Anti-theft Controller Problems of Saturn ION - part 2

Whenever the temperature is at 30 degrees f or below my 2004 Saturn Ion will not start due to the passlock system. This is a known problem and could lead to a very dangerous stranded situation.

See all problems of the 2004 Saturn ION 🔎.

During cold weather, my 2003 Saturn Ion will not start. Replaced the battery 12/07, and a diagnostic check of the starter and alternator was fine. It appears to be an ignition switch item from reading similar complaints online.

See all problems of the 2003 Saturn ION 🔎.

My 2003 Saturn Ion would not start after being out in cold weather. This has happened before and I am tired of it. Based on research I have done on the net, it appears Saturn is aware of this and doesn't seem to care.

On numerous occasions this year, my 2004 Ion would not start despite the fact that the battery was charged. My own mechanic told me to have it serviced by a Saturn dealership because the problem was related to the anti theft controller and could only be worked on by the dealership. He had seen this problem numerous times before. The problem was confirmed and repaired (for $214. 00). The parts were only $40. 00. As your own website(and others)confirm,this is an inherent problem that many Ion owners eventually will encounter. Despite this "defect", general motors takes no responsibility doesn't seem to be a logical strategy to hold on to an already dwindling number of loyal customers.

2003 Saturn Ion. This car will not start in the cold weather. If the temperature is below 32 degrees f for an extended period of time, the car will stall. This will be a recall item once we get together and sue Saturn for this obvious negligent behavior. This problem is well known and is continual. Perhaps when some unfortunate soul is stranded in the wilderness and dies, then the manufacturer will pay attention to this cold weather start problem. The public is well aware of the problem and so is Saturn. It would be well worth it for the corporate office to crunch the numbers and decide to recall the vehicle for this problem. I have read that the difficultly may have to do with a type of lubricant on the starter, which hardens in the cold weather. The car stalls as a result, and then the pass-lock kicks in. After 8 minutes, the car may start, or one may have to wait an additional 8 minutes (or more) for the ignition switch to loosen up enough to start the engine. However, the car may stall yet again---and set off the passlock system yet again. Saturn is negligent at the very least--and criminally negligent if they know of this problem---the potential dangers of it---and do nothing. Service bulletin:040845005 NHTSA item number:10007431 mfg bulletin date: 20060301 component: electrical system:ignition:switch bulletin summary: no crank, no start when ambient temperatures is cold - diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) b2960 and or b3033 are set.

I have had several occurrences of ignition trouble with my Saturn Ion. It seems in cold weather (from 60 degrees f and below) that if the engine does not start right away, the passlock security system switches on and will not allow my car to be started for 8-10 minutes. This has caused me several times to be stuck, in the middle of the night, alone, in <30 deg weather with a car that will not start. This places me in a very dangerous situation.

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion which was recently purchased. One morning I went to start the car. All the interior lights came on, the electrical system worked fine, but the engine would not turn over (nothing happened at all). When I returned home that evening, the car started immediately, ruling out a dead battery. This failure re-occurs mostly on cold mornings. I discovered on the web that Saturn has a problem with the ignition switch pass lock system when it is cold. Saturn is aware of the problem but refuses to do anything about it. I took the car to a local mechanic and asked him to replace the switch. He made a special trip to the Saturn dealer (30+ miles) to get a new switch, however he discovered that the switch needs to be programmed and only a Saturn dealer can do that. The Saturn dealership failed to mention this to him when he bought the part. Now, I have to pay to have the car towed to the Saturn dealer to have the switch programmed, as well as for nearly a week of wasted time, money, and convenience.

I have a 2006 Ion, with around 38,000 miles o it. Last week when I left work later in the evening and turned the key in the ignition, the lights and radio came on, but the car did not start. I thought I needed roadside assistance but when I tried to start the car again when I was on the phone with them the car then started, which was about 15 minutes later. To make a long story short I took it to my Saturn dealer today (Saturn of monroeville) and was told this is a known issue with the internal security system in the Ions. They had to replace the ignition switch and reprogram the internal security code. If this is a known issue, why isn't a recall issue? what consistitutes an issue that warrants a recall? if it's safety related and argument could be made that if my car doesn't start it or even shuts down (not sure of the extent of what could have happened) that is definitely a security issue.

See all problems of the 2006 Saturn ION 🔎.

At the begining of may I took the car into the dealer because I could remove the key from the ignition while the car was still on. They replaced the ignition lock cylnder. I thought all was well. On may,29 2007, I was taking my wife out to dinner for her birthday. When I parked the car I tried to turn the car off and found out that I could not pull the key out nor could I turn the car off. I called Saturn and was told to try to disconnect the battery to turn off the car. This did not work. I instead had to remove the cars fuse for the fuel relay pump. I took the car into the shop the next morning. After sitting at the dealer for over 4 hours I was told the anti theft device and ignition column couldnt be reprogramed because the computer had gone out. I ended up buying a new car.

Saturn 2003 Ion the car will not start, passlock light and check engine message displayed. Car will start after approximately 10 minutes. Happens in humid cool weather (rain, 30-40's f). A voltage signal is sent through the passlock resistor in the ignition switch. The passlock system interprets it as a failure and the starting circuit is disabled. This a potentially dangerous situation in cases where the car needs to be moved quickly to avoid a hazard.

My 2004 Saturn Ion occasionally will not start (will not crank). The battery is in good condition and a good state of charge. In general the problem is "cured" by waiting 10 minutes or so, and trying to start it again. Then it might be several weeks of months before the problem occurs again.

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. After inserting the key into the ignition,it was difficult to turn the key and the engine didnt start. On the third attempt within two hours, the vehicle started. The mechanic on two occasions stated that the ignition switch/anti-theft systemwas reading that someone wastrying to break into the vehicle. The current and failure mileage was 74,000.

Numerous no-start conditions associated with faulty ignition switch 2004 Saturn Ion with 49,000 miles. If current ignition switch replaced it will be the third since car was new. Anytime vehicle is exposed to 32 deg. Or less temperature for more than a few hours ignition switch faults and engages anti-theft system. Usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to ?? to get vehicle started. Being in upstate NY where temps and weather push the extremes possibility of vehicle leaving someone stranded is imminent. I cannot rely on this vehicle during cold weather months. I have researched issue on internet and found numerous complaints for Saturn Ion with same exact problem. Saturn needs to re-design and repair all associated vehicles ignition switches.

When my 2003 Saturn Ion is in weather that is 32 degrees or under, the grease in the ignition freezes thus triggering the security system to lock the car down for a period of 15 minutes. This has happened more than one time during this winter season. Had I been with a small child or elderly adult this could have been a serious event. Saturn is more than aware of this situation claiming the fix dozens of cars a week at 200+ a pop. This is a documented problem with Saturn at the dealership and at the corporate level. Their corporate office said the only way they would do a recall on this part is if people would file the claim on this site.

My car will not crank when the key is turned to start. It has complete power. The battery is well within the normal limits. The instances when this occur all seem to be when the car has been outside and not running for at least 2 hours in temperatures in the 20 degrees fahrenheit range or colder. All the dash lights are on, and all the accessories work when the key is turned to start, but the starter does not even attempt to turn. The "service engine" message flashes. I pulled all the electrical relays in the fuse box and the engine will now start with no problem. It is a recurring problem when the weather is cold. The same fix works each time. There is most likely a fault in the ignition switch or the passlock system. Should be recalled.

I have a 2003 Saturn Ion which I purchased new from the dealer. When it gets cold outside (usually at or below 32 degrees) the car intermittently fails to start. The passlock system activates, preventing the car from starting, because the ignition switch fails to recognize that the proper key is in the ignition. Gm has issued a technical advisory (# 04-08-45-005d) dated 15 Mar 2006 identifying the ignition switch as the cause of this problem. The Saturn dealership confirmed that the ignition switch was the cause of the passlock malfunction on my car and informed me that it would cost $250. 00 to replace the ignition switch. In performance of my duties as a federal officer I rely on my vehicle to start when I need it to. I am often dispatched to remote areas in inclement weather to assist the public. Having a vehicle that will not start because of a recognized defective ignition switch is unacceptable; being told that I have to pay for repairs because of a manufacturing defect is insulting. The faulty ignition switch is not only a safety concern of mine, it impacts the safety and security of the american public that I have sworn to protect. Finally it is a safety concern for every Saturn Ion owner who depends on their car to start in 30 degree weather when there is no other warm environment available.

My Saturn Ion 3 had 4 occurrences of service vehicle's message in the last 24 hours since Dec 29, 2006. When I turn the key, the engine doesn't turn over. The message windows shows "service vehicle" and the "security"/pass lock symbol on the dash keeps flashing. I kept trying turning the ignition, nothing happnened. The after approx. 10 minutes, the car started and ran great as if nothing happened.

'04 Saturn Ion fails to start in cold weather. Security system prevents starting. Must warm key/ignition, and after 15 minutes car may start.

When it is cold out and the car has sat, it will not crank. I have seen information that it may be related to the body control module $590 fix, or the ignition switch $200 fix. The problem appears to be tied to the theft deterrent system. If the car does nothing, and I lock and then unlock the car it will crank for 1/2 a second then stop. It wont crank again until I lock and unlock the car again. Eventually after doing this numerous times it will start. I know that there is a TSB on this problem but believe that it should be a recall item for either the bcm, the ignition switch, or both.

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.

See all problems of the 2005 Saturn ION 🔎.

My 2004 Saturn Ion coupe never starts in the cold. It has become such a headache I warm a towel in the morning put it on the engine before I start it. I get such a migraine wondering what is going on with my car. I called Saturn they said it was a theft device and maybe someone tried to steal my car or gas. Crazy!!!!!!!!!!.

I have the same issue as many others with the anti-theft/electric system of my 2004 Saturn Ion. The manufacturer has refused to remedy the problem without me paying for their shoddy work. I am about to get a lawyer and see if he can get my car issue resolved with gm. When it is cold/wet the car will not start. It will crank 1 time and then nothing for 10 minutes. After waiting inside the car on a very cold morning I can attempt to try my car yet again. It may or may not work and the cycle may need to be repeated. I am very unsatisfied and have offered to gm an opportunity to correct the situation and was met with utter indifference. They want me to pay to replace their bad work and I will not.

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.

At the time my Saturn was involved in an accident it was under 30,000 miles and still under warrenty. I was driving on a busy highway and my accelerator got stuck. At the time I could not see what was holding down my accelerator. It was a piece of panel that came off partially that was holding the accelerator really hard and it was stuck making my pedal stuck almost all the way to the floor. I tried to slow the car down with both feet on the breaks and the emergency break to no avail. I didn't turn the ignition off because I had cars on all sides of me going 50-70 mph. It was when I came to a red light that I realized my car wasn't going to stop and I had no other choice but to hit an SUV and my car kept trying to accelerate and push the SUV out of the way. That is when I turned off the ignition. I had to turn off the ignition before another accident occurred. The SUV was damaged. My car was damaged. I haven't been able to get my car fixed because I am waiting for Saturn to acknowledge the manufacturing defect which caused the accident, so that they could lend me a rent-a-car while it is in the shop. But, I cannot get them to give me a call to make an appointment to get my car in the shop or supply a rent-a-car. A forensic investigator inspected my car on Friday and agrees that I didn't cause the accident. He supplied the information to Saturn and still three days later I can't even get a courtesy call. The accident was on June 16, 2005. I couldn't get them to call me to speak about what my options were until the week of July 1, 2005. Then an investigator July 8, 2005. They have not made one effort to work with me about getting the car into the shop. They have not given me the time of day to make an appointment with a Saturn shop location to get my car fixed and so that they could supply a rent-a-car.

When it is too cold, my ignition switch locks my security system and I have to wait a long time before my car starts. Saturn has issued a technical advisory (# 04-08-45-005d) about this issue but will not issue a recall (even though it is obvious that this is a defect in their product). . Read more...

I purchased my car new in 2004 and I have had an ongoing problem with it starting. It happens at random times and generally after 10 minutes to 30 minutes it will start up. I m not sure if the fact that I can remove my keys from the ignition while im driving down the road has something to do with it or not. It does seem like it does it more in cold/rainy weather than other times. There are still several incidents where it has been warm and sunny and it wont start. I am a single mom with two kids and I hate the thought of being stuck in my car w/ my kids and unable to go anywhere. I have been stuck in parking lots late at night after I get off work and one time it wouldn't start on my way to the hospital. No one seems to know how to fix it and everyone pretty much agrees it has something to do w/ the antitheft device put on the car. So how do we fix it and why wont Saturn do anything about . Today's economy is to bad to be loosing customers and my children are too important to me to be stuck in a car (at any given time) with no way to move. In the future I will be looking for a more dependable safe car.

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. When the pass lock/ anti-theft warning light illuminates on the instrument control panel , he cannot start the vehicle. Usually he has to wait 12 minutes to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician replaced the cd player and adjusted the cruise control switch. The repairs did not remedy the failure. The manufacturer was notified, and he was referred back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 2,000. The current mileage was 136,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. When the pass lock of the anti-theft system warning light illuminates on the instrument control panel, the vehicle will not start. He usually has to wait for 12 minutes to start the vehicle. A technician from the dealer replaced the cd player and adjusted the cruise control switch. The repairs did not remedy the failure. The manufacturer was notified, and he was referred back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 2,000. The current mileage was 136,000.

When weather turns cold car will not start, after 20 - 30 minutes car starts. After first visit to dealer we were told there was no problem found, a year later as winter returns so does the problem and now we are told that the body control module and the passlock sensor both need to be replaced. We have also been told that this is not covered under warranty or even the extended warranty we purchased. I have held off on repairing as we have another vehicle we can use and did some research on the internet. Although we have not experienced all the symptoms described by others, one disturbing symptom is that some gm vehicles experience sudden loss of power and or stalling. Nothing has been done to correct this problem yet.