Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
332
Latest Jul 6, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
37%
of 898 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Saturn Ion submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 332 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
The 25 most recent of 332, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
NHTSA ID
11530643
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
230,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed May 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,639.
NHTSA ID
11325424
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
172,639 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 26, 2019
WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT ALWAYS REGISTER THAT IT IS PARK; THEREFORE, IT WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, IT WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW DAYS A WEEK, BUT IS NOW HAPPENING AT LEAST ONE TIME A DAY.
NHTSA ID
11258409
Incident
May 25, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES AND THE BATTERY AND CRANK SENSOR WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA ID
11186249
Incident
Jan 2, 2004
Mileage
130,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Oct 2, 2018
Crash reported
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR
NHTSA ID
11131268
Incident
Aug 27, 2011
Electrical
Filed Mar 15, 2018
WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, I HAVE TROUBLE REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.
NHTSA ID
11079693
Incident
Mar 14, 2018
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 17, 2018
I'VE HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHERE MY CAR WASN'T AS STABLE AS IT SHOULD BE. THE CAR ITSELF RUMBLES AND JERKS A LOT ON CITY STREETS AND AS I GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN A FEW ISSUES WITH THE BREAKS. DURING WINTER TIME, THE CAR WON'T START UP (I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NOW AND IT STILL HAPPENS). ACCELERATION IS OCCASIONALLY DELAYED. LASTLY THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHICH CONTINUES FROM THE TIME THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION UNTIL I TAKE IT OUT.
NHTSA ID
11063289
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 22, 2017
1. THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT DISENGAGE...SOMETIMES AFTER MOTOR IS TURNED OFF AND CAR IS IN PARK THE CAR MUST BE TURNED BACK ON FOUR OR FIVE TIMES BEFORE THE IGNITION WILL ENGAGE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY...IN THE PARK POSITION....KEY WILL LOCK INSELF AND NOT DISENGAGE. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IT BEGAN TO OCCUR FIVE MONTHS AGO...NOW IT HAPPENS AT LEAST TEN TIMES A WEEK. 2. ALL ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS ON DASHBOARD SAY: COOLANT...BUT WHEN CHECKED THE COOLANT IS FINE.
NHTSA ID
11018943
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
44,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 4, 2017
TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION IT PASSED SAFETY AND FAILED EMISSIONS ! THERE IS NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON
NHTSA ID
11012910
Incident
Aug 4, 2017
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2017
UNABLE TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF. REPEAT TURNING SWITCH ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY SHUTS VEHICLE OFF AND ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHUT OFF. ENGINE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RUNNING BUT UNABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF SWITCH. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT YR 2012 TO CURRENT. DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE AT ALL LAST YEAR (2016)
NHTSA ID
11010691
Incident
Jul 26, 2017
Mileage
103,507 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Aug 24, 2016
WAS GUARANTEED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ORIGINALLY GOT A 2007 FORD ESCAPE BY TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND 500 CASH. THEY WANTED ME TO PUT DOWN AN ADDITIONAL 900 DOWN WHICH I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DO. SO THEY OFFERED TO PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS CHEAPER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY ON. THE 2004 SATURN ION I RECEIVED ON 08/23/2016 NOT ONLY HAD CLUTCH ISSUES WHICH I SAID I WOULD FIX, BUT THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MECHANICALLY. WE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SO NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY YARD AND I AM OUT MY ORIGINAL VEHICLE AND THE 500 CASH I USED ORIGINALLY PLUS TOWING CHARGES AND A VEHICLE I HAVE TO PAY ON THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. I WANT THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND GIVE BACK THE 500 I WASTED ON TWO JUNK VEHICLES. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS PRETTY MUCH STUCK TAKING THIS VEHICLE SINCE I LIVE TWO HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO OTHER WAY HOME.
NHTSA ID
10898150
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Mileage
190,710 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 8, 2016
MARCH 2015 - DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RECALLED IGNITION. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WOULDN'T START A FEW TIMES, AND I REPLACED THE STARTER. JUNE-JULY 2016 - THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. AFTER RESETTING THE PASSLOCK (LEAVE THE IGNITION TURNED TO THE RUN POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES) IT WOULD START IMEDIATELY. JULY 11, 2016 - TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM IT STARTED AFTER THE IGNITION WAS CHANGED. TOLD THAT IT WAS THE BODY CONTROL MONITOR ($829). REPAIRS FINISHED JULY 15, 2016. AUGUST 4, 2016 - CAR TAKEN BACK FOR TROUBLE STARTING ONCE MORE. AUGUST 8, 2016 - IGNITION CHANGED ONCE MORE, BUT CHARGED AGAIN BECAUSE GM WOULDN'T COVER IT. I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT MY CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL I HAD A PART CHANGED DUE TO A RECALL, AND NOW THAT REPLACEMENT WAS FAULTY AND I'M BEING CHARGED FOR IT!
NHTSA ID
10894210
Incident
Aug 8, 2016
Mileage
128,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 23, 2015
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB
NHTSA ID
10693482
Incident
Mar 28, 2014
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 24, 2015
CAR WENT FOR RECALL 7/7/14 ABOUT 3 TIMES AFTER THE FIRST RECALL I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR TO ASK WHAT HAVE HAPPEND WHY TYHE CAR NEED TO GO BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE SECOND RECALL CHEVROLET SAYD THAT THEY DID NOT PERFOM THE JOB RIGHT ONCE AGAIN I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR IN DECEBER THEY SEND ME A LETTER TELLING ME AND COMES BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE FREEWAY CAR STOP COULD NOT GET OUT BECAUSE CAR LOCK ME INSIDE THE KEY DID NOT WANT TO COME OUT AFTER THE RECALLS THE CAR STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION
NHTSA ID
10806571
Incident
Jul 7, 2014
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 21, 2015
AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, THE ENGINE CAN BE SHUT OFF BUT THE KEY STAYS IN A ACCESORY MODE AND CAN NOT BE TURNED TO OFF OR REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ID
10735575
Incident
Apr 9, 2015
Mileage
141,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V153000 (STEERING) AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10734627
Incident
Feb 21, 2014
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2015
2 RECALLES.,THEY INSTALLED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRIC POWER STERING ASSIST MOTOR PLUS 3 DIAGNOSTICS AND $ 877.43 LATER AND OUR ORIGINAL PROBLEM OF INTERMITANTLY WONT START STILL EXISTS.WE WERE TOLD TO CUT OUR LOSSES BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR CAR. THIS IS A 2004 SATURN ION. WE WANT OUR CAR FIXED FIRST OR OUR MONEY BACK. WE FEEL THE DEALER SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THERE CAR. WE FEEL THERE MAY BE A RECALL THEY ARE NOT TELLING US ABOUT LIKE RECALL #03V231000.
NHTSA ID
10733510
Incident
May 22, 2015
Mileage
169,125 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 1, 2015
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE A/C WENT OFF FIRST THEN EVERYTHING WENT OFF. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. MY IGNITION ALSO GETS STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION(EVEN AFTER TWO IGNITION RECALLS) ON A REGULAR BASIS SO GLAD I WASN'T FIGHTING THAT AT THAT PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME. CALLED GM DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT BRING IT IN, THEY WON'T PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BUT WILL GIVE ME A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I LIVE WITHIN 10 MILES.
NHTSA ID
10722683
Incident
May 29, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
10714996
Incident
Apr 3, 2014
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2015
THE CAR WONT TURN ON. IT TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I HAD A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVERYSINCE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10714784
Incident
Dec 22, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKING, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO GO INTO PARK AND THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10703386
Incident
Mar 15, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 31, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10702809
Incident
Oct 20, 2011
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 24, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT SHORTLY BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED. CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED. *TA THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT SLID AND ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. ALSO, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10667980
Incident
Feb 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 2015
THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL #14063 ON JULY 15, 2014 FAILED ON JAN 31, 2015 BY JAMMING IN THE OFF POSITION. CAR WAS TOWED TO A GM AUTHORIZED SATURN SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED ON FEB 2, 2015. DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL IGNITION SWITCH INSTALLED IN JULY DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY AND CHARGED $275.83 FOR THE SERVICE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10683392
Incident
Jan 31, 2015
Mileage
185,194 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
10682787
Incident
Feb 11, 2015
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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