2005 Saturn Ion Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Saturn Ion, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering26536.7%
- Electrical22531.2%
- Engine375.1%
- Airbags344.7%
- Exterior lighting314.3%
- Fuel system273.7%
- Driver assistance243.3%
- Powertrain (other)141.9%
- Transmission141.9%
- Body & structure101.4%
- Brakes91.2%
- Interior & seats81.1%
- Visibility60.8%
- Other / unspecified60.8%
- Suspension60.8%
- Seat belts40.6%
- Tires & wheels20.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Power steering intermittently fails at random and steering wheel suddenly becomes immovable nearly causing serious accidents and endangerment to myself, my family, and others drivers on the roads.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 167,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEERING ASSIST AND GAUGES WERE IN OPERABLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS RETURNED HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS INOPERABLE. OCEAN CREST CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (855 ALTERNATE HWY 101, WARRENTON, OR 97146, (866)607-2902) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT'S SON OBSERVED AN ORANGE GLARE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THEIR HOUSE. THE FAMILY RAN OUTSIDE TOGETHER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SON'S VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DOWN THE STREET, BUT TOOK TWENTY MINUTES TO ARRIVE AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT'S NINETEEN YEAR OLD SON EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER FROM THE HOUSE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Hello I am reaching out to complain about Courtesy Chevrolet - San Diego. I’ve been trying to get my car serviced in order to fIx the recalls. Unfortunately I have not been successful. I called the dealer to make an appointment but the dealer told me that the car has been discontinued and they can’t find the parts. The suggested to call somewhere else.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. DURING THE CRASH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT NO AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED NECK AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSIPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
My key is stuck in the I can take it out the o2 seners not reading
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My key is stuck in the I can take it out the o2 seners not reading
When pressing the gas pedal 2/3 of the way down the pedal got stuck causing the engine to rev high while driving forward. I had to put the car in neutral, shut the engine off and manually get the gas pedal unstuck by reaching down to the floor and pulling the pedal upwards with my hands. Also I had no floor mats in my car for the pedal to get stuck on. This has happened on multiple occasions.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND ALL SYSTEMS ARE YOU FUNCTIONING PROPERTY
DRIVER LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK SWITCHED BULB AND CHECKED FUSES
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH INTO THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR, THE STARTER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V17000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: UPON ENGAGING THE CLUTCH (PRESSING ON THE PEDAL AS USUAL) I HEARD A LOUD POP/CRACK NOISE AND THE PEDAL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR VERY EASILY. DATE/TIME/PLACE OF FAILURE: ON 4-19-2011 AT 9:20 AM WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. THE FAILURE IS DESCRIBED AS THE CLUTCH PEDAL NOT PROPERLY ENGAGING THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH DUE TO A BRACKET OR SOME OTHER PART OF THE ASSEMBLY'S BREAKAGE. THIS BRACKET HOLDS A PISTON IN PROPER PLACE TO ACTUATE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH AS THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. SINCE THE BRACKET IS BROKEN, THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE FULLY, IF AT ALL. I HAVE TEMPORARILY PLACED DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE WHERE THE BRACKET USED TO BE ON THE PEDAL SO THAT THE PISTON ROD CAN REMAIN SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO ITS ORIGINAL MOUNTED POSITION - SO THAT I MAY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR - PRESUMABLY DUE TO THE PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. THIS BRACKETS FAILURE PRESENTS A LOSS OF CONTROL SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER; WHEN COMING TO A STOP EARLIER TODAY, I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WHILE COMING TO A STOP - WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP FOR GM FACTORY WARRANTY RECALLS. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY TWO SERVICE TECHNICIANS WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN THE TRUNK AND REAR SEAT AREA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WERE THE REAR BREAK LINES THAT HAD SAGGED ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. SERVICE TECHNICIANS WERE UNAWARE OF THE WORK TO BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE NHTSA RECALLS 14V047, 14V171, AND 14V153. NONE OF THE RECALLS WERE FURNISHED WHILE IN THE POSSESSION OF THE CAR DEALERSHIP AND COULD POSSIBLY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRE. *TR
I BELIEVE THAT THE POWER STEERING ISSUE (RECALLED RECENTLY AND RECEIVED LETTER) CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE VERY HARD TO CONTROL ON A DOWNSLOPE HILL AT 12 MPH COMING UP TO RED LIGHT. MY CAR WENT FROM THE RIGHT LANE TO THE LEFT LAND OF 4 LANE STREET AND I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW, HAVING RECEIVED INFORMATION TODAY ABOUT THE POWER STEERING RECALL, I HAVE AN APPT. AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION AND THE PIECE OF METAL THAT I BELIEVE TO BE BRAKE PAD THAT A FEW HOURS LATER SHOT OUT AND HIT CAR NEXT TO ME IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE IGNITION. I WILL KNOW MORE OF WHAT HAPPENED ONCE DEALERSHJP RUNS DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE AND ONE DAY THE SECURITY LIGHT AND A FEW OTHER WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON AS WELL AS "TRAC OFF" CAME UP ON THE SCREEN. MY GAS GAUGE ALSO WENT DOWN TO ZERO (EVEN THOUGH I HAD A FULL TANK.) THE CAR STILL RAN FINE AND NO CODES CAME UP SO I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND NOW MY CAR WILL START BUT I HAVE TO WAIT 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL LET ME PUT IT IN GEAR. EVERYTHING TURNS OFF AND WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AS THE CAR "WARMS UP?" AFTER 5 MINUTES IT WILL LET ME PUT IT IN GEAR BUT WARNING LIGHTS ABS, BRAKE, AND AIRBAG WILL STILL BE ON. IF I RESTART THE CAR THEN, THE LIGHTS GO OFF. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THE REAR BRAKES SHOES WERE WORN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 05 SATURN ION 2 QUAD COUPE HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE.TRAFFIC STOPPED , CAME TO COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE BEHIND DID NOT BRAKE AND REAR ENDED MY VEHICLE AT ROUGHLY 50+ MPH CAUSING HIM TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN TURN CAUSING A 6 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING HIS HEAD TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN HALF WITH HIM IN IT LANDING ON THE BACK SEAT. *TR
TRAVELLING ON 580EB IN TRAFFIC. CAME TO A STOP, VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT. HE WAS TRAVELLING AT APPROX 50MPH AND DEMOLISHED MY VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SEAT BENT BACK TO FULLY RECLINED POSITION. I SUSTAINED NECK AND UPPER BACK INJURIES. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE MADE REPORTS OF FAULTY SWITCH IGNITION PROBLEMS IN 2010 TO GM THE REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER AND I STILL HAD ISSUES WITH IT. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH I ENDED UP REPLACING AFTER I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR OR EITHER IT WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR ME TO RESTART IT. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL ISSUE FIXED BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER ISSUES ALSO OCCURRED AND GM REFUSED TO FIX. *JS
I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY WINDOW DOWN AND I PRESSED THE DOWN SIDE OF THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT ACTUALLY ROLLED DOWN. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK MY SATURN 2005 TO INTEGRITY CHEVROLET IN CHATTANOOGA, TN 4235359455 ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS ON RECALL LETTER (13454) AND RECEIVED A RENTAL (WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE WEEKS ) 2 DAYS LATER GOT A MESSAGE THAT MY CAR WAS MIRACULOUSLY FIXED. JOSH BAUGH STATED MY CAR WAS READY AND REPAIRED.CONFUSED, WENT TO GET MY CAR AND UPON ARRIVING AT MY HOME, THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AGAIN.CONTACTED JOSH BAUGH AGAIN AND HE SAID TO BRING THE CAR BY WHEN I GOT A CHANCE.RECEIVED A CALL FROM GM STATING THE PART FOR MY CAR WAS IN AND TO BRING THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED.WAS JUST TOLD BY THE WONDERFUL DEALERSHIP CAR WAS REPAIRED. TOOK MY CAR BACK AND NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.THEY LIED. LEFT MY CAR AGAIN AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER THEY CALL AND I GO TO PICK IT UP.TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS DEAD I NEEDED TO BUY ANOTHER ONE I DONT THINK SO BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONES THAT RAN THE BATTERY DOWN BY LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION (I JUST HAPPENED TO STOP BY GOT SOMETHING OUT OF MY CAR A DAY AFTER I LEFT IT OPENED THE DOOR THERE WAS THE KEY STILL STUCK IN THE IGNITION.I ALSO SUBMITTED RECEIPTS IN JUNE OF 2014 FOR IGNITION REPLACEMENT FOR THE SAME CAR. NO RESPONSE RESUBMITTED RECEIPTS DEC 2014 JOSH BAUGH EMAIL NEEDED THE ORIGINAL RECEIPTS.FEBRUARY 5TH 2015 TOOK THE RECEIPTS AND SAID THE RECEIPTS NEEDED TO HAVE THE VIN # BUT THEY COULD SEE IT HAD MY NAME AND 2005 SATURN AND THE IGNITION HAD TO REPLACED BY LOCK AND KEY COMP BECAUSE KEY WAS STUCK AND RUN BATTERY DOWN (AT 10:30 AT NIGHT)THEY COULD WRITE THE VIN # IN FOR ME. TO MY SURPRISE (NOT REALLY) A MESSAGE THE REIMBURSEMENT COULDN'T BE DONE BECAUSE WASN'T A VIN # ON RECEIPT ITS NOT LIKE WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET REIMBURSED FOR SOMETHING WE DIDN'T PAY FOR OR SOME GOVERNMENT BAILOUT!I AM CONTACTING YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THIS DEALERSHIP LIED AND CONTINUES TO TRY TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS FROM RECEIVING THE PROMISES OF THE RECALL. *JS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON. MY IGNITION KEY FAILS TO COME OUT. I HAVE TO STALL CAR OUT EVERY TIME I PARK. AND UNPLUG STEERING COLUMN FROM BATTERY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BELIEVE THAT THE POWER STEERING ISSUE (RECALLED RECENTLY AND RECEIVED LETTER) CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE VERY HARD TO CONTROL ON A DOWNSLOPE HILL AT 12 MPH COMING UP TO RED LIGHT. MY CAR WENT FROM THE RIGHT LANE TO THE LEFT LAND OF 4 LANE STREET AND I HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NOW, HAVING RECEIVED INFORMATION TODAY ABOUT THE POWER STEERING RECALL, I HAVE AN APPT. AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION AND THE PIECE OF METAL THAT I BELIEVE TO BE BRAKE PAD THAT A FEW HOURS LATER SHOT OUT AND HIT CAR NEXT TO ME IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE IGNITION. I WILL KNOW MORE OF WHAT HAPPENED ONCE DEALERSHJP RUNS DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
COPY OF EMAIL LETTER TO MS. BARRA (GENERAL MOTORS) REGARDING FRUSTRATION OF BEING A SATURN OWNER. *SMD 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER CAME CLOSE, TO GETTING THE GAS MILEAGE AS ADVERTISED. SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION, AND FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN SHE INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE TRUNK, THE ENTIRE TRUNK LOCK FELL INTO THE CAR. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO MISS THAT ONE BUT ANOTHER ONE CAME OUT AND I HIT IT. IT HIT SO HARD AND MY STEERING WAS HARD LIKE A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE LIKE THAT TOO. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SAFETY BELTS CATCH ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER. IT DID $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND MY HEAD SLAMMED UP AGAINST THE DRIVER WINDOW, MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN HER CARSEAT BUT I HAD IT IN THE FRONT SEAT SO IT RELEASED THE CARSEAT. SHE HAD BRUISES AND A BLACK EYE, AND NOW 3 YEARS LATER, THAT SAME EYE IS CAUSING HER PROBLEMS SEEING. EVERYDAY I FEEL SO BAD BECAUSE SHE WAS IN MY SATURN THAT NIGHT. PEOPLE ASKED ME OVER AND OVER WHAT ABOUT YOUR AIRBAGS, ETC. I NEVER KNEW WHAT TO SAY UNTIL I STARTED GETTING THE RECALLS AND REALIZED WHAT GM HAD KNOWN ALL ALONG ABOUT MY IGNITION. THIS YEAR MY CAR GOT STUCK IN THE RUN POSITION AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE GONE FOR THE DAY. I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. FINALLY AFTER TOTAL DISGUST, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOW TANK LID POPPED OFF AND SHOT ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE, IT JUST BARELY MISSED MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP COYLE CHEVROLET OF CLARSKVILLE IN CAME AND PICKED UP THE CAR, AND IN THE PROCESS RIPPED THE WIND SHIELD FOR THE SUNROOF OFF, AND CALLED ME TO TELL ME MY CAR NOW HAD A NOISE IN THE LOWER END OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD BE $600.00 AND UP. THEY TEST DROVE IT, AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE IN IT. I HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. GM AND COYLE BOTH SAY SORRY THE IGNITION IS THE ORIGINAL REASON FOR THE ENGINE THAT IS NOW LOCKED UP AFTER I WAS TOLD I HAD TO COME GET IT OR I WOULD BE CHARGED A STORAGE FEE LOCKED UP ON ME ON THE EXPRESSWAY HOME. THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND I STILL HAVE NOTHING AND THEY WON'T HELP. *TR
MY SEAT BELTS WILL NO LONGER BUCKLE. MY SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARK AND JUMPS INTO OTHER GEARS(NEUTRAL) AND THE CAR REVS ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON GAS. MY SHIFT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS THE RECALL FOR THE AURA AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $700.00 IN REPAIRS AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR 6 MONTHS. I DO NOT HAVE MY VIN# AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK WITH HERB CHAMBERS SATURN -WARWICK, RI. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES P195/60R15 TIRES, THAT HAVE 20,300 MILES. ON 2/16/08 I WENT TO A TIRE SHOP AS BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD LOST MOST OF THE AIR. THE MANAGER INSPECTED ALL FOUR TIRES AND SHOWED ME THAT THE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AND HOW IT WAS WORKING IT'S WAY OUT. FOR SAFETY REASONS I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES. BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT AND FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKED TO THE POINT THAT A TIRE GAUGE CAN BE PLACED INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INSPECTION STATION AND THE CONTACT WAS ORDERED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. SHE WENT TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE HER TIRES AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID FOR NEW TIRES, BUT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,240. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .