NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition Problems

2006 Saturn Ion (Page 3 of 3)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: When it comes to the 2006 Ion, the biggest questions are: what big problem is going to pop up next? And how long until GM chooses to address it?

The 2006 Ion has a defective ignition switch that gave owners fits. Their keys would get stuck in the ignition, the engine wouldn’t shut off or in some cases it would shut off at the most dangerous time. The ignition was eventually recalled as part of one of the largest recalls of all-time , but it took GM 10 years to do it. Then there’s this car’s temperamental power steering which is prone to stop working randomly while driving. It too was eventually recalled, even if GM took their sweet time about it.

Lastly, it turns out a car built with plastic doors, fenders and bumpers – while fun for a game of “shopping cart bocce” – is horrible for safety.

2.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,491 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.

2006 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jul 152009

Ion

  • 37,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact attempted to turn the ignition switch to the off position, but the ignition failed to turn off. The engine continued to operate. Roadside assistance was called to her residence and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the ignition kept freezing up and caused the failure. The repair consisted of reprogramming the computerized system and replacing the ignition. The failure mileage was 37,000 and current mileage was 37,800.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #14

Jul 062008

Ion

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the component inside of the ignition lock cylinder failed while driving 25 mph. As a result, the vehicle could not be turned off and the key could not be removed from the ignition. She explained the issue to the dealer, but they would not assume responsibility for the repairs. Some mechanics stated that the defective item was made of plastic, rather than metal. The contact believed that this failure should not occur to a newer vehicle. The only way to shut off the vehicle was by removing a fuse or disconnecting the battery. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 30,000.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #13

Jun 092009

Ion

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the component inside of the ignition lock cylinder failed. As a result, the vehicle cannot be turned off and the key cannot be removed from the ignition. She explained the issue to the dealer, but they are not assuming responsibility for the repairs. Some mechanics stated that the defective item was made of plastic, rather than metal. The contact believed that this failure should not occur to a newer vehicle. The only way to shut off the vehicle is by removing a fuse or disconnecting the battery. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 41,000.

- Mestique, TX, USA

problem #12

Dec 292008

Ion

  • 27,274 miles

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

2006 Saturn Ion 3. key would not come out of ignition. It started out just ever so often about 6-8 months ago and steadily became more frequent. Took the car in to the dealer, and they put in a new cylinder and housing and I also got a new key. The warranty was out in 8/08, so I ended up paying $572.40 for repairs. I came home and am still having same problem with the key not wanting to come out of ignition at times.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #11

Oct 162008

Ion

  • 53,800 miles
1st occurrence - unable to move ignition key from run to off while vehicle is running. Would not be able to stop motor in the event of an emergency situation. Had to remove fuse and disconnect battery to stop engine. Dealer replaced lock housing. Problem re-occurred in less than a month.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #10

Sep 081999

Ion

  • miles
My husband came home and went to turn the car off and the key would not budge. The car was still running and the key was stuck in the ignition. I called on-star from my car and he got a roadside assistant on the phone and I was told that my car needed to be towed to the dealership. A tow truck driver came out and could not disable the car and had to tow the car, while it was running, to the dealership. We researched this problem online and found that it was fairly common in our vehicle. We were told the next day by the dealership that the ignition switch and housing unit needed replaced. I called GM corporate to ask if this was a recall and/or if someone was looking into this problem and all I was told was that was not a safety issue. I was livid and will never deal with GM again for such a lousy response. I have two young children and what if I would have been stranded with them in the car while it was running. Tell me that is not a safety issue. I do have the old parts.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #9

Sep 152008

Ion 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 51,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving 75 mph, the cruise control stopped working. The power steering, battery, and coolant warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The current and failure mileages were 51,000. Updated 10/16/08 the consumer also stated the key became stuck in the ignition. Updated 10/21/08.

- Hamptonville, NC, USA

problem #8

Aug 202008

Ion

  • 43,000 miles
My car is parked, but I can't turn the ignition off. The key comes out, but the engine is still on.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #7

Jul 172008

Ion

  • 41,000 miles
My wife and I own a 2006 Saturn Ion which we bought used last December. Last night when pulling into her parents driveway while on vacation the key would not turn to the off position once put in park. The car was stuck running with the key in the ignition and would not come out. Fortunately I have a little background in mechanics so was able to pull out the ignition relay switch then disconnect the battery(which is in the trunk, so couldn't shut the trunk either or I would not be able to connect the battery again) just so the car would shut off and not drain the battery as all the accessories were still on. After researching this on the internet I have found dozens and dozens of different people having the exact same issue. Unfortunately my car is no longer under warranty so I will have to pay for this entire bill out of pocket. When and why is this not a recall yet??

- Damascus, MD, USA

problem #6

Jul 102008

Ion

  • 43,000 miles
Key locked in ignition and car will not turn off.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #5

Nov 012007

Ion

  • 62,000 miles

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

In November 2007 my 2006 Saturn Ion began having problems with the ignition. I could not start the car or turn the key. The dealership said that the ignition switch was bad, and I had to pay to replace it. Now in June 2008, the key is stuck in the on position, and I can't turn the car off. Now Saturn says that its the lock cylinder housing, which is not covered, and wants to charge me over $500 to replace. However I see that there are hundreds of complaints of the same problem, and Saturn is not doing anything to fix the problem.

- Feasterville, PA, USA

problem #4

Feb 042006

Ion

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The engine would not shut off when the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle. The key was stuck in the ignition and unable to be removed. A warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The battery was immediately disconnected and the vehicle was driven to the authorized dealer the following day. The mechanic replaced the ignition. Recently, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the engine would not turn over. A warning light was illuminated prior to this failure. The vehicle is being towed to an authorized dealer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 8,000 and current mileage was 40,000.

- Acton, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 122008

Ion

  • 39,300 miles
On my way to take my infant son to the babysitters before going to work the ignition switch in my 2006 Ion II would not start the car. I took the car in that day to have it fixed. Two mornings following this I am at work getting out and the key is locked and the car has to stay running. I then have to leave work to take it back to the dealer again and they say it is a different complaint. Well, the complaint is all about the ignition system. I have missed work twice this week because of what seems to be an ongoing problem for Saturn owners.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #2

Nov 302007

Ion 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
I have a 2006 Saturn Ion. When the temperature is near or below freezing (32 degrees or lower), my car will not start for several minutes. This has caused me to be late for work. This is a repetative problem that has not been fixed by my dealer.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #1

Nov 232007

Ion 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Once a Saturn vehicle (mostly Ions) are exposed to cold temperatures at or approaching 32 degress F for several hours (work / sleep) when the engine is not running the car will not start. It is a failure in the ignition switch. Saturn admitted this in 2005 when I had my 2004 model ignition switch replaced. But now my 2006 model is doing the same thing and the key will also get stuck in the ignition while the car is still running. This is a big problem you can see comments at www.64.4.38.249/att/getattachment.aspx?file=... (carsurvey.com).

- Pryor, OK, USA

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