2005 Saturn ION: complaints, problems and recalls

UPON DRIVING THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. CONSUMER CONTACTED SATURN, THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110946 at NHTSA ↗

CAR PURCHASED ON 2/26/05. FIRST TIME DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY, A 20" PIECE OF THE RAIN DRIP PANEL FLEW OFF. DEALER STATES CAR MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY ROCK, BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. DEALER ALSO SAID THIS IS "EXPECTED BEHAVIOR" IF HIT BY DEBRIS AT OVER 35 MPH. IF HIT BY DEBRIS, WAS SMALL ENOUGH THAT THERE WAS NO NOISE UPON IMPACT, NOR WAS IT VISIBLE. SINCE THERE WERE NO VEHICLES TO THE SIDE OR FRONT OF VEHICLE, WE BELIEVE THIS PANEL IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR, AND QUOTES $782 TO FIX. OTHER BODY SHOPS ARE CONSIDERABLY…

Owner-reported narrative. 101 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112334 at NHTSA ↗

ALL DASH GAUGES FAILED, INCLUDING GAS GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ETC. ON AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE OCCAISIONS. CAR WAS TWO WEEKS OLD TO THE DAY. MY SON (THE OWNER/LESSEE) WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE IT FROM HIS WORK TO THE DEALER LESS THAN A HALF MILE AWAY FOR "ADVICE" WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT THAT PROBABLY DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THE SITUATION WITH THE DASH WAS THE REASON HE WAS RETURNING THE CAR, THE SALESMAN THEN INFORMED ME THAT "OH, YEAH, THOS…

Owner-reported narrative. 490 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113990 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING AND LOOKING AT THE DASHBOARD ALL THE GAUGES SHINED, INDICATING THAT NOTHING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE GAS GAUGE/ SPEEDOMETER, AND BATTERY METER, ETC. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115181 at NHTSA ↗

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2005 SATURN THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT OF GEAR AND SHIFTED BACK INTO GEAR WHILE GOING OVER 40 MPH. THIS CAN CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO BE INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE CAR IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES IT HANGS IN GEAR AND SHIFTS HARD. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 7,413 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122331 at NHTSA ↗

DT: THE CAR IS LOSING POWER AT 70MPH AND IS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 3 AND IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 4 WITH THIS HAPPENING 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. THE SALES PERSON SAID "STAY THERE AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE". THE SALES PERSON DID COME AND PICK UP THE CONSUMER. THE SALES PERSON SAID THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CONSUMER'S KEYCHAIN WAS AT FAULT. THE KEYCHAIN WEIGHED ABOUT AN OUNCE OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP IS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO INDICATOR…

Owner-reported narrative. 86 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124351 at NHTSA ↗

DT: RELAY VAN. THE REAR SLIDING DOORS INTERMITTENTLY OPEN, AND CONSUMER IS CONCERNED IF IT IS IN AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER COULDN'T GET CHILDREN OUT. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH A HIGHER AMPERAGE ONE. THIS HELPED WITH THE LIGHTS DIMMING PROBLEM, BUT NOT THE INDICATOR ALARM SOUNDING OR THE REAR DOOR PROBLEM. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124386 at NHTSA ↗

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE FROM MY HOUSE TO MY WORK AND I NOTICED SUDDENLY THAT WHENEVER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS EVEN SLIGHTLY OR APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND JERK BACK A LITTLE BIT. I WORK FOR GM AND GET ALOT OF CALLS FROM CUST'S ABOUT CONCERNS, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D ACTUALLY SAY THAT I FOR THE 1ST TIME IN MY LIFE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD DIE OR BREAK DOWN AT ANY MOMENT LEAVING ME STRANDED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS CONCERN, BUT ONE THINGS ARE…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,969 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126136 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Reported: 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.