2003 Saturn ION review from North America

When I first got this car I had bought it used. Unfortunately, it was at a time where I needed a car a lot more than I needed to research one.

Within the first week of owning it, it all of a sudden just wouldn't start. It wouldn't even turn over to attempt to start. It would work when jumping the battery but I had to jump it EVERY TIME in order to go anywhere. I went to get it fixed and it had something to do with the ignition switch draining the battery. Okay, it was still covered under warranty, no big deal.

THEN, it started to get cold out. One day I was on my way to work the RPMs were up around 5,000-6,000 and the car was accelerating by itself to 55mph. When I hit the brake, it only slowed it down to 35. I was terrified that I couldn't stop! I went through about 3 red lights and a stop sign before it finally calmed down and let me hit the brake. Every time this happened I had to quickly throw the car in neutral and pull over so it would stop. I took it to a family-owned auto shop that I've trusted for years and they had no idea how to fix it. They suggested I take it to Saturn.

So I did. I have absolutely no idea how to explain whatever the man told me but what I got out of it was it had to do with the computer chips. After they were upgraded the problem seemed to go away.

It's a year later and it has started to do it again.

It's also not very good in the snow or windy weather. It slides much too easy and gets blown around way too much.

I've noticed that many people are having problems with this car when it's cold. I'm sure it's an okay car to own in warmer climates but if you live somewhere that you experience freezing temperatures I would suggest steering clear of this car. Unless you enjoy a car that turns into a death trap in the winter.