NHTSA Complaint #10676977 — 2004 SATURN ION

WHILE UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO FIX THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE FUEL LINES IN THE LOCATION UNDER THE TRUNK AND BEHIND A FLEXIBLE SHIELD ARE EXTREMELY AND SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THEY ARE CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY COULD POTENTIALLY LEAK AT ANY MOMENT. THE FUEL LINES ARE PRESSURIZED DURING AND AFTER OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO RUN VERY CLOSE TO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A RELIABILITY ISSUE, BUT MORE SO, IT IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET SEARCHING I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF OTHER ION OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME CONDITION - MANY WHO HAVE HAD LEAKS AND EITHER REQUIRED TOWING, OR EXPERIENCED A FUEL SPILL. DEALER WANTS $800 TO FIX. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM. *TR