Battery Dead problems of the 2006 Saturn ION

After driving vehicle and arriving at destination, the normal attempt to turn off ignition and vacate vehicle failed insomuch that ignition key failed to turn to the off position due to a stuck ignition cylinder. Car could not be turned off and removing battery terminal failed to kill the engine. Only after a critical fuse was removed would the engine die. Internet searches has revealed a chronic trend for this failure and typical repair costs at dealerships average over $400. If this failure should occur at an accident scene where there is spilled fuel the consequences could be life threatening. I am appalled that gm has not issued a recall to what is obviously either a flawed design or the use of inadequate materials in the construction of their ignition lock assembly.

I have a 2006 Saturn Ion quad coup. A few weeks ago I had the fuel pump replaced which was a recall item. Last week the ignition switch locked in the "on" position but the key would come out. I was able to stall the engine to stop it from burning gas. The next day the battery was dead. My extended family has two other Ions. A 2003 Ion and a 2005 which all have similar problems. The 2005 locked in the on position and the 2003 is having difficulty getting the key out to turn off the car. I believe if a car cannot be shut down this represents a safety issue. Further, the odds that 3 out of three Ions all have the same ignition issue is eye catching.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was left parked and running until the battery died. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer and they advised her that the housing ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred approximatley ten months later. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 43,500.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. When the key was placed in the ignition and turned, the engine would not crank. There were no warning indicator lights present. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the electric code for the battery failed. The dealer further stated that they would reprogram the code. The VIN, number of cylinders, and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.

While visiting atlanta on business I rented a 2006 Saturn Ion and left the lights on in the hotel parking lot. Since I did not know the battery was dead, and I was not getting any response from the remote door opener, I opened the door with the key, closed the door and proceeded to start the car. After failed attempt to start the car, I attempted to remove the key from the ignition and was unable to do so. Since there was no electrical power in the car, I was also locked in the car with no way of getting out. All doors were locked with no manual means to open internally. Luckily for me colleagues were around and were able to give me a boost that allowed the electrical power to return to the car and I was able to remove the key from the ignition and electrical current return the power doors and I was able to get out of the car. I found this defect to be a potential hazard for any car in an accident where the power from the car gets cut off. Had their been a fire, or below freezing or extreme heat conditions, this could have been dangerous. Hopefully this incident is isolated but I felt it was important to report.