Three problems related to engine shut off without warning have been reported for the 2006 Saturn ION. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On and off for the past year my car has had moments when it would shut off while I am driving. At first it would happen when I may accelerate out of a parking space. One day I'm just driving down a parkway at about 40mph, and the car just shut off. The radio stayed on but the engine just shut off. Luckily no other cars were near me at that point. I took my car to several mechanics and they all said it may be the battery. We changed the battery and that didn't stop the problem. Most recently, I pulled out into on coming traffic. I couldn't have been, at that moment, more than 10mph and the car shut off again with cars rapidly speeding up on me and my car not moving. It was terrifying and I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle.
Driving down the road at about 35 mph I hit a bump (frost heave) and the entire vehicle shut down. No engine, no electrical systems. The vehicle became difficult to steer and the brakes did not operate as well as when the vehicle was running. I forced the car to the side of the road, turned the key off and back on again and restarted the car.
2006 Saturn Ion. Engine shuts off while driving regardless of speed or outside temperature. This past Sunday, I was on the freeway and the engine shut off while my car was making a slight right merging onto a new freeway. If it wasn't for my fathers advice ,my quick actions and aware drivers around me, I would have flown off the freeway. I have taken my car to many shops and not one can find the problem nor fix it. No recalls so far have been issued and as far as Saturn is concerned, no other car has had this issue. Being a pregnant woman, this makes me extremely nervous and in fear to drive my car. I have called many Saturn dealerships that have all taken this issue lightly. This issue first occurred in January of 2009 and not again until August of 2009 and has happened about once a week since then. No engine signs are issued or is there anything leading up to the issue. The car just basically shuts off as if the key was being turned. The battery stays so I know that is not the issue. I am in fear of my safety as well as the safety of other drivers.