Five problems related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) have been reported for the 2003 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On 3 occasions this winter, my 2003 Saturn Ion has failed to start. After the first 2, the battery was replaced. I now doubt the battery was faulty, because the problem seems to be intermittent and the engine would roll over, but not start. This morning (about 35 degrees), I attempted to start the car and it was very sluggish and would not start. I attempted to charge it and ended up walking my daughter 5 blocks to daycare and calling a ride to work. When I returned home 3 hours later, it still did not want to start and then ran sluggish. Online searches indicate hundreds of reports of a faulty ignition module. That will be my next repair/replacement. The car has 98000 miles. We previously owned a 1995 Saturn sc2 for 10 years with 150000 miles and no trouble.
Car will not start in temperatures near 32 degrees or less. Ignition switch and battery have already been replaced. Car starts to crank then stalls out and service light comes on. Must wait 10-15 minutes to try again. If lucky it will start on 2nd try, otherwise 3rd. This has been going on for past 3 weeks when temps dropped.
I have a 2003 Saturn Ion-3 and it will not start below 40 degrees, this is a ridiculous problem. . Read more...
2003 Saturn Ion will not start if weather is under 50 degrees. This has happened since purchasing the car in 2/2004. The Saturn dealer states they have had numerous complaints but is not a recall. Car does eventually start however it sometimes takes up to 20 minutes and I have been stranded at work, unable to arrive at work on time and have been stranded in dangerous areas of town.
When I bought my car it wouldn't start, the dealer said it was because it sat for a long time. This problemhas been constantly been an issue since in extreme weather. I was told during one shop inspection it was electrical and they have seen a lot of this but don't know what causes it. With this case it has shut my radio on and off and a big issue that I have is when I am stopped with my foot on my brake the engine will revve up and jerk forward. This happens in the city when I'm driving at slower speeds. I've had to run off the road to avoid hitting people, the only thing that saves me from hitting anyone at lights or signs is my safety gap between me and a front car. I've been late for work, ruined vacations, been stranded with an infant in 100 degree weather, and wasted a lot of money trying to find the problems. I bought it new and have heard every excuse for the problems. . . You guys have finally stepped in on one of the problems we have been having now gm needs to answer the rest. I'm not the only one with these problems. If you do a search online you can pull up 100s of issues exactly the same. I have all my receipts when I took it onto Saturn dealers. Now I have doors that don't seal but I'm sure this is because it's old or other excuses. I had to buy another car because my kids aren't safe in it. I can't even have a clean conscious trading it in so I still am stuck with it. I have complained about this issue before but no one listens.