Faults:

Car will not start in cold weather due to a security problem.

Brakes make a loud noise, no matter how many times I have them fixed.

Seats do not hold up well to kids or dogs.

Trunk leaks, and water stays in the right fender well.

General Comments:

I have enjoyed my little Saturn. I was looking for a car that was good on gas. The Saturn is great on gas, and is nice to drive around a busy town. It is quick to get in and out of traffic, and has been a good reliable car so far.

The only major issue is the problem with the security system. The car won't start, and the security idiot light flashes on cold days. It doesn't do it all the time, but it happens enough to make me late for work time and time again.

This morning it wouldn't start, so I sat there for a minute, took the key out of the ignition, turned on my headlights, and then turned them off again. When I put the key back in the ignition again and turned the key, it started right up. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but it worked.

I hope this helps, it is not your battery, alternator, ignition switch, or any other crap they tell you. it is a problem with the computer, and the security system. so don't waste a lot of money. Only GM and/or Saturn can fix it, but they won't until it hurts someone and warrants a recall. For now, it is not considered a safety concern, just a discomfort.

Ben Prince

Texas.

Faults:

Cold weather start issues.

Eating away my key and not starting.

High idling whenever it feels.

Fabric stains, even with water.

General Comments:

I would not buy another one. I do love all the airbags that it has, and the crunchless exterior.

I can see why they don't make these cars any longer.

Faults:

I have the same no-start issue as dozens/hundreds of other Ion owners blogging on this site. There are also hundreds of similar complaints on many other car survey sites, as well, all having to do with the no-start issue with the Saturn Ion.

Someone has suggested calling Saturn at 1-800-790-5700, and if enough people complain, they might recall it. Well, I called that number and was told, "hmmm, we've never had any complaints like this". WHAT A CROCK!!! He claimed that there's nothing in their computers concerning the no-start issue/passlock system problems. That is an out and out lie. He acted all surprised, and started asking me all kinds of questions as to where I get my oil changed and maintenance done, as if that has anything to do with it. He's suggesting my choice of places to have my oil changed is causing the problem. I've had the problem since the day I purchased the car, and until Saturn went UNDER, I always had my oil changes and maintenance done with them. My car was having the no-start issue from day one and continues to this day, three years after purchasing it. But it's gotten worse.

I took my car to Saturn in Wichita, KS when this was happening when I first bought the car and all they said was, "I never heard of that", and "it didn't do that for us". Well, of course! I already got it started for the morning, so you WON'T experience the problem. They just said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now the car's out of warranty.

It used to only refuse to start when it was 20 degrees or below. That's when I lived in Kansas, where winters are very cold, however, a year ago I returned to southeast Texas, and the winters are fairly mild, and it has gotten much worse. It now won't start in 65 degree weather.

It used to be that when I tried to start the car and the passlock system icon would come on, I knew it was disabling the engine, because it "thought" someone was trying to steal the car, but only in very cold weather. All I'd have to do was wait about 15 minutes, then it would ALWAYS start. Now, it might start in 15 minutes, and it might be two hours! I have to go out at 5 am and hook up a portable heater, run the cord into an outdoor electrical outlet and let the heater warm up my car for a couple of hours, then it will start. Sometimes it will start when it's 26 degrees outside (very few days are like that here) and sometimes it won't start in 65 degree weather. It is becoming accustomed to the weather and adjusting the problem to fit. I get stranded at work, in a very undesirable part of town, at least three times a week. I can't run my little heater cord into the building and wait 2 hours for it to heat up.

It gets dark early. A co-worker won't let me stay there alone, so she feels obligated to wait with me... 30, 45 minutes. This is getting old and I'm sick of it. The no start issue happens 6 out of 7 days of the week in the mornings/early afternoons (on weekends), and several nights a week when leaving work.

Anyone up for a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT???