NHTSA Complaint #10480713 — 2007 SATURN ION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEM PERIODICALLY WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE STRONGLY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE FOOT BRAKE DOWN ALL THE WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WOULD BE A BRIEF DELAY IN THE BRAKES WORKING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LATER IN JUNE 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO ASSIST WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE T FIND A PROBLEM AS WELL. HE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS PERIODICALLY WITH THE BRAKES. A YEAR LATER, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CHIMES AND WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS; ESPECIALLY PARKING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS, UNTIL THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SATURN STATING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD BEEN EXTENDED DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WAS FINALLY FIXED. UPDATED 11/08/12 UPDATED 11/26/12 *CN UPDATED 12/3/2012 *JS