NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2004 Saturn Ion (Page 4 of 12)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the 2004 Saturn Ion: defective transmission, deadly ignition switch, temperamental power steering and a cheap plastic exterior that won’t protect you in a crash. What more could you want?

The 2004 Ion was part of GM’s massive ignition switch recall where it was revealed they waited 10 years – and let 13 people die – before doing anything about it. It also features GM’s now infamous VTi continuously variable transmission. Let me tell you, the only thing the VTi did continuously was fail on its owners. GM scrapped it after only two model years.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,948 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 4 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #173

Apr 252014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Saturn has had problems with the A/C unit the dial has gotten to were it won't work and the defrost doesn't work. It has been like that for about 7 yrs. My has car has cut off on me twice. Once this year and last year. Now the most recent one was on April 25 2014. It was around 3:30 pm. Here in richmond va it was a really bad thunder and lighting storm. I started to smell a burning smell, the brakes were acting strange I was able to stop at stop light and while I was a red light I heard a high pitched beeping sound and the warning lights came on. My car was towed. And the henrico county beat aaa to pull it to royal Chevy. The cops had my placed at impound lot. And I finally did it towed to royal Chevy on April 26 2014. Royal Chevy has agreed to pay for my rental. I saw on this website there are 10 recalls on here and GM has only told me about 2 of the recalls not of the other 8.

- Richmond , VA, USA

problem #172

May 282014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after having repairs performed for NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system), the vehicle failed to start and after numerous attempts, the vehicle was able to start. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled three times and the battery light, the oil pressure, the air bag and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was unknown.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #171

May 082014

Ion

  • 126,184 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the igtion switch and was unable to release. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under recall NHTSA campaign number 14V171000 (electrical system); however, the remedy failed to repaired the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 126,184.

- Gap, PA, USA

problem #170

Apr 152014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I start my car I get a message that days power steering service vehicle. That I loose all dash lights occasionally radio and air I do not regain power steering or lights for about 5-10 minutes. I can hear a change in the engine when it is regained. Once it's done I can drive perfectly normal. My check engine light is on and off. When I turn my car off the lights are there during the fit and off when the car is on. All the codes thrown are electrical. Help!

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #169

Apr 182014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I received recalls beginning in April 2014 regarding the ignition switch, then one regarding the ignition cylinder. Both recalls have caused injury or death. I now understand that there is also a recall on the power steering. (3 open recalls in all) I contacted my local Chevrolet dealer as instructed on April 18th and have been back and forth with both the dealership and Saturn customer assistance @ 800-553-6000. I was issued a case# 71-1300074576 but my family is still driving the car. We don't feel safe driving the car but was told that there was no room to leave it at the dealership so I have to wait until June. This is unacceptable! I understand that a loaner can be provided. I want to drop the car off somewhere and pick up a safe vehicle for my family to drive until the repairs can be made.

- Jefferson Hills, PA, USA

problem #168

May 062014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Driving on the Florida turnpike northbound on my way to work on May 6, 2014, going about 55 mph, when the car turned off while in the center lane. I had followed all the procedures that GM instructed for recall #14V-047 using the key without ring our additional keys. I have been dealing with this issue since the day of purchase back in 2007. I have presented this issue to the dealer numerous times. Fortunately, I was able to stop the car safely, remove the key, placed it back in the ignition and the car started.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #167

Feb 102014

Ion

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the repair was not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. The dealer indicated that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer had not been contacted. Kmj

- Saginew, MI, USA

problem #166

Jan 132014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and was informed that the parts were not available. The contact felt that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not contacted.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #165

Feb 202014

Ion

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch problems. The consumer stated his vehicle flipped two times and slid several feet. The key was towed a junk yard, where the key was still stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was totaled. The consumer suffered serious injuries.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #164

Apr 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice. The consumer stated after several years of experiencing problems with the vehicle. She was forced to figure out and pay for the problem on her own.

- Somerset, OH, USA

problem #163

Jan 062014

Ion

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Shortly after starting on a very cold winter day, at low speed and with the battery likely low from starting the car the power steering warning chimed and the car became very difficult to control. The problem has not recurred since then (even a few hours later with the car warmed up and battery fully charged), but the temperature has been significantly higher and I replaced the battery with a better one. The battery had tested good at the last oil change/service/inspection, but was near the end of its life expectancy.

- Verona, WI, USA

problem #162

Oct 162013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot at 3 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the contact crashed into a cement pillar. There were no injuries. The vehicle was to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was informed that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 06/10/14 MA the consumer stated he lost power steering, and the vehicle surged forward into a concrete pillar. The ar bags did not deploy. The consumer stated the bumper absorbed the hit, and there was no real damage. Updated 07/24/14

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #161

Jan 122009

Ion

  • 65,000 miles
I was driving on dry roads during the daytime below the speed limit, when the power steering light came on. The wheel locked, and I was unable to steer the car. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off and back on. It restarted without incident. 3 years later, the same event occurred without causing an accident.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #160

Feb 032014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and14V171000 (electrical system) but was advised by the dealer that the part needed to complete the repair was not available. The contact received two separate recall notices and had still been waiting for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was also contacted and could not provide a reasonable time frame for when the vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Neilsville, WI, USA

problem #159

Apr 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice issues, air bag malfunction and several other vehicle problems. The consumer stated her daughter was involved in 3 accidents. Her daughter lost power and the vehicle stalled. When her daughter hit the other vehicle, the air bags did not deploy. Her daughter was injured. Also, the consumer had difficulty steering the vehicle.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #158

Apr 012014

Ion

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to faulty ignition problems. The consumer stated he experienced numerous problems with the ignition, in the 3 years he has owned the vehicle. On several occasions, the vehicle would not start. The dealer would always claim, there was nothing wrong with the passlock system.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #157

Dec 042012

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2004 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice issues. The consumer stated the vehicle would not start. The problem has been going on for years. According to the latest invoice, the technician found the key binding in the housing. The ignition cylinder was replaced. The battery was replaced 3 times.

- Mahwah, NJ, USA

problem #156

Dec 272011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 103,328 miles
In Dec. 2011, the car would not turn on and I paid $280 for a replacement ignition switch. I have no idea if they used another faulty switch that is now the subject of the current recall. In concern for my safety, I am using a single key, as GM instructed, and waiting for the dealer to get the part to replace the ignition switch. Supposedly, it will happen this month - April. Also in 2011 (or maybe the beginning of 2012) I experienced the intermittent loss of the power steering. That was paid for by GM but, again, now I have no idea if they put in another faulty power steering column that is the subject of today's recall. When I called GM today, they said that last power steering replacement was not a recall, it was a special safety issue #10187. I asked if the incentive to trade in the car would be extended due to another recall and they could not answer the question because that is a sales issue, not a repair issue. I think it's time to replace this car, maybe with a Ford!

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #155

Nov 182009

Ion 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
My car started not starting up at all. It would take about 20 minutes to start my car and the ignition would be hard to turn, and a jump would not work. I would have to go out and start my car 30 minutes before I had to leave for work and let it run. I took my car to a mechanic to change my oil and it would not start. They tried to give me a jump and I told them that do not work and explain what it does all the time and the owner check his computer under the safety recalls and he told me that it was a recall on my ignition, so I took my car to a Saturn dealer "this was in 2010" and I told them what was told to me and they told me that there was not any recalls for my car. I wrote a letter about this issue and never got a response. Now in 2013 my car cut off while driving down the street for no reason. I was just going to get my ignition fixed when I got this letter about the recall. This car was given to my son for a graduation present and I would like it to be fixed soon.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #154

Mar 062014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 182,560 miles
They key gets stuck in the ignition and sometimes I cant put the key in the ignition. Many times if I can get the key in and try to start it then it does nothing. I had the car towed home and that is where it is still sitting in my driveway unable to start?? I would like to know where to take my car for the recall repairs, is towing also included I don't have the money to keep paying to have the car towed.

- Brighton, MI, USA

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