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Saturn Ion - Ignition Lock

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Melissa of Grand Rapids, MI March 18, 2009

Melissa of Grand Rapids MI (03/18/09)
I have a Saturn Ion 2004 that has 41,000 miles on it. The Lock Cylinder has been replaced two times and needs to be done again. My car is stuck in the on position and Saturn isn't being real helpful. It's not under warranty anymore and they think I should have to pay for this after it's been replaced two other times. They say it's not a safety issue so they won't do a recall. It wouldn't necessarily help since I'm on my third but I shouldn't have to pay for their errors. We don't have the money and the car isn't paid off so now I have to make a payment on something I can't drive.

Doug of Corning, NY March 16, 2009

Doug of Corning NY (03/16/09)
Problems with key sticking in on or acc position. Would not come out. Fiancee could not turn engine off at all finally and drove to the dealership almost 70 miles away. They removed the key, mangling it in the process. Said it's a common problem, that a tumbler fell out of place and caused the issue. Cut her a new key, which does not match the factory set, said they repaired the ignition and everything was fine. Keys are still sticking. Whatever their excuse, the problem runs much deeper. There is clearly a solenoid controlling a lock mechanism in the ignition preventing key removal while the transmission is not in park. I can hear it clicking on and off while idling in park. Every other time you turn the ignition off the key sticks, and you have to wait to hear the click of the solenoid before you can attempt to remove the key.

Bought this '05 Ion 2 with high hopes and am extremely disappointed. Wouldn't recommend a Saturn to anyone after reading this thread of woes. We tried to take the car to a local dealer to repair the switch, and were told we were the third owners in a week asking for the same repair. They said they didn't have the special tools needed to remove the ignition without causing extensive damage. This is a clear case of planned obselescence if I've ever seen one. They want us to get a new one every few years. Time to start riding bicycles again...keys never get stuck in that ignition! Lot of horsin' around for something that shouldn't be broken.

I doubt we'll see classic Ion 2's at car shows in our senior years...If you're looking at Saturns, and I never thought I'd be saying this, look to a different car. And it kills me. The American consumer should feel SO comfortable buying an American product over an import. But the comfort is definitely gone with Saturn.

Cost of about 75 plus 10 or so for a new key that doesn't work well. Keys definitely wear faster than usual. I don't even drive the car often (I drive the truck back and forth to work) but I carry a key, and it looks like I filed it down. Just worn from being in my pocket. Insane. I keep ten keys on that ring and it's the only one wearing away like it's carved out of soap. Already had suspension repair (under warranty) But it all costs time, and the dealer is 70 miles away.

Sean of Glen Allen, VA March 14, 2009

Sean of Glen Allen VA (03/14/09)
I have a 2006 Saturn Ion. Security light comes on and car won't start. This happens when its cold. I put a battery charger up to it and after about 10 minutes it starts right up. Same thing when I am away from the house. I get someone to jump start it and it works every time. It will not start on its own w/o a jump or boost.

Next problem is the power steering. Going down the road, I get about 1 mile away from the house and the steering goes out. If I shut off the car it re-sets itself only to go off again a little further down the road. This should not be happening to a car with 40k miles on it. NO WAY. I also have had the front drivers side window come completely out of the housing. Craziness!! I am very careful with my cars and go to great lengths to make sure they are performing well. This has been nothing short of disappointing and is ground for a RECALL. Please get together as numbers are the best way. Can anyone say LEMON LAW?

Missed work, late for appointments and dangerous driving conditions.

Daffnie of Aurora, OH March 2, 2009

Daffnie of Aurora OH (03/02/09)
I have the same problem as many others. I purchased a 2004 Saturn Ion in the summer of 06. Nice looking car, good on gas, I thought I got a great deal until the first winter came. Guess what... It would not start (big suprise after reading all the frustrated comsumers). I had the ignition switch replaced, new battery, starter, alternator you name it i had it replaced. I called Saturn customer support. They said I needed to start a file with them so I did. We will see if a rep actually calles me back.

I wanted to give this womans name and # for everyone to call because she was the only one who was interested in my problems. Her name is Jane and her direct extention is 21718. I say we should start a class action lawsuit against Saturn with the thousands of complaints. With their new found economy problems. Why should they get to sell the Saturn brand to save their butts and us poor working class folks have a car that wont start with several repair bills to prove it!

Christine of West Columbia, SC February 26, 2009

Christine of West Columbia SC (02/26/09)
I bought my 2003 Saturn Ion brand new. I am having the same problems a lot of others are experiencing- the key getting stuck in the ignition and the car not starting. I have been having these problems for a few years now. I've had the battery and alternator tested numerous times. I have replaced the catalytic converter, the starter, and a clutch switct all in an effort to fix the not starting problem. Of course, none of these expensive repairs fixed it.

It is now worse than ever. The key is sticking a lot worse as well. I was getting ready to get this problem fixed when I found out via the internet that a lot of others are having the same problem and replacing the part doesn't help because the new part will do the same thing. I have to leave my car running when I have to make a stop on the way to an important meeting or appointment so I don't risk it not starting and making me late.

This a safety hazard and a gas guzzler. I don't go to the gas station during the rush hours(on my way to/from work- when it is most convenient) so that I will not be blocking a pump for 10 - 30 minutes waiting on my car to start when there is a line of people at every pump. I have to drive back out later and make a special trip just to get gas. This is very frustrating! I am tired of spending hours every week waiting on my car to start and fighting with the key in the ignition. It happened 3 different times today alone. I bought this Saturn because my 1st one was so wonderful and I thought I would always own a Saturn. Now I will buy anything but a Saturn.

I have spent hundreds of dollars on repairs that didn't fix the problems. The other consequences are just major inconvenience and a lot of wasted time, not physical or economical but exasperating after years of putting up with it, trying to pay for repairs while still paying for the car.

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