Five problems related to engine have been reported for the 2003 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine goes into high idle rpm, 1500 to 2200 rpm, after being driven a period of time at high speed. If you shut off engine and restart engine idle resumes to 800 rpm, but if driven engine idle will go back to high idle again. Dealer reprogrammed (pcm) power control model as per Saturn fix alert of 4/2004; but this did not work.
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start in cold weather. It takes approximately 30 minutes or less for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken in for inspection, but they could not find any failures. The manufacturer stated that no recalls were available. The failure and current mileages were 72,000. Updated 020209 updated 02/03/09.
Vehicle will not crank or start after car is turned off after driving a short or long time. Service light comes on when you try to start the vehicle. After letting it set for about 20 mins the vehicle then starts and shutoff again and it takes about five tries to get it started again.
My Saturn Ion 3 had 4 occurrences of service vehicle's message in the last 24 hours since Dec 29, 2006. When I turn the key, the engine doesn't turn over. The message windows shows "service vehicle" and the "security"/pass lock symbol on the dash keeps flashing. I kept trying turning the ignition, nothing happnened. The after approx. 10 minutes, the car started and ran great as if nothing happened.
Engine light appeared on instrumental panel, vehicle was taken to the dealer, and they could not duplicate the problem. The following day manufacturer called the consumer not to drive the vehicle at all. Dealer kept the vehicle for 3 weeks.