Front Suspension Control Arm Problems of Saturn ION

At approximately 3:50 p. M. Friday January 23 2015 I was slowing down from 35 mph to turn into a parking lot. Before I turned the passenger side of the car dropped and at first I thought I blew a tire. After limping the car into the parking lot I got out and the tire was still fully inflated. I noticed the lower control arm was broken into two pieces. The car was towed home and the tow truck driver even mentioned he had never seen that happen on such a new vehicle.

See all problems of the 2004 Saturn ION 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled while traveling various speeds. The contact also stated that upon inspection, it was found that the control arms and bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The stalling issue was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

See all problems of the 2005 Saturn ION 🔎.

Left and right lower control arm failure. Caused belt to break in tire. Towed to repair.

See all problems of the 2007 Saturn ION 🔎.

Load metal clang on bumps ? driver side front. The button bushing is contained in a metal ring that is pressed into the arm. The ring does not separate from the control arm. The problem is the bushing is not secured well enough in that ring (the ring is not crimped around the top and bottom of the bushing as it should be) and separates allowing the whole arm to go up and bump against the frame causing a loud clang when the suspension rebounds from a bump. It is easily diagnosed by visual inspection seeing the rear area of the control arm up against the frame. I can see the bushing shredding as a wear issue but this is a defect where the busing is failing because it is not secured as it should be. I replaced it myself and made this video of it. Many others have the same issue.

The front both driver and passenger sides make noise when going over bumps or uneven surfaces. Thumping, rattling from front of car with suspension. The control arms and shifts are worn and need to be completely replaced with new bushings and new ball joints.

See all problems of the 2006 Saturn ION 🔎.

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 20 mph the contact heard a popping noise coming on the front drivers side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the front control arm and bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Unfortunately I have a 2007 Saturn Ion which sounds like it is going to break in half over even the slightest small bumps in the road. I have a warranty on the vehicle which expired in June 2010. Although the car only has 29000 miles on it~ Saturn would not honor the warranty when I brought my car in for a check engine light~ it was the purge sensor. They wanted to charge me over $300 to repair this issue. I went online and saw many other's had reported the same problem. I also saw the part for only $26. 00 ~however at the Saturn dealership they charged me $51. 00 for the part. I ended up fixing the repair myself to avoid being robbed by the Saturn dealership!! I am very displeased with my car~ now the struts and control arm bushings are making significant rumble when driving over the slightest bumps in the road. At 29000 miles the car should not be making any noise!! I feel very unsafe and scared in my Saturn!! I've seen many reports of other owner's with the same vehicle that are similar. Even the gm cobalt which has the exact same platform and steering has the same issues and for that car power steering issues have been recalled but not for the Ion which ~I repeat has the same components. I bought my car when fuel costs soared and thought it would at least last me 5 years with out issues. I think gm needs to address these issues especially since so many consumers are experiencing issues at such low mileage. There are also issues with the rear defrost, power windows, steering, and transmission. I'm from mn. And it's terrible when you have a newer car that won't even take you 30,000 miles without breaking down!! I'm very disappointed and Saturn needs to recall everything on these unsafe vehicles before someone gets seriously hurt ~like Toyota. I'm sure you've had several complaints. The car is defective!! please help!! Saturn won't repair unless it's completely broken even if the car is smokin they blow you off!!! ~horrible!!!.

Lower control arm bushings gone on both sides only have 34,000 miles on car.

Front lower control arm bushings completely missing with 52,000 miles on this vehicle. When applying the brake, the wheels can move up to three inches uncontrollably. There is an obvious safety concern for the defective design of these bushings. My dealer informed me they've replaced a huge amount of these bushings. . . And keep many in stock.

Tl- the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, a loud thumping noise emitted from under the vehicle on the driver's side and no warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure but decided to replaced the front control arm bushings without performing front end alignment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,163. Pam.

There are no events leading up to the failure. From everything I've read from other Saturn Ion owners this is a frequent and seemingly random problem. At any given time if it is cold outside the car won't start. Everything lights up, the engine turns over and catches, only to stall. Upon repeated attempts to start the car there will be no response whatsoever. The engine does not turn over. After waiting several minutes it will eventually start. This problem has occurred 4 times in the last month; twice causing me to be late for particularly important engagements. Upon reporting the problem to the Saturn dealership where I bought the car I was told that they have many complaints of the same problem, but that their staff haven't been able to resolve it. This has been their general attitude towards several issues I've had with my car. I took it to another garage and they can't find a thing wrong with it. Saturn seems to be turning a blind eye to a problem that is clearly the result of a poor design somewhere on their part. I have also had to replace control arm bushings when I was at about 80 000 km, and now need to replace struts. I am hesitant to do this though, as the general consensus among Saturn Ion owners is that bushings and struts are in perpetual need of replacement on these cars. After replacing the parts most people find that they have to make the same repairs again within 2 years. Further problems I have with my car are: trunk will not open with key, replaced wires on both front turn signals and one headlight, key would not release from ignition, erratic transmission behavior (I was told that this is a common problem and that I just have to deal with it), seat belt guides broken (front, both sides), rear seat belt "female" component falls into crevice in seat, paint peeling from front bumper without being chipped prior, and a faulty cruise control switch. Every single one of these problems has turned up again and again in the Ion owners community.

See all problems of the 2003 Saturn ION 🔎.

I have been having some issues with clunking and grinding noises when going over bumps or potholes or while making turns. I took my 2003 Ion 2 to have this checked and I found out that the problems was both of my control arm bushings. My car is 2 months out of warranty and has only 38,000 miles on it, so at first I thought that this could be untrue. But, after internet research it seems that many 2003 Ion drivers have had this problem. I called my Saturn dealer and they acted like they had never heard of this problem and could do nothing to help me or fix it. My other problem with the car, which also seems to be a common problem, is that the service engine soon light comes on intermittently. One day it will be on, and the next it will be fine.