2006 Saturn ION: complaints, problems and recalls

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED SCRAPING NOISE AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND WHEN MAKING TURNS OR ON BUMPY ROADS. THIS OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN AFTER MARKET TOW HITCH. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE DEALERSHIP. HE RETURNED HOME AND REMOVED THE AFTER MARKET TOW HITCH, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NO FURTHER ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AT THIS TIME. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140971 at NHTSA ↗

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR LESS THAN 72 HOUR OLD CAR AND THE UNDERNEATH CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BUT SATURN SAYS WE MUST HAVE IT A MOVING BLANKET! WE HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND BARELY GOT THEM OUT BEFORE THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. WHO'S IDEA WAS IT TO MAKE FUEL LINES OUT OF NYLON ANYWAY? *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144029 at NHTSA ↗

ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE'S MOTOR 'REVVED' OR RACED JUST BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURB AND ENDED UP FINALLY COMING TO A STOP INSIDE A PARTY STORE. THERE WERE AT LEAST 10 FEET OF SKID MARKS PRESENT AND A WITNESS FROM BEHIND THAT SAW THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND STORE, ALL REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN DUPLICATED AND HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED. *NM…

Owner-reported narrative. 113 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159142 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT SEATBELTS LOCKED INTO PLACE WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING THE SEATBELT DURING THE INCIDENT AND THE SEATBELT RETRACTORS REMAINED LOCKED AFTERWARDS. THE SEATBELTS WERE INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SEATBELTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THE SEATBELTS WERE A SAFETY FEATURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164015 at NHTSA ↗

I RECENTLY WENT OUT OF TOWN. I HAD TWO PASSENGERS. BOTH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CONTINUOUSLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, CAUSING THEM TO HAVE TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. SATURN'S TECHNICIANS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED ONLY ONE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, AND REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 10,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166298 at NHTSA ↗

IN FEBRUARY/MARCH OF 2006 I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE SUNROOF. THE SWITCH OPERATING THE SUNROOF WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE AND HAD THIS CHECKED ON 03/17/2006. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED AND A REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166299 at NHTSA ↗

DURING A WEEKEND OF THUNDERSTORMS MY SUNROOF LEAKED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SOAKED. I GOT THE CAR BACK, AND DURING ANOTHER THUNDERSTORM THE CAR LEAKED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO LEFT MY CAR OUT IN THE RAIN WITH A KNOWN LEAK FOR THREE DAYS ON THE FIRST TRIP TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER REFERRED TO THIS LEAKAGE PROBLEM AS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 9,035 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166302 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR BUMPER IS STARTING TO HAVE OBVIOUS SCRATCHES WHERE THE TRUNK LID COMES DOWN. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THAT SATURN IDENTIFIED TWO YEARS AGO. DURING THE SERVICE VISIT THE TECHNICIAN REALIZED THAT MY BUMPER WAS MISALIGNED AT ASSEMBLY AND REALIGNED AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. NOW IT IS IN THE CENTER OF THE BUMPER WHERE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO SHAVE THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK LID AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166303 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-10-29 (October 29, 2009)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.