2005 Saturn Ion Exterior lighting Problems

This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it’ll stay off for an hour sometimes it’ll stay off for weeks and I can’t figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ID

11699599

Incident

Apr 15, 2025

My key is stuck in the I can take it out the o2 seners not reading

NHTSA ID

11648021

Incident

Mar 12, 2025

Headlights are to deem even on high beems.cant see anything coming or the on coming traffic can't see me coming.

NHTSA ID

11498467

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

I turn my turn signals on and nonthing happens in the Frontline bulbs are brand new doesn't matter back turn signal work,front turn signal dont.this has been happening since forever my inlaws didn't know we didn't know until they gave car.so don't know how long seems like forever

NHTSA ID

11457641

Incident

Mar 21, 2022

DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND ALL SYSTEMS ARE YOU FUNCTIONING PROPERTY

NHTSA ID

11394883

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ACTIVATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM CAUSING POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11378287

Incident

Jul 25, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT TURN SIGNAL DONT WORK FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH CAN CAUSE A SAFETY PROBLEM TO OTHER DRIVERS

NHTSA ID

11222492

Incident

May 3, 2019

DRIVER LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK SWITCHED BULB AND CHECKED FUSES

NHTSA ID

11194351

Incident

Apr 4, 2019

THE DRL AND TAIL LIGHTS FLICKER AT HIGH SPEED WHEN CAR IS RUNNING!

NHTSA ID

10990733

Incident

May 12, 2017

THE RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT LIGHT OR BLINK WHEN THE LEVER IS PRESSED DOWN. THE REAR RIGHT SIGNAL WORKS AS DO THE FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNALS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY DEALER SAYS WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMMAND MODULE AT A COST OF @ $1400. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651099

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi

ON MAY 29, 2014 WHEN DRIVING FROM HOME TO WORK ON MY SATURN ION 2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF, BUT THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD THAT I ACTUALLY DROVE ON THE OTHER LANE WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY OF MY DIRECTION. THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK, MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF MENTIONING THAT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 0940 NIGHT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10595011

Incident

May 29, 2014

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

NHTSA ID

10575942

Incident

Mar 31, 2014

A FEW YEARS AGO MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME BUT I JUST REPLACED IT WHICH TOOK A FEW TRYS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY WORKED, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THAT TURN SIGNAL WORKING. EVERYTIME I HAVE TO REPLACE IT, IT IS A HASSLE TRYING TO GET IT TO WORK FOR IT TO ONLY GO OUT AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO. I AM OUT THERE AGAIN TODAY REPLACING THIS THING. I HAVE READ ABOUT RECALLS ON 2004 IONS, HAVE THERE NOT BEEN ANY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 2005? *TR

NHTSA ID

10575683

Incident

Mar 30, 2014

Mileage

192,000 mi

SINCE THE RECALL ON THE SATURN 2005 ION, I'M WONDERING IF THERE EVER WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THE SATURN 2005 ION? I FEEL LIKE I HAD TO HAVE ALLOT OF SERVICES DONE ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALL OF THIS STARTED AFTER I HAD RESTORATION PERFORMED TO THE HEADLIGHTS - 7/2/12 7/18/12 - RIGHT FRONT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL OUT 9/4/12 - RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BURNT REPL SOCKET - BOTH TURN SIGNALS INOP 11/8/12 - LEFT HEADLAMP BULB REPL 11/13/13 - RIGHT BRAKE LAMP REPL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573074

Incident

Jul 18, 2012

IGNITION SWITCH RECOGNITION BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE ANTI-THEFT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT HOURS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. KEY WOULD GET LOCKED IN IGNITION WITH ACCESSORIES ON AND NOT GO OFF. BATTERY WOULD DIE. WHEN JUMPING THE CAR THE KEY WOULD STILL BE LOCKED IN THE ON POSITION AND BEGIN TURNING ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED. CAR BLEW FUSE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MAX SPEED REDUCED TO 30 MPH. WHEN TURNING ON KEY WOULD BE 1/2 RECOGNIZED AND LIGHTS/ELECTRIC WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF VIOLENTLY AND FUSES/COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED/RESET. CAR DID THE LIGHT/ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHILE ON AND DRIVING, KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. CAR WAS TOWED BY PALMETTO CHEVY IN CONWAY SC, WHO DESPITE RECALL AND VEHICLE HISTORY REFUSE TO FIX THE CAR OR GIVE LOANER AS STATED ON WEBSITE. I HAVE BEEN CALLING SINCE 2008 ABOUT THE ISSUE. GM SAYS TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ISSUES. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ON TUESDAY 3/11/14 TO PALMETTO CHEVY, AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PICK IT UP BUT WERE A NO SHOW ON MONDAY 3/10/14. AGAIN, THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RECALL. STATING THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568880

Incident

Dec 3, 2008

Mileage

60,000 mi

ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STARTING TO GET HARDER AND HARDER WHEN TURNING. I FEAR THIS BECAUSE IN NOT THAT STRONG AND FEAR I MIGHT CRASHED AND HURT MY THREE KIDS. THE STEERING COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON AND THAT MAKE ME WONDER ABOUT THAT TOO, WHEN I TURN I HAVE TO BE IN STRONG MODE OR I MIGHT BE IN AN ACCIDENT. CAN GM PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10565967

Incident

Sep 13, 2013

MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FLASHES FAST AND WILL NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE BULB THE SAME PROBLEM NOBODY SEEM TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS , FROM THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I THINK G M NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10553712

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V547000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID

10509154

Incident

Jan 1, 2012

Mileage

99,000 mi

DRIVER SIDE DIRECTIONAL STOPPED WORKING. CHANGED BULB STILL DID NOT WORK. TOOK TO SATURN DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART FOR $185 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FIND THAT THE 2003 & 2004 IONS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2005. BELIEVE THE 2005 WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2004 SO SHOULD HAVE THE SAME PARTS AS THE 2004. WHY WAS THE 2005 NOT RECALLED ALSO IF IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456454

Incident

Oct 17, 2011

THE CAR HAS ISSUES WITH LIGHTING MALFUNCTION. MY PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL REQUIRED MANY BULB CHANGES, EVERY FEW WEEKS OR SO, SINCE THE SOCKET OVERHEATED AND ACCORDINGLY RECEIVED A SIGNAL FROM THE BODY MODULE TO SHUT OFF. THIS SEEMS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT LED TO A RECALL WITH THE 2003 AND 2004 IONS. I RECENTLY WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THIS SAFETY-RELATED ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE REMEDIED, FOR A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448252

Incident

Oct 5, 2005

I HAVE A SATURN ION 05 AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING ONCE ALREADY AND NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ONLY WORKS WHEN MY HAZARDS OR HEAD LAMPS ARE ON HAVE TESTED ALL FUSES AND REPLACED BULB TWICE THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT WHY ISNT IT BEING FIXED? *KB

NHTSA ID

10425359

Incident

Aug 2, 2011

2005 SATURN ION. FRONT AND BACK BLINKERS WILL NOT BLINK. I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS AND ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT INSPECTABLE BECAUSE IT HAS TO HAVE ALL LIGHTS WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH AN AUTO MECHANIC/ELECTRICIAN FOR OVER 2 WEEKS NOW AND IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNACCEPTABLE. SATURN HAS TO FIND A WAY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. IT SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION. NOT ONLY HAVE I HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SATURN AND THE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING REPAIR PARTS, BUT TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO WORK ON THEM IS NOT EASY EITHER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING EXPENSE THAT APPEARS TO BE NEVER ENDING . THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROADS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED AND UNKNOWING EVENTS OF WHEN AND WHAT WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I ALSO FEEL THAT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REFUNDED TO EACH CUSTOMER AS AN "ALLOWANCE" TO PUT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A SAFER VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO THE FULLEST BY THE NHTSA IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10383449

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

50,000 mi

LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK EVEN WITH NEW BULB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10376904

Incident

Jan 15, 2011

2005 SATURN ION TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS STOPPED BLINKING, BUT LAMPS NOT BURNED OUT. GM DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND EXTENSIVE AND COSTLY REPAIR! CAN'T FIND PARTS. CANNOT PROPERLY OPERATE VEHICLE WITH EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKER REQUIRED IN LA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10371229

Incident

Nov 20, 2010

Mileage

65,000 mi

HAVING REPEAT PROBLEMS WITH 2005 SATURN ION BLINKER. WE SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON 03 AND 04 SATURNS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL FOR THE 05 SATURN IONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278419

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

Mileage

49,000 mi