general problems of the 2003 Saturn ION

2003 Saturn Ion, consumer writes in regards to broken timing chain. The consumer stated while driving the timing chain broke, nearly causing a crash in the middle of an intersection.

Fuel line to throttle body leaked fuel due to stress cracks. Part that failed is " no longer available" according to gm parts sales. . Mechanic welded cracked pipe and said eh has fixed quite a few of these. I have receipt from repair shop.

Timing chain broke, after having cleared a tune up only a couple weeks ago. No other problems with the car, and from doing some research I see that this was a problem with 2003 Ions but gm had no recall information for me, on my profile page on their website. I am now without a car and no way to afford a new one, and the only thing I'm thankful for, is that I wasn't on the highway or anything when it happened, and it occurred when I tried to start my car.

Ask a mechanic spring 2014, we had the recall on the ignition fixed on my 2003 Saturn. On September 9th my son drove the Saturn to detroit mi. About half way there on I-94, at rush hour, the Saturn lost power and began stopping. He was going about 70 miles/hour and didn¿t have extra keys on the key ring. Luckily, he is strong, Smart and quick thinking. He was able to wrestle the steering column toward an exit, while depressing the clutch and restarting the car. Thankfully it started! if I had been driving the car, I don¿t think I could have done those things. We called the dealership that fixed the car and after numerous calls, they said they were not authorized to tow the car and fix it. Now several weeks later and in response to letters sent to gm executives, they tell us the same thing. I am telling them their fix is not a fix! I don¿t want others injured or dead. Why is this entitled ¿ask a mechanic�? we were told many years ago by a mechanic at the Saturn dealer not to hang extra keys on our ring. This dealer has been gone for many years. Maybe someone needs to ask a current mechanic if this is the right fix for gm vehicles.

This is the third time in one year that my timing chain has slipped on my 2003 Saturn Ion. I have read that the oil port is not large enough to handle oiling the chain. I have already paid out of pocket nearly 2000 dollars and it is still in the shop. It has messed up other parts of the engine every time it has done this. So I have to have other parts replaced also that are result of this. It runs fine then suddenly and without warning I can go to start the car and it starts having a spasm and then shutters and will not start. I am so afraid to keep having the timing chain fixed on this since I have read that it is really a fault in the engineering of the engine to start with. Please help. I need a number to call to see if there is a recall or will gm fix this problem that is surely their fault and not the fault of the owner of the car. It is a good running car and I did enjoy driving it but I can't keep getting the timing chain fixed if fixing the timing chain is not the problem really but is something else that is causing the timing chain to fail.

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Key came out, but car was still running. Put key back in managed to get turn off engine, however key would not release for over 15min! this keeps happening to me. Scheduled appointment with chapman Chevrolet tempe, az to repair according to recall instructions that I submitted to their customer service dept. They say they will notify me when the parts come in, but it has been approximately one month or more already. I believe my family and my self are in danger of a fatal accident or something; sometimes the car will not surrender the ignition key for in hour. Already had new key made at chapman Chevrolet which makes starting somewhat easier, before, it would take, often times, 10min or more just to get the key to turn. Please help chapman Chevrolet get the parts they need or stop ignoring my request for the honoring of the recall work I requested of them. Im afraid this will not hold up much longer as is.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition once the vehicle was turned off. Contact also stated that the engine continued to run once the key was removed on different occasions. These failure have continued since vehicle was returned two weeks ago for repairs under to NHTSA campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was taken back the dealer, however a diagnoses have not been given. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Rg.

On 4 separate occasions (different dates, most recent were 1-26-2014 & 2-19-2014) engine revved and car accelerated by itself without gas pedal depressed. Most serious occurrence, car accelerated, brakes had no effect (pushed to the floor), ran red light, went off road, slammed transmission into park to stop. Shut off car, then started it again, and it ran normal. Took car to mechanic. No computer codes. Nothing mechanical was found to be wrong. This is an extremely serious safety issue due to the inevitability of a collision with something or someone.

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. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Wife and children riding down road when car turns itself off and looses all power. She was luckily enough to merge across 2 lanes at a coast with no brakes or power steering to bring the car to a stop. Then it took up to 30 min of sitting on the side of very busy I-16 till the security light stopped flashing and she could continue her way home with my 2 and 8 year old kids in the car. Now all the car will do is flash that passlock light after I have replaced the ignition switch,starter,battery,alternator and many fuses also following the relearn procedure each time.

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an auto mechanic who advised that there was a problem with the ignition. The ignition was replaced. The contact continued to have the same problem after the repairs. The contact notified the dealer who offered no assistance. The contact also called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Car won't start when the temp is below 20 f, have to wait 10 min for anti theft to reset and then try again. Some times have to try 3 or 4 times. Dealer say it's a know problem and I have to replace the ignition switch at my expense.

On multiple occasions over the last 2-3yrs, the car was turned on and the engine reved up to 3,500rpm without pressing on the gas pedal. If I put the car in drive while this was happening, the car would accelerate on its own (up to 25mph). I've had multiple auto shops inspect and try to diagnose the problem but none can tell me what the problem is.

Timing chain broke on our 2003 Saturn Ion. Very dangerous and costly.

On 16 June, 2009, I took my 2003 Saturn Ion in to have a faulty ignition switch replaced. The dealership did a 29 point checkup which I did not authorize. The total of the bill was 2424. 00. One of the recommendations is that I replace my timing chain. I questioned how they knew my chain was bad, since they couldn't examine it. The repair associate stated based on his experience and that he could hear it "rattle". I asked the associate how long before my chain would need to be replaced. He said within six months. Though later he recanted his statement, to say that I have maybe up to six months but it can go at anytime. I had my switch replaced. I didn't drive a total of nine miles from the dealership and my timing chain snaps! I refused to allow them to repair my car. The head had four bent valves. Saturn wanted me to buy a new head for 885. 00 as part of their new estimate to fix my damaged engine,which totaled 2442. 00. This facility, Saturn of york, should be investigated. My Saturn had 115796 miles when the incident occurred. I use mobile one. My father had changed the oil within a month of this incident. My oil level was good, contrary to their 29 point inspection saying it was low and dirty. Suggesting I also have an oil change.

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the timing chain was determined to be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact feels that the manufacturer should pay for the repair. The current and failure mileages were 128,000.

I had the car in March 2008 from a certified dealership, and needed a head gasket in less than a year. If the car was certified how the car can have a major problem so much. I haven't had any accident, or any other problems with the car. Then the light blew out in the dash board.

I purchased a used 2003 Saturn Ion level 1 in April of 2006. Beginning this winter (approximately early December 2008), my car did not start. Initially, it would simply click, but all electrical was working properly, and there was no drain of power upon attempting to start the car. A few hours later, my husband tried to start it, and it turned over as if there was no problem present. Since then, it has very randomly done the same thing - first try, nothing but electrical comes on, but after waiting anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes, the car will start only to die immediately, and then finally, the engine will turn over, and the car will run perfectly. This winter has been brutally cold, and I have a young son. Luckily, he has never been with me when I have encountered this issue while away from home - sitting in a non-running vehicle for up to half an hour in below-zero temperatures is not only dangerous to me, but *extremely* dangerous for him. I have even had occurrences of this when stopping at the store for a mere 10 minutes (after my car started perfectly to get there), only to come out and find my car completely useless. This particular night the temperature was literally 10-below-zero), and it took me a solid half hour to get it started again. I have discovered countless complaints regarding duplicate situations online from many, many Ion owners, as well as other models of Saturns. The fact that Saturn has not issued a recall for what is apparently remedied by replacing the ignition assembly and housing appall me, even though they address it as "not being a safety issue. " when taking into consideration that I, as well as thousands of other Ion owners, could be left stranded far from any help or means to attain assistance, at any random time of day or location, in even the absolute worst of weather conditions makes me disagree completely with the assumption that it does not impact the safety of Saturn owners and their families. It deserves a recall.

2003 Saturn Ion with cracked cylinder head customer states that the problem comes from a defective casting of cylinder head* the consumer stated she experienced a cracked cylinder head in may of 2007 but the corporation denies any responsibility in the matter. The consumer stated Saturn states not want to take responsibility for the insurance warranty nor the defect of the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. When the heater is operated, the vehicle would idle extremely high. The failure has been occurring since fall of 2006. The contact stopped at a traffic light and the failure recurred. Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failures. The manufacturer stated that if the dealer could not duplicate the failures, then nothing could be done. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 33,000 and current mileage was 74,300.

My 2003 Saturn Ion consistently idles at between 1200 and 2000 rpm. Car drives itself when I take my foot off the brake. Car will drive 5-10 mph with foot off the case. I have complained at each service but the dealer states there is nothing wrong. The idle is determined by software. Etc.

: the contact stated the vehicle had problems starting in cold weather. The engine would start after a few attempts or not start at all on different occasions. The non service dealer could not duplicate the issue to fix it.

Drove through water about 5 to 6 inches deep during rain, car stopped would not restart, engine had to be replaced due to water damage, the car was just one year old.

It don't happen all the time but it won't start you turn the key and nothing happen and you have to wait 15 minutes and try to start it most the time it will start but there were afew that it took a half hour sitting and waiting for it to reset had my car in the dealer want time and told them about they said nothing can been done about it intil it happen to them even whose the dashboard computer say service engines and it could happen everyday for a week than it could be months before it dose it again.