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Saturn Ion - Ignition Lock

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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

geneca of beaumont, TX June 26, 2009

purchased this car in 04 from a dealer it was a good running car until oct of 05 one day i cut the car off it had regular maintence went to start it i didnt start i sat in the parking lot for 45 min it started i took it to the dealer they said the ignigtion switch was going out it cost me 225 dollars in 08 same problem cost 332 now the key is stuck in the ignition wont cut off its now sitting in the yard

Steven of Brownton, MN June 19, 2009

Key for my wifes car would not turn and could not shut off engine sound like this is a ongoing problem. There should be a recall for this

Shae of Springdale , PA May 21, 2009

I as well own a 2003 Saturn ION, it is about a year old for me and I started experiencing the same type of problem this winter. Any time it was REALLY cold out my car would either show the Service Vehicle light OR just wouldnt start. I heard from a few people that I needed to replace my ignition sylendar, well after looking into it more I found out that it was the ignition censor, I had it fixed for you 80 and have not had a problem since.

However just recently I have been getting the same code again, when I took it to the shop they told me it was something to do with my oil pressure censor, how true that is I am not sure I have not had it looked at yet. I also have just recently been having the issue where I can not get my keys out. I am able to shut the car off but I can not turn the keys past the accessories spor tot tkae them all the way out, it takes me forever to fight with it. It has been an extremly frustrating issue and I do not want to pay an extreme amount to have it fixed. Is the car really worth it?

Lucia of Austin, TX May 12, 2009

I have a 2007 Saturn ION 2. I never had any problems with it until the last few months. First my driver side window would not roll down from time to time now it does not roll down at all and neither does the back right window. Yesterday I got home from work and could not take the key out of the ignition to turn off the car. The key was jammed in the ignition. I called Saturn and they asked me to drive it over there. Today they tell me that it's going to cost 1530 to fix everything. WTF! They lent me a loaner but still I think it should be covered since so many people are having problems. I was a loyal Saturn car. This is my second one. I think I am going to trade it in at the end of the year and just get something else. This car has been hell for me.

Jolene of Newbury Park, CA May 12, 2009

I couldn't turn the key in my 2006 Saturn Ion. The ignition switch would not turn to he LOCK position so I couldn't shut off the engine. I went inside the house and "googled" my problem. I was shocked to see that I wasn't the only Saturn owner that has had this problem. I called the Saturn Service Department the next morning, (Monday, so I missed a day of work) and after explaining what happened to the service rep he told me that he is pretty sure that it was the ignition cylinder lock because it is a common problem that other people have been having. I take my car to the NEAREST Saturn Dealership, 19.55 miles from my home and leave it for them to look at. The service rep calls me at 4:45pm and tells me that he has great news, that it is the ignition cylinder lock that was broken and they had the parts, so I would have my car back tomorrow.

Then he hits me with the cost. 510.00 is what it will cost to replace the cylinder lock and the housing since it was also damaged. I am a single mother and money is tight. I don't really have a choice but to have the repairs because I cant even turn the engine off, let alone take the keys out of the ignition.

So now I am out 510.00, and I missed 2 days of work. I already cant afford the repair cost, now my paycheck is going to be short 2 days. If GMAC/Saturn is aware of this problem then they should follow through with what they claim on their website, "GM stands behind you and your Saturn like never before. " I agree that there should be a recall issued.

Jeff of Columbus, OH April 25, 2009

I purchased a 2006 Saturn Ion 3 in 2007. It had low mileage and seemed a decent value. Since my purchase however, I have replaced the power steering module (900)and the torque converter (900). Yes, the car was out of warranty. The most annoying aspect of my ownership has been the ignition/anti-theft system. After spending 1800 for a used vehicle I had proudly perceived a good value, I was reluctant to effect any further repairs on a nuisance.

You see, the car does not start if there happens to be a shift in air temperature. A frustrating 10 minute wait later, the car starts. I have had the gauges, including the speedometer surge from one extreme to another and suddenly normalize.The crowning frustration occurred yesterday. My wife needed the car for an appointment and when she got into the car it would not start. No problem-wait ten minutes; it will start. No. The car is completely dead. The lights, instruments, etc. do not operate. Battery? Why then, is the transmission locked tight, the ignition mechanism will not allow the key to disengage; the trunk will not open.

Monday, I will call Saturn, complain, pay a towing bill and ultimately pay for yet another repair. I have owned Saturns and have been a GM customer for decades. Since their recent disbursement from the federal government, tantamount to putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound, I perceive this as the worst kind of double-dipping. My loyalty has waned and my patience is depleted. The so-called American-made moniker no longer holds sway. A once great company has become a victim of union induced entropy. Benefits in place of quality, in my business equates UNEMPLOYMENT. Consider my vote cast.

Casey of Carlisle, PA April 20, 2009

Casey of Carlisle PA (04/20/09)
Hello everyone, I am writing in response to your problems with the Saturn Ignition lock problem. I am appalled and concerned for your economic problem of this car. I too own a Saturn Ion, which I purchased about 6 months ago. Sometimes the key would get stuck and I would easily be able to remove it. However, today was not as successful. I could not get the key to turn so I could at least shut off the car. My boyfriends father pulled the fuse to automatically shut the car off. After about an hour of fighting with it, we used pliers to get the ignition back into the right position. I now have to use a screw driving to turn on and off my car.

I have only owned the car for about 6 months? I see all your complaints and realize that many of you have fixed this problem multiple times. I have decided to write a complaint to the attorney general of PA. Please participate with me to have this problem recalled. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. Whether the dealer wants to believe it or not, something is going to evolve from this situation. What will it take for Saturn to recognize its customers?

Joseph of Bulverde, TX April 16, 2009

Joseph of Bulverde TX (04/16/09)
I have had the same problem with my car as others have. I have an 03 Saturn Ion 3 and have been late to work several times because the car would not start. I have started it and driven to the gas station and it quit on me there. After trying over and over and over again waiting at least 20 min it finally kicked over. As for the key getting stuck in the ignition, thats never happened however I do hear the clicking inside the steering column while driving, parking or waiting with vehicle in idle.

I have replaced the starter and have had several mechanics look at the vehicle and they told me since its out of warranty to not drive while its cold. While being in Texas its not usually cold here, but this past season the few times it has been are the times that its happened to me. Saturn should address this problem and have the vehicles fixed at their expense regardless if GM plans to phase out the Saturn line, maybe if the cars were decent enough with no problems then they would have more money.

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