2004 Saturn ION 2 from North America - Comments

I called and complained to Saturn. They told me to take it to the dealer. The dealer said (as they have been taking lots of calls for this in Michigan), bring it in and for only $250.00 they would replace the ignition switch for me. That should fix the problem? I complained about that and they discounted the price to $180.00. That's still $180.00 more than I should have to pay for a item that should be fixed at no charge!

This will be the last Saturn I buy.

Note: the tech said to try and leave the key in and ignition on for about 20 minutes and it should start. He said it was the pass lock system thinking someone is trying to steal the car. I wish they would!

Call Saturn at 1-866-790-5700 and file a complaint. (I did yesterday), I commented yesterday about the $250 fix offered from my dealer, brought down to a $180 fix from my dealer... I called and held my temper and chatted with a nice woman on the phone from Saturn to complain about this defect in the ignition. I asked if they would do something for me or else I could not trust the Saturn Brand again, would not ever buy one again, etc.

Don't get angry. Keep your cool, don't shoot the message taker... Just tell them what a pain this is, and how put out you and your wife, and the kids, and the dog and the cat...etc., along those lines -you get the picture:)

She called my dealership and they agreed to fix it for a $50 deductible on my part. I was grateful but I still told them it should be a "no charge recall" issue.

Now to get it to the dealer as it didn't start again this morning or at 4p.m. I actually put a small electric heater on low, in a metal pan aimed at the steering column and set timer for 10 minutes to get it to warm up the steering column etc.,to start. Please be careful folks. Don't start it on fire. My idea was to get some extra heat in that area and it seemed to work. I believe there is talk of some oil or grease that does not operate at these cold temps and that is having an effect on pass lock system. I had to wait the 10 minutes anyways. Got it started and I had it replaced today.

Fingers crossed and hope that's over.

I bought my 2004 Ion brand new, and six months later in the winter I had to jump it. I called the dealer and asked them about it, they said it was probably do to the cold weather. Well that didn't go well with me, because I know better. But I let it slide.

That year it happened one more time. As the years progressed it has gotten worse. I refuse to buy a battery, even though the car is five years old in April. But I called the dealer and they said bring it in for a diagnostic for $100 bucks, but since hearing everyone's problems I don't think I'm going to do that. Sometimes I go out there it doesn't start, I wait 3 to 5 minutes, go back out and it starts, sometimes rough and I have to hold my foot om pedal for gas to go through. Could it be that other so called battery under the hood? Don't GM know about this problem by now?

Hello from Canada,

Well, I too purchased a 2004 Saturn Ion and much to my dismay, at 30,000 km's, I have already had my car not start 4 times. I've been reading all the posts and I am now trying to make a decision about a remote starter. I would love to hear what anyone has to say about the success of this as an option for the frustrating no-start issue! Also, has anyone seen this site and/or tried this product? http://members.tripod.com/alarmtek/GMCISCRAZY.html

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

I own a 2004 ION2 and have only 17,500 miles on it. Keep in mind that I live in SC where it does get cold only a few days a year.

On Jan.10, it was 12 deg. I went out to warm up the car, turned on the key and heard a click and the check engine light came on. Since the dome light, radio, heater, etc. came on, I knew it was not the battery. I waited a few minutes, and the same thing happened. I called Saturn service and they said to wait 10 minutes and it should be OK as it is a common problem with the starter switch when the weather turns cold. Fine ---- I did that and it started. It was the same temp. on the 11th but no problem starting.

Today, it was 25 deg. and the same problem happened. So called the Saturn service, and when the car started, took it in and had the switch replaced for $243. When I called them, I verified that they had the part and was told they kept plenty on hand as it is such a common problem. They would not come down on the cost, and said it would not be a recall as it is not a safety problem. No, I guess if it happened out in the boonies at night, it wouldn't be a safety problem.

This was my 2nd Saturn, and have had 3 problems with items right after the warranty expired on this one. All 3 problems had been a service dept. bulletin. Not a happy Saturn owner.

Hi, I also have a 2004 Saturn ION that doesn't seem to want to start in the cold weather. I've had it towed numerous times and to the same mechanic that I trust. He's never sold me anything that I didn't need, and he doesn't seem to know what the problem is.

But by searching the Internet it seems that I've found the problem, but Saturn doesn't want to step up to the plate and correct the problem.

I called them today after reading all of these posts, and was told by that no one has complained about this problem before. So if this problem is happening to you, please call Saturn and let her know that you're having the same problem and maybe, just maybe we can all get our cars fixed!

Just to add to this, the car only has 22,000 miles on it and I mostly use it for back and forth to work every day. I had to take my Moms 1988 Buick to work yesterday, which started up no problem in the cold. Don't forget to call to complain.

I have an 2005 Saturn Ion that has the same problems re: starting in cold weather as the posts here indicate. I am starting a class action here in Michigan regarding this because Saturn won't take responsibility. Anyone interested in joining please email me at carrie@pastorandassociates.com

I own a 2003 Ion-1. I'm afraid this might happen to me. Does the Ion-1 also have passlock? I got the car used and never heard this mentioned as a feature.

I am having the same problem you are all having... My '04 Saturn Ion will not start in cold weather. Many of you have said that it just goes click, click click, but won't start, or it starts and stalls out. My problem began after I'd let the car warm up for 5 minutes, I'd then driven it to a gas station near work in South Minneapolis. I filled my car with gas, went to start it up, and nothing! I had been running for a good 10 minutes before I shut it off to fill it up, which took all of 3 minutes. I was stranded by the gas pump in a not so great neighborhood, at night. I was not thrilled, at all. Ever since then, I've had the same trouble almost every morning! Now, my car hasn't started since Friday evening! It is Monday morning!

I am so frustrated. There needs to be a recall, people who live in the boonies aren't the only ones who own this car... so it is a safety issue.

I'll try replacing the ignition switch today if I can get a ride to buy the part. Hopefully that will help.

Thanks for all the advice and sharing your problems on this forum!

Saturn and GM need to open their eyes and take a look at all these postings.

I am glad to hear I am not the only one. This "non start" issue has been going on for several winters. I have a 2004 Ion and now grimace every time I try to start this car when the frigid weather turns to cold weather and a little humidity in the air. I really like the idea of cutting the wire in the stirring column. I have been changing batteries every year since 2005. We tried a new switch and starter but it was all a bust. Thanks for the information.

I also have had the starting issues on my 04 Saturn Ion. It's just started happening this winter, but lo and behold, it waited until it was 1000 miles over the warranty to start acting up.

The dealership says it's the ignition switch or BCM or both, and want me to pay the $100 to run a diagnostic on it. Well we all know in this day and time it's hard to come by an extra $100 to get it looked at, but you would think there would be some kind of way they could help their buyers out, since it's happening to darn near everyone that owns this car. Is this maybe one of the reasons they stopped making the ION series???

It's frustrating and I feel for everyone that has to deal with this problem!! I will never buy another Saturn product again!!

I'm having the intermittent starting problems with a 2004 Saturn Ion as mentioned so many times in this forum. Before I discovered this forum I scheduled an appointment with a local Saturn dealership's service department. Shortly after I perused this forum and decided to call Saturn (1-866-790-5700) and file a complaint.

The woman took my VIN and asked when my appointment was scheduled. I gave her the date, she looked up and found the local Saturn dealer and said she would see what she could do. Promised to call them the day the car was in the shop and then call me. She gave me a file #, her name, her phone # and extension. FP in West Va.

We'll see what happens.

Addendum to my comment of Jan. 22 from SC.----I completed the on-line survey regarding the replacement of the starter switch and indicated my dissatisfaction with Saturn. I just received a call from Saturn and the cost for replacement will be reimbursed even though the car was no longer under warranty. I was told that this is an individual dealership decision. YEA!!! Don't give up.

Hello All.

I too am having the same problem with my 2004 Saturn Ion. I just purchased it in October of 2008. I live in Harrisburg, PA where it gets pretty cold in the morning, and a couple weeks ago I went out to my car in the morning and it would not start. I took it to the dealership and they had it for three days. They told me nothing was wrong with it.

It has been starting fine since, until this morning. I went out to my car... same problem, it clicks and all the buttons come on, but it won't start. I called GM/Saturn and filed a complaint. The lady gave me a claim number and told me she would call me on Wednesday to see what has happened.

I am so frustrated with this! But thank you all for the tips on getting this lemon to start. I'm thinking of going to my representative if nothing is done.

Had the same problem with my daughter's 2004 Ion. Had the ignition switch replaced and solved the problem.