2005 Saturn ION from North America - Comments

Foreword:

I've had a few problems with this car, though overall I still enjoy it. I'm not commenting on Service experiences, just comments and problems about the car itself.

Bothersome:

- the driver-side panel in the foot compartment seems to come off easily. I've accidentally kicked it off a couple of times. This might be intentional as the fuses are in here although they are interestingly harder to get to.

- the car is terrible in winter driving. I've had 2 Pontiac Sunfires (same class, basically same engine, both ABS & traction control -- same as my Ion3) and I never had a problem. I suspected the tires are the major culprit so I replaced them and it is much better, but it still lists in the traditional snow belt areas, drifts etc.

- the fog lights button is hidden behind the steering wheel. I use them all the time and since you use them when its dark or when the weather is bad, it would be good to know if they are on! You can't always tell esp. when city driving from looking outside. Either the button should have been placed in a more visible location and/or an indicator on the display panel should mention that the lights are on/off.

- car seems to recover poorly when going over routine driving bumps and potholes. I had my tires replaced somewhere other than Saturn and they mentioned some concern over the shocks as well, though Service confirmed that everything was fine and this was normal for the Ion.

Minor difficulties:

- radio: the clock loses about 3 minutes per month. Doesn't sound like much, but when you are relying on 'traffic reports on the :01's' from your local radio station, missing a report because your clock has changed is not pleasing. Interestingly, service's response was to replace the radio. They did this twice before concluding there was no way to fix the problem.

- cruise control: I use this several times a day and most of the time it works well. However, occasionally when setting cruise it won't engage, leaving me wondering why my speed is falling until I realize what's occurred. This happens at local and highway speeds. Service says they provided a software update after my initial report, but the issue has cropped up again and they can't find the problem.

- recently after turning on the car I will get an urgent alert (the kind you get when you have low fuel) except the display panel doesn't say that anything is wrong, and in each case I had over half a tank so I'm not sure what caused the alert/alarm. Service couldn't find anything on computer inspection.

- today I received the low fuel alert on my panel, but without the alarm.

Possible Major Issues (though they haven't stopped me from driving yet) :

- for months I would get a rattling that sounded like it was coming from around the back left wheel, mostly shortly after starting the car in rainy conditions this past Fall and while accellerating or turning. While I have mentioned this issue a couple of times to Service, unfortunately the rattling could not be reproduced at those visits (of course, my luck).

- for a good two weeks there was some serious squeaking that would present itself whenever driving over bumps (both those on the road and speed bumps). By squeaking I mean the car sounded like the body was separating from the undercarriage. Like an old rusty spring bed that someone is jumping up and down on. Again, unfortunately it cannot be reproduced.

For any of these issues: If you've had or heard of anyone who's had these issues and they were able to identify what it was and get it fixed... please say it here.

"American cars are designed to break down, pure and simple"

It's comments like this that prove that some people shouldn't have a vehicle at all.

My Saturn 05 IOn stalls every time I turn it on. It will start and as soon as I let go of the key it shuts off. I have also had the problem with the key and also had to get my whole steering column re-done by the dealership because my AUTOmatic would not go into Drive. These issues were all to do with a sensor. My car makes very loud noises going through turns or over a slightly bumpy road. It sounds like my car is going to go off its wheels - it is super scary. The main concern I have is that my car STALLS all the time when turning it on. And I do not think it has to do with weather conditions. If you have had any type of problem like this can you please help me out.. clydelime@aol.com.

I have the exact same car, and the same problem! I had this sulfur smell for a couple days, and now my Saturn 2005 Ion is also stalling when I start it, and when I shift below 2nd. Is yours also a manual? If someone solves this problem, please shoot me a cc of the email at beth_drake@excite.com. Thanks!

I have a 2005 Saturn Ion Coupe that has had way too many problems!!! I leased the car in 2005 for 3 years. after my warranty ran out at 36000 miles, everything went wrong! the key would go in and turn, but it wouldn't turn the car on! so I needed a new ignition. then, I had this crazy loud noise coming from the left front tire! it was the wheel berring which had to be replaced! now, the car will not go into second gear. it's a standard and everytime I put it in second it pops back out! so, the car is at the dealer right now and they can't believe that the transmission is going! well neither can i! I refuse to pay for a new transmission and give the car back to them in a year so if they want it fixed then they can fix it! never buy a saturn!!!

I own a 2005 Saturn Ion Quad4 standard. I have had several problems which were mostly minor so far. Cruise control works intermittently. Once it is on it works fine but will not always turn on. Was fixed on warranty but happening again and no warranty.

Had a squeak in the front end and had control arm rubbers replaced on warranty.

Had mp3 player not play burnt mp3's and replaced on warranty.

Have a clunk in front end and found rubbers on sway bar gone. No warranty left.

Have hard time driving in 1st gear as car is very jerky so have to shift to second soon after starting for smoother drive.

First time I took it in for above warranty work they had to reprogram my computer because of cruise control modification. They killed the main computer and had to order a new one. Gave me a loner to take home 3 hours away and swapped vehicles with me 4 days later at a halfway point. Excellent service while under warranty.

I own a 2003 Saturn Ion and also have had many problems with the key getting stuck along with other problems. Decided to live with the key in the ignition whenever it happens after my brother told me his Saturn's been in 4 times for the same problem at over $400 a pop and his wife's twice. My daughter's Saturn won't turn on at all with her key unless she pulls the steering wheel all the way to the left. My dealership told me it was an actuator in the gear shift but it turns out there is no such part in a saturn. Will never buy one again, as I believe they built it this way to make money.