Automatic Transmission problems of the 2003 Saturn ION

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While accelerating onto a highway at 40 mph, the vehicle began to abnormally decelerate without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where a diagnostic test indicated the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer advised they would get back with the contact to determine if any assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 74,085.

Failed transmission.

Will driving down the road the transmission in my Saturn Ion lvl 3 slips and I have to let my foot off the gas and then kick the gas pedal for it to go into gear. It does this all the time when I am driving it. Also when I go to park the car, I put it in park and pull up the emergency brake and I go to remove the key and it will only go as far as acc mode. It will not release. I have to wait 20 to 30 minutes until it releases automatically. I have read online this is a known problem with Saturns and I have been told that they will not fix it. It does this almost every single day.

Driver noticed that the transmission would down shift on its own. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission was adjusted on more than one occasion. However, driver informed the mechanic that the problem still occurred, and had not been resolved. The consumer stated that the engine takes 2-5 minutes for it to idle down from 2500 rpm's. The consumer stated that the defoster on the passenger side failed. The consumer stated that the hood would not always close properly.

I have a 2003 Saturn Ion that is having shifting problems. The car has 52,000 miles on it, and it is out of warranty, my daughter originally had the car, and drove it, without me knowing she was having problems with it shifting. Also there seems to be a vibration in the front end. I am taking it in for evaluation. I have had it in several times for the transmission, but they couldn't find anything wrong. I don't understand gm not doing something about these transmission problems. Also the seat belt locks and you can't get out of it. This is a real safety issue and I hope the address it. You literally have to crawl out of the belt.

The transmission on my Saturn Ion quad coupe intermittently disengages or fails to engage when I step on the gas. This is dangerous because if it does not engage while I am pulling into traffic I could be hurt. I took it to the dealer and they said they could not duplicate the concern, but acknowledged there was a problem with these transmissions and a "fix" would be out sometime in the future. I had previously received on owner notification letter re this issue (implying that the transmissions would be replaced if there was a problem. ) when I called the company to discuss my concerns, the dealer's response that nothing could be done, and the owner notification letter contents, the response was essentially that if the dealer cannot duplicate the concern, there is no problem--essentially, they said something bad has to happen before they will take action, and the dealer doesn't have time to drive the car until they can duplicate the concern. I think it's wrong and they should fix the problem. This happens at least 2x per day, never in the same place, no rhyme or reason to it.

Car hesitates with no warning when taking off from stop. Almost rear ended. Also almost struck from side in intersection.

The two Saturn 2003 Ions I have driven (including my current vehicle) have a transmission problem where, when engaging in third gear, the transmission will "freewheel" for several seconds before engaging with a lurch. The problem can be created by accelerating around a corner while the transmission is shifting from second to third. The cars were manufactured in March/April, 2003.

I bought a Ion quad coupe in July of this year. I had a problem with the car not moving when placed into gear. They worked on the transmission and replaced some parts. The newly rebuilt tranmission stil slips and has a hard shifting feeling. I brought it in 3 times before it was actually fixed, and still need to go back. This seems to be a safety issue. What if it was to not drive when pulling out into traffic, or fail when I was driving. It has been over a week since I brought it in and the dealership will not give me paperwork on my car. I dont even know what parts were exactly replaced. Paperwork is missing from over 2 weeks ago from the 2nd visit.

When making turns, particularly right turns, my wife's new Saturn Ion quad coupe, loses power and hesitates after it gets the turn partially completed. This happens intermittently about once a week so it is tough to duplicate but it has caused her to be nearly hit several times by on coming traffic. The dealership states this is the way the vti transmission is designed to work so there is nothing to fix. Saturn in spring hill did not deny this was how the transmission was designed to work. I asked if there were any service bulletins that would fix this and they said none would actually fix this problem and they had no idea how to fix it. They also refused to provide a written response to my certified return receipt letter even though I specifically requested a written response. People are taking their cars to independent transmission shops to be fixed. Saturn is reimbursing some of these charges but they call it strictly a "customer satisfaction issue". Complaints 10049664 and 10049638 sound very similar. I would suggest that you request that Saturn provide all complaints filed with them about the vti transmission, especially where independent shops did repairs. Those owners/independent shops could probably provide a wealth of info about vti transmission problems. I think you will find this is a safety problem and a recall is warranty.

My 2003 Saturn Ion down shifts on me when I try to accelerate. It is getting consistently worse and has gotten to the point that it will stop for a second and then take off again. Saturn has been unable to fix this problem. A tech has test drove the vehicle with me and seen it happen first hand. Still on resolved. My vehicle has been in the shop a total of 4 times since I bought it. I have filed a complaint with the bbb and am currently trying to lemon law it.

The consumer stated transmission has never worked properly. The vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times, they stated could duplicate the problem. The problem was duplicated once, and the transmission module was replaced. The consumer has gone through 1-800- my- lemon, and since that, the dealership was not willing to help her anymore. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also claim ed it could not be t be duplicated, so they could not help. There have been multiple things wrong with the vehicle; the gas gauge and other things. The consumer did have the work orders and could send in that information. The transmission would go up to high rpms. It would jerk, and almost shut off. It happed on straight roads as well as hills.

Transmission: while driving 25 mph vehicle froze. Consumer could not go backward or forward. She had this problem several times in the past. Contacted the dealer, but the problem still exists.

My daughter bought a Saturn Ion iii. She has recently had trouble with her automatic transmission. Saturn has acknoweldged a hard shifting problem from 2nd to 3rd, but since a high number of vehicles exhibit this problem, and they don't know what is causing it, it is being considered normal operation. My daughter's car exhibited this problem, but it has now begun to be a way more serious concern because it will completely slip, (lose all power), for what seems to be an ever increasing longer interval and more frequently. She has had this happen while trying to make a left hand turn with oncoming traffic. She now tries to avoid any situation at low speeds that might cause her injury, (she tries to make as many right hand turns to get to and from work as possible). Saturn has had two service employees witness the problem, albeit in a straight line driving situation. They still refuse to repair/replace or admit a problem beyond the hard shifting. My daughter lives in mesa, az. Her phone number is 480-577-3113, and name is elysia beckendorf. I mention mesa because of the unusual streets there. The majority of main city streets are six lanes wide with 45mph speed limits. That is a very scary scenario to be making a left hand turn in and lose power.

I purchased my 2003 Saturn Ion in January 2003. It has been a nightmare. The vehicle has been into the dealership a total of 6 times and a grand total of 18 days in service. The transmission downshifts when I try to accerlerate. The service techs at Saturn have been able to duplicate this problem several times. They have recalirberated and replace the transmission; however the vehicle is still down shifting when accerlerating. I am terrified that I will be hit because of this problem. It has now gotten to the point that it will stop for a few seconds when the failure occurs and then take off agian. This is very dangerous. They should not be able to sell vehicles with defects. I have filed a compliant with the bbb and currently have a case pending. I want to be refunded in full for this vehicle.

Purchase Saturn Ion iii in March. Transmssion had hard shift then slip problem almost immediately.

When tires spin transmission disconnects. Then. Vehicle has to be towed. This normally happens when it is snowing. Also, steering wheel turns from left to right on its own.