NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2005 Saturn Ion (Page 3 of 9)

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Ion still had power steering issues and a defective ignition switch leftover from previous model years, but hey – at least Saturn improved some of its safety rating to marginal, right? Baby steps.

If you had to buy a Saturn Ion – and I would question why anyone would even consider it – I suppose the 2005 could be considered the best of a bad bunch? I mean, GM did finally get rid of that awful VTi transmission, and both the power steering problems and ignition switch defect that plagued owners were recalled. The problem is they waited 10 years to recall the ignition and let over 30,000 warranty claims get filed before they bothered to fix the power steering. So you kind of have to wonder, is GM making these fixes to keep owners safe or just to keep government lawyers from taking all their money? You be the judge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,471 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.

2005 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Saturn Ion:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #131

Jun 172008

Ion

  • 43,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated after being serviced under recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) the contact stated that the vehicle continue to crank after the engine had started. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,000.

- Carnation, WA, USA

problem #130

Jun 022014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to the ignition switch recall and seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated after the recall was performed, the shifter had to be replaced, because the consumer was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #129

Jun 022014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to several recall defects and requests reimbursement for vehicle repairs. The consumer stated the vehicle broke down and had to be towed to the nearest repair factuality, where there kept the vehicle for over two months. After the vehicle was returned, the problems continued. The engine light was on and there was a problem with the ignition switch. Also, the engine vales, timing chain and sway bar links were replaced.

- Rochester, PA, USA

problem #128

Apr 032009

Ion 4-cyl

  • 61,399 miles

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

Issue started in 2009. Ignition switch would not start car. Once car was running could not turn off car with ignition switch on off. Key would not come out of ignition switch. That was the first time I had the switch replaced. Had the ignition swich replaced 2 more times in the next 4 years. I am still having an issue with getting my key out of the switch, even after the last recall with it being replaced the 4th time.

- Menomonee Falls , WI, USA

problem #127

Apr 012014

Ion

  • miles
Have a 2005 Saturn Ion that was part of ignition switch and cylinder recalls. Have had issues with ignition and electrical since 2006, but was "put off" by local Saturn dealership on at least 6 occasions when I questioned them about the problem. Finally received recent ignition recall, and contacted Chevy dealer to fix. Dealer paid for rental car until repair was done (about 1 month) as instructed by GM corporate. I asked dealer about power steering recall as corporate had stated my vehicle was involved in that recall as well. Dealer found no history of recall in their system (checked on 2 occasions). I called GM corporate 3 times and was told the same story...my car is part of power steering recall (as per VIN), and I would receive my recall letter shortly. It is now June, have not received recall letter for power steering. Ignition working okay now, but other electrical problems still occurring. Alert chime for headlights and turn signals does not work. Unable to change radio station on digital factory radio with digital screen turning off when I attempt any station change or press any button on the radio. All windows but driver's back window wouldn't roll down. Was told by Chevy dealer that the electrical issues were not related to ignition switch, may be related to dashboard malfunction. Windows were related to door motor (replaced myself, 3rd time for this). Dealer refused to fix electrical issues, and refused to proactively fix the power steering in accordance with corporate recall cause they didn't have paperwork. Dealer was going to charge me large fee for fixing any of the other issues except for ignition switch and cylinder. GM has made substandard vehicles for years and dragging their feet to fix their mistakes. Can't trade or sell my vehicle til this is fixed. Feel like I've been driving around a death trap. Do something some one please!!!!!!

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #126

Apr 212014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
Reached out to dealer in April regarding ignition switch and cylinder, and power steering assist recalls. Parts have allegedly been ordered for the ignition switch and cylinder recalls. However, never been called stating parts are in. Never been asked to make appointment to bring car in. Never any mention of the power steering recall. Dealer I contacted is Chevrolet of homewood. 18033 halsted St, homewood, il 60430. (708) 799-2000. Everytime I call, I am told parts have not been received yet. However, I did receive a card in the mail from Saturn stating their records indicate I have not had my car in the recall yet. Would very much like to get in. Card makes me believe dealer may be blowing off. Need assistance in making this happen.

- Homewood, IL, USA

problem #125

Aug 132012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 89,450 miles

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

2006 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement request information.

- Nome, TX, USA

problem #124

Jun 022011

Ion

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle off, the key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The contact indicated that after several hours the key was able to be removed from the ignition switch. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Westchester, IL, USA

problem #123

May 292014

Ion

  • miles
On May 29, 2014 when driving from home to work on my Saturn Ion 2005. At approximately 35 miles per hour the engine did not turn off, but the steering got extremely hard that I actually drove on the other lane with incoming traffic going the opposite way of my direction. The dashboard went blank, my headlights turned off mentioning that it was approximately 0940 night time.

- Nogales , AZ, USA

problem #122

Apr 162014

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact received two recall notices for NHTSA campaign number 14V171000 (electrical system). The dealer stated that the part pertaining to the recall was unavailable and did not know when it would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the delay. The vehicle had not experienced a failure.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #121

Aug 082012

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall and seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated she was having problems with the key getting stuck in the ignition, long before the recall was issued.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #120

Mar 262014

Ion 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
When driving the battery light will appear and then the car cuts off. Once restarting the battery light goes away and doesn't appear. Has happen two additional times before. I have had the battery replaced by GM dealer and a few months after in April it still occurred. The power steering assist was replaced and the same time the battery was.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #119

Aug 072013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 120 miles
My airbag light has stayed on. My ignition key fails to come out. I have to stall car out every time I park. And unplug steering column from battery.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

problem #118

May 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regard to concerns about ignition switch recall.

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #117

Jan 252007

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased this car new in Dec.2004. I had the car @ 2 years when I noticed that the ignition would not release the key when I tried to turn off the car. The ignition switch would not go to the off position nor would it release the key. I had to turn it on and off many times or put the car into gear and back into park to get the car to off and the key released. I took the car to the dealership and they told me it was because I had the key and the car lock/alarm fob on the same ring. This explanation seemed silly and even when I removed the key from the ring that the lock/alarm, the problem continued. They did replace something but the problem continued. It is so frustrating and stressful to deal with because you can't get the key out w/O the system going off and releasing the key. Now the car has been identified as recall car due to the ignition defect. I have gone to a GM dealership and they have ordered the ignition switch that the recall was for but no word on the fact that the key will not release. I have ongoing fears and concerns that unless this key release problem is addressed, the safety issue will still be there. Maybe covered up or masked by the switch replacement but not completely fixed. A side note to this is that I had to have a new starter put in because the starter had developed a 'dead spot' in it, preventing it from starting. I believe there might be a correlation between the ignition not working properly and the 'dead spot' in the starter. This would be from me having to start and restart many many times to get the ignition to 'off' and the key released. I need this to be fixed completely and correctly for my safety and the safety of others. I should not be fearful when I am driving and I should not be fearful when I am shutting the car off. I need to what the plan is to repair this car completely. Thank you.

- Pittsbugh , PA, USA

problem #116

Nov 182009

Ion 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Okay when I first bought this car back in 2005 they had a recall for the ignition switch and replaced it. Since then back in 2009 when I lived in Colorado when it would get really cold the car would not start. I tried and tried to complain to GM about this problem and they wouldn't help me at all like I was crap out of luck. I cant remember if I complained to you guys or not. To deal with this situation my husband and I ended up disconnecting the alarm and haven't had that problem since. Now for about 4 years my car has decided it wanted to keep the key when I try to turn off the engine. And I have to fight with it just to get the key out. My car stalled at two stop lights before, I was thinking it was the battery but now with the recalls I am thinking its more than just the battery.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #115

Jan 142013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 92,400 miles
We bought this used Saturn on 12/ 28/13 after driving about 10 days, the engine light came out. The warranty auto mechanic said the electrical issue. The auto sale dealer checked it was oxygen sensor issue. Referred us to get free fix at the el monte smog auto mechanic but failed to fix it despite many times. We went to the mechanic near our house. We paid several hundreds to fix the problem. Few weeks later, another problem that the key could not take out from the switch and it always stuck inside the switch soon after we turned off the key. We need to wait a long time to pull the key from the switch. We ignored the issue but went to make a copy from a locksmith in alhambra. We used the duplicated key to drive it but it was stuck and couldn't take out. We went back the locksmith who helped us to remove the key from the switch. Since then, the issue was solved.on 4/5/2014 we got oil change and was told there are many issues that need to be fixed. It cost us about $1200-. few days later, the engine light came out again, we scared that it was unsafe as everyday we need to drive carpool from home (chino hills) to our workplace. We were told it was oxygen sensor again. On 4/14/14, the window screen wiper suddenly moved while we were driving. It could not stop at all even after we turned off and turned out the key. The next day, it had run out the battery and triple a said it was the electrical issue. We went to another auto mechanic who told us that it was the computer issue as the ge had installed their computer to attached most of the parts including the wiper. 2 days ago, we heard a strange sound on the driver side while driving to work on the freeway. I slowed down the speed. We were so worried to drive the car. We regret to buy american car as we used to buy Japanese cars. Please advise. Victim of Saturn car [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #114

Sep 232008

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle ignition switch recall notice and repairs. In September 2008, the ses light illuminated. The dealer replaced the ignition coil. In June 2011, the ignition switch was replaced. In May 2012, the ignition switch was sticking, and the consumer was unable to remove the key, the ignition switch and tumbler were replaced.

- Klamath Falls, OR, USA

problem #113

May 212012

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice and seeks reimbursement for repairs. According to the invoice, the vehicle would not start. The technician found a blown amp ignition fuse, bare wires at the ignition switch and the ignition was internally shorted out.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #112

Apr 012014

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
2005 Saturn Ion. Consumer writes in regards to air bag malfunction and faulty ignition problems. The consumer stated he was involved in an accident, a couple of years ago, and the air bags did not deploy. He also has paperwork for the ignition problems he experienced.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?