2003 SATURN ION Electrical Systemignitionswitch Problems
68 NHTSA complaints on file
Electrical Systemignitionswitch Issues in the 2003 SATURN ION
68 electrical systemignitionswitch complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 SATURN ION. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
68
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Electrical Systemignitionswitch Complaints
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.
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALL NOTICES ISSUES. *SMD *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
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
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 AND THE ELECTRONIC LOCK/OPENING DEVICE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS ANY LONGER OR LOCK THE TRUNK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REACT TO BEING IN PARK, SO THEREFORE,...
2003 SATURN ION TENDS TO NOT WANT TO START EVERY WINTER! IT HAS TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FREEZING UP. IT WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. IT IS PRETTY BAD WHEN YOUR CAR LETS YOU SITTING FOR 22 MIN. WITH A BABY WHEN ITS 22 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!! *TR
2003 SATURN ION IGNITION SWITCH. I CAN'T GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER I HAVE PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED MY KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. I OFTEN HAVE TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR UP TO 10MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RELEASE AND LET ME HAVE MY KEY. WHEN I AM ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION MY CAR WITH DING.. LIKE THE SOUND IT MAKES WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON, AND IT WILL NOT LET ME LOCK MY CAR USING MY POWER LOCKS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT IS THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH SEEN RECURRENTLY IN SATURN'S CARS. EVEN GETTING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED I WAS BACK TO WHERE I FIRST STARTED ABOUT A WEEK LATER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THAT THIS...
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. DURING COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SINCE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE RESETS TO A SECURITY MODE AS IF IT HAS BEEN STOLEN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SWITCH; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD USE THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH WHEN THEY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A USED 2003 SATURN ION WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2008. IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. TWO WEEKS LATER, IN COLD AND RAINING TEMPERATURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,221. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GREASE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FREEZING AND/OR HARDENING SO THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED SO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND GREASE CAN BE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE IT TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115000.
THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS A SENSOR IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LOCK UP BECAUSE IT IS GETTING A FALSE SIGNAL THAT THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE CAR'S "PASSLOCK" SYSTEM AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN (1) THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 0 DEGREES C OVER NIGHT OR AN EXTENDED TIME PERIOD. (2) THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IS TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN IT GOES BAD. ATTACHED BELOW IS TAKEN FROM ANOTHER OWNER OF THE SATURN ION. "THE PROBLEM WITH THE ION NOT STARTING IN MANY CASES IS DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM LOOKS FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE KEY IN THE LOCK WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED. THE SYSTEM LOOKS FOR A LOW RESISTANCE, BUT NOT ZERO OHMS, AND CAN BE...
THIS FALL I WENT TO START MY 2005 SATURN ION S2 IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCHED REPLACED. NOW IN JANUARY, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND DETERMINED THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE FIXED PERMANENTLY BECAUSE THE PART IS BAD FROM SATURN. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP SPENDING $200.00 WHENEVER I HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION THAT I BOUGHT USED IN 2006. WHEN THE WEATHER IS 32 DEGREES OR LOWER THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY JUST BE MY BATTERY BUT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH I WAS ABLE TO READ THOUGH ABOUT 150 CASES WHERE PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS REASON. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A FOUR MONTH OLD BABY AND TO BE OUT IN THE COLD WITH A VEHICLE THAT WONT START BECAUSE OF A...
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
EVERYTIME THE WEATHER IS A BIT COLD, MY SATURN ION 2003 WILL NOT START. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TYPICAL AND UNFAIR PROBLEM FOR THE SATURN ION OWNERS. THE ALSO TOLD ME THEY DO THE SAME JOB ON THESE SAME CARS APPROXIMATELY 15 CARS/TIMES PER WEEK. THE EXPLANATION THEY GAVE WAS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEED IT TO BE REPLACED. THEN I TOOK IT TO MY SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE EXACT SAME THING: "THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS CAUSING THE PASSLOCK (SECURITY) SYSTEM TO THINK THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS THE STARTER OFF." HE ALSO SAID IT WAS REALLY COMMON TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCHES EVERY WINTER BECAUSE THOSE KINDS OF CARS HAVE BEEN HAVING THAT SAME PROBLEM REGARDLESS WHAT THE YEAR MODEL THEY ARE. I ALSO ASKED THEM...
OUR 2003 SATURN ION HAS A PERMANENT DEFAULT, IN THAT IT WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. AND THE TERM "COLD" IS RELATIVE. SATURN TOLD US THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. THUS, WE PAID AN EXCESS OF $200 TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS "SOLUTION" LASTED ONLY A LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR. NOW, SATURN TELLS US THAT THOUGH WE HAVE THE UPDATED IGNITION SWITCH, IT STILL CAUSES THE SAME NO-START PROBLEM, AND WE NEED A $575 (PLUS TAX) BODY CONTROL MODULE. WE HAD TO PAY $104.54 FOR SATURN TO TELL US THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER , WHICH IS LEAVING MANY PEOPLE STRANDED MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECTIFIED THROUGH A RECALL. *TR
WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUTSIDE MY 2003 SATURN ION WOULD NOT START. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHICH SAID HE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT BUT WOULD REPLACE THE STARTED AND SOLENOID WHICH HAPPENED. AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER, NO START, I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHICH RAN TESTS ON IT AND SAID HE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT, BUT SINCE MY BATTERY WAS 5 YEARS OLD, MAYBE I SHOULD REPLACE THAT WHICH I DID. THEN 4 DAYS LATER, THE CARE WOULDN'T START AGAIN, AGAIN I TAKE IT TO YET ANOTHER MECHANIC WHICH RUNS A SERIES OF DIFFERENT TESTS ON IT AND SAYS EVERYTHING IS GOOD, NO EXPLANATION FOR THE NO STARTS. FINALLY AFTER MUCH FRUSTRATION I WAS ONLINE DOING SOME RESEARCH ABOUT MY CAR TO DISCOVER A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH THE 2003-2004 SATURN ION'S HAVING THIS IGNITION START PROBLEM AND YET THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALLED...
I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION. ON COLD MORNINGS MY CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY IT WILL NOT START. I HAVE BEEN LATE FOR WORK NUMEROUS TIMES AND LEFT STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THIS IS STILL A ON GOING ISSUE. *TR
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IN 2003 SATURN ION. *TR
I REGRETTABLY OWN A 2003 SATURN ION 2 SEDAN. SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING, THE CAR FAILS TO START. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND DOING EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT IT STEMS FROM A FAULTY DESIGN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SWITCH LEAKS LUBRICANT ONTO THE WIRES IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. WHEN IT IS COLD ENOUGH FOR THE LUBRICANT TO FREEZE, IT IMPEDES THE SIGNAL REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM (STANDARD ON MY CAR) AND PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. SATURN WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH (AT THE COST OF THE OWNER IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, ABOUT $300 TO $400). THE NEW SWITCHES WILL INEVITABLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AFTER THEY LEAK THE LUBRICANT. SATURN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS PUBLISHED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #040845005. THEY, HOWEVER, REFUSE TO ADMIT...
CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. (BELOW 32F) THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THE LAST 2 YEARS ON A 2003 SATURN ION 3. AFTER READING ALL THE COMMENTS HERE... HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML IT WOULD SEEM THERE IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GREASE FREEZING AROUND THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION THAT WON'T START IN COLD WEATHER HERE IN EASTERN OREGON, HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED AT, BUT EVERYONE SAYS THAT MY CAR IS OKAY. SO I DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM? ALSO, THERE IS NOT EASY SUGGESTIONS BY SATURN? *TR
WHEN IT IS BELOW FREEZING OUTSIDE, MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS ISSUES STARTING UP. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS (HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727_1.HTML IS ON SUCH SPOT) WHERE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH VARIOUS RESULTS FROM THEIR DEALERS. IT IS APPARENTLY A KNOW ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE CUSTOMERS, POTENTIALLY LEAVING THEM OUT IN THE COLD! *TR
I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND AS SOON AS IT BECAME COLD HERE IN COLORADO MY CAR STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM STARTING. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE IN THE FREEZING COLD. I HAVE NOW COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 SATURNS AND THAT THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THEM AND FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE GREASE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE IN THE FREEZING COLD WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER. I WANT THIS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED BY SATURN. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THEM TO NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING. THE FIRST ISSUE BEGAN WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND THE PASSLOCK SYMBOL WAS FLASHING ALL THE WAY HOME FROM THE STORE. WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED RESTARTING IT, IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER LOOKING AT MY OWNERS MANUAL AND READING ABOUT PASSLOCK I WENT OUTSIDE AND TRIED STARTING IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. A LITTLE LESS THAN A WEEK LATER I WAS OUT RUNNING AN ERRAND AND MADE A QUICK STOP FOR MAYBE 5 MINUTES, WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. I TRIED A FEW MORE TIMES AND WAS STARTING TO PANIC WHEN IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT RECOMMENDED FINDING MY OTHER KEY FOR THE CAR AND START USING THAT. THE CAR...
WONT START IN SUB FREEZING WEATHER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. *CN
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY SATURN ION 2003. IT WON'T START WHEN IT'S COLD AND IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BY THE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS THAT I SEE FROM OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT GETS VERY COLD HERE IN COLORADO AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE STRANDED AGAIN. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE "FIXED" THE PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL OCCURRING. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I WILL NOT BE BUYING A SATURN AGAIN. *TR
MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE TYPE OF LUBRICANT USED IN IT AND IT'S REACTION IN COLD WEATHER. AFTER DOING A TON OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR
SATURN ION 2003 PROBLEM WITH STARTING THE CAR AROUND/BELOW 32`F, THIS IS SECOND COLD SEASON I AM HAVING OCCASIONAL PROBLEM WITH START THE ENGINE PROCESS, AFTER EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH I AM FINDING "THE BIG FAMILY" OF SATURN OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO IGNITION SWITCH/PASSLOCK SENSOR. *TR
ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, I STOPPED AT A BLOCKBUSTER TO DROP OFF SOME MOVIES. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, AND CALLED A FRIEND TO COME AND GIVE ME A JUMP. I TRIED TO JUMP IT, AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT IS NEARBY WHERE I LIVE. I TOLD THEM WHAT WAS GOING ON SO I COULD BRING IT IN AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I SAID THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T START, WHEN I TRIED TO JUMP IT THAT DIDN'T WORK, AND THAT MY KEY IS NOW STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. HIS RESPONSE TO ME WAS, "I BET IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THOSE NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COLD. DID YOU SAY YOU...
SATURN 2003 ION WILL NOT START IN THE WINTER, WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 32 DEGREE'S OR LOWER. *TR
KEY STICKS FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO START. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE. HAD IT TOWED IN. REPLACEMENT PART # 10392423 IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION. MY CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. I READ THROUGH MESSAGE BOARDS AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO READ SOME PEOPLES CAR ACTUALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH SOUNDS RELATED TO ME. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE ALSO POPULAR COMPLAINTS. THESE CARS ARE OBVIOUSLY RIDDLED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND ARE ROLLING DEATH TRAPS. I PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LOSS ONCE, BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE UNTIL READING OTHERS POSTS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND HAVE FOUND NO RESOLUTION. I FOUND A TSB STATING THAT A FAULTY IGNITION IS THE CAUSE OF THE COLD STARTING PROBLEM, SO I WILL LIKELY REPLACE IT. *TR
HOOD LATCH BROKEN, IGNITION SWITCH SPARKS AND THE CAR DOESN'T START, LOUD CLANKING NOISE IN FRONT END, TRANSMISSION IS QUIRKY WHILE SHIFTING(AUTOMATIC) DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THE PARTS. *TR
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 32 DEGREES OR LESS AND THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR AND IT WILL NOT START. THE IGNITION SWITCH CLICKS AND THEN THE CAR STALLS. THE SECURITY SYSTEM KICKS IN AND THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE ODOMETER SCREEN READS "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON". THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR ABOUT 8 TO 10 MINUTES. AFTER 8 TO 10 MINUTES THE LIGHT STOPS BLINKING AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE GOES OFF AND THEN THE CAR STARTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN AND IT OCCURS ALL DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAYS. AS I READ ON THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME APPROXIMATELY $200.00 TO FIX. *TR
FAILURE TO START IN COLD WEATHER COMBINED WITH SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKOUT. THE PROBLEM ARISES AS FOLLOWS: A.THE SATURN VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES AT OR APPROACHING 32 DEGREES F FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING (USUALLY 6-10 HOURS.) B.AN OPERATOR ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CLICKS AND THE CAR STALLS. C.THE SECURITY SYSTEM KICKS IN. THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS AND THE ODOMETER SCREEN READS: ?SERVICE ENGINE SOON.? FUEL WILL NOT BE SENT TO THE ENGINE. D.THE VEHICLE WILL NOW NOT START FOR ABOUT 8-10 MINUTES AS THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS. E.AFTER 8-10 MINUTES, THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL STOP BLINKING AND THEN GO OUT. ?THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON? SCROLL LIGHT WILL STOP AND ALSO GO OUT. F.NOW THE OPERATOR MAY ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. G.HOWEVER, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH GREASE HAS NOT ADEQUATELY WARMED, THEN THE PROCESS WILL BEGIN AGAIN. H.A SIGNAL THAT...
VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OVER WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES GET COLDER THEN 32 F. *TR
I AM WRITING TO NOTE THAT MY 2003 SATURN ION 3 DOES NOT START UP IN THE COLD, EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN 2005, AND THEN I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH FOR THE REST OF THAT WINTER AND THE NEXT. AT THE TIME, I WAS TOLD BY A SATURN MECHANIC IN 2005 OVER THE PHONE THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES OCCUR WITH IONS IN COLD WEATHER. THE PROBLEM RECURRED THIS PAST MONDAY AND THIS MORNING. THIS AFTERNOON I WENT ONLINE TO SEEK OUT GUIDANCE IN TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I CAME ACROSS THE FOLLOWING ONLINE RESOURCE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML. THE ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY A RECURRENT ONE THAT SATURN HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A CLEAR-CUT CASE FOR A COMPONENT RECALL, BUT SATURN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I ASK THAT THE NHTSA DIRECT ITS RESOURCES TOWARD SATURN TO SEEK A DETERMINATION ABOUT...
WHENEVER IT IS DAMP OR COLD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WILL REFUSE TO START. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS REFUSED TO START I MUST WAIT A MINIMUM OF 10 MINS BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS THIS PROCESS REPEATS AND I MAY HAVE TO WAIT UPWARDS OF 20 MINS TO START MY VEHICLE AND DRIVE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TRACED BACK TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GMS PASSLOCK VEHICLE PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE FAULT AND REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT THE CONSUMER INCURRING SUBSTANTIAL COSTS. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START IN COLD WEATHER. FAULTY IGINITION SWITCH.*AK
I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION AND HAVE EXPERIENCED STARTING PROBLEMS THE PAST TWO WINTERS. I'VE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE BATTERY,FUEL,AND CLUTCH BUTTON, BUT DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT HAPPENINGS, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. MY BATTERY WAS RECHECKED AND CORDS WERE CLEANED, FUEL LINE WAS CLEANED, ETC. THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AND THEN HAPPEN AGAIN. I FINALLY NOTICED THE PATTERN OF NOT STARTING WHEN IT WAS COLD. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT WOULD RESTART ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK DURING MY INSPECTION THIS YEAR BUT AGAIN HE WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP DUE TO IT NOT ACTUALLY HAPPENING. ON 3/15/07 I DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER SATURN CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT, BUT BEING THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD I WOULD...
I DRIVE A '03 SATURN ION AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST YEAR WHERE THE CAR WOULDN'T START, MOSTLY ON COLD MORNINGS, AND WOULD LEAVE ME STUCK IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF TOWN. MOST OF THE TIME IF I WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES IT WOULD START UP WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS PAST SUNDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND SHE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF OR TURN THE KEY. SO NOW I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH MY KEY IN MY IGNITION AND MY STEERING COLUMN OFF SO IT LOOKS LIKE I STOLE MY CAR, THE ONLY WAY I CAN START AND STOP THE CAR IS BY PLUGGING AND UNPLUGGING THE IGNITION SWITCH. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND IT HAS ENDED UP COSTING THEM HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR...
2003 SATURN ION COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH NO CRANK, NO START WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES IS COLD - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) B2960 AND OR B3033 ARE SET. *TT. WENT TO START IT IN COLD WEATHER, HEARD A CLICK AND NOTICED SERVICE VEHICLE ON THE DASHBOARD. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES. I LET IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES OR SO AND IT FINALLY STARTED. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AS ADVISED BY AN AUTO MECHANIC AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING A COUPLE DAYS LATER. I ALSO FOUND A MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE AT: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_97727.HTML. *NM
MY SATURN ION (2003) HAS HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS THIS WINTER WITH INTERMITTENT STARTS. I TRY TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AND IT JUST WON'T CRANK OVER. I HAVE MISSED WORK, AND BEEN STRANDED IN THE FREEZING COLD. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED ON THE STARTER SWITCH. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS DONE, AND HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. I CANNOT AFFORD A $200 REPAIR ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY SATURN. THIS IS A CASE OF NEGLIGENCE. *JB
2003 SATURN ION-3 FAILS TO START IN COLD WEATHER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. (REFERENCE SATURN TSB 040845005 OF NOV 2005 OR NHTSA 10007431 OF MARCH 2006). IT APPEARS THAT SATURN IS COUNTING ON WARM WINTERS TO GET THE CARS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD (WHICH HAPPENED TO ME) AND THEN HIT YOU WITH A $40 PART AND $156 LABOR CHARGE TO FIX AN ITEM THEY MIS-MANUFACTURED. *NM
THE IGNITION SWITCH FREQUENTLY FAILS TO MOVE INTO THE LOCKED POSITION AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THIS REQUIRES REPETITIONS OF STARTING AND STOPPING THE ENGINE. THE DEALER FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION 2, AND IT HAS HAD INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS SINCE 2004. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT I WOULD CHANGE THE BATTERY AND TEST THE OLD ONE, AND IT ALWAYS TESTED FINE. ONCE THE WEATHER GOT COLD THIS WINTER, IT STARTED HAVING MORE FREQUENT STARTING PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD START AFTER WAITING 20-30 MINUTES. LAST WKEND, I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AT ALL AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE IT AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS BEING REPLACED, SINCE THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. PLEASE RECALL THESE IGNITION SWITCHES! SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM - CHECK THE INTERNET! JUST TYPE IN '2003 SATURN ION STARTING PROBLEMS' IN GOOGLE AND YOU'LL SEE MANY SITES COME UP WITH PEOPLE IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES....
MY CAR WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE COLD WEATHER, IT WOULD ALMOST START THEN NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF TRYING BEFORE IT WOULD START UP. ALSO THE SERVICE VEHICLE MESSAGE WOULD FLASH AND VARIOUS LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD FLASH ALSO. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING AT THE SATURN DEALER WHERE THEY CHARGED ME 200 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM
Other 2003 SATURN ION Problem Areas
Electrical System
228 complaints
Steering
129 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
54 complaints
Air Bags
39 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
33 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
32 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
31 complaints
Engine
20 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
19 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
19 complaints
Power Train
19 complaints
Unknown Or Other
16 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
14 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
13 complaints
Visibility
12 complaints
Electrical Systemhorn
11 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
11 complaints
Exterior Lighting
10 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
7 complaints
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
6 complaints
Structurebody
6 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
5 complaints
Service Brakes
5 complaints
Structure
5 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
5 complaints
Visibilitywiper
5 complaints
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
4 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
4 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
4 complaints
Seat Belts
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
4 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
4 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
3 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
3 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
3 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
3 complaints
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
3 complaints
Suspensionfront
3 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
2 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
2 complaints
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
2 complaints
Structurebodydoor
2 complaints
Structurebodyhood
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
2 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
1 complaint
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
1 complaint
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
1 complaint
Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingback Up Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
1 complaint
Power Trainclutch Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmission
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
1 complaint
Steeringlinkages
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
1 complaint
Structurebodyhoodhinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
1 complaint
Structurebodytrunk Lid
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
1 complaint
Tiresvalve
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices
1 complaint
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
1 complaint