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Saturn Ion - Ignition Lock

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Amy of Dunedin, FL October 16, 2008

Amy of Dunedin FL (10/16/08)
We, too had the same ignition lock problem with a 2000 Saturn SL1. My father bought my son this car for school about a month ago. Last week, he tried to start it but the key would not turn in the ignition. We tried jiggling the steering wheel and jacking the car up in front to take the weight off while we tried to turn the key in the ignition. My husband tried to take the ignition apart. We can't afford to have it towed and replace the ignition.

We found this website and tried whacking the key with a hammer to turn it while it was in the ignition. That worked! Thanks so much. We live in fear that it will happen again. From what we read on this website, that's a certainty. Saturn needs to address this problem! The fact that GM is having financial issues is a case of survival of the fittest, if you ask me.

Ronald of Torrington, WY October 7, 2008

Ronald of Torrington WY (10/07/08)
I am just one of thousands of Saturn owners who have been vicitimized by the poor workmanship of the saturn ignition system. My key is stuck in the run position on my 2006 Saturn Ion. I called the dealership and of course they have never heard of this problem before. I was told the only thing I could do was make an appointment to bring in the car and have the ignition cylinder drilled out and replaced, it shouldn't cost more than a couple of hundred dollars or so not to mention the 87 mile drive each way.

Most Saturn owners love their vehicles but this is truely and epidemic problem and needs to be dealt with. All that we are seeking (Saturn owners) is someone to stand up for us and resolve the problem, even to have Saturn admit that they are using sub-standard parts and fix the problem would be a victory for every one of us.

I have not replaced my ignition switch yet but will have to soon because the key is still in the ignition and makes the likleyhood of the car being stolen higher.

Mike of O Fallon, IL October 2, 2008

Mike of O Fallon IL (10/02/08)
I am a locksmith and have seen a few of these Saturn ignitions. They can be repaired fairly easily, and I would in no way recommend that you replace the entire ignition cylinder. Call a locksmith (or a few until you find one who can service it) to have the problem solved, even if it is the stuck running problem.

Chris of Folsom, CA September 25, 2008

Chris of Folsom CA (09/25/08)
I have a 2005 Saturn Ion and noticed the issue about a week after getting my car, brand new. I have to occasionally wait 15 minutes to start my car as the key will not start it. The dealer told me, when I finally did call, this is a defect and it is the security system not recognizing the key and after it resets, approximately 15 minutes, the car will start. For the most part that has been true the wait is normally 10-20 minutes but has occasionally been as long as 30-45 minutes.

Another issue I am having is the key not being released. I have never been told a reason for this but I assume it also has to do with the same issue. During my warranty period I was never able to make it in due to work and with kids the neccessity to have my car. Now I have to pay the co-pay for my extended warranty (100).

I doubt that the weather has anything to do with this defect but I know that living in California where it can easily reach 100 degrees in the summer and having two small kids this makes it very inconvenient to have to sit in the sun with them waiting for a car that is even hotter inside to want to start. I like my Saturn but this one defect, that they never seem to be able to fix, will keep me from ever buying another Saturn. Saturn's loss for not fixing a constant, recurring problem.

Becky of Cypress, TX September 24, 2008

Becky of Cypress TX (09/24/08)
I am another victim of the ignition switch issue on the 2004 Saturn Ion. Last month I was charged 150.00 to replace ignition switch after my car would not start. When I arrived home yesterday (09/23/08) my key would not turn & I could not turn off my car. Luckily I have a manual, so I lurched the car to turn off. When I called dealership I did not say my name, but when I told him the problem the gentleman told me on the Saturn Ion.

I was shocked that the dealership charged me 300.00 when (2) months ago I just had the whole ignition panel replaced.

I have paid over 450.00 to repair this ignition problem and my car only has 40,000 miles. I am in the Houston area dealing with after effects of Hurricane Ike. This 300.00 charge is detrimental to our budget right now. Saturn obviously knows about this issue and should not charge outrageous prices to fix. WHERE IS THE RECALL!

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