Complain about a product or service

Saturn Ion - Ignition Lock

Save up to $379 on Your Auto Insurance. Compare Quotes from Top Providers Now! Find the Best Deal and Apply! - Adv.

Saturn • Aura • Vue --- • Engine problems • Transmission problems • Airbags • Ignition interlock • Oozing goo • Miscellaneous woes • The Shamrock Saturn --- Recalls/News • Penske Scraps Plan to Buy Saturn; Brand Likely to Die • Penske Hopes to Drive Saturn Off GM's Lot • Saturn Climbing the Roadway to Heaven • Saturn Aura Gets a 5,000-Mile Road Test • NHTSA Probes Timing Chain Again • NHTSA Recalls Saturn L Series • NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures • Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 • Saturn Outlook Gets Top Marks from Consumer Reports • Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests • Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High • Saturn VUE Recalled • L-Series Cars Recalled

Kathleen of Cockeysville, MD September 1, 2009

I purchased a used Saturn Ion1 in Fall of 2005. The ignition switch failed in 2007. The car would not turn on consistantly. I paid to replace the housing and cylinder in 2007. 30 days later the same part failed. Saturn did replace that part for free at that time. On August 27th 2009, The Saturn Ion1 would not turn off. The key could not turn to the off postion so that it continued to run. AAA was called to disable the car and it was towed to the dealership to be serviced. The exact same parts that failed in 2007 failed again in 2009.

Clearly there is a defect in these parts. An ignition switch should not go bad every 2 years. This is not a high wear and tear part. A car should be able to turn on and off an excessivley large number of times. This part should not continue to fail. A car that fails to turn off is an enormous saftey issue. If you leave the car unattended and turned on, someone could be hurt or killed. It would have been criminal to do so.

AAA came to disable the car and tow it to the dealership. The same part had failed yet again. GM will only pay for the part and not the labor. I fully paid for the labor to replace this part in 2007. I believe that GM is not taking responsiblity for it's know problem with defective parts. GM has a history of ignition switch failures. GM should stand behind their replacement parts.

Also, the District Specialist lied about contacting with a resolution. She only contacted the dealership. She refused to respond to more tha 10 messages left on her phonemail. She repeated failed to follow through on her written commitments via phone contact. Her supervisor was notified to the problem but I doubt that anything repercussions will follow.

I am very disappointed in GM parts and more disappointed in GM customer service. This company is struggling with poor sales because the cars have poor reliablity. If GM stood behand the cars and their replacement parts, maybe people would buy more GM vehichles.

I currently own 2 GM cars and 1 Toyota. I will never buy another GM vehichle again. I think people should think twice before purchasing any GM product. If GM does not stand by their own products the consummer should not buy GM vehichles. It costs 311.50 to repair the car. Fear that this problem will occur again in this same vehichle.

Leni of Spring, TX August 29, 2009

My car won't turn off, and the key is stuck in the ignition. I called Saturn Katy but they want to charge me 575 plus tow expenses. I just ran out of warranty 6 months ago, and during the warranty period I already have similar problems but they said they already fixed it, but the problem is recurring.

I feel sick reading all the complains of other people in the same situation as me. Saturn should recall these Saturn Ion cars and other problematic cars. I believe in American buying American, but this is really sad. I am not buying any Saturn products again, and I will make sure that all of family and friends are warned. Because of this, I missed school, and my husband missed work. We are are just ordinary citizens that are trying to make both ends meet.

James of California City, CA August 19, 2009

For past 3+ years have had problem with not being able to remove key from ignition sw., dealer stated that they could not duplicate problem, next time "cleaned" the switch, next time cleaned the switch and charged 45.00 as no longer under warranty. now am told that it will cost 400.00+ to replace entire ignition sw.

Research indicates that this is a long time on going problem with all Saturn products yet nothing is done to correct the problem even though dealers recognize this as a real problem. on a long trip away from home this is a great problem as the key cannot be removed and this leaves the car open to easy theft. this could also cause a great increase in insurance policy costs.

Kimberly of Nashville, TN August 18, 2009

Key stuck in the ingnition.

celeste of st. charles, MO July 24, 2009

My dad purchased a 2005 saturn ion a few years back, now which has arond 55k miles on it. When I was given the car, we were already having problems with the key not coming out of the ignition. (it would shut to the acc position, but not actually shut the car off). sometimes i can get the key out easily on the first try, sometimes I cannot. However, last night i spent 15 minutes trying to get the key out, and my dad came out and got it out after about 10 minutes of fidgeting. i cant afford to be getting my car fixed on a monthly basis. its rediculous, and reading all of the reviews just makes me sick.

Evelyn of Abilene, TX July 21, 2009

I purchased a Saturn Ion in 2006 and had my first problem in June 2009 with my key getting stuck in the ignition. I got it repaired and had to pay out of my pocket. I have 2 grandkids a 1 year old and 3 month old and depend on me for transportation. But here is the kicker....it's happening again July 2009. I will be taking it back to the dealership and demand repair free of charge.

This is just ridiculous for this to be happening to so many people with the same kind of car. Saturn why haven't you recall this vehicle. I guess someone has to die before you will do that, if then. I will never purchase a Saturn again or recommend anyone to purchase one.

Nicole of Arlington, TX July 15, 2009

After a hard day of work without warning, my key would not come out of the ignition. I got home from work and I couldn't cut the car off or take the key out of the ignition. The car continued to run. My dad went outside and tried to get the key out and it wouldn't come out. He spent the next two to three hours on the phone back and forth with roadside assistance and Saturn (Lewisville and Hurst). He finally got the engine off, but in order to do so he had to go to the trunk and take off the battery cable and one of the fuses (which he was told to do so by a Saturn mechanic).

Two Saturn employees at two different locations told him that this was a big issue (ignition locking) with the 2006 Saturn ion 2 and that it needed to be recalled. The service advisor then informed my dad that Saturn couldn't do the recall, GM had to recall the vehicle. My car has been in the shop now for two days and I haven't heard anything. This car was my first "new" car and I have had problem after problem with this vehicle. I have written a letter to the dealership and to the owner of the dealership. My dad has spoken to the owner of the dealership and I have also spoken with him. I am a senior in college and I work part time. It is not reasonable that the consumer be held responsible and accountable (financially) for a known manufacturer defect.

Tammy of Odessa, TX July 15, 2009

I have a 2006 Saturn ion and the ignition switch colllapsed... i was out and my car would not turn off.. i am a single female who did not know how to shut my car off.. i had to call a tow truck to come and take my car to the dealer and he had to remove a fuse and unhook the battery to get my car to shut off. looks as if saturn is having a lot of issues with this. if you google it right now there seem to be a lot of 2006 saturn ions with this issue. should be a recall on this issue.

Cherie of Cypress, TX July 6, 2009

Ignition lock that seems to be very common now that I am resarching it. Went to move the car after our guests left on the 4th iof July and could not turn it off. The dealership seemed to now right away how much it would cost me and how to turn it off quickly. A little too familiar with the problem. Part is supposed to be ordered and fixed tommorow, but I will be declining service and taking this matter further.

Carmen of Katy, TX July 5, 2009

My key is stuck in the ignition. I had to put the car in gear and let off the clutch in order to kill the engine and I still cannot turn the key off of the on position. This appears to be a recurring problem with Saturn Ions. Mine is a 2006 Ion 2. There should be a recall for this safety hazard. My car is now VERY vulnerable to theft! and I blame SATURN.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |