Starter problems of the 2004 Saturn ION

March 2015 - dealership replaced the recalled ignition. Shortly after the car wouldn't start a few times, and I replaced the starter. June-July 2016 - the car wouldn't start and the passlock light would turn on. After resetting the passlock (leave the ignition turned to the run position for 10 minutes) it would start imediately. July 11, 2016 - taken to the same dealership and told them it started after the ignition was changed. Told that it was the body control monitor ($829). Repairs finished July 15, 2016. August 4, 2016 - car taken back for trouble starting once more. August 8, 2016 - ignition changed once more, but charged again because gm wouldn't cover it. I find it ridiculous that my car worked fine until I had a part changed due to a recall, and now that replacement was faulty and I'm being charged for it!.

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the instrument panel and automatic door locks failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

I have had same problem with 2004 Saturn since day when I bought it. Take to dealer and they dont know what the problem is. Bought new battery cause that is what a mech said to do need larger size. Last month every time never failed you get in vehicle turn key on . Sounds like it wants to start, but no you have to wait 10 min then turn key and it starts. Cold or warm weather didnt seem to matter. I was told maybe starter! so I took it to a new mechanic that I had a dealing with on another issue differnt vechicle. He did testing and replaced the pass lock key . Something to do with the alarming system. So knock on wood. . This last week starts everytime its working. Total cost for part is 250. 00 plus you need to have new key made and coded.

I live in minnesota when the temp drops below 30 degrees my 2004 Saturn Ion2 won"t start. This just started happening last winter, I had no problems before that. I bought a new battery last winter. I took my car to the Saturn dealer they could not find anything wrong. Usually it takes from 15minutes to half a hour for car to start. But today was different went out to start my car because the temp was 28degrees this morning I tried to start my car for over a hour I was almost late for work still no start. Then I tried starting my car when I got off work still no start. I spoke with a coworker she had the same problem she replaced battery, starter, and alternator and her does not start when it rains. Why is there nothing being done to solve this problem. Even though the car was sold by Saturn it has gm parts. Something is seriously wrong and something needs to be done to correct this.

Car won't start in cold weather. Battery and alternator fine. Had remote starter removed, as suggested by service center ; now have no running lights or keyless entry. Have had the Saturn Ion 2004 since oct. 5th, 2009. Have had to have the car jump started 5 times since. Since this is under warranty it is going back to the dealers for good. I hope no one else decides to buy it until Saturn owns up and fixes this defect. Unsatisfied customer. 11-21-09.

I own a 04 Saturn Ion. I have been having a constant problem starting the car. When the temperature is below 40 degrees, the car won't start. All the dash lights are illuminated. So I know the battery isn't the problem. I have to wait 20 minutes before the car starts up. After doing some research. It looks like the problem is the starter switch. The grease hardens up in the cold, then the security system locks out the starter switch. I have read hundreds of complaints on message boards regarding this problem. I know gm and Saturn know of this problem also. They are saying this isn't a safety problem. I think it is. Many people are having to sit in their cars when it's below freezing, waiting twenty minutes to start their Ion's. What about parents with kids? what about if someone is trying to carjack myself? I don't have away to escape by driving off.

My 2004 Saturn Ion does not start in cold weather. It has a brand new battery and starter, yet it is still having this problem. It will generally start after waiting about 15 minutes to try again. The consequences are being delayed 15-20 minutes each time I want/need to go somewhere.

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion. In cold weather the dielectric lubrication freezes and interferes with the security system - making the vehicle unable to start. This problem occurs approximately 50% of the time when the temperature drops below freezing - more frequently with even colder temperatures. The problem is often remedied by waiting for 10 - 30 minutes until the security system resets itself and then trying to start the vehicle again. I found a lot of complaints by consumers with the same issue by searching google. I also spoke with a Saturn dealership service department. The person I spoke with at the Saturn service department said he was very familiar with the problem and verified the diagnosis I listed above (dielectric lubrication freezing resulting the security system lockdown) but said there were no related recalls. I know three people with Saturn Ions and they all have the exact same problem. Two of the owners I know took the vehicle in to Saturn dealerships for repair and they replaced the starter, a three-hundred dollar procedure which did not fix the problem. I hope you can look into issuing a recall on this issue because based on personal sources, a Saturn dealer, and google searches, it seems to be a very common problem. Also, living in minnesota the temperatures can get dangerously low - where being left stranded outside for 30 minutes without a heat source can result in frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. Thank you.

The vehicle in question does not start on cold mornings and many mornings missed at work, and other appointments. Money has been spent on starters and batteries but many owners of this similar vehicle have had the same problem, but Saturn is refusing to fix the problem. This could be a potential safety hazard when the car does not start in extreme cold temperatures and the vehicle has young children and elderly.

I own a 2004 Saturn Ion. It does not start in the cold weather (around 36 degrees f and below). I have replaced the starter and two months ago I bought a new battery. My mechanic assured me the battery is top of the line and guaranteed to start in cold weather. However, it did not start yesterday in 30 degree weather. All lights turn on but car does not crank. Does not even make noise. I have researched this through various discussion boards and most of them agree that there is a faulty switch in the ignition that leaks lubricant. When the lubricant freezes, the passlock anti theft alarm does not get it's electrical signal so it activates and prohibits fuel from being used so the car does not start. I take very good care of my car, but I have spent a lot of time and money trying to figure out what is wrong in this situation. If this is the case of a faulty switch, Saturn / gm should be held liable and forced to do a recall with an updated switch design. For the amount that cars cost today manufacturers should not be allowed to put out junk parts and expect consumers to sit back and take it.

My Saturn Ion 2004, bought sept. 2007 from carmax, frequently does not start when it is cold outside. For example, it was about 33 degrees this morning and even when I jumped it, the car would not start. I had the same problem last winter- my first winter having this car. When the weather is warm, I do not have any problems with my car starting. I have had the battery checked and there was nothing wrong with it but I am going to get the starter checked today. I have been reading about this particular problem on various online forums. Apparently there are many other people who have the same problem but there has been no recall. As an educator, I cannot afford to pay for repairs that are not going to fix the problem, as I have read people online have already done. I cannot afford to buy a new car, and most importantly, as a teacher, I cannot afford to be late to school whenever it is cold. I am very hopeful that my efforts in making this complaint will result in a recall for the cause for this problem. Reading the online forums, it seems like the problem is with the ignition/starter. Thank you for your time and patience. Have a wonderful day!.

1. There were no problems, until it got cold out. 2. If there is anytime the weather stoops below 10 degrees f, the car will not start. It will click and click and click, then nothing. Every once and a while it will start for all of a second, then quit. Then it does nothing when I try to start it again. 3. I have done nothing yet, but after reading forums where many people complain about the same problem, I'm going to try changing the ignition module, and possibly get a remote starter.

Car has not started 8 times. Saturn Ion 2004. 40,000 miles. Bought it used 5 months ago. Runs fine in warm weather. Bought new battery, still wouldn't start. Bought new alternator. Still wouldn't start. Jump start it, it will start sometimes. Called Saturn recall; 2nd time, they said it was a faulty wire but no one has recalled the wire. The problem: white wire in ignition switch. When it gets too cold outside, not enough volts go through white wire and car thinks someone is breaking in and will not start. Found this out on carspace. Com. Other people with my same car have same problem. You have to clip the white wire then your car will run with no problem. Newer model Saturns are having the same problem. Next I was going to get a new starter, but other have gotten that and starter goes out within a year. It stressful to get into a fairly new car and it not start. All lights come on but engine will not. Now I know to wait 15 minutes and then try starting car again. Why hasn't this been recalled? so here I am again leaving work tonight in the cold and seeing if it will start and if it doesn't sitting around for 15 minutes and then trying it again. It is soooo aggravating!! so again why hasn't this been recalled?.

After owning my 2004 Saturn Ion for 8 months, it developed a random starting problem. Sometimes the car would start normally and others not at all. I replaced the battery, starter, and ignition switch. The dealership where I bought the ignition switch said it is common to need to replace the switch when the weather gets cold. After all of those new parts the problem persisted. I researched on the internet and found a forum where dozens of other Ion owners where having similar problems. The only remedy that seemed to "fix" the problem was to disable the vehicles anti-theft system by cutting the proper wire from the ignition switch while the car is running. This allows the car to start every time, but also gives an error message about the disabled system. This is clearly a common problem that occurs for Ion owners in cold weather.

My 2004 Saturn Ion has problems starting in the cold after about 10-15 minutes of trying it will start, everything such as starter battery fuel pump has been checked. My security light is on when this is happening.

2004 Saturn Ion, in cold weather failing to start, crank or turn over. Battery, starter, and wires all checked all in working order. Find out there was a TSB # 040845005 for it and was never informed of it. Have had the problem for past two years but never took it to the dealer for that but did have it there for other service and was never advised of the issue. Due to expired warranty dealer and gm customer service are unsure if they will cover all or any of the charge to repair it. Cost is $250 first experienced last winter and in the past month this has occurred 4 times.

It turns out Saturn Ion ignition switches came with a flaw from the factory, excessive grease with poor cold weather performance. The passlock issue presents itself as your car suddenly not starting. Suffice it to say if there's no obvious reason for your vehicle to not start, it's probably passlock related. If you've noticed that waiting a few minutes seems to help, that's the clincher. Ten minutes is the magic number, that's when the computer resets. If you were charged for a new battery, starter, ignition switch or a tow I suggest you not let the issue drop, it wasn't your fault or responsibility. Gm should take responsibility. Forgetting the unpleasantness of being stranded in 10 minute increments (also, the car fails to start several times in a row, as long as 40 minutes before) this is a safety issue that should be dealt with accordingly. Calling the problem a safety issue might seem like a stretch but let's think for a moment. What if you're trying to flee an emergency situation (stalker, landslide, fire, flood, etc. ) and your car fails to start? what if it's -10 outside and your car won't start? you're now stuck in a freezing car for a minimum of 10 extra minutes, going inside isn't always an option! leaving aside the safety examples, think of everyday life, today is big meeting day, you're ready to leave and. . . Car won't start. Safety & reliability are two (2) key items definitely failing in order for driving to and from any destination. I feel gm/Saturn should be held responsible for this defect. As far as I know, there has been no notification from gm/Saturn regarding this defect. With the recent fix, I paid $550. 00 for the repair of the ignition switch, new battery, starter and plugs, which all needed to be changed due to the stress & strain of this "starting" issue. I would appreciate reimbursement of the amount stated. Please reply. . . [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I purchase a 2004 Saturn Ion (6/11/04), brand new. The first sign of cold that year, late November, the car would not start at all. After awhile(10-15 min. ) it would start up like nothing was wrong. I brought it in 12/28/04, which they replaced the ignition lock module; saying "that was the problem". I still had issues with the car through the winter, and they didn't know was what wrong. Everytime I brought it in, they would find nothing wrong and send me on my way since they couldn't reproduce the issue. The next winter than same thing happened. I was stuck in the cold a few mornings before work trying to get the car started. Saturn claimed it was too cold outside for my car to start, and told me to wait a bit before bringing it in. (it maybe went below 0 degrees that week twice) fed up I brought it in again on 1/17/05, which they replaced my block assembly, wire harness, starter, battery, and wire connecters. They really weren't sure what was wrong they admitted, but it seems to work now. The car would work for a few weeks, then the same issue arises again. On 4/15/05 Saturn had to replace my radio receiver for faulty issues. That same winter, my car would not start in the cold again. It was brought in on 12/20/05, which they replaced my ignition switch saying the usual "this will fix the problem". Now, just under two years later, I am back to having the same issues of my car not starting in the cold. Saturn is now throwing their hands up saying I must purchase another ignition switch, and pay them to put it in for a total of $220. Unacceptable. I may have taken actions sooner, but I wasn't aware there were many more Saturn Ion drivers with the same issues I had.

When the weather reaches freezing and car has been left off for about 6 to 8 hours it will not start again. I had the problem two years ago and Saturn replaced the starter on the car and now the problem is back again this winter. I have checked several sites and this appears to be a big problem that should be address. Replacing the starter every other winter is not an acceptable solution.

2004 Saturn Ion - failure to start during very cold weather. Car would not start on separate occasions, in employer's garage, and also in shopping center parking lot. When I called the dealer service department, they knew all about the problem and said it was my starter which will cost over $150 to repair.

On 4 occasions now, when I leave work at around midnight in frigid weather, I attempt to start my 2004 Saturn Ion (manufactured in late 2003), and the starter will turn over approximately 1 or 2 revolutions, then stop. Immediate subsequent attempts to start simply result in the "click" of the ignition switch. If I wait about 5 to 10 minutes, it will turn over once or twice again, one time, then I must wait another 5-10 minutes before the starter will turn over again. According to a website I was reading, this is a common problem, and is usually due to a defect in the ignition pass lock switch, an antitheft system designed to cut off fuel supply, and some sort of grease that freezes. So far, jump-starts seem to help. . . But according to that website, simply attempting start, waiting 10 minutes, attempting again, waiting for 10 minutes, and trying again, eventually will start the car. Perhaps the time it takes to connect jumper cables is enough to "reset" this pass-lock system.

2004 Ion ii intermittently won't start - makes a short cranking sound and then - nothing. After waiting for a while (20-30 minutes or s) it will turn over - especially in cold weather - had the same problem last year and was sold a new starter by the dealership. A month later I had a starting problem again, but it did not repeat until today.

My car will not crank when the key is turned to start. It has complete power. The battery is well within the normal limits. The instances when this occur all seem to be when the car has been outside and not running for at least 2 hours in temperatures in the 20 degrees fahrenheit range or colder. All the dash lights are on, and all the accessories work when the key is turned to start, but the starter does not even attempt to turn. The "service engine" message flashes. I pulled all the electrical relays in the fuse box and the engine will now start with no problem. It is a recurring problem when the weather is cold. The same fix works each time. There is most likely a fault in the ignition switch or the passlock system. Should be recalled.

Car will sporadically not start in cold weather. Starts fine in warm season. Waiting 10 minutes after initial try will usually remedy this. This usually happens 5 times a week and normally in the morning. This has been a problem since the purchase of the vehicle. The starter and batter has been replaced with no positive results. I have done internet research and found hundreds of others with the same problem. People seem to believe it is a problem with the pass-lock system being temperamental. The electrical system is sensitive to temperature and condensation. The cold start triggers an approximate 10 minute wait time before the system is reset and the car will not turn over until after that period. I have read where people have disabled the pass lock system to remedy this with good results. I am not comfortable with paying a mechanic to disengage the system or doing this myself and feel that Saturn should fix the problem. Since this is such a sporadic and temperamental problem it would be difficult for a mechanic to diagnose. . . . Hence the dozens of accounts of people replacing starters and batteries with no lasting results. I have, with mixed results, that heating the ignition key before the initial start will cause a better connection. I am going to try this method. Overall this is just a ridiculous issue and I'm tired of being late for work and starting my car 10 to 20 minutes before leaving my car unattended while getting ready. I am hoping this complaint will help fix the problem for me and the others experiencing such strong dissatisfaction with their Saturn vehicles.

Car wouldn't start whenever temp got below 35 degrees. This happened twice. . . . . . . . . The second time I took the car to the dealer and they tell me the starter switch needed replaced! this on a car that has fewer than 60k on it. They also had to reprogram the bcm. Apparently, I'm one of 100's that has had this problem! Saturn dealer was very nice about the whole thing. . . . . . . . . . . . But is this not a safety hazard if the temp is really frigid and your car needs to start to keep warm??.

Starter failure Saturn Ion in cold weather. Half hour to 45 minutes to crank - backfiring in a closed system with fuel injection occasionally, twice blowing lid off of air-filter compartment - not a joy. "service engine" light goes on - late to work - common problem - lots of online complaints. Replaced batteries believing this to be problem. New batteries with higher cranking amps does not solve. Not a battery problem. Date given is most recent occurrence, with only one event on that date. It also occurred on 2/19/06, many times in 01/06, a few times in 12/05, and several times in 12/04, 01/05, and 02/05. It did not happen when I bought the car in 02/04 - but that was a much milder winter than years that followed. Treatment of gasoline with "heat" does not solve. Car runs like a dream when warmer weather - utterly inconvenient and embarrassing ("what? this is a Saturn? new and won't start? less than 16,000 miles on it?") when cold. Bad advertising for the company too.

3 days in a row 2004 Saturn Ion 2 won't start. After waiting 10 min I tried again and it started. This only happens when it is cold our temp. Have been averaging -4 to 13 degress. Will be going into the dealers tues. There should be a recall on the pass lock sensor since I have read on another site about all the problems this is causing with Saturn not starting.