Ignition Switch problems of the 2000 Saturn LS

The contact owns a 2000 Saturn Ls. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition switch. The failure has occurred on several occasions. The key would turn after several attempts. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.

The contact owns a 2000 Saturn ion level 2. The vehicle would not start whenever the temperature was under forty degrees. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed the failure to be the ignition switch which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

While car was still under gm warranty, vehicle ignition switch would get stuck such that the car would not start. This happened several times intermittently but each time would eventually free up. Took car to dealer where purchased and problem was not duplicated at that time. I believe I also took to Saturn dealer but they also could not replicate. This continued to happened periodically and car eventually passed out of warranty. Recently, the problem happened again but it will not start at all. Had to tow it to the closest shop and repair the cylinder. Called Saturn and they are unwilling to assist with the repair at this time. They will not consider any assistance unless I tow the car to the dealer (around $100) and pay there diagnostic fees but, again, offer no promise that they will help in any way even if they confirm the problem.

I have a 2000 Saturn l series station wagon, VIN [xxx]. Several times in the last 9 months (I estimate 6 times) the key would not turn in the ignition. It would slide in and out ok, but would not turn. It acted like it was the wrong key for this car. The problem was not tension on the steering wheel or transmission not in park. No amount of key jiggling freed the lock. I found the problem listed in a google search. The recommendation was a tap with a hammer on the key while it was in the ignition switch. It turned out to need a significant smack. I was afraid the key would be damaged, but there was nothing to lose at that point. That worked the first few times the lockup occurred. Saturn service advised me not to do that, instead have a new key cut from the key number. They thought my key may be worn and no longer activate the tumblers correctly. We did that and there were no incidents for three months. When the problem occurred again nothing worked to free it until I did the hammer trick. The dealer says there is no recall on this issue, and recommends I bring it in for troubleshooting. As the problem is intermittent and they do not know what the root cause is, I expect them to do what other customers have reported; which is to replace the entire ignition lock system for about $350. Without knowing the root cause and having a reasonable expectation that the new part does not have the same root problem, I am reluctant to do that. I have the dash covers removed so when the problem occurs again I can take the ignition switch apart and get a better idea of what is going on. Updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

We have been having a hard time getting the key to turn in the ignition. I was driving a few days ago, and the car died on me while I was moving down the street.

2000 Saturn Ls ignition lock cylinder has binded since I purchased the car in Feb 2003. Occassionally the ignition would not turn and I could not turn off or start the car without a great deal of effort turning the steering wheel and continuously wiggling the ignition key. Today the key broke off in the ignition and I could not start the car. I am a system safety engineer working with the dept of defense. This is a safety hazard if the ignition system is not reliable to cut off the ignition or start the vehicle in an emergency.

My key was getting stuck in the ignition during initial start and stopping of the vehicle. The key would be hot to touch once you took the key out of the ignition when you shut off your car.

Parts for the ignition switch module will not be available until September, and the dealership is not scheduling appointments.

Consumer was unable to start vehicle. Contacted dealer. This was a result of an ignition switch failure.