Three problems related to engine shut off without warning have been reported for the 2005 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
We bought our 2005 Saturn Ion used sept. 4, 2012,(87,812) before even could take off lot they had to install an ignition cylinder and cut new key, and the throttle was stuck could press all the way to floor, and would only get up to about 20mph. This was also fixed. (or so we thought). Since our purchase, we still have trouble with the key getting stuck, it not turning off with car still running, or the car won't start, it happens so much that our daughter who drives it just figures that's they way it's suppose to be, because when take back to dealer either it won't do it for them or does't do it for a month or so. Now the warranty has ran out so if it happens again they told us we had to take care of, well it happened again today, she parked would not shut off, called dealership, they can't do anything because gm hasn't given them recall yet! was in accident on Jan. 2, 2014 front end air bags did not deploy! not sure why not!!! this July was coming home and driving down road car just shut off while driving about 30mph and had to manually try to get car off road without hurting car or anyone else's car, after sometime got car to start again and got it home, called dealership their response if happens again bring it in. And still to this date sometimes her throttle will stick, as a parent I'm holding my breath every time she leaves our drive in this vehicle. Please help soon.
When I was pulling out of the parking lot of my job there is a slight dip in the road when exiting the parking lot on to the street and as I was pulling out making a right turn and I went over the bump and my car shut off and I was not aware it had shut off until I was almost at a complete stop. That was the very first time it happen, it shuts off almost every time I hit a bump.
We have had this problem now going on the 3rd time with our Saturn Ion. No crank no start, like you cut the power off to the car. No gauges ,no lights no emergency signals. There is a problem with the circuit board in the fuse box, it seems to break contact with in the area that controls this. The first time the dealer changed the part, 2nd time we had no warranty and had to pay $550. Now it has done it again. The first time my wife was driving home at night when it just shut off and there was no lights or emergency signals and she was on a dark highway.