Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 709 | 09/01/2005 | 10018126 | Oil life system reset procedures - cars. gm tech link. *tt | 12/15/2005 | |
| 05538 | 03/01/2005 | 10014998 | Engine control module software upgrade. *eh | 05/13/2005 | |
| 050602003 | 03/01/2005 | 10015022 | Engine lacks power hesitates and or stumbles on hard acceleration and or loses some power after high rpm cruising in high temperatures. *eh | 05/13/2005 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| PIP-4495C | 03/01/2011 | 10038510 | Ready | 06/16/2011 | |
| PIP-4495C | 03/01/2011 | 10038510 | Gm: there may be noise coming from the cylinder head, because of low oil pressure which is caused by debris. *rm | 06/16/2011 | |
| SB-07-06-04-019A | 11/01/2008 | 10028831 | General motors: intermittent mil/ses/ dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip) to body harness connector). 2005-08 gm passengers cars/light duty trucks (incl. saturns). *pe | 06/01/2009 | |
| 4175 | 12/31/2007 | 4175C | 10022484 | Intermittent ses light due to dtc's p060e, p2135, and/or p2138. *kb updated 2/27/08. *nj | 08/15/2007 |
| 070604003 | 01/01/2007 | 10021121 | Lsj, l61, lk5, l52, ll8 engine - reduced engine power, mil/ses light, dtc p1516, p2135, p2138. *kb | 03/07/2007 | |
| 3859 | 3859A | 10020923 | Low oil pressure - inspect oil filter for damage. *kb updated 10/18/07. *nj | 01/30/2007 | |
| 060604033 | 06/01/2006 | 10020838 | Engine malfunction indicator lamp (mil)/service engine soon (ses) lamp illuminated with dtc p0171. *kb | 01/24/2007 | |
| 060603005 | 06/01/2006 | 10020821 | Service engine soon (ses)/malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on and/or engine driveability concerns. *kb | 01/23/2007 | |
| 3708 | 10019421 | Engine rpm limited to 4,000 rpm - monitor tr switch input to tcm. *tt | 03/14/2006 | ||
| 3310D | 3310E | 10017261 | Service engine soon (ses) light due to a p0171 - inspect air intake and oil dipstick. *tt | 10/31/2005 | |
| 3433 | 3433D | 10017032 | Service engine soon (ses) light and severe engine misfire on cylinders 1 and 4 or cylinders 2 and 3. *tt updated 08-15-07. *kb | 10/20/2005 | |
| 3404 | 3404C | 10016822 | Machining debris on the oil filter element. *sc | 10/11/2005 | |
| 0804 | 08/01/2004 | 10014346 | Oil life system reset procedures - cars. *nm | 04/29/2005 | |
| 050604006 | 01/01/2005 | 10013465 | Engine runs rough after extended crank, and/or engine hesitation on acceleration after initial cold start during ambient temperatures below 10 degrees c (50 degrees f). *tt | 04/19/2005 | |
| 050604005 | 01/01/2005 | 10013463 | Service engine soon lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0300 misfire detected and/or p0315 crankshaft variation position not learned and/or p0507 idle speed too high and/or p1574 stop lamp switch circuit and/or p1621 contr | 04/19/2005 | |
| 040602009 | 10/01/2004 | 10010519 | Service engine soon (ses) light on, engine starts but runs rough and stalls repeatedly, diagnostic codes (dtcs) p0443, p0102, p0135, p0141, p023a . *eh | 11/30/2004 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||||
| 3644 | 10018532 | Momentary sag on light to moderate accel when cold - valve deposits. *tt | 01/05/2006 | ||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||||
| SB-08020 | 01/01/2010 | 10033034 | Saturn/chevrolet: some 2004-07 saturn ion red line and 2005-07 chevrolet cobalt ss vehicles, equipped with 2.0l 4 cylinder (rpo lsj) engine, may have illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mal) and/or lack of engine power. this m | 06/25/2010 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 10/21/2011 | 83000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. the contact stated that vehicle could not be started during colder weather due to the anti-theft sensor. the contact stated that the vehicle would have to sit at least twenty minutes after starting in order for the vehicle to reset. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. the dealer advised the contact to have the vehicle towed when the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified who stated that the dealer could not repair the vehicle until properly diagnosed. the failure mileage was 83,000. kmj | |||
| 10/21/2011 | 83000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. the contact stated when the weather is cold the vehicle does not start. this was due to the theft sensor that shuts the vehicle down. after starting the engine once you have to wait twenty minutes and the vehicle would reset itself. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who tests the failure but it was working. they informed her to have the vehicle towed when the failure occurrs. the manufacturer was notified who stated the dealer cannot repair the vehicle if the failure does not occurred at the time when it was towed in. the failure mileage was 83,000. mw | |||
| 03/04/2010 | 30000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. the contact was driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. a chime sounded inside of the vehicle. there was difficulty steering. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. also, two weeks prior to the failures the engine stalled without warning. the technician was unable to locate the problem. the vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. the failure and current mileages were 30,000. | |||
| 02/05/2009 | 48500 | 1 | |
| 1. events leading up to failure i was getting ready to leave for work. the time of day was 9am. the temperature had been hovering around freezing all night. the vehicle had not been driven since the previous day at around 9pm. i unlocked my vehicle using keyless entry - driver door only. i inserted my key in the ignition, closed the door, pushed the clutch to the floor while fastening my seatbelt. i then turned the key to the start position. the engine did not start - the starter did not engage at all. when i released the key, the security light (an amber padlock icon) started flashing slowly - once per second. i then followed the restart procedure for this situation according to the owner manual - simply wait until the light stops flashing, turn the key to lock, then restart. ten minutes later, the security light stopped flashing and remained illuminated. i then turned the key to lock, and then restarted engine. 2. the failure, how often, its consequences: the vehicle did not start due to a failure of, or a malfunction of, some component of the factory vehicle security system. it has happened a total of three times between the incident date and march 30, 2009. it only seems to occur when the temperature overnight hovers around freezing, or drops below freezing. the consequences of this failure for me have been minimal, but i was very fortunate in each instance to be parked in a safe place, where my prompt egress was not necessary. i am reporting this situation to the odi because of the potential consequences of this failure occurring during normal driving - if i stall the engine in heavy traffic and am not able to restart for ten minutes until the security light stops flashing, i would be in a very dangerous situation, and my vehicle would present a significant hazard to other drivers. 3. what was done to correct: nothing has been done to correct this failure, as my dealership has no current solution. *tr | |||
| 03/15/2009 | 44325 | 1 | |
| Unable to turn key in the off position of my 2005 saturn ion while the engine was running. had to eventually unhook the battery to turn off the engine and have the car towed to a service station where they ended up breaking the key to remove it from the ignition and then replacing the entire ignition lock mechanism. *tr | |||
| 05/03/2008 | 49000 | 1 | |
| We have had this problem now going on the 3rd time with our saturn ion. no crank no start, like you cut the power off to the car. no gauges ,no lights no emergency signals. there is a problem with the circuit board in the fuse box, it seems to break contact with in the area that controls this. the first time the dealer changed the part, 2nd time we had no warranty and had to pay $550. now it has done it again. the first time my wife was driving home at night when it just shut off and there was no lights or emergency signals and she was on a dark highway. *tr | |||
| 09/05/2006 | 54 | 4 | 05/21/2005 |
| Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. while driving 50 mph on an incline the vehicle lost power, the steering locked, and all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. the contact placed the vehicle in park, and was able to restart the vehicle. on four occasions the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the failure mileage was 54, and the current mileage was 10,087. *ak updated 06/08/07 *tr | |||
| 07/30/2005 | 5 | 4 | 06/24/2005 |
| Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled several times at highway speeds. there has been no warning prior to each incident. this was the fourth time she took vehicle to a dealer. each time the dealership told her the problems was fixed. she did not know what repairs the dealership had done previously. she did not have any other problem with the vehicle. the vehicle is at the dealership now and has not been repaired. *ak updated 01/25/06. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 07/16/2010 | |||
| The key sticks in the ignition whenever i try to turn the car off. it takes awhile before i am able to get it out, causing the battery to drain. i have had to replace my battery already. this is a major issue that after doing some research a very common issue for ion owners. with it being so common i dont understand why a recall has not been done. i could have been stranded somewhere because of this. | |||
| 09/03/2007 | 41000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. while driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions, the engine lost power. the check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. the technician stated that the failure was related to the ignition control module. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle is in the process of being repaired again. the contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. the failure mileage was 41,000 and current mileage was 61,000. | |||
| 03/09/2006 | 13000 | 4 | 02/15/2005 |
| Dt*: the contact stated there were several problems with the vehicle. while turning the ignition on, the battery light illuminated for 30 seconds. second, the driver's side window fell off the track and caused the window to fall into the door. third, there was a grinding noise heard in the motor and the vehicle hesitated. additionally, the headlight seal around the headlight was broken allowing water to get inside. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and all repairs were made. | |||
| 07/28/2005 | 3200 | 3 | 03/01/2005 |
| Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled while driving at any speed. there were no warning lights indicating a problem with the vehicle. the dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak updated 01/11/06. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 02/23/2007 | 48000 | 1 | |
| My 2005 ion 2 was serviced continuously by the saturn dealership since its new purchase. this car has never had a engine incident, overheating, or missed oil change/service and at approximately 35,000 miles the engine service light would activate intermittently. the problem was brought to the saturn technician and deduced to either a gas tank sealing issue or oxygen sensor malfunction. the oxygen sensor was finally replaced on it 48,000 service checkup, yet the light was still active. a complete computer code diagnostic revealed internal misfire issues with the #1 cylinder. the mechanics evaluation was that the engine cylinder or block is warped and causing compression blow by & misfiring. the recommended solution is to change the engine block at a cost of $6, 800. or work on tearing down the engine at an un-estimated amount. although i have a 3 year warranty to april 2008, i have exceeded the mileage of this purchased warranty by over 14,000 miles. i am uncertain whether i should go forward with this repair, trade-in the car, or seek my damages through my attorney in los angeles. when i purchased this new ion, my father in law was so impressed that he bought the same model 5 days later at the same dealership. an interesting note is this is our 3rd saturn in the last 11 years. we believe in the brand, love the service & sales departments, but are not sure about its future with our family. *jb | |||