Transmission Gear Slipping Problems of Saturn ION

2003 Saturn Ion iii disengages in the middle of traffic as if gears have slipped into neutral at speeds from between 20 and 60 mph, so that there is no forward movement suddenly and then re-engages. Almost rear-ended several times also car will not start if turned off for a short time and key locks in ignition. Gears were re-calibrated and ignition replaced, but problems continue.

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While driving my 2003 Saturn Ion 3 the motor will stall out and loose power while driving it seems like the transmission slips and a new one was put in and it still does the same thing. While driving on highway it does this.

While on local interstate highway, the Saturn Ion 3 quad coupe automatic transmission began to slip. The rpms reached about 6,000 while trying to maintain the speed and pull over to the right. After a brief full stop (while in drive), the transmission engaged properly and did not slip. Upon taking the next exit, the car was placed into park and was idling. Exiting the vehicle, there was a strong burning smell which was quite similar to a clutch slipping in a manual transmission. No fluids were seen dripping and there was no cosmetic damage. The car would not return to drive. Despite pressing the brake as required, the car was 'locked' into park. A strange click was heard from the area near the trunk release button. This was different from the normal click that is heard when the brake is depressed in park. He vehicle was shut off and then restarted. The car would properly enter drive and the abnormal click was not present. The local Saturn dealer replaced the "input" and "output" filters in the transmission per direction of Saturn corporation. Transmission has not slipped again since this repair.

Transmission slips gears when driving down hill. Consumer does not have to depress the accelerator or brake pedal. Vehicle will just slow down to 10 mph. While driving up the hill vehicle will accelerate up to 25 mph.

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While accelerating, the vehicle down shifted. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the transmission chip needed to be replaced. The problem recurred and was taken back to the dealer four times. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. On numerous occasions the vehicle did not shift properly. The vehicle would feel as if the transmission was slipping. The rpm would go up but the vehicle did not accelerate and no problem would be found by the service dealer. The consumer had almost experienced 2 rear end collisions and 1 broadside collision.

I purchased my 2003 Saturn Ion quad 3 on 6-12-2003. I've had nothing but problems with it since the beginning. The transmission slips constantly. A tech from spring hill says this is normal for this type of transmission. Trying to turn left in front of oncoming traffic is a nightmare. This car is in the shop as we speak. The rear quarter panel is cracked and being replaced. The rear bumper is being painted because of scratches from the trunk rubbing. The front bumper is being painted because of runs in the paint. None of the body panels seem to match up. They're attempting to fix a popping noise in the front end. They're replacing the dr side glass because it is severely scratched. It sometimes runs rough at first crank.

My 2003 Saturn Ion, was delivered on December 3,2002. This was my second Saturn. After about a 1000 miles the transmission started to slip. I took it to the dealer and they replaced that transmission. Another 1000 miles and the transmission started to slip again. I have been back and forth 4 times since then and they still have not fixed it.