NHTSA Complaint #10051264 — 2003 SATURN ION

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 CAR MAKES NO MENTION OF THESE PROBLEMS OCCURING WITH A DEAD BATTERY. IN ORDER TO JUMP A DEAD BATTERY IN A CAR IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO MOVE THE CAR I N ORDER TO JUMP THE BATTERY FROM ANOTHER CAR. I FEEL HAVING AN INTENTIONAL DESIGN IN A CAR THAT PREVENTS IT FROM BEING MOVED BY THE OWNER CREATES A SAFETY CONCERN. REGARDING THE KEY SITUATION, MY WIFE LEFT HER ENTIRE SET OF KEYS IN THE CAR WHEN THEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. MANY IMPORTANT KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE CAR UNATTENDED. IT COULD HAVE MADE A BAD SITUATION MUCH WORSE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL IN THE CAR DISCUSSES HOW TO GET STUCK KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT NO MENTION IS MADE IN THE BOOK THAT KEYS WILL GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. I SPOKE TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AT SATURN REGARDING THIS CONCERN, BUT IT IS NOT SATURN'S POLICY TO RESPOND TO THIS TYPE OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINT. SINCE I FEEL THESE TWO PROBLEMS DO HAVE A SAFETY IMPACT, I DECIDED TO REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *AK