Can't remove key from switch Saturn Ion 04 car will not turn off nor can you remove the key had to pull the fuse under the hood and disconnect the battery in order to shut car off.

- Broonall, PA, USA

The car will not start when it is cold or moist out. This is with a brand new battery. But, if you wait 15 to 20 minutes it will start without a problem.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

After driving through water in the street or a car wash, the next time I try to turn the car on, it won't start. You have to keep trying to start it until there is no noise at all except from the dash board. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes and then it will start again, at least until another rain storm or car wash. Have been stranded in parking lots, at home before work, and many other times. I just hope it never happens in an emergency. Have had problems with three of the automatic windows not opening or closing, including the inconvenience of the driver window being stuck for about 2 weeks. Had to get out of the car at the bank, drive thrus, and couldn't roll the windows down to cool the car off. All three windows were not working all at the same time. Then about 2 weeks later, all of a sudden the window's start working again. The power steering which is powered by an electric motor went out and had to be replaced. I would be driving down the road, would hear a "ding, ? the dash board would read ?power steering? and then it would become very difficult to steer the car. Coolant light constantly comes on when you get in the car, even though the tank is full, the temp is right, and float is working. The dealer wanted $350 to replace the whole tank. I said forget it and put up the constant ?ding? from the dash board every time I get in the car. If something should ever really go wrong with it, I wouldn't know. There appears to be a huge number of electronic problems with Saturn Ions. Please investigate. Did they set the computers or electronic pats to malfunction on purpose right after warranties have expired"

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I drive a 2004 Saturn Ion-2 and my power steering goes out at random times. This is the first time I have had an issue with my power steering. I feel it is a major safety concern because this issue happens at random and the car becomes incredibly hard to steer. I have done some research on this matter and many other Saturn drivers have the exact same problem as myself and I have also found that the Chevy cobalt has the exact same steering column as the Saturn Ion and there has been a recall on the cobalt but not on the Ion. This baffles me because if the same mechanism is on both cars the both cars should be recalled not just one. I feel extremely unsafe on the road driving my car now because I have no indication if and when my power steering will fail. The are no events leading up to this happening and I replaced the electrical power steering fuses in hopes that the fuses were blown but this did not solve the problem. From some internet research the next step would be having the entire steering column replaced but I do not feel Saturn Ion drivers should be responsible for replacing a defect on a car that should have been recalled years ago.

- Vista, CA, USA

There was a error message on the panel that said "power ster", 5 seconds later the steering wheel locked on a bridge.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Quite often, without warning, the power steering fails on my wife's 2004 Saturn Ion. Surprised at first by this failure, she has learned not to panic and to keep control of the car. Internet research has told us that GM is aware of the problem and issued recalls on other models with the same system. It is apparently an expensive fix.

- Kinston, NC, USA

2004 Saturn ion1 will not start due do passlock theft deterrent problem. The possible components causing this are the ignition switch and/or the BCM. The battery was tested as good. This problem started in January 2008 during a winter storm and has happened dozens and dozens of times since, with the last occurrence today and it is nearly 90 degrees outside. It has previously only done this in cold and wet conditions. The car will crank once or twice when the ignition switch is engaged but then it will do nothing, the service engine light along with the passlock icon illuminates. After waiting 10 minutes the lights go off and it will start. This is an extremely common problem with these cars and the repairs are costly and not always effective according to what others are indicating online. This could easily put somebody in harms way given an unsafe or harsh environment.

- Toledo, OH, USA

I bought my 2004 Saturn Ion used with less than 60,000 miles on it, I had it less than a year when one day it wouldn't start, I thought it was the battery or the alternator, but none of that fixed the problem. This problem progressively got worse and started happening very frequently, more often when it got cold out. After about 10-15 minutes the car will start, I have had to wait up to 45 minutes for the car to start sometimes. This problem has made me late for work, left my children waiting for me and left myself after work closing a bar one night at 3:00 in the morning. The more I mentioned this problem to people the more I found out I am not the only one with this problem, it has to do with the security pass lock system and ignition. If this is such a frequent problem for Saturn why hasn't there been a recall ever to had it fixed, and why are dealerships allowed to sell used Saturn without correcting the problem or making buyers aware of this potential problem, it is simply dishonest!

- Marshfield, WI, USA

I own a 2004 Saturn Ion, that on random occasions does not start. Wait a few minutes and then it does. This has happened to us in both warm and cold days. It's been in for service several times and service tech's can't seem to locate the problem. When this first started, with only about 10 000 kl, the car did nothing, no lights, radio etc., completely dead.

- Orlando, FL, USA

I owe a 2004 Saturn Ion and like many others, I having problems with my ignition switch. The power steering also goes out while driving. I purchased this vehicle in 2006 and started having problems 3 months afterwards. At first I thought it was only my vehicle until I was looking for a part via the internet and ran across other complaints. It's a shame that GM hasn't done a recall. There are several consumers affected by this problem.

- Lagrange, GA, USA

2004 Saturn Ion will not start randomly no crank no start issue which is from GM's faulty passlock system its not just cold weather related it was 50 degrees this morning when it happened but when I came home it started just fine its done this alot over the years and always at the worst times I know im not the only Saturn/ GM owner with this problem and there are even tsb 's relating to these issues why are we stuck dealing with GM's faulty engineering.

- Kettering, OH, USA

My 2004 Saturn ion2 randomly won't start. It's generally happens in the morning. I insert my key, the interior/ exterior lights come on, and then I turn the key. The engine will not crank and will not make any noise. I try numerous times to start it, but it won't crank over. Then, between 10-30 minutes later, it will start. Multiple mechanics are unable to diagnose the problem. I suspect that it has something to do with the passlock system and one of the wires malfunctioning.

- Seaside, CA, USA

2004 Saturn Ion this car has problems starting when it is cold outside, I am late for work alot it might take 20 minutes to start or an hour. I called the dealership and they said I I would have to pay for a diagnostic evaluation. This happens in the cooler months I can count on it. The most current being this morning yesterday morning the day before that.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

Car does not start when below 35 degrees. I have to wait exactly 10 minutes then it will usually start. Power steering would occasionally turn off while driving around 50,000 to 60,000 miles and gradually worsens over time. My power steering is now completely not working and has almost caused me several minor to major accidents when it shuts off while driving either by myself or with my children. I replaced the electric power steering fuses first to see if that solved the problem only to realize its the power steering column will have to be replaced costing me $1100. I can no longer drive my car because I am not strong enough to turn the wheel with the constant failing of the power steering.

- Wichita , KS, USA

After only 9 months of owning my Ion I have experienced problems with shifting the car in and out of gear. It is a random occurrence and can happen 8 times in a week then not at all for months. However when it does happen it is a life threatening experience as I am usually driving on a major highway. The car will be "locked" into 4th for example and when I try to shift to 5th I can not get it out of 4th. I have taken the car to the Saturn dealership a minimum of 20 times for this problem, only to be told that they could not do anything. I then took it to a different dealership where the tech took the car home for 1 week, experienced the problem for himself, and told me all he could do was replace a wire and hope it helped because Saturn would not let him investigate any more options. It did absolutely nothing to help my car. And since the last time my car has been at the Saturn dealership my power steering now goes in and out. Apparently they busted a seal and failed to mention that to me, so not only do I have to worry about not being able to shift, but also losing my power steering. They only solution I can come up with is to try my best to get the car to a safe spot and turn it off and let it sit. This car has had more problems than anyone should have to deal with: Reverse switch going out, airconditioning going out, power windows no longer work, power steering, and not being able to shift. I have to drive this everyday with my children in the car with me at most times. This should have all been taken care under the orig. Warranty, as it all happened within the first 6-12 months of owning the car. Lol that's what I get for buying a GM product.

- Barnhart, MO, USA

My 2004 Saturn Ion wont start in cold temperatures leaving me stranded. If I lived in guam this would be no problem, but I live in calgary alberta Canada and its gets to -40 celsius and only takes minutes for frost bite to settle in.

- Carstairs, 00, USA

I drive a 2004 Saturn Ion and last year, the winter of 2008 whenever the temperature dropped below 40, which was once or twice, my car wouldn't start. This year, 2009, the temperature has been below 40 for about 2 weeks now and out of the 5 work days of this week my car started once on the first try. When I try to start it, the engine turns over and shuts off immediately. I have to wait at least 10 minutes to start again. Sometimes it will work the second time, usually I have to wait until the third try.

- Tampa, FL, USA

In cold weather (below 20F), the car refuses to start, or even try to turn over.

- Palatine, IL, USA

I purchases a 2004 Saturn Ion in 2006. In October of 2007, my vehicle would not start for no apparent reason. After waiting about 15 minutes, my vehicle started and ran normally. This happened again about 3 days later while I was visiting relatives 2 hours from my home which detained me on my trip back home. I took my vehicle to the Saturn dealership in harrisburg, pa to have it checked. I was told that the problem was the ignition switch which needed to be replaced (they replaced it). Two years later in December, 2009 the problem occurred again, this time on my way to work on an extremely cold winter morning. I took the vehicle to the Saturn dealership again and was told that I would need another ignition switch to replace the one they had replaced 2 years earlier. After reading about so many other complaints and dangerous situations that Saturn owners have gotten into because of failing ignition switches, it is clear that there is a defect in these parts. I have read about countless situations where people were unable to turn their cars off! an ignition switch should not go bad every 2 years. This is not a high wear and tear part. A car should be able to turn on and off a large number of times without fail. A car that fails to turn off is an enormous safety issue. If you leave the car unattended and turned on, someone could be hurt or killed. Not being able to start a car is also a dangerous especially when it happens in bitterly cold weather. Saturn/GM is doing nothing to get these unsafe vehicle off the roads to be fixed. They are not taking responsibility for the countless number of ignition switch problems that Saturn owners are experiencing. GM has a history of ignition switch failures and should stand behind their product by offering a recall of the defective part and replacing it.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

I purchased a 2004 Saturn Ion. No real problems until winter. My car won't start in the cold. I have been at stores and came out and it won't start. I give it 10 minutes exactly not a minute sooner not a minute later, it then starts. This is a safety issue. If for some reason I am out late and my car won't start and its subzero temp I can die from it. I am afraid that one day it won't start at all. This problem is becoming a big deal to me and other owners. Please fix the issue, put out a recall!!

- Wadsworth, OH, USA