Other Engine Info: Name Plate: Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile
Plant City: Spring Hill
Plant Company Name: Saturn
Plant Country: United States (USA)
Plant State: Tennessee
Seat Belts All: Manual
Series: Sedan Level 3
Transmission Style: Automatic
Valve Train Design: Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Type: PASSENGER CAR
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
2004
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTATED. THE POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
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.
