF 2007. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO (IF THAT) I HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVE WAY I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OFF. A FEW DAYS AGO I WENT TO THE STORE AND AS I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER IGNITION CYLINDER AND HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN!!! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 1/2-3 MONTHS! *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline
111.5%
ODI 10055481

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING TWO RECALLS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *PH WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER HE HAD HEARD OF THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IT SAID, THE CONSUMER WANTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT WAS TOLD THE MOST SKILLED MECHANICS WORKED WEEKDAYS. THE CONSUMER FELT THE DEALERSHIP HAD ONLY BEEN MINIMALLY INFORMED OF THE RECALL. *JB *NM

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151.7%
ODI 10246503 · 35,000 mi

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD (USUALLY BELOW 40), MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT SIMPLY CLICKS AND SECURITY SENSORS START COMING ON. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN TRY AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START AND PROMPTLY STALL OUT. I HAVE HAD IT STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

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40.7%
ODI 10202238 · 5 mi

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, DROVE ONE MILE OFF THE LOT, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED THE NEXT MORNING TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. AT 15,400 MILES THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. AT 16,000 MILES THE CHIME FOR THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE IGNITION HOUSING WAS REPLACED. AT 19,500 MILES I COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR WOULD START AND IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF AGAIN, THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE NEXT DAY THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE KEY WAS …

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937.5%
ODI 10237393 · 61,000 mi

TOOK MY 06 SATURN INTO THE DEALER DUE TO STALLING. WAS TOLD BY THE MECH. THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING THAT THE PLASTIC ELBOW HAD A CRACK IN IT DUE TO THE ROAD VIBRATION MY CONCERN IS THAT TIS IS A LINE THAT IS UNDER APPOS 20PSI LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE AND DIRECTLY UNDER THE BACK SEAT. IF GAS IS BEING SPRAYED OUT OVER THE EXHAUST A SPARK IS ALL THAT IS MISSING TO HAVE A ROLLING FLAME THROWER. IN MY SIMPLE MIND THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE PRONE TO CRACKING BECAUSE OF NORMAL DRIVING. I STILL REMEMBER THE PINTO I HOPE SOME ONE WILL TAKE ACTIO…

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596.7%
ODI 10229897 · 4,147 mi

REVISED BRAND NEW CAR, DENT IN TRUNK, 3 MONTHS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NOT STARTING, NEEDS NEW FUEL TANK AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR IN THE AC UNIT. 05-30-08, CAR WONT START AGAIN - SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT IS DUE TO AUTOMATIC CAR STARTER NEW CAR PURCHASED ON 11-29-08, 6 MONTHS OLD, ONLY 4700 MILES ON IT. FALLING APART ONE PIECE AT A TIME. *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
689.0%
ODI 10106560 · 56,000 mi

OVER THE PAST 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OUR 2003 SATURN ION. THE CAR WOULD NOT START LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND WENT VERY QUICKLY. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN LATER WITH NO PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL SATURN SERVICE TECH ADVISED US THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN WITH OTHER IONS AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

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444.9%
ODI 10140711 · 37,119 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V547000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL. SHE HAD THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, SHE BELIEVED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE COSTS FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/29/05. **JB

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132.3%
ODI 10168833 · 18,400 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS STARTED AFTER ONE HALF HOUR AND MOVED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE AN UNDETERMINED PART WAS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED.

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181.5%
ODI 10184172

KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY LUBRICATE THE SYSTEM BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT BEGAN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND STILL PERSISTS TODAY. WE CANNOT TAKE ANY MORE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP TO BE TOLD THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM OR THE TRANSMISSION/GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM THAT MAY BE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONI…

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111.3%
ODI 10235769 · 20 mi

PURCHASED A 2007 SATURN ION 2 WITH 20K AND I'VE HAD IT FOR LESS THEN 2 WEEKS AND DRIVEN IT ABOUT 80 MILES OR SO. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO FORCE THE STUCK KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT CONTINUED RUNNING. FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND PROBLEM THAT I HAD 3 DAYS PRIOR WAS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
212.8%
ODI 10463420 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

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232.6%
ODI 10460794 · 107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT START. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

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223.8%
ODI 10493499

WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR A DAY OR MORE IT WON'T CRANK AND NEEDS TO BE JUMPED OFF. THE BATTERY AND ALTENATOR ARE GOOD AND SO ARE THE FUSES. I HAVE CHANGED IGNITION RELAY AND NO DIFFERENCE. HAD CAR RUNNING AND WOULD NOT THIS MORNING AFTER SITTING FOR 18 HRS. BATT IS TOTALLY DEAD. *TR

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413.3%
ODI 10461348 · 86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

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343.9%
ODI 10457755 · 56,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER DOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOTH A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONSTAR REPORTED A FUEL S…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Electrical System50,000–102,000 mi72,356 mi165
ODI 10043213 · 5,100 mi

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2003. I HAVE HAD 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHAT SO EVER! THE LATEST TIME WAS AT THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT THOUGHT QUICK AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IT THE REAR BY A SEVERAL TON VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE ENTIRE POWER TO THE CAR DIES !! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND YOU THE ENTIRE CAR "SHUTS DOWN" AND YOU ARE S…

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ODI 10063993 · 6,692 mi

TO DATE, VEHICLE HAS HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE. 10 SERVICE VISITS IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND NO END IN SIGHT. PROBLEMS INCLUDE: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS/BLINKER LIGHTS INOPPERABLE (REPAIRED 6 TIMES); OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GUAGE MALFUNCTIONING (REPAIRED 3+ TIMES); AIR CONDITIONING INOPPERABLE AND COMPASS MALFUNCTIONING.*AK

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ODI 10111698 · 15,165 mi

WHILE DRIVING. UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT TO TAKE THE CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION RUNNING. THE DOORS LOCKED, AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET HER CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY UPON EXITING DRIVER'S SIDE. ADDITIONAL SERVICE INCLUDE, THE A/C AND HEATER FUNTION FAILED DUE TO FAULTY CONNECTION FROM SWITCH TO RESISTOR CARD, COLLAPSE OF HORN COVER CAUSING LOSS OF AIRBAG. IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE SIGNAL AND RUNNING LA…

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Steering68,727–138,000 mi102,544 mi112
ODI 10070537 · 1,984 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 3 MARCH 17, 2003. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. SATURN CORP. RECALLED THE CAR. THE PURCHASE OF [XXX] WAS CANCELED 4/17/03 AND I PURCHASED A 2ND 2003 SATURN ION 3, [XXX], ON 4/17/03. THE 2ND CAR FROM THE BEGINNING HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING UP AND DOWN FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH, KICKS WHEN STARTED, RATTLES LOUDLY IN REVERSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 4 TIMES (BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. INFOR…

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ODI 10242282 · 60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND MAKES STEERING DIFFICULT. THE FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

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ODI 10246303 · 55,557 mi

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE. THERE ARE REPORTS ON-LINE ABOUT MOST PEOPLE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO RECENTLY CRASHED ON THE 405 FREEWAY. *TR

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Electrical System:Ignition:Switch42,188–78,750 mi56,000 mi42
ODI 10106560 · 56,000 mi

OVER THE PAST 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OUR 2003 SATURN ION. THE CAR WOULD NOT START LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND WENT VERY QUICKLY. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN LATER WITH NO PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL SATURN SERVICE TECH ADVISED US THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN WITH OTHER IONS AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

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ODI 10149374 · 33,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS AND THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IS PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY SINCE THE REPAIR, LAST YEAR; THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE REPAIRS WERE MADE.

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ODI 10174660 · 54,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY IN COOLER WEATHER, FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. AN APPOINTMENT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED WITH A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

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Electrical System:Ignition47,000–110,000 mi70,000 mi37
ODI 10118245 · 55,310 mi

I PURCHASED A SATURN ION IN JUNE OF 2003. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2004. IT WOULD NOT START AND WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. THERE WAS POWER TO ALL ACCESSORIES SO IT WAS NOT A BATTERY FAILURE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, IT WOULD FINALLY START ONCE AGAIN (ROUGHLY AT FIRST) AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE NEARBY SATURN DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND WAS TURNED AWAY BE…

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ODI 10175250 · 10,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS OR NOT START AT ALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE NON SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT.

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ODI 10175340 · 50,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION QUAD LEVEL 3, WILL NOT START WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS, OR STARTS AND IMMEDIATELY STALLS. THE PASSLOCK ICON BLINKS AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS SERVICE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY STATED TO TURN KEY ON FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES TO RESET THE PASSLOCK, THEN TURN OFF, REMOVE KEY, AND TRY THE START SEQUENCE AGAIN. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, FOUR TIMES IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, CAR IS CURRENTLY IMMOBILE IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN. AN INTERNET SEARCH STRONGLY SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE THAT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THAT ALL SATUR…

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Air Bags69,500–137,500 mi121,500 mi18
ODI 10070881 · 3,600 mi

I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 9/9/03, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 9/11/03 I REAR ENDED A PICKUP TRUCK. THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR TOTALED $8400.00 AND IT WAS A DEAD-CENTER HIT TO THE FRONT OF MY CAR BENDING BOTH OF THE FRONT FRAMES AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT AND BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT WAS MORE THEN 50% MY FAULT MY LAWYER HAS ADVISED ME THAT THERE ARE NO LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS THAT I NEED TO TAKE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS INSURE THAT THE WORD IS OUT THERE FOR CONSUMERS TO BE AWARE THAT THIS …

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ODI 10246083 · 83,500 mi

I WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN MY 2003 SATURN ION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS CRUNCHED IN AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT UNHARMED, BUT IF I HIT THE OTHER CAR ANY HARDER I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT! I CALLED THE SATURN DEALERS HERE IN SYRACUSE AND THEY DID NOT SEEM VERY CONCERNED AT ALL WITH THE IDEA OF CHECKING THE SAFETY DEVISE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS! WHAT CAN BE DONE? *TR

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ODI 10566445 · 136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LEFT LEG, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

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Engine And Engine Cooling23,000–87,395 mi45,000 mi23
ODI 10070537 · 1,984 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 3 MARCH 17, 2003. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. SATURN CORP. RECALLED THE CAR. THE PURCHASE OF [XXX] WAS CANCELED 4/17/03 AND I PURCHASED A 2ND 2003 SATURN ION 3, [XXX], ON 4/17/03. THE 2ND CAR FROM THE BEGINNING HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING UP AND DOWN FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH, KICKS WHEN STARTED, RATTLES LOUDLY IN REVERSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 4 TIMES (BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. INFOR…

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ODI 10078902 · 5,000 mi

OUR 2003 SATURN ION II HAS STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURING A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE CONTINUED SINCE. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON THESE DATES: 10/3/03, 11/5/03, 5/24/04. WE ARE ALSO TAKING IT IN 6/28/04 FOR SERVICE FOR THE SAME REASON. THE SATURN HAS STALLED WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A STOPLIGHT, WHILE TURNING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, AND WHILE ENTERING A TOLL STATION. WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO BEING STRU…

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ODI 10088558 · 14,000 mi

DROVE THROUGH WATER ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCHES DEEP DURING RAIN, CAR STOPPED WOULD NOT RESTART, ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE, THE CAR WAS JUST ONE YEAR OLD.*AK

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Vehicle Speed Control54,500–126,500 mi87,000 mi27
ODI 10043213 · 5,100 mi

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2003. I HAVE HAD 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHAT SO EVER! THE LATEST TIME WAS AT THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT THOUGHT QUICK AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IT THE REAR BY A SEVERAL TON VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE ENTIRE POWER TO THE CAR DIES !! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND YOU THE ENTIRE CAR "SHUTS DOWN" AND YOU ARE S…

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ODI 10049638 · 10,600 mi

THE TWO SATURN 2003 IONS I HAVE DRIVEN (INCLUDING MY CURRENT VEHICLE) HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE, WHEN ENGAGING IN THIRD GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL "FREEWHEEL" FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING WITH A LURCH. THE PROBLEM CAN BE CREATED BY ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD. THE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED IN MARCH/APRIL, 2003. *AK

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ODI 10061289 · 90 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD BOG DOWN AND STALL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission3,000–55,000 mi16,000 mi25
ODI 10028649 · 4,225 mi

MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A SATURN ION III. SHE HAS RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE WITH HER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SATURN HAS ACKNOWELDGED A HARD SHIFTING PROBLEM FROM 2ND TO 3RD, BUT SINCE A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT, IT IS BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NOW BEGUN TO BE A WAY MORE SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE IT WILL COMPLETELY SLIP, (LOSE ALL POWER), FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN EVER INCREASING LONGER INTERVAL AND MORE FREQUENTLY. SHE HAS HAD THIS HAPPE…

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ODI 10039405 · 3 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2003 SATURN ION QUAD 3 ON 6-12-2003. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THE BEGINNING. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS CONSTANTLY. A TECH FROM SPRING HILL SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. TRYING TO TURN LEFT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS A NIGHTMARE. THIS CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS WE SPEAK. THE REAR QUARTER PANEL IS CRACKED AND BEING REPLACED. THE REAR BUMPER IS BEING PAINTED BECAUSE OF SCRATCHES FROM THE TRUNK RUBBING. THE FRONT BUMPER IS BEING PAINTED BECAUSE OF RUNS IN THE PAINT. NONE OF THE BODY PANELS SEEM TO…

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ODI 10049399 · 3,000 mi

MY 2003 SATURN ION DOWN SHIFTS ON ME WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. IT IS GETTING CONSISTENTLY WORSE AND HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL STOP FOR A SECOND AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN. SATURN HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. A TECH HAS TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND SEEN IT HAPPEN FIRST HAND. STILL ON RESOLVED. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO LEMON LAW IT.*AK

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Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-071None
ODI 11674132

After I did the recall several years ago, the problem came back. The key will not come out of the ignition. It's happened many times.

Look up ODI 11674132 at NHTSA ↗

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-081None
ODI 11755714

I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would cost me they said around $800.so it has now been 2 weeks my car has been there at Graue Chevrolet Dealership unfixed and they refused to fix please help me it's my only means of transportation and I have health issues that I have to go to Dr appointments quite frequently.

Look up ODI 11755714 at NHTSA ↗

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 290 reports

2007: 90 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2007214390
2008000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
200787204
2008400

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical SystemSteeringElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchElectrical System:IgnitionAir BagsEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlPower Train:Automatic Transmission
Electrical System—
16
ODI 10254339 · 40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN ANY GEAR, INCLUDING DRIVE OR REVERSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENGINE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE ACC POSITION UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR AT LEAST 3-5 MINUTES. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID…

Look up ODI 10254339 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10325845 · 80,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION. SEPTEMBER 09. DROVE CAR. PARKED. COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WAITED 10 MINUTES. KEY CAME OUT. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT SATURN DEALER. NEXT WEEK THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN.(AT MY EXPENSE). KEY CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN THE IGNITION. I CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR UNTIL I GET THE KEY OUT. LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK_P5.HTML NO WONDER GM CLOSED OUT THE SA…

Look up ODI 10325845 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10503444 · 85,000 mi

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER IN OCTOBER 2012 THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SATURN WENT DEFUNCT BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2006 AND AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MOTORS THAT A RECALL WAS PROPOSED ON THE CHEVY CRUZ AND GM SAYS THEY ARE NOT COVERED OR NO COVERED UNDER THE SATURN PROGRAM. NOW OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH GM KNOWS HAS PROBLEMS HAS SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY N…

Look up ODI 10503444 at NHTSA ↗

0
2
ODI 10500161 · 42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START, BUT THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. …

Look up ODI 10500161 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10593495 · 110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. DR

Look up ODI 10593495 at NHTSA ↗

22
ODI 10568997 · 80,000 mi

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGN…

Look up ODI 10568997 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10574571

LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT RE GM RECALL ( ATTN: AUBREY YANZITO CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL: [email removed], FAX AT [phone removed] OR PHONE: [phone removed] OR MAIL). *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNTIL APRIL 2014. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE FIXED. *JB

Look up ODI 10574571 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10575588

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR GETTING THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. *JB

Look up ODI 10575588 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10154956

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES OR WHILE MAKING TURNS. I TOOK MY 2003 ION 2 TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS BOTH OF MY CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. MY CAR IS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT, SO AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE UNTRUE. BUT, AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT MANY 2003 ION DRIVERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY SATURN DEALER AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD DO NOTHING TO…

Look up ODI 10154956 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10299665

CAR WON'T START WHEN THE TEMP IS BELOW 20 F, HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN FOR ANTI THEFT TO RESET AND THEN TRY AGAIN. SOME TIMES HAVE TO TRY 3 OR 4 TIMES. DEALER SAY IT'S A KNOW PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

Look up ODI 10299665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10301938 · 77,230 mi

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THIS BEGAN 3 MONTHS AGO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WINTER SEASON, UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL I WAS LET GO FOR SHOWING UP LATE TO WORK (APPARENTLY, A CAR THAT PROBLEMATIC WAS INCONCEIVABLE). I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT MOSTLY IN THE EARLY MORNING OR LATE EVENING WHEN IT'S COLDEST OUTSIDE. THIS PAST WEEK ALONE, MY CAR WOULDN'T START 3 TIMES. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS …

Look up ODI 10301938 at NHTSA ↗

5
ODI 10043213 · 5,100 mi

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2003. I HAVE HAD 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHAT SO EVER! THE LATEST TIME WAS AT THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT THOUGHT QUICK AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IT THE REAR BY A SEVERAL TON VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE ENTIRE POWER TO THE CAR DIES !! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND YOU THE ENTIRE CAR "SHUTS DOWN" AND YOU ARE S…

Look up ODI 10043213 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10263004

THERE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ FROM OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS THIS IS A FREQUENT AND SEEMINGLY RANDOM PROBLEM. AT ANY GIVEN TIME IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE THE CAR WON'T START. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND CATCHES, ONLY TO STALL. UPON REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR THERE WILL BE NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH; TWICE CAUSING ME TO BE LATE FOR PARTICULARLY IM…

Look up ODI 10263004 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10364114 · 93,254 mi

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALER, 2003 SATURN ION HAD CONTINUOUS HIGH ENGINE IDLE AFTER BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE(PCM) COMPUTER RESET IT SELF. SATURN DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE BY RE-PROGRAMMING THE PCM( 10/21/10) AS PER A ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN OF 4/2004 . THIS DID NOT WORK. THEN THEY ADVISED A SPRING IN THROTTLE BODY (ENGINE) WAS BAD AND REPLACED SPRING ( 10/28/10). THIS ALSO DID NOT WORK, ENGINE STILL HAS HIGH IDLE AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK ON 11/2/10 TO THE SERVICE DE…

Look up ODI 10364114 at NHTSA ↗

0
Steering
16
ODI 10254339 · 40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN ANY GEAR, INCLUDING DRIVE OR REVERSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENGINE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE ACC POSITION UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR AT LEAST 3-5 MINUTES. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID…

Look up ODI 10254339 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10325845 · 80,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION. SEPTEMBER 09. DROVE CAR. PARKED. COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WAITED 10 MINUTES. KEY CAME OUT. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT SATURN DEALER. NEXT WEEK THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN.(AT MY EXPENSE). KEY CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN THE IGNITION. I CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR UNTIL I GET THE KEY OUT. LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK_P5.HTML NO WONDER GM CLOSED OUT THE SA…

Look up ODI 10325845 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10503444 · 85,000 mi

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER IN OCTOBER 2012 THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SATURN WENT DEFUNCT BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2006 AND AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MOTORS THAT A RECALL WAS PROPOSED ON THE CHEVY CRUZ AND GM SAYS THEY ARE NOT COVERED OR NO COVERED UNDER THE SATURN PROGRAM. NOW OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH GM KNOWS HAS PROBLEMS HAS SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY N…

Look up ODI 10503444 at NHTSA ↗

—
3
ODI 10627485 · 150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

Look up ODI 10627485 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10725028

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALL NOTICES ISSUES. *SMD *CN

Look up ODI 10725028 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11277091 · 138,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE RECALLED PART WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Look up ODI 11277091 at NHTSA ↗

0
5
ODI 10566445 · 136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LEFT LEG, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Look up ODI 10566445 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10568997 · 80,000 mi

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGN…

Look up ODI 10568997 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10621691 · 138,000 mi

ON MAY 21ST 2014 FIDELITY FLEET AND FINANCE IN PORTLAND OR KNOWING SOLD ME A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH IS INVOLVED IN THE GM IGNITION RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL THE RESPONSE WAS CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS THE CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS SAFE AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP USES DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND SELLS UNSAFE VEHICLES INCLUDING THOSE LINKED TO DEATHS AND THOUSANDS OF INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO FAILED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE IN OVER 70 DAYS SINCE THE PURCHASE. *TR

Look up ODI 10621691 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10070537 · 1,984 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 3 MARCH 17, 2003. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. SATURN CORP. RECALLED THE CAR. THE PURCHASE OF [XXX] WAS CANCELED 4/17/03 AND I PURCHASED A 2ND 2003 SATURN ION 3, [XXX], ON 4/17/03. THE 2ND CAR FROM THE BEGINNING HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING UP AND DOWN FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH, KICKS WHEN STARTED, RATTLES LOUDLY IN REVERSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 4 TIMES (BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. INFOR…

Look up ODI 10070537 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10584302 · 78,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS STRANGELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. IT DID FEEL A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME UP INSTEAD OF POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE WHO SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ONCE CHECKED, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY. HAPPENED AGAIN IN MARCH, LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE IT CAME BACK. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STAY…

Look up ODI 10584302 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10672576 · 136,000 mi

COMING TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALARMS AND LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE CAR LOST POWERING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR FINALLY WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN FIRST GEAR. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. *TR

Look up ODI 10672576 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10971606 · 170,000 mi

DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON

Look up ODI 10971606 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10052273

WHEN TIRES SPIN TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTS. THEN. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SNOWING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN.*AK

Look up ODI 10052273 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch0
3
ODI 10627485 · 150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

Look up ODI 10627485 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10725028

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALL NOTICES ISSUES. *SMD *CN

Look up ODI 10725028 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11277091 · 138,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE RECALLED PART WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Look up ODI 11277091 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 10252669 · 26,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION HAS PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD. MULTIPLE WEBSITES DOCUMENT DOZENS OF CASES OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ALL RELATING TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED SPORADICALLY THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS BUT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON. SATURN IS WILLING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT AT MY EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT OF THE CAR. *TR

Look up ODI 10252669 at NHTSA ↗

0
3
ODI 10175038 · 45,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION-3 AND IT WILL NOT START BELOW 40 DEGREES, THIS IS A RIDICULOUS PROBLEM. THERE IS A THREAD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT : HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/5610 THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, I AM JUST HOPING I CAN SELL THIS CAR ASAP BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10175038 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10299044 · 88,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL IN COLD WEATHER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 88,500. UPDATED 01/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/10.*JB

Look up ODI 10299044 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10427257

2003 SATURN ION . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THEN IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. THEN HALF OF THE DASH WENT BLACK. THE NEXT WINDOW WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WITH NO CONTACT OF ANY TYPE. THEN THE CONTROLS TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY…

Look up ODI 10427257 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10178597 · 51,500 mi

WILL DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION IN MY SATURN ION LVL 3 SLIPS AND I HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN KICK THE GAS PEDAL FOR IT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. ALSO WHEN I GO TO PARK THE CAR, I PUT IT IN PARK AND PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND I GO TO REMOVE THE KEY AND IT WILL ONLY GO AS FAR AS ACC MODE. IT WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TO WAIT 20 TO 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT RELEASES AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I…

Look up ODI 10178597 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition
2
ODI 10500161 · 42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION L3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE DID NOT START, BUT THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. …

Look up ODI 10500161 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10593495 · 110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FAILED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. DR

Look up ODI 10593495 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10252669 · 26,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION HAS PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD. MULTIPLE WEBSITES DOCUMENT DOZENS OF CASES OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ALL RELATING TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM. PROBLEM OCCURRED SPORADICALLY THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS BUT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON. SATURN IS WILLING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT AT MY EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT OF THE CAR. *TR

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—0
1
ODI 10175250 · 10,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS OR NOT START AT ALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE NON SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT.

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0
1
ODI 10219981 · 2,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION III DISENGAGES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AS IF GEARS HAVE SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AT SPEEDS FROM BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH, SO THAT THERE IS NO FORWARD MOVEMENT SUDDENLY AND THEN RE-ENGAGES. ALMOST REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES ALSO CAR WILL NOT START IF TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND KEY LOCKS IN IGNITION. GEARS WERE RE-CALIBRATED AND IGNITION REPLACED, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. *TR

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Air Bags
22
ODI 10568997 · 80,000 mi

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGN…

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ODI 10574571

LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT RE GM RECALL ( ATTN: AUBREY YANZITO CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL: [email removed], FAX AT [phone removed] OR PHONE: [phone removed] OR MAIL). *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNTIL APRIL 2014. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE FIXED. *JB

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ODI 10575588

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR GETTING THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. *JB

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5
ODI 10566445 · 136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LEFT LEG, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

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ODI 10568997 · 80,000 mi

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGN…

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ODI 10621691 · 138,000 mi

ON MAY 21ST 2014 FIDELITY FLEET AND FINANCE IN PORTLAND OR KNOWING SOLD ME A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH IS INVOLVED IN THE GM IGNITION RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL THE RESPONSE WAS CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS THE CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS SAFE AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP USES DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND SELLS UNSAFE VEHICLES INCLUDING THOSE LINKED TO DEATHS AND THOUSANDS OF INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO FAILED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE IN OVER 70 DAYS SINCE THE PURCHASE. *TR

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00—0
1
ODI 10971606 · 170,000 mi

DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON

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0
Engine And Engine Cooling
3
ODI 10154956

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES OR WHILE MAKING TURNS. I TOOK MY 2003 ION 2 TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS WAS BOTH OF MY CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. MY CAR IS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT, SO AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE UNTRUE. BUT, AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT MANY 2003 ION DRIVERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MY SATURN DEALER AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD DO NOTHING TO…

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ODI 10299665

CAR WON'T START WHEN THE TEMP IS BELOW 20 F, HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN FOR ANTI THEFT TO RESET AND THEN TRY AGAIN. SOME TIMES HAVE TO TRY 3 OR 4 TIMES. DEALER SAY IT'S A KNOW PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

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ODI 10301938 · 77,230 mi

CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. THIS BEGAN 3 MONTHS AGO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WINTER SEASON, UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL I WAS LET GO FOR SHOWING UP LATE TO WORK (APPARENTLY, A CAR THAT PROBLEMATIC WAS INCONCEIVABLE). I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT MOSTLY IN THE EARLY MORNING OR LATE EVENING WHEN IT'S COLDEST OUTSIDE. THIS PAST WEEK ALONE, MY CAR WOULDN'T START 3 TIMES. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS …

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1
ODI 10070537 · 1,984 mi

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 3 MARCH 17, 2003. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. SATURN CORP. RECALLED THE CAR. THE PURCHASE OF [XXX] WAS CANCELED 4/17/03 AND I PURCHASED A 2ND 2003 SATURN ION 3, [XXX], ON 4/17/03. THE 2ND CAR FROM THE BEGINNING HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING UP AND DOWN FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH, KICKS WHEN STARTED, RATTLES LOUDLY IN REVERSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 4 TIMES (BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. INFOR…

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3
ODI 10175038 · 45,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION-3 AND IT WILL NOT START BELOW 40 DEGREES, THIS IS A RIDICULOUS PROBLEM. THERE IS A THREAD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT : HTTP://WWW.AUTOSITE.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/5610 THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, I AM JUST HOPING I CAN SELL THIS CAR ASAP BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM. *JB

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ODI 10299044 · 88,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL IN COLD WEATHER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED A SECOND TIME AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 88,500. UPDATED 01/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/10.*JB

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ODI 10427257

2003 SATURN ION . CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THEN IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. THEN HALF OF THE DASH WENT BLACK. THE NEXT WINDOW WOULD GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WITH NO CONTACT OF ANY TYPE. THEN THE CONTROLS TO THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY…

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1
ODI 10175250 · 10,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS OR NOT START AT ALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE NON SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT.

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0—
1
ODI 10248620 · 33,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE HEATER IS OPERATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY HIGH. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE FALL OF 2006. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES, THEN NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,300.

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0
Vehicle Speed Control
5
ODI 10043213 · 5,100 mi

I BOUGHT A SATURN ION IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2003. I HAVE HAD 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHAT SO EVER! THE LATEST TIME WAS AT THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT THOUGHT QUICK AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE CAR OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IT THE REAR BY A SEVERAL TON VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE ENTIRE POWER TO THE CAR DIES !! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP AND YOU THE ENTIRE CAR "SHUTS DOWN" AND YOU ARE S…

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ODI 10263004

THERE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ FROM OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS THIS IS A FREQUENT AND SEEMINGLY RANDOM PROBLEM. AT ANY GIVEN TIME IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE THE CAR WON'T START. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP, THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND CATCHES, ONLY TO STALL. UPON REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR THERE WILL BE NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. THE ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH; TWICE CAUSING ME TO BE LATE FOR PARTICULARLY IM…

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ODI 10364114 · 93,254 mi

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTHORIZED SATURN DEALER, 2003 SATURN ION HAD CONTINUOUS HIGH ENGINE IDLE AFTER BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE(PCM) COMPUTER RESET IT SELF. SATURN DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE BY RE-PROGRAMMING THE PCM( 10/21/10) AS PER A ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN OF 4/2004 . THIS DID NOT WORK. THEN THEY ADVISED A SPRING IN THROTTLE BODY (ENGINE) WAS BAD AND REPLACED SPRING ( 10/28/10). THIS ALSO DID NOT WORK, ENGINE STILL HAS HIGH IDLE AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK ON 11/2/10 TO THE SERVICE DE…

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3
ODI 10584302 · 78,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS STRANGELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. IT DID FEEL A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME UP INSTEAD OF POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE WHO SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ONCE CHECKED, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY. HAPPENED AGAIN IN MARCH, LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE IT CAME BACK. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STAY…

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ODI 10672576 · 136,000 mi

COMING TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALARMS AND LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE CAR LOST POWERING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR FINALLY WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN FIRST GEAR. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. *TR

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ODI 10971606 · 170,000 mi

DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON

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00
1
ODI 10971606 · 170,000 mi

DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON

Look up ODI 10971606 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10248620 · 33,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE HEATER IS OPERATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY HIGH. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE FALL OF 2006. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES, THEN NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,300.

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1
ODI 10049638 · 10,600 mi

THE TWO SATURN 2003 IONS I HAVE DRIVEN (INCLUDING MY CURRENT VEHICLE) HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE, WHEN ENGAGING IN THIRD GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL "FREEWHEEL" FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING WITH A LURCH. THE PROBLEM CAN BE CREATED BY ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD. THE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED IN MARCH/APRIL, 2003. *AK

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission0
1
ODI 10052273

WHEN TIRES SPIN TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTS. THEN. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SNOWING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN.*AK

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1
ODI 10178597 · 51,500 mi

WILL DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION IN MY SATURN ION LVL 3 SLIPS AND I HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN KICK THE GAS PEDAL FOR IT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. ALSO WHEN I GO TO PARK THE CAR, I PUT IT IN PARK AND PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND I GO TO REMOVE THE KEY AND IT WILL ONLY GO AS FAR AS ACC MODE. IT WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE TO WAIT 20 TO 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT RELEASES AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I…

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1
ODI 10219981 · 2,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION III DISENGAGES IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AS IF GEARS HAVE SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AT SPEEDS FROM BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH, SO THAT THERE IS NO FORWARD MOVEMENT SUDDENLY AND THEN RE-ENGAGES. ALMOST REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES ALSO CAR WILL NOT START IF TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND KEY LOCKS IN IGNITION. GEARS WERE RE-CALIBRATED AND IGNITION REPLACED, BUT PROBLEMS CONTINUE. *TR

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00
1
ODI 10049638 · 10,600 mi

THE TWO SATURN 2003 IONS I HAVE DRIVEN (INCLUDING MY CURRENT VEHICLE) HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE, WHEN ENGAGING IN THIRD GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL "FREEWHEEL" FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING WITH A LURCH. THE PROBLEM CAN BE CREATED BY ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD. THE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED IN MARCH/APRIL, 2003. *AK

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Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

7 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

110 mentions · 14.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 95,500 mi (94 usable records).

ODI 10062125

SATURN ION 3 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. 2003. POWER STEERING-ELECTRIC: IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS PROGRAMMED TO GIVE MORE ASSIST IN A PANIC SITUATION. SENSORS DETECT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING MOVED RAPIDLY, AND IMMEDIATELY GIVE MORE ASSIST, MAKING THE WHEEL VERY EASY TO TURN. SINCE MOST PEOPLE OVER-CORRECT IN A PANIC SITUATION, THIS INCREASE IN ASSIST IS EXACTLY THE WRONG THING TO DO. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED REALLY ACCENTUATES THE EFFECT. I DO 90% OF MY DRIVING ON THE INTERS…

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ODI 10106266

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION COUPE. WHEN I WOULD DRIVE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND LET THE CAR WARM UP, THERE ARE INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS WHERE I WILL SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHANGING OF A STOP LIGHT, AND WHEN I EITHER COME TO THE STOP OR WHEN I ACCELERATE AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD IN ESSENCE STALL OUT AND TURN OFF. HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP WHEN I PUT IT BACK IN PARK. IT HAPPENED ONCE, MAYBE TWICE B4 I HAD A CHANCE TO REALIZE IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ON THE 12TH OF JANUARY IT STALLED AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HANG TURN AT AN INTE…

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ODI 10204245 · 55,000 mi

THE 2003 SATURN ION-3 POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL WORK AGAIN, FOR A WHILE, AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RESTARTED. THIS CAR HAS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT ENCLOSED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SATURN HAS ADVISED ME THIS IS A $1000.00 REPAIR ON A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH 55,000 MILES. I SEE THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON PONTIAC G6 AUTOS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD RECOMMEND EXPANDING THAT INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL GM CARS WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. *TR

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

80 mentions · 10.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,000 mi (59 usable records).

ODI 10008156 · 80 mi

DEAR ADMINISTRATOR: I PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN ION 2 ON DECEMBER 28, 2002. I REPORTED TO BOTH THE SATURN CORPORATION AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T SAFE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 80 MILES. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP ON 4 SEPERATE OCCASIONS , TWO OF WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACCEPT MY VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 10, NOT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, SATURN KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR NEARLY ONE WEEK. AFTER THE LOAN WAS APPROVED ON THE VEHICLE…

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ODI 10019030 · 4,000 mi

NEW SATURN ION 2003 STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, MUST STOP SUDDENLY TO RESTART AND GAIN CONTROL OF CAR. *NLM

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ODI 10026607

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AS IF IT WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED BACK FROM REPAIR, IT HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO GAIN SPEED, AND SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY(ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN IN LOWER SPEEDS), AND WOULD RANDOMLY BEGIN TO SHAKE. *SCC *JB

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

65 mentions · 8.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,000 mi (43 usable records).

ODI 10051264

I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION. THE BATTERY WENT DEAD TODAY BECAUSE MY WIFE LEFT THE LIGHTS ON BY ACCIDENT. WHEN THE BATTERY IN THIS MODEL CAR BECOMES DISCHARGED TWO UNDESIREABLE PROBLEMS ARISE. I FEEL THAT BOTH OF THEM INTRODUCE SAFETY CONCERNS. FIRST, THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH THROUGH NORMAL MEANS. SECOND, THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED! THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER REMAINS IN THE PARK POSITION. I FEEL THAT A CAR DESIGNED SUCH THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE BATTERY FAILS IS A POOR DESIGN. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL PROVIDED WITH THE …

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ODI 10106560 · 56,000 mi

OVER THE PAST 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OUR 2003 SATURN ION. THE CAR WOULD NOT START LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND WENT VERY QUICKLY. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN LATER WITH NO PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL SATURN SERVICE TECH ADVISED US THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN WITH OTHER IONS AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

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ODI 10118245 · 55,310 mi

I PURCHASED A SATURN ION IN JUNE OF 2003. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2004. IT WOULD NOT START AND WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED. THERE WAS POWER TO ALL ACCESSORIES SO IT WAS NOT A BATTERY FAILURE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, IT WOULD FINALLY START ONCE AGAIN (ROUGHLY AT FIRST) AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE NEARBY SATURN DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND WAS TURNED AWAY BE…

Look up ODI 10118245 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

24 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 87,500 mi (20 usable records).

ODI 10149338 · 46,000 mi

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON THE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN SECONDS SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING OUT BOTH ENDS OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED TO HAVE A HOLE IN THE BLOCK, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE UNTIL IT IS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP AND IS AWAITING AN ADJUSTER FROM THE CAR COMPANY TO INSPECT IT BEFORE THEY WILL BEGIN TO REPAIR IT. *NM

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ODI 10188148

SATURN 2003 ION THE CAR WILL NOT START, PASSLOCK LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE DISPLAYED. CAR WILL START AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. HAPPENS IN HUMID COOL WEATHER (RAIN, 30-40'S F). A VOLTAGE SIGNAL IS SENT THROUGH THE PASSLOCK RESISTOR IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM INTERPRETS IT AS A FAILURE AND THE STARTING CIRCUIT IS DISABLED. THIS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CASES WHERE THE CAR NEEDS TO BE MOVED QUICKLY TO AVOID A HAZARD. *JB

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ODI 10245716 · 80,000 mi

THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THAT ON COLD DAYS (AND SOMETIMES NOT SO COLD) MY CAR WILL JUST CLICK AND NOT START, OR WILL START AND DIE OUT. BUT IF I KEEP TRYING TO START IT AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE AND COME BACK, IT WILL START RIGHT UP. WHEN IT DOES THIS, THEY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT USUALLY COMES ON WHEN TRYING TO START IT, BUT WHEN I GET IT STARTED IT IMMEDIATELY GOES OFF. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER CHECKED AND THEY ARE FINE. IT ONLY HAPPENS USUALLY IN THE MORNINGS OR LATE AT NIGHT WHEN IT'S BEEN COLD. *TR

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

15 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 10,600 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10025418

MARCH 22, 2003 I PURCHASED AN SATURN ION 3. WITHIN THE 1ST THE WEEK THERE WAS PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. FINALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (3RD TIME). SUPPOSEDLY THE CAR WAS FIXED. 3 DAYS LATER THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME AT SATURN CORP.'S REQUEST TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE CAR AS THE ENGINE COULD BLOW UP. THE ENGINE HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE WITH ABOUT 650 MILES. ALSO, ANOTHER SATURN ION WITH 2500 MILES WAS SITTING IN THE DEALER'S LOT …

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ODI 10028649 · 4,225 mi

MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A SATURN ION III. SHE HAS RECENTLY HAD TROUBLE WITH HER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SATURN HAS ACKNOWELDGED A HARD SHIFTING PROBLEM FROM 2ND TO 3RD, BUT SINCE A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT, IT IS BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION. MY DAUGHTER'S CAR EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NOW BEGUN TO BE A WAY MORE SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE IT WILL COMPLETELY SLIP, (LOSE ALL POWER), FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN EVER INCREASING LONGER INTERVAL AND MORE FREQUENTLY. SHE HAS HAD THIS HAPPE…

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ODI 10033002 · 98 mi

WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND CAR WOULD SHAKE. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. WITHIN 2 DAYS ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON, SOMETIMES STAYING ON STEADY AND SOMETIMES BLINKING. VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS (EVEN SMALL ONES) VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY FEEL LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PUT ON AND VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO STALL OUT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN OPENING THE TR…

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

8 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 130,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10260438 · 50,000 mi

CAR WON'T START WHEN IT GETS COLD OUT.(UNDER 50) IGNITION TURNS AND THEN ENGINE STALLS OUT. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS AND WAITING A HALF HOUR OR SO, IT STARTS. (USUALLY WITH A FUEL SMELL AND A BACKFIRE)APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED AS THIS MODEL HAS ALREADY HAD FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY RECALL..MECHANICS SAY ITS THE STARTER BUT WHEN REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUES.. I HAVE NOT HAD MINE REPLACED YET BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO GO TO THAT EXPENSE WHEN IT DOESN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. THE FACT THAT I SMELL GAS WHEN …

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ODI 10505763 · 117,601 mi

SIGNIFICANT RUST AND STRESS FRACTURES ON FUEL LINE RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL OF INCENDIARY INCIDENT IN THE CASE OF COLLISION. AFTER VEHICLE MESSAGE BOARD QUERIES THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WITH UNUSUAL FREQUENCY IN SATURN IONS SPANNING 2003-2007. PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE FUEL LINE REPLACED; WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I WANTED TO REPORT IT. *TR

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ODI 10579618 · 178,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL LEAK WAS PRESENT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

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Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 155,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10440132 · 180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RPMS RACED EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

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ODI 10638358 · 130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE …

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b