Saturn ION engine problems
313 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
4,343 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 3,543 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
313 of 4,343 complaints match this topic (7.2%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10008156 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
DEAR ADMINISTRATOR: I PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN ION 2 ON DECEMBER 28, 2002. I REPORTED TO BOTH THE SATURN CORPORATION AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T SAFE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 80 MILES. THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX THE VEHICLE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP ON 4 SEPERATE OCCASIONS , TWO OF WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO ACCEPT MY VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 10, NOT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, SATURN KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR NEARLY ONE WEEK. AFTER THE LOAN WAS APPROVED ON THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019030 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
NEW SATURN ION 2003 STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP, MUST STOP SUDDENLY TO RESTART AND GAIN CONTROL OF CAR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026607 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AS IF IT WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED BACK FROM REPAIR, IT HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO GAIN SPEED, AND SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY(ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN IN LOWER SPEEDS), AND WOULD RANDOMLY BEGIN TO SHAKE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033002 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND CAR WOULD SHAKE. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. WITHIN 2 DAYS ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON, SOMETIMES STAYING ON STEADY AND SOMETIMES BLINKING. VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS (EVEN SMALL ONES) VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY FEEL LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN PUT ON AND VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO STALL OUT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN OPENING THE TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 98 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040419 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040419 at NHTSA ↗