NHTSA Complaint #10520762 — 2007 SATURN ION

HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE KEY STICKING AND THE CAR NOT TURNING OFF FOR A WEEK. TODAY AFTER PARKING I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AT ALL, THE KEY WAS STUCK TIGHT. I CALLED MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME, HE COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF AND HE'S A CAR AND AIRPLANE MECHANIC. FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER FELT SORRY FOR ME AND TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, HE COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. THEY EVENTUALLY WERE ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT THE REPLACEMENT TUMBLER AND KEYS WILL COST ME $230 BECAUSE-OF COURSE-MY WARRANTY RAN OUT. I THINK THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH POTENTIAL SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AND SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SOMEONE LEAVING A RUNNING CAR IN A CLOSED GARAGE BECAUSE UNLIKE ME, THEY COULD NOT FIND A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR OR ALTERNATIVELY BATTERY REMOVAL COULD DAMAGE THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS OR A SPARK CAUSED BY UNEDUCATED REMOVAL OF THE BATTERY COULD CAUSE A BATTERY EXPLOSION OR ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE SATURN IS NOT THE ONLY GM PRODUCT WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A BRIEF SEARCH ON GOOGLE, SHOWED THAT MANY OWNERS ARE PAYING A WIDE RANGE OF REPAIR BILLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR