Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 000310006 | 12/01/2008 | SB-00-03-10-006D | 10021115 | Information on tire radial force variation (rfv). 2008 and prior gm passenger cars and light duty trucks including 2008 and prior hummer h2, h3 and 2005-08 saab 9-7x and 2000-05 saturn l series and 2003-07 saturn ion. *kb updated 4/1 | 03/07/2007 |
| 050309010 | 11/01/2005 | 10018679 | Identifying correct design level of rear axle assembly. *jb | 01/10/2006 | |
| 3687 | 10016948 | Clunk noise from front of vehicle during turning maneuver. *sc | 10/18/2005 | ||
| 050307001A | 08/01/2005 | 050307001B | 10013462 | Premature and/or irregular tire wear. *tt | 04/19/2005 |
| 040308013 | 08/01/2004 | 10009801 | Creaking/squeaking noise from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel. *tt | 10/25/2004 | |
| 040310006 | 08/01/2004 | 10009421 | Vehicle vibrations at highway speeds 72-110 km/h (45-70 mph). *tt | 09/29/2004 | |
| 040308005 | 05/01/2004 | 10007550 | Service manual update regarding tightening procedure and specification for the ball joint-to-steering knuckle nut.*mr | 07/01/2004 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||||
| 040308006 | 08/01/2007 | 040308006A | 10007892 | Cluck, thump or rattle noise from front suspension while driving over rough road conditions or when braking (replace front lower control arm rear bushing). *mj updated 10/5/07. *nj | 07/14/2004 |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||||
| 040308003 | 05/01/2004 | 040308003A | 10006479 | Squeak, rattle, pop or clunk noise from front of vehicle during suspension movement. *mr *tt | 05/04/2004 |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 02/04/2013 | 1 | ||
| I was driving on the interstate at 65 mph and the power steering light came on and the steering wheel clicked and became stiff. there was no prior indication that anything was wrong. i could no longer turn right and left turns were almost impossible. the brakes started having trouble as well. i almost got in accident because the right side was not working. then when i made it to a spot and turned the car on and off it was working again. then about 30 min later it did the same thing again. i had some check the fluid and it was fine and so was the belt. also, my left indicator will not work. i have taken it to the dealer and several mechanics and it keeps melting the socket. *tr | |||
| 02/04/2013 | |||
| I was driving on the interstate at 65 mph and the power steering light came on and the steering wheel clicked and became stiff. there was no prior indication that anything was wrong. i could no longer turn right and left turns were almost impossible. the brakes started having trouble as well. i almost got in accident because the right side was not working. then when i made it to a spot and turned the car on and off it was working again. then about 30 min later it did the same thing again. i had some check the fluid and it was fine and so was the belt. also, my left indicator will not work. i have taken it to the dealer and several mechanics and it keeps melting the socket. | |||
| 03/29/2012 | 80000 | ||
| I am not exactly sure on the dates of when we noticed the problems. so far i have had serious problems with my 04 ion's front suspension, the cheaply made plastic wiper linkages that break easy while driving down the road making it difficult and dangerous while driving in rain, the ignition lock cylinder has been replaced 3 times so far because the part fails and you cannot start your car, and most recently i went to my local dealer to ask about a clunking noise it makes when going over any bumps to find out that there is a bulletin for a known steering linkage or steering motor (eps) problem. i was told that on these cars the steering links/motor have tendancy to break! if that is to happen while driving down the road it could result in death! i've also done some searching online and found many forums/articles with others having the same problems with this specific make/model. one comment i read the person said this car is a death trap! mine and many other's 04 saturn ion's have alot of known yet serious issues but saturn still has no recalls for this car!! somebody please help fix this problem! -concerned/frusturated saturn owner. | |||
| 01/01/2009 | 118000 | 1 | |
| After 5 years my 2004 saturn ion will not start when the temperature is below +10f. there is power ( new battery ) and no fuel issue ( clean fuel system and filter ), but after 10 to 15 minutes and a couple of hesitant engine turns, it starts. no one needs an unreliable vehicle where winter temps last several months. after replacing the anti-sway bar, both headlight assemblies as well as other annoying problems ( instrument lights out, cabin fan noisy ) i will never ever buy another saturn . i took the problem ( out of warranty of course ) to saturn of rochester and was told it was a faulty ignition switch, a common problem for this make and model year. since it is not a safety issue, no recall was issued and i would have to pay at least $275 unless something else came up. being late for work ( public safety and volunteer fireman ) or my wife and children is not an option for me. please force gm to make the recall on this ignition part for the financially stressed new york consumers. thank you. *tr | |||
| 05/30/2005 | 16272 | 4 | 10/29/2004 |
| Dt: the contact states that while in reverse the brakes make a loud noise, the brakes are not functioning properly. while driving forward the brakes do not function, but do not make any noise. *ak there was a shimmy at 60- 65 mph and there was noise coming from the front end. the sway bar links and bushings were replaced. *sc *jb | |||
| 03/29/2004 | 3500 | 2 | 01/27/2004 |
| By 3500 miles (after 1500mi when we could have returned it), the front passenger turn signal burnt out. the car was also sputtering when we started the engine. the mechanic found a cracked head, that we were told was probably present when we purchased the car; had we known we would've returned the car. we were given a rental car, but had to drive 45 min one way to get to saturn of green bay. within a month, the front driver turn signal had burnt out. the wiring was replaced while we waited 2 hrs with our 3 year old. we had to drive 1 hr 1way to saturn of appleton for repairs. in aug 2004, the car was making a noise when we turned onto a steep grade. in mi for vacation, we had to drive over 1 hr 1way to saturn of troy; the swaybar and mounting brackets had to be fixed. we waited for over 2 hrs with our son while it was fixed. in sept 2004, the front passenger side turn signal had to replace the resistor. we drove 1 hr 1 way for the repair, and had to wait 2 hrs with our son. we had asked about the cruise making a funny noise, but it was checked and we were told it was fine. in april 2005, the cruise stopped working and had to be fixed. it took over a week for the part to come in, and almost 2 weeks for it to be repaired at saturn of green bay. i had to go to the dealer 30 minutes early, be driven over to my school where i teach, walk to my second school i teach at, and wait for a driver to pick me up (20-40 min past when i was done for the day). despite everything we've been through with a new car that should need minimal care at this point, we've been basically told that we should take the $2600 hit to buy a new car while the dealer breaks even. this is poor salesmanship, and we will not be purchasing saturn products any longer. | |||
| 11/15/2004 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle shook uncontrollably which made the vehicle hard to maneuver. the brakes shook along with the steering wheel. *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) | |||
| 03/29/2007 | 0 | 1 | 11/23/2004 |
| Since i purchased 2004 saturn ion iii quad coupe in november 2004 i have complained to the dealer that the vehicle drifted to the left. the faster the vehicle was driven the worst it drifted. at highway speeds one must constantly steer the car to the right to keep the vehicle going in a straight line. the dealer maintained the alignment was fine, and that the pull was the result of radial tire drift . not satisfied , i paid to have the alignment checked by an outside vendor. they corrected a minor problem that had no effect on the drifting problem. since the tires were not wearing oddly i put up with the drift until recently when i had to change the tires, but the drifting continued. i took the vehicle back to the dealer, who suggested the vehicle needed an alignment. the alignment was out very slightly. after the repair was completed the car still drifted. i complained, and was told the dealer could not replicate the problem. i had the dealer accompany me on a test drive, and they admitted the vehicle still drifted. the regional engineer for saturn examined the car, and responded at this time they could not repair the car. by design there was a limited amount of adjustment they could make to the car to compensate for the problem. they have reached that limit, and deemed this a manufacturing problem. they took several other ions out for test drives. every one they drove behaved in the same manner. so as far as they are concerned my vehicle is operating within normal parameters. i have asked that they put this in writing which they have agreed to do. i am contacting the nhtsa because i believe this is an endemic problem to the vehicle and its design, and represents a serious safety issue. if you become distracted in this vehicle at highway speed you can very easily find yourself in the next lane. could someone please look into this before some is hurt or killed. by the way saturn's solution keep a good grip on the steering wheel. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. the contact stated that the front passenger side wheel came off of the vehicle. the contact was pulling out of a driveway and the front passenger side wheel came off. the dealer stated that there was a sheet metal part formed into a rectangle shape and attached the wheel and the frame working as a type of arm to connect the wheel to the frame. the dealer stated that the part corroded and that caused it to break. the contact was not aware of the specific name of the part at the time of the complaint. the dealer and the police stated that this was the first time they have seen this type of failure. the vehicle is current being repaired. the failure and current mileages was 45000.rl | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Car parked beside busy thoroughare overnight | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. the contact stated that the front passenger side wheel came off of the vehicle. the contact was pulling out of a driveway and the front passenger side wheel came off. the dealer stated that there was a sheet metal part formed into a rectangle shape and attached the wheel and the frame working as a type of arm to connect the wheel to the frame. the dealer stated that the part corroded and that caused it to break. the contact was not aware of the specific name of the part at the time of the complaint. the dealer and the police stated that this was the first time they have seen this type of failure. the vehicle is current being repaired. the failure and current mileages was 45000.rl | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Car parked beside busy thoroughare overnight | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. the contact stated that the front passenger side wheel came off of the vehicle. the contact was pulling out of a driveway and the front passenger side wheel came off. the dealer stated that there was a sheet metal part formed into a rectangle shape and attached the wheel and the frame working as a type of arm to connect the wheel to the frame. the dealer stated that the part corroded and that caused it to break. the contact was not aware of the specific name of the part at the time of the complaint. the dealer and the police stated that this was the first time they have seen this type of failure. the vehicle is current being repaired. the failure and current mileages was 45000.rl | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Car parked beside busy thoroughare overnight | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 45000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. the contact stated that the front passenger side wheel came off of the vehicle. the contact was pulling out of a driveway and the front passenger side wheel came off. the dealer stated that there was a sheet metal part formed into a rectangle shape and attached the wheel and the frame working as a type of arm to connect the wheel to the frame. the dealer stated that the part corroded and that caused it to break. the contact was not aware of the specific name of the part at the time of the complaint. the dealer and the police stated that this was the first time they have seen this type of failure. the vehicle is current being repaired. the failure and current mileages was 45000.rl | |||
| 09/05/2010 | 46000 | ||
| Car parked beside busy thoroughare overnight | |||
| 11/12/2003 | 0 | 10/22/2003 | |
| In october of 1993, i bought a 2004 ion 2 quad coupe from saturn of larchmont. i traded in my 1997 sc1 for this car. in the beginning of november, i needed to have the right side front bulb replaced because it burned out. in january, i brought the car in for its first oil change and two recalls. it also to made a rattling sound underneath. this first time, the link and torsion bar supports were replaced. i returned about two weeks later with the rattle and an additional complaint. the car had stalled while driving it. i was told that a book underneath the seat was making the rattling noise. they also said that the stalling couldnt be duplicated, so they didnt know what needed to be fixed. i returned one week later with the same rattling problem. they kept the car for three days and drove it over sixty miles. this time they replaced the sway bar links and bushings. finally, the noise stopped! in july i brought the car to saturn of white plains. the car had stalled again and started stuttering when stepping on or releasing the gas petal. again no codes were found to indicate why it stalled. i was also told that the stuttering was normal for the vti engine because of its new technology. about a week and a half later, the rattling started underneath the car again. i brought the car into saturn of white plains again. two days before my appointment, the radio had reset itself. on the day of my appointment, the technician took the car out and said he heard no noise and felt no rattling. he took me out with him and said what i heard was normal. again a test was run and no codes were found. i brought the car to saturn of larchmont on july 30, 2004 because the rattling continued and the radio reset itself again. bob linder, the service manager, took his time and logged my issues for the technicians to address them. the stabilizer links were replaced again. a new radio was ordered to replace the one in the car. the banging underneath the car has returned. | |||
| 05/11/2004 | 100 | 5 | 11/29/2003 |
| There is a thumping sound in the front end which send a vibration through the body of the car while going over dips and steering at low speeds. it has been in the shop 5 times and the current diagnoses is that it's a normal noise. confirmed with other dealers that the noise is not normal. visit 1: replaced sway bar bushings. visit 2: replaced right lower control arm visit 3: replaced right front strut visit 4: replaced power steering gear assembly and both torsion bar supports visit 5: it's a normal noise i've test driven other new cars and the noise is not present. i will be persuing the lemon law at this time.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 06/23/2006 | 37000 | 1 | 08/15/2005 |
| 2004 saturn ion right front tire worn down to metal. then right front lower arm broke into causing a crash. no corrections were done. saturn co. said it wasn't a faulty part. said part broke when hitting a the curb. curb was hit because no control of steering. *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 2004 saturn ion right front tire blew out resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.***no answer required***. *mr the right front strut kit was replaced. all the parts that were used for the repair came from saturn. the vehicle strut bracket that was welded to the strut which held the sway bar link had broken off and cut into the tire causing the tire to blow out. *bf *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 09/03/2004 | 50 | 5 | |
| Received first saturn ion 04 and within one week of purchase car was displaying clear signs of either an electrical or computer problem. was replaced with a second ion o4. noticed a strange clunking sound. brought car in at 3600 miles, and it was transmission mounts, wheel bearings, axels, and break rotors. car was returned with a broken piece in the interior, and smelling of burning plastic. i believe that this car is defective, and saturn refuses to do anything other than make repairs under warranty. i think that i should be issued a refund, due to faulty construction. *nm | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 12/20/2004 | 6500 | 1 | |
| The consumer slid on a patch of ice while pulling into a parking space. this resulted in the driver side rear tire hitting the curb. upon impact the tire folded underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the consumer's home. the consumer jacked the rear end of the vehicle up and noticed that the metal piece that the hub was mounted to along with the suspension system had came apart and folded down. *jb | |||