Intermittently Won't Start

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.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
75,700 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace ignition switch (1 reports)
2005 Saturn Ion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #6

Aug 282016

Ion LS 2.2L 4cy

  • Manual transmission
  • 142,230 miles

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

Bought this car used, haven't had long and it started getting hard to crank. Sometimes it would sometimes it wouldn't. Had to jiggle the ignition switch, then sometimes it would crank. It has a new battery on it, but I never know if it's gonna crank or not. Anybody have this problem? Would love to hear from somebody else.

- musicmann777, Lufkin, TX, US

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problem #5

Oct 032015

Ion Level 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

The 2005 Saturn Ion Level 2 is a nightmare! There is something draining the battery after it sits for 2 days and then it will not start. I have to have the vehicle jumped off before it will fire up and the next day it is just lifeless. I had the ignition system replaced but it has made no difference.I considerd the alternator but it does not show any of the classic symptoms like the dash board lights dimming while driving or slowly loosing electrical power in traffic. The battery is pulling enough voltage and so is the alternator. To be quite frank I am utterly stumped and I can see why Saturn went out of business producing crap like this.Do you guys have any suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated. My Ford Pinto was a better car! Hello!

- burressdan, Cumberland City, TN, US

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problem #4

Sep 172015

Ion Ion 2 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

ONCE IN A WHILE I GO TO TURN ON MY CAR AND I WON'T START. THE PASS CODE LIGHT IS BLINKING ON THE DASH BOARD. I WAS TOLD THE CAR DOESN'T READ THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.

I PANIC. THINKING I'M STUCK. AFTER 20 MINUTES IT STARTS UP. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT WAS FIXED, BUT ITS STARTING TO STICK AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A SEPARATE PROBLEM OR WHAT. I COULD BE LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR FOREVER SOMEWHERE IN A BAD PLACE MAYBE.

WHAT SHOULD I DO SINCE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD NOW WITH ONLY 65000 MILES. COULD IT STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SECURITY AND IGNITION ISSUE? OTHER THAN THIS THE CAR RUNS GREAT.

- pesgar, San Leandro, CA, US

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problem #3

Oct 012010

Ion 3 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 44,739 miles

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

The car won't start the first time on cold days. The key switch was defective so I replaced it and it fixed the problem.

- sebastienqc, Contrecoeur, QC, Canada

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problem #2

Dec 012010

Ion

  • Manual transmission
  • 52,000 miles

There are 1000's of people with this problem on lots of gm vehicles how bout a recall govt. motors !

- laudenslager, Gwinn, MI, US

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problem #1

May 052009

Ion Level 2 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

I have a 2005 Saturn Ion Automatic 2.2 ltr that I purchased NEW in 2005 for the specific reason of NOT having to worry about an unreliable car. Unfortunately, for the last year or so, the car will just not start for no apparent reason. On the advice of various mechanics (including the Saturn Dealer) I have had the starter changed, new battery, battery cables etc. and it is still happening. It can start fine for a week, then (and usually when it's cold and dark and I'm alone) will just not start. After retrying over and over and sitting from anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, it will eventually kick over like there was never a problem. I've since been doing some further research, and from some of the comments, there seems to be an issue with the ignition switch noted in many of the comments. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen, and if they've changed out the ignition switch and it actually fixed the problem?

- jjanomi, Lambertville, MI, US

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