2003 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems

I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would cost me they said around $800.so it has now been 2 weeks my car has been there at Graue Chevrolet Dealership unfixed and they refused to fix please help me it's my only means of transportation and I have health issues that I have to go to Dr appointments quite frequently.

NHTSA ID

11755714

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the contact would wiggle the key around in the ignition before being able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,350.

NHTSA ID

11615481

Incident

Aug 19, 2024

Mileage

111,350 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that occasionally the key failed to turn while in the ignition. The vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to avoid bumps in the roadway while driving. The lock symbol was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined to service the recall repairs due to an insurance issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another unknown local dealer, who informed the contact to place the vehicle in park(P) and restart the vehicle, and the symbol turned off. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim and informed the contact that a technician would be sent to the residence, but the technician failed to show up. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11612866

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY REMAINED SEIZED IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED MIDWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER AND TOOK 15 TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLICK BEFORE THE KEY WAS RELEASED. THE BATTERY AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED SATURN OF MEMPHIS (2420 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO JIM KERAS AUTOMOTIVE (2000 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID

11383801

Incident

Dec 8, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN BY AN AMBULANCE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND ALSO SEEK PHYSICAL THERAPY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THAT MOMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11360823

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCKSMITH WHO REMOVED THE KEY AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2014 FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL, FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE, AT THE WESELOH CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED AT 5335 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11350698

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

MY KEY SWITCH DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO REMOVE MY KEY WHEN I'M IN PARKED AND MY TRANSMISSION STRANDS AT TIMES AND MY CAR DOESN'T START ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO START IT I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT AWHILE BEFORE IT STARTS AGAIN I COULD BE SITTING IN THE DRIVE THRU ON PARKED WAITING TO TRAVEL AGAIN ON TH HE MAIN ROADWAY

NHTSA ID

11342756

Incident

Apr 19, 2018

Mileage

139,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER GM RECALL NUMBER: 14632 (SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: (N/A), IN DECEMBER OF 2013 AT SERRA CHEVROLET SAGINAW LOCATED AT 4200 BAY RD, SAGINAW, MI 48603, (989) 790-0800 HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCDONALD GMC LOCATED AT 5155 STATE ST, SAGINAW, MI 48603, (989) 319-4136, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, HOUSING AND KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11325165

Incident

Apr 10, 2020

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AND THE RECALLED PART WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11277091

Incident

Oct 13, 2019

Mileage

138,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS RECALLS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER WHICH IS CAUSING MY CAR TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. THIS RECALL IS CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO HAVE A SHORT WITH ALL MY ELECTRICAL. FOR EXAMPLE, WINDOWS DON'T ROLL DOWN/UP, WIPERS DON'T WORK, HEATER DOESN'T WORK, BLINKERS DON'T WORK, DASH LIGHTS STAY ON CAUSING BATTERY TO CONSTANTLY BE DEAD. ALL BECAUSE THERE ARE RECALLS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11164884

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

78,585 mi

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES, WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND AN ATTEMPT MAKE TO TURN IGNITION TO OFF POSITION, IT WON'T GO. IT SEEMED TO TAKE 10 - 60 SECONDS FOR IT TO RESET AND THEN KEY COULD BE REMOVED. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 5/12-13/2018. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TRANSMITION IN PARK POSITION, AND AN ATTEMPT MADE TO TURN IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. THE KEY COULD NOT BE MOVED. IT DID NOT RESET ITSELF. KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, COULD BE TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THEN ALL POWER WAS LOST, AS THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED OF UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FOR, HAD TO USE A SECOND KEY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS IN 2015 AND WAS REPAIRED. THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. GM TELLS ME THE NEW REPAIR IS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED BY THEM. THE REASON, I'M TOLD, IS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD TO CHECKED INTO THE DEALERSHIP NO LATER THAN 5/17/18. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THAT DATE. DUE TO SEVERE STORMS IN THE AREA THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED AT THE DEALERS SHIP A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSED AND DEPOSITED THE KEY IN THE LOCK BOX. A REP FROM GM WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 5/17/18 BETWEEN 5:45 AND 6:00 TO ALERT THEM THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE WAS AND MIGHT BE A FEW MINUTES LATE AND TO PLEASE ACCEPT THE VEHICLE AND GET IT CHECKED IN. I AM ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY RECEIVED NO SUCH CALL. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I DID EVERYTHING THE GM REP ASKED OF ME, I AM 70 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A VERY LIMITED INCOME. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA ID

11096740

Incident

May 13, 2018

Mileage

78,500 mi

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALL NOTICES ISSUES. *SMD *CN

NHTSA ID

10725028

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

CAR JUST RECENTLY POPPED UP POWER STEERING ONLY HAPPENS WHEN ITS SITS OVER NIGHT AND WHEN I START IT UP IN THE MORNING IT'S VERY STIFF TO TURN BUT IF I DRIVE IT LIKE THAT FOR A LITTLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THE STEERING IS FINE. THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON AND WHEN DOING SO CAUSES HEAT OR A/C TO CUT OUT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ALITTLE BIT. THE KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I GO TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND I HAVE TO PRESS THE PLUNGER FOR IT TO RELEASE. KEEPS SAYING COOLANT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD EVEN THOUGH THE COOLANT IS WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11054619

Incident

Dec 13, 2017

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAVE GONE TO TURN OFF MY CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PLACE MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE AND RUN THROUGH THE GEARS WITH MY GEAR STICK. THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS CURRENTLY IN MY CAR IS ONE THAT WAS USED TO REPLACE THE FACTORY ONE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WAS ISSUED. ALSO, RECENTLY MY CAR HAS BEEN SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES ON MY SON WHILE HE WAS DRIVING RESULTING IN HIM HAVING TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE AND I HEAR THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BOTH. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I DO NOT HAVE EXACT DATES.

NHTSA ID

11019790

Incident

Aug 11, 2017

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN MAY OF 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AT A UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. GENERAL MOTORS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER A TWELVE MONTH WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN APRIL OF 2015. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,246.

NHTSA ID

11000647

Incident

Jun 17, 2017

Mileage

112,246 mi

MY IGNITION SWITCH WOULDNT TURN ONCE THE KEY WAS IN SO I OPENED IT UP TOOK A LOOK AND PUT IT BACK IN. NOW IT TURNS BUT IT TURNS ON AND BACK OFF BEFORE AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY A LITTLE IT WOULD TURN ON. NOW IT DOESNT JUST STARTS AND TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ID

10991558

Incident

May 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN OFF AND PREVENTED THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. ALSO, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO START THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10985941

Incident

May 15, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TT *AS

NHTSA ID

10969008

Incident

Jan 15, 2017

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10895916

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

141,000 mi

TAKATA RECALLS..I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION I WAS DRIVING FINE HIT CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ONCE I WAS AT 55 AN MY CAR MADE A CLICKING SOUND STARTED JERKING LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS COMING ON...I'VE TURNED CAR OFF HIT BRAKES WHICH SHOULD RESET IT BUT IT STILL HAPPENS..THE CAR FEELS LIKE ITS DOWN SHIFTING AN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS ON THE RPMS HUMP REAL HIGH WEN THIS HAPPENS..YOU BE DRIVING DOING 50 MPH AN ALL THE SUDDEN CAR JERKS LIKE ITS TRYING TO STOP U FEEL I T IN GAS PEDAL ALSO...

NHTSA ID

10863856

Incident

Apr 27, 2016

Mileage

114,575 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCHED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES EXPLAINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10854439

Incident

Apr 8, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND COLD, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID

10854345

Incident

Mar 15, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE STARTER SWITCH RECALL. *SMD

NHTSA ID

10838294

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE ELECTRICAL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID

10819443

Incident

Jan 5, 2016

Mileage

129,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN INTO THE OFF POSITION AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE COVER UNDERNEATH THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REMOVED TO ACCESS A SPRING WHICH WAS TURNED IN A BACKWARD AND FORWARD MOTION IN ORDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION TUMBLERS AND GEAR SHIFT SENSOR WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A NEW IGNITION KEY WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AND HAS BEEN SOLD.*JB

NHTSA ID

10790603

Incident

Nov 12, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi