2003 Saturn ION from North America - Comments

Ditto, Ditto. My 2004 Ion is having cold weather starting issues. I have gone through 4 batteries, so I am convinced it is the car; only does it when it is cold. The starter kicks in for a moment, then goes dead.

Completly agree on my 2005 ion! For the last 2 weeks it randomly doesn't start and then when I have someone come to my rescue after trying over and over and nothing happening, but the radio and lights still working. My rescuer arrives to jump my car and magically it starts. 3rd time in 2 weeks. I park outside and this cold Chicago weather isn't helping, but I think if it was the battery nothing would be working.

I had the same problem last night. I called my local dealer in Sterling, VA and they said it is a known problem with when the electric grease hardens and cannot pass the ignition signal. He quoted me $250- $275 and said that since I am over 36k they will not cover it under warranty. He said if Saturn does decide to move forward with a recall I would get refunded the amount.

Here is one more unhappy and unsatisfied ex-Saturn customer. For the last 1 1/2 years we have had the same problem with the car not starting in the cold weather. For the longest time I thought my husband was crazy because he would come in very upset saying the car wouldn't start. I would get shoes on and go out and the car would start. The last few times it didn't work that way, but eventually it would start. This morning however the car wouldn't start for nothing. I called my Dad who lives 15 min. away and by the time he got here it still wouldn't start. this is the 3rd time I have called him and every time he would say "I don't know what the problem is" because it started right up. The problem seems to be happening more often. My Dad did call the Saturn dealer and they said that there have been many problems with this. My husband picked up the ignition switch and I did call Saturn Corporate, but they won't help me unless I spend $$ to get it diagnosed. I am filing a complaint at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and at consumer affairs. I am looking at getting a new car and it WON'T be a Saturn!

I have had the exact same problem. I took my car in last year and was told that since it was past the warranty it wasn't covered, but the service manager would give me a deal by only charging me $155. I did not get it fixed hoping the part would be recalled.

Well, I had the problem several times this winter. I emailed Saturn customer service and complained stating that I did not want to pay for the problem because it is not a problem I created...it's a problem that I have because I purchased a Saturn. They were really nice and said that I needed to have it diagnosed and get back to them. I talked to the local service manager and he said that because the car is an 03, there is no warranty and 72,000 miles on it, Saturn will probably do a 40/60 deal. I took the car this morning, understanding that it would only take a couple of hours to diagnose the car. Three and a half hours later I call to see where they are with it and I get this crazy,"We are trying to get to the bottom of this, it might take some time." In the meantime, I find this site and print out the first 15 pages. I go in (knowing the car isn't ready, just to talk to the service manager)...and I have my husband go with me. I walk in with the paper work and ask what the status is on the car and tell him I found some stuff on-line that I wanted to discuss. Well, he confirms its the ignition switch, confirms he has one in stock - then says it will be replaced by three and he will cover all of the expense.

Note: I did not pay to have my ignition switch replaced on a 2003 Ion with 72,000 miles on it. Neither should you.

Thank you thank thank you google.com for helping me find this site. I was about to take my 2004 Ion with about 75k miles on it into a service center and tell them to keep it the weekend to find out whats wrong with it. After reading these responses I find out basically nothing can be done that will guarantee a fix. That being said I live in Georgia so its really only cold enough to effect it 2 months out of the year so I guess I'll deal for now. Thank you all for you comments and advice! I'm filing a complaint right now.

I am having the same issues and maybe one new one with my 2003 Saturn ION (2.2L Manual). For the last month, it has been cold enough here in Northeast Kansas that the ignition issue has been a persistent problem. Secondly, I just finished replacing the hood latch cable that broke away from the hood release inside the car. It made it through warranty and this is the first Saturn I have had these types of issues with. Lastly, I have heard a noise since I bought the car that sounds like metal rubbing on metal when the RPMs are ~2500 and higher.

I have owned Saturns since 1993 and other, than a first year model that ran great, but had several cosmetic issues with it that were either replaced outright or handled through a recall, they have all been good cars. For the most part this ION runs good, though a little concerned about the metal rubbing on metal noise and the local garage cannot seem to find it.

Now reading all these posts, I am disheartened at the overall service center response to customers. The main reason I have continued to purchase Saturns (from various dealerships in the Kansas City area) has been the service I have received from the Platte City (now Tiffany Springs) Service department. I just purchased a battery that I am still sure I needed and one of the service department techs told me it could be the switch or body control module problem. I am printing these out and sending to them to see what they will do. My biggest problem is that I am ~90 miles from the dealership and end up paying ~$20 for gas for each trip at a minimum. I will also CC the corporate office to let them know yet another switch issue is happening (among others).

I have also filed a complaint in an attempt to wake up the corporate folks. Mostly, Saturn has been good to me and I hope it doesn't stop here with this 2003 ION.

Sincerely,

Freezing in Northeast, Kansas!

January 24, 2008

I also own a 2003 Saturn ION and have been having the starting problem for about a year. Usually every 3 - 4 months. But, this week it has happened 3 times!!! Just like everyone else mostly when it's cold, but, it has happened when warm as well. I had an apt today to have my car looked at by Saturn. I was advised by another mechanic that if the service vehicle light wasn't on and they couldn't duplicate the problem then they wouldn't be able to fix it or would guess as to what was wrong with my car, therefore having to pay for the $80 diagnostic fee or repairs that were not needed. I decided I would research and see if others were having this problem to see what fixed it before putting it in the shop. I'm glad I found this site. I do intend to file a complaint. SATURN should recall this problem!!!

My wife and I have a 2003 Ion with the same starting issue. Except in our case the problem occurs in both cold and hot weather. I began to suspect the PASS LOCK system may be faulty as that light comes on and stays on when the car will not start. Also the security system works sporadically. I also get the message that the engine needs servicing. It behaves as though the battery is dead, but after waiting about 10-15 minutes the car starts up as though the battery is fully charged. After seeing all the comments on this and another forum, my suspicions that the PASS LOCK is the culprit.

We have a newborn baby and we have been stranded for periods of time in less than ideal locations. The car is out of warranty, and I have other complaints concerning the engineering of this vehicle. If you are driving the vehicle and drop something between the divider and the drivers seat, do not stick your hand down there! There is a sharp edge that will catch your hand and you will be forced to stop the vehicle with only your left hand, or ripping your hand out of this trap. This makes for a very dangerous situation. Pulling my hand out of that area left my knuckles bloody. With all these safety issues, we will never buy a Saturn product again.

Having the same pass-lock issues on my 05 ion red line. Twice now in the last week. My car stays outside, but my wife's 06 ion is in the garage. Hers starts fine, but mine is having issues. Was handed off to Corporate by the local dealer with no mention of ignition issues. Then corporate handed me back to the local dealer for "diagnosis". I live an hour away and have been on mandatory overtime (5 A.M) for work for over a year now. Needless to say this is a huge inconvenience to me. This is our 4th Saturn and the first 2 were incredibly reliable. But my wife's car and mine both have had many issues. Hers was in the shop for a window motor replacement just 800 miles before the warranty expired and mine is 400 miles past my warranty. We drive a lot of continuous miles each day too so the wear on our switches and electrical motors should be a fraction of a city dweller with the same mileage. Very disappointed with the service and vehicles from Saturn lately. Tempted to try wiring a push button on the ignition and "bypassing" the pass-lock, but it would be my luck the car would get stolen and my insurance company would use my mod as a loophole to avoid replacement.

I wanted to add to the discussion that my wife and and I had the very same "cold no start" problem. We too were diagnosed with with a problematic PASSKEY and were quoted $200.00 to repair. We were also told that the new design of the PASSKEY will forever solve the "cold no start" problem. However, I have yet seen anyone get some sort consolation from Saturn.

My wife called Saturn's Customer Service, in TN I believe, and cut a deal with them to only charge $50 bucks to replace the PASSKEY part. She reasoned that it was their defective part causing the problem and there wasn't any "wear and tear" associated, like with suspension systems or brakes and the like.

So, for all of you not yet tossing the towel in for the Ion, call Saturn and get them to lower the price. I wish you the best of luck!

Saturn Ion 2003 security issues is what the diagnostic came up! Wow, I can't believe everyone is having the same problem! I honestly thought I was going crazy when my car would start sometimes and the other times it would NOT! I am going to call Saturn tomorrow to see what they say! I will post back later! Thanks everyone for sharing!

Just agreeing with everyone above. My girlfriend has a 2003 Ion 3 we purchased brand new. It has had this no start problem when its cold out for 3 years now. I thought she was just crazy, but it has happened 5 times within the last week. I'm glad I found this site, will be looking for replace the ignition switch, hopefully on my own. I did file a complaint on the website everyone has been posting. Hopefully Saturn will fix this, reguardless don't think Ill be buying another one.

Hi all... I was wondering if anyone out there can please tell me if there is one of those plugs hanging out of the hood to plug it in and keep it warm.. I am in Canada.. or if they even have them on there???

So... has anyone ever taken this to a television station? Maybe they'd be interested in hearing about this problem. Maybe they'd actually get this story out in public, since apparently Saturn doesn't care too much about fixing the problem BEFORE anyone else suffers the same aggravation.