Six problems related to cruise control have been reported for the 2003 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Takata recalls. . I have a 2003 Saturn Ion I was driving fine hit cruise control button once I was at 55 an my car made a clicking sound started jerking like the cruise control keeps coming on. . . I've turned car off hit brakes which should reset it but it still happens. . The car feels like its down shifting an trying to accelerate on its on the rpms hump real high wen this happens. . You be driving doing 50 mph an all the sudden car jerks like its trying to stop u feel I t in gas pedal also. . .
On multiple occasions this vehicle has accelerated without pushing the gas pedal, with no cruise control option, it's unsolved by multiple mechanics. Sometimes the brake works while it's happening, sometimes it doesn't, the most recent time I pulled into a parking lot where I had to hold the brake down to shut the car off, I could smell the transmission, I turned vehicle off, turned it back on and it went to over 5 rpm still, turned back off, sat and waited, it was 2am so I couldn't call anyone. After 10 minutes it finally went back to normal. That was the most severe, it's had slightly similar issues at least 4 times. First mechanic said it was a cruise control issue, then I told him I was leaving since the vehicle doesn't have cruise control at all. Don't want him working on it. 2nd one ran computer check, no issue found. Hopefully gm recalls this before it kills someone. This car has had many issues me and my father could fix, ignition switch, wiper blade transmission, coolant light but this one isn't easy.
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact engaged the cruise control but the vehicle suddenly accelerated abruptly without warning. The contact then applied pressure to the brakes, manually depressed the cruise control button and pressed the clutch to disengage the system however, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact was able to remove the vehicle from the highway and shut the engine off. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who performed a diagnostic test and confirmed that the cruise control module had froze in acceleration mode and disconnected the system. The manufacturer took a complaint on the contacts behalf and the contact was awaiting a response. The current and failure mileage was 80,051.
There are no events leading up to the failure. From everything I've read from other Saturn Ion owners this is a frequent and seemingly random problem. At any given time if it is cold outside the car won't start. Everything lights up, the engine turns over and catches, only to stall. Upon repeated attempts to start the car there will be no response whatsoever. The engine does not turn over. After waiting several minutes it will eventually start. This problem has occurred 4 times in the last month; twice causing me to be late for particularly important engagements. Upon reporting the problem to the Saturn dealership where I bought the car I was told that they have many complaints of the same problem, but that their staff haven't been able to resolve it. This has been their general attitude towards several issues I've had with my car. I took it to another garage and they can't find a thing wrong with it. Saturn seems to be turning a blind eye to a problem that is clearly the result of a poor design somewhere on their part. I have also had to replace control arm bushings when I was at about 80 000 km, and now need to replace struts. I am hesitant to do this though, as the general consensus among Saturn Ion owners is that bushings and struts are in perpetual need of replacement on these cars. After replacing the parts most people find that they have to make the same repairs again within 2 years. Further problems I have with my car are: trunk will not open with key, replaced wires on both front turn signals and one headlight, key would not release from ignition, erratic transmission behavior (I was told that this is a common problem and that I just have to deal with it), seat belt guides broken (front, both sides), rear seat belt "female" component falls into crevice in seat, paint peeling from front bumper without being chipped prior, and a faulty cruise control switch. Every single one of these problems has turned up again and again in the Ion owners community.
While driving the vehicle's trunk opened. The consumer stated that the cruise control will not set. The dealer stated that the cruise control was working within factory specs.
While driving at 30 mph in cruise control mode driver pulled right to avoid hitting and object in the road, and the right wheel locked up. When this occurred vehicle impacted a tree, and damaged the a frame and other components. Vehicle was totaled.