Four problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 2006 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I was leaving a local grocery store, started my car and proceeded to drive out of the parking lot to the main road, route 611, a fairly busy thoroughfare. As I turned right and attempted to accelerate, the check engine light came on as well as the 'reduced engine power light'. Despite pressing on the the gas pedal to accelerate safely into the flow of traffic (around 40 mph), my car would not accelerate past 10 miles per hour. I am so very lucky that I was not in an accident. I followed the instruction in the Saturn Ion manual which says to turn off the car and the error should clear itself after 10 minutes. I did this and the 'reduced engine power light' went out but not the check engine light. I took the car immediately to my local mechanic who ran a inconclusive diagnostic test. They cleared the check engine light and the car ran fine until yesterday, 4 weeks after the first instance. While I was driving my children home from the dentist, in the flow of traffic, at close to 40 mph, the dash board chimed, check engine light and 'reduced engine power light' lit up and immediately my car would not accelerate over 10 miles per hour. Luckily, we were very close to home, and were not in an accident. Again, I let the car rest, and 12 hours later started the car, both lights cleared themselves. Within in 5 miles of driving to the gym from my home, while driving in the flow of traffic, this issue happened again. This reduced power issue should be a recall. One simple online search shows there are thousands of gm/Saturn cars with this very dangerous issue. Among so many other manufacturer safety issues! this car has had 3 other recalls, one of which my local gm dealer has failed over 3 times to fix. I have to manually put my finger into the steering column to release the ignition key. Hold gm accountable and please make this issue a recall.
I was going down road, steering because hard, transmission became stuck, pwr str light came up on mileage screen and the engine light came on. I was reading that others have had problem with steering column. Please let me know. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph the front driver's side window dropped down into the door panel, causing the door to swing open. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. After repeated attempts the door was shut, but would not reopen. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed the window detached from its track. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing recurring failures in which the check engine light would constantly illuminate on the instrument panel and the key would intermittently become stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure in regards to the check engine light. In regards to the key becoming stuck in the ignition, no repairs were performed. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The ignition switch failed and the contact has been unable to remove the keys for six months. The dealer stated that it would cost $800 to replace the switch and to disconnect another switch under the steering wheel when ever she drove the vehicle. The vehicle began to stall while driving; however, the dealer stated that they are unable to duplicate the failure unless the check engine light is illuminated. The check engine light was not illuminated prior to the engine stalling. The failure mileage was 68,000.