Having problems with turning off car. Alot of the time my key won't be able to turn car off all the way so my key gets stuck. I will have to wait maybe 10 minutes before I will hear a click and finally turn it off.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start immediately and it took approximately five attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic but there were no diagnostic codes displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was 70,165. The failure mileage was approximately 69,500.

- Morehead City, NC, USA

The issue is in connection with a 2003 Saturn Ion. Recently, while driving, there appears to be a click coming from the front left side of the car, most likely coming from the fuse box. Immediately following the click, there is three dings followed by a message on the dash "pwr str". after this has occurred, the vehicle loses its power steering abilities, causing significant more force to be used when operating the vehicle. Typically this is fine when on a straight road but often this is not the case as I drive on roads with sharp curves leading to the risk of significant danger if I was to lose power steering while taking one of these turns. If the car is turned off while in motion and then turned on again the power steering does begin to work again although often the events occur again and the car loses power steering.

- Spokane, WA, USA

2003 Saturn Ion-3 purchased new began not starting in 2009. After waiting approximately 10-15 minutes the car starts up. Took the car to a repair shop where a diagnostic test was done and they could not find a problem and could not reproduce the car not starting. Went on-line and discovered numerous complaints from other Saturn Ion owners regarding this exact problem. Wrote a letter and sent copies of these same complaints to GM in January 2009. A service rep. Called me saying they had no recalls for this problem and nothing could be done about it by GM. Starting having many more incidents of the car not starting in 2010, but waiting the 10-15 minutes and the car then starting. Sent an E-mail to GM regarding this issue. Again a service rep. Called and said due to the age of the car I should take it to an authorized dealer and the repair, if they could find it, was my responsibility. This issue can be quite serious since you cannot start your vehicle and are left sitting there in conditions that could be dangerous (very cold weather, late at night, etc.) lately this situation has happened 6-8 times in two weeks. It would certainly help if GM knows about this situation and would issue a recall.

- Olathe, KS, USA

2003 Saturn Ion ignition switch broke; became inoperative & cost $600 to repair & could have been accident causal.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion level 2 (na). The contact noticed that the vehicle would not start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test which concluded that the ignition switch and pass lock needed to be repaired. The contact did not inform the manufacturer. The dealer was repairing the ignition switch and the anti theft device system. The current mileage was approximately 66,000. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact noticed that the key would remain stuck in the ignition when the vehicle was shut off. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified who was aware of the issue but did not offer any additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 60,000. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Seal Beach, CA, USA

2003 Ion Saturn will not start on cold mornings. This started 2010 in January. I have taken to Firestone to fix. Wasn't cold enough. Car started. Now weather is colder and car will not start. Service engine light comes on. Then nothing. I have noticed several complaints of this same type that I am having. My car only has 60,000 miles. New battery put in Jan 2010. Car mechanic said cannot determine problem until car won't start for them. Very frustrating. This is really the only problem I have had with my 2003 Saturn Ion. Wanted to keep car for a long time. After the weather gets warmer during the day, car will start right up. Recall"?"

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Vehicle was taken to authorized Saturn dealer, 2003 Saturn Ion had continuous high engine idle after being driven at highway speeds. If vehicle was shut off the power control module(PCM) computer reset it self. Saturn dealer serviced the vehicle by re-programming the PCM( 10/21/10) as per a issued service bulletin of 4/2004. This did not work. Then they advised a spring in throttle body (engine) was bad and replaced spring ( 10/28/10). This also did not work, engine still has high idle and I bought the vehicle back on 11/2/10 to the service dealer.. service dealer then hooked up car to computer and has ser tech drive vehicle for over 25 miles, 2 times ; and thenfound another problem. They indicated that the power control module computer had a short and caused a burned out component in the computer. Since the Saturn is no longer being produces, the computer which must be replaced is on back order; and unknown when part will arrive. The Saturn service dealer ( ingersoll auto in danbury ct) advised that the vehicle should not be driven as it was a safety hazard, since the computer controls not only the engine but the ABS braking system. At this time unknown when a part will arrive as it is on back order. In searching the internet I found numerous complaints from person who also had problems with the power control module computer. I believe that GM/Saturn has had full knowledge of the problem and should have taken care of this problem prior; and as other owners of Saturn are having this serious problem then GM should be making replacement parts for this computer more available to Saturn owners. Ingersoll auto in danbury ct has advised me that they do notknow when the replacement computer will be available as there is no part available in the entire usa. Part will have to be made by GM and unknown when this will happen. So my 2003 Saturn Ion must be left at the dealer until a replacement computer is sent by GM, so my car can be repaired.

- New Windsor, NY, USA

2003 Saturn Ion, this is the second ignition switch to be replaced in this car. On this occasion the key will not release from the switch. This appears to be a major problem with Saturn..why no recall?

- Spring, TX, USA

2003 Saturn ion3 wont start wait 10min and it will start.... I was at a children's hospital and was there with my child when we went to leave the car was in the garage for 4 days. We got in turned the car over and nothing but service engine. @ hours away from home with a sick child that just got released called my husband to come help he traveled 2 hrs to come to me when we went back to the car after sitting at the hospital waiting it started just fine. First time it had every done that to me. But now it has done it several times. I have been at the grocery store at the drs. Trying to leave home to get to work and at work when it has done it. I will try to start it and it tells me service engine and then 10min -20 min I go back to the car and it starts. I shouldn't have to deal with this nor should I have to pay to fix this when I see so many other people with the problem. This is a defect from the company that needs fixed. What happens if someone is on the side of the highway fixing a flat or something and this happens to them.

- Linneus, MO, USA

I have a 2003 Saturn Ion. The key "jammed" in the "on" position leaving the car running. To shut it off you have to raise the hood, pull a fuse, then go to the trunk and disconnect the battery. This is a major issue for me because the car is driven by a college, female. Gas stations, convenience stores and small children left in car, etc... are a problem, because the car is running. I have replaced the shifter, and now the ignition ($463) plus tax for a lock cylinder !

- East Palestine, OH, USA

The car wont start and I changed the battery and had the alternator tested and starter both passed I attempt to start the car the ignition switch clicks then stalls, security system kicks in reads "service engine soon" after about 20minutes the car starts, hear rattling noise in front suspension this is happening all the time for the past year since I bought the car.

- Turlock, CA, USA

Bought a 2003 Saturn Ion 2 and it will periodically lock out the ignition system so you have to wait 8-10 minutes to start the car. We have replaced, the ignition switch, starter, battery, and a few other parts to no avail. It was once in Jan. Of 2010 and then again in March, but now in June it has happened 3 times in 2 days. I read on a forum that people were having this problem in cold weather climates during winter, but Hawaii is a moderate climate year round, no excuse.

- Wahiawa, HI, USA

2003 Saturn Ion. September 09. Drove car. Parked. Could not get key out of ignition. Waited 10 minutes. Key came out. Had ignition switch replaced at Saturn dealer. Next week the same thing happened. Had ignition switch replaced again.(at my expense). Key continues to intermittently stick in the ignition. I can not get out of my car until I get the key out. Look at the website and read all the complaints about this problem. www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/saturn_ignition_lock_P5.html no wonder GM closed out the Saturn line. Just as bad as Toyota. The mechanics at the Saturn dealership knew about this problem, but they offered no permanent fix. This is why I don't trust american made cars.

- Park City, KS, USA

2003 Saturn Ion coupe will not start in cold humid weather.

- The Villages, FL, USA

I have a 2003 Saturn Ion and it has the same starting problems reported extensively on this website. On cold days, the car will not start at times. It always seems to happen at the most importune times and locations. When this happens, there is no noise and no cranking sound when I turn the ignition key on. However, when I try to start the car about 5 to 15 minutes later, it starts without any problem. I replaced the battery, but it did not make any difference. The alternator checks out fine. I believe the problem is a faulty ignition module, but that is a guess on my part based on the numerous online complaints by other Saturn owners. There is only one authorized Saturn dealer/service facility left in the houston. The technician there told me he has serviced numerous Saturn with the same exact problem and that replacing the ignition module seems to fix the problem, although not in every case. He said that GM has not issued a bulletin or recalled Saturn to repair the units. GM's denial of a potentially lethal problem is not unlike that of Toyota in addressing stuck accelerators and braking problems. Maybe GM does not care because it is closing down its Saturn division. I can see where Saturn owners, who are unaware of the extent of the starting problem, wind up having their batteries, alternators and other components replaced at enormous cost and inconvenience before Saturn suggests replacing the ignition unit. This is a situation that is ripe for exploitation because the problem is intermittent. The national transportation safety board needs to weigh in on this safety issue and not wait for people to get hurt.

- Houston, TX, USA

I've been having cold starting problems with my 2003 Saturn Ion. I've had this problem fix by dealer 3 times in the past. At $620 a pop that's hard. Now after talking to a technician that used to work for Saturn before they closed, that the problem is caused by oil that releases from the part when cold and leaks down from the ignition to the pass lock switch this should have a recall before this burns someone up and kills them. They should have to fix all these cars.do it right and stop charging people for something that really cant be fixed simply by replacing a part that will continue leaking oil when cold. I am really surprised this hasn't already been recalled. I can only wait to see if this happens they need to pay, I cant afford to go buy a car with work slow so Saturn and GM should be held responsible. All this is in the ignition switch inside the car and if a fire starts with you in it at the wheel you lose a car and possible a life or more if in heavy traffic and this locks down your car. It's not only me its my kids and others on the road at danger it's all who drive a Saturn Ion 2003.

- Tuckasegee, NC, USA

Car has frequent intermittent starting problems (about one in 4 starting attempts is a no-go). Internet research brings up many complaints of the ignition switch sending the wrong signal to the computer which in turn activates the security system (passlock, in GM speak) and prevents the car from starting. GM recognizes the issue in tsb #3493A which recommends replacing the ignition switch. Since this is a known failure to GM, I believe the switch replacement should be done at the manufacturer's cost, not the consumer's cost. It is an expensive procedure and consumers are forced to go to the dealer for the repair because the car's computer (BCM) has to be reprogrammed after the switch replacement.

- Oakland, CA, USA

Car will not start in the cold weather. When attempting to start security light turn on and won't start for at least 15 minutes. I have replaced the battery but that's not the solution. This happens at least three times a week. Its horrible being stranded out in the cold when is below zero for at least 15 minutes. Saturn needs to do something out this problem.

- Lebanon, IN, USA