Seven problems related to anti-theft controller have been reported for the 2005 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that vehicle could not be started during colder weather due to the anti-theft sensor. The contact stated that the vehicle would have to sit at least twenty minutes after starting in order for the vehicle to reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The dealer advised the contact to have the vehicle towed when the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified who stated that the dealer could not repair the vehicle until properly diagnosed. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Vehicle will start intermittently on cold and/or damp mornings. Online research has shown the cause to be a defective body control module (bcm; a component of the factory-installed anti-theft system), confirmed by an experienced automotive technician. Said technician has stated to complainant that vehicle may be subject to recall due to defective bcm; however, according to NHTSA, this vehicle is under recall only for exterior lighting issues (NHTSA campaign id #09e012000). Complainant requests detailed recall information for this specific part (bcm), for this specific make and model of vehicle (listed above). If no such recall exists, complainant requests a recall be initiated.
Car will not start when it is very cold out! key will turn, radio etc. Will work, but anti-theft system cuts off fuel. Many, many people have same problem, on Saturn Ion 2, numerous years! the oil/grease used in ignition freezes! Saturn knows of this problem, but is turning a blind eye!.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the key became stuck in the ignition and the vehicle was unable to be started. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch and the anti-theft system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.
Ignition switch recognition began to deteriorate. When trying to start the car, the anti-theft would come on. I would have to wait hours. This would happen in cold and rainy weather. Key would get locked in ignition with accessories on and not go off. Battery would die. When jumping the car the key would still be locked in the on position and begin turning on and off violently and rapidly until key was able to be removed. Car blew fuse while driving on highway. Max speed reduced to 30 mph. When turning on key would be 1/2 recognized and lights/electric would flicker on and off violently and fuses/computer had to be replaced/reset. Car did the light/electrical issue while on and driving, key would not come out of ignition. Car was towed by palmetto chevy in conway SC, who despite recall and vehicle history refuse to fix the car or give loaner as stated on website. I have been calling since 2008 about the issue. Gm says take it to a dealership but I have to pay for issues. Car has been towed on Tuesday 3/11/14 to palmetto chevy, after they told me they would pick it up but were a no show on Monday 3/10/14. Again, they refuse to do the recall. Stating they find nothing wrong with the ignition.
The car started experiencing electrical issues. The accessory jack became inoperable, the radio would stop putting out sound, even though it was on you would not be able to turn it off then the abs light would stay on and the warning bell would go off. Finally the anti-theft light would come on and stay on. Upon going to my car after work it would not start. I thought it was a dead battery so we jumped the car and after about 15 minutes it started. 1 week later the light came on and stayed on again, but after restarting the car it went out. Again when I went out another day to start by car after my lunch break the car wouldn't start. I called Saturn and requested road side assistance, but after 15 minutes the car started. I took it to the Saturn dealership and they replaced the computer (control) body system. The next day the anti theft light came on again, I took it back and they had to replace the switch in the ignition. In June the radio again was not working properly. After restarting the car it worked again. I called Saturn again to complain and took it in for diagnostic at that time they could not find any codes. 1 week later the radio again would not work, so I drove straight to the dealership without restarting the car so that they could see the problem in action. I was told that it was the radio only and they would replace it. A new radio has been ordered but during this time the abs system again came on with a warning bell. I turned the car off and back on the system reset itself. 2 days later after leaving the store the abs light went on again with the bell and the anti-theft light came on. I restarted the car, but the anti-theft light stayed on the entire trip home. I was told that if the light was on the car should not run, but it did. I took the car in today for them to "look" at it and they said they are going to replace the radio and run a diagnostic on it.
The almost crash: 1. Driving along the road; 2. Passlock anti-theft deterent light came on; 3. Car stopped in the road causing drivers to take evasive action around my car.