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Have you spoken with GM Customer Assistance regarding the problems you are experiencing? If so, do you currently have a case number?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I would like to set up a case with GM Customer Assistance. In order to set up the case I will need your complete contact information (including full name, mailing address and phone number), VIN, current mileage and involved dealership sent to me in an email. Also, could you please provide a brief description of the problems you are experiencing?
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Caron, GM Customer Service
I started reading this forum when it became clear that it was not a cold start problem, and a mechanical one. I made a list of all the different sugesstions and decided to start with the simplest first, which was to not engage the security system by not using the remote lock / unlock. My husband took the bobber off of his key ring and he hasn't had a problem starting the car since! This was 3 weeks ago. However - since it seems like some of the fixes I have seen on here only last for a few weeks . . . . I am reserving judgement on this . . . . let's see if it gets us through the summer and into the winter - then I may start to relax!!
I just want to say that I am disappointed in what I have read as GM's response to this issue. We were at the point where we had already taken the car to our mechanic and we were going to take it to a GM mechanic because we thought that they would be able to solve the issue - after reading the comments on here, it looks like we would have spent a lot of money on something that probably would not have fixed the car. It is too bad that it seems that GM is not doing everything it can to help the owners of these cars fix a problem that is incredibly frustrating to those who have to deal with it.
GM could get out of this embarrising problem simply by recognizing that the problem is there.
And, by authorize 'by back' of one vehicle that is experiencing this problem, take possession and truly examine it - find the source of the problem, issue proper repair orders, and maybe as a goodwill issue a recall. This will generate goodwill - Saturn owners will shy away from GM
unless this is properly handled. Saturn did not do it. And, so far GM is not reaching out far enough. I just 'unloaded' one more of our ION's ... replacing it with one from the other US brand that have ION size vehicles.
Good luck with your 2003 ION.
I couldn't make it to my now default authorized (GM Chevrolet) dealer, who are far away and they didn't have time for me or know what the issue was. Local mechanic befuddled and gave me new battery. Ignition Switch replaced already during same fracas in 2007. Mechanic believes it's the " buss in computer relay center" or "fuse box assembly" (I believe the big BCM) which the part is on national back order.
I see here that may not help, or be the tip of a more expensive iceberg. God I loved this car, but I can't even sell it for value or trade it in. The stabilizer bars keep breaking, the automatic door lock on driver side stopped working, etc etc etc. But the main problem is the no-start: I grow more and more helpless every day.
Care to comment on the tens of thousands of Saturn owners who did report defective transmission problems for years and ultimately won the largest class action settlement in US history against GM? Probably not, considering GM declared bankruptcy 45 days later and told all 200,000 of us in the US and Canada we were on our own to replace or repair a known defective CVT to the tune of $7500.
My dying words will be to never buy a GM — EVER. And I'm still young enough to tell everyone I meet to buy any other car. GM lies and the US government lets them. If this were a Toyota problem, there would be Congressional hearing and GM's CEO of the week would be handed his [non-permissible content removed]. Instead — nothing.
http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp
At least they didn't kill, injury or permanently disable me or a family member. They're not paying victims or survivors either.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/gm-chrysler-bailout-accident-victims_n_- 868079.html?ref=fb&src=sp#sb=682760,b=facebook
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Could you please email me your VIN? I would like to look further into your situation.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
To which address do you want VIN numbers sent?
Issue: No start, sometimes up to 4 attempt's (ten minutes wait between each attempt) before ION '04 and '05:s will start.
This should be a rather easy one for the GM technicians to respond to, and I would not be surprised if the same issue can be had at Ford, Chrysler or most other brands as well ...
I know we have had it every now and then (mostly on the ION:s but on the L300's also), and most recently on (our last) '04 ..
Looking forward to see a general GM recommendation or answer to to overcome this issue.
Have you had the vehicle diagnosed by a GM dealership? Please keep me posted.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Anyway which is it? Do I cut the white wire under the steering column to fix it or do i get a remote start that will fix it? PLEASE HELP. Thanks so much.
If you click on the user name you will be able to find the email address.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
its free and you will not have the problem again
ive been problem free (1 year!) since i cut it
After several trips to GM dealerships here in Plano, Texas and Ruston, Louisiana where my son goes to college, until today, no one has been able to figure out why my son can't start his car and the key gets stuck in the ignition, or, what is worse, all the power cuts out while he's driving. Finally, I think it's going to be fixed. Last Friday, yet again, he went to start his car, it didn't, and the key got stuck. $90 to tow his car to the Chevrolet dealership in Ruston. $100 more to download computer updates into his car. Yet again the dealership couldn't duplicate the problems. Today, 5 days later after being without his car, the dealership said to come pick up his car and they were sorry they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Lo and behold, my son got in his car at the dealership, and miracle of miracles, the car wouldn't start and the key got stuck, right in the parking lot. The service advisor immediately ran to get the mechanic and after 10 minutes knew it was the Body Control Motion device. Guess what? They have to order it from West Virginia! You would think with so many Saturn Ion owners having these same problems, GM would recall this part. We are going to have to pay $800 to get this fixed. Anyone with this problem, esp power going out while driving, could be seriously injured or killed if this happens while driving. I am grateful the Ruston dealership is going to fix my son's car, but GM needs to take responsibility for it. :sick:
I apologize for the problems your son is experiencing with his vehicle. Have you had the chance to speak with GM Customer Assistance? Please keep me posted.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Also, since I posted, when the dealership was installing the new Body Control Module, they discovered that the fuse box was almost completely burned out and had to order the part from Michigan. $300 more so we're up to a total of about $1300. The dealership told my husband that computer diagnostics didn't indicated the fuse box was almost burned out and that's why they didn't look at it prior to installing the BCM, but I wonder whatever happened to using your actual eyeballs to look under the hood?
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Recently, as in the last 3 weeks, my key periodically gets stuck in the ACC position when I turn off the engine. It's never been stuck for longer than a minute. (Thank goodness considering it's 114 in Phoenix right now!) My dad has spoken with a mechanic who thinks the current problem is being caused by my keys being too heavy. His theory (without having actually looked at the car yet) is that the weight of my key chain has screwed up the ignition cylinder. Not sure I buy this theory yet. But based on what I've read from everyone else on here, replacing the cylinder would only be a temporary fix anyway. On another site, someone mentioned replacing the BTSI (brake transmission shift interlock solenoid).
Think I'll get the current problem fixed (even if it's only temporary) then sell the car and buy a non-GM vehicle instead.
I do recommend reporting any concerns you have with your vehicle with Customer Assistance. What I can do is I can set up a case for you with GM Customer Assistance. This way they will contact you and you can provide them with all the details about your experience. If you would to take this course of action please email me you complete contact information including a good number to reach you, VIN, current mileage, as well as your involved dealer. I look forward to your response. Have a great holiday weekend!
Christina
GM Customer Service
I just ran into a problem this weekend when I went to the store and tried to turn my car off and it wouldn't turn off. Its the holiday and no one was open. I called a locksmith and he wouldn't touch my car since it was a 2007. He said I shouldn't be having those problems. The dealership was closed and I will be calling them in the morning. We had to pull a fuse and unhook battery to get the car to turn off. I should have had second thought about this car when within the 1st 2yrs they had to replace the cadillac converter, but didn't have any other problems. I noticed there was alot of complaints with the ignition switch, but no recall with all the problems. After I talk to the dealer tomorrow I am going to call the attorney general's office and get their opinion b/c this is crazy. Don't know what they can do, but gonna try. I think a class action suit should be opened with these cars b/c there is a serious problem somewhere.
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Are there any updates from the dealership? Please keep me posted.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
GM has compounded the problem by using the same junk in the Cobalt, HHR, G5, Pursuit, Colorado and Canyon.
My own experience : Bought the 05 ION 1 brand new. Taken back five times since 12,000 miles and the techs at Saturn Of The Valley never did fix the frigging car.
Even with a call to corporate and customer service with an incident ticket I still have to stick my finger up a hole under the steering wheel to get the key out.
GM is not going to do right by these owners, period. Nor is GM authorized service going to give a useful solution.
Now my car is out of warranty and I have to pay for them to "guess" what's wrong ???? I don't think so.
I love the car, still, but there won't be any GM garbage taking my hard earned money ever again.
It's not your fault, but you might pass the commentary to the people that run this bankrupt junk store to let them know that by continuing to use junk parts cost cut to the lowest quality to eke out an extra .000005c, they have destroyed the market GM might have for repeat customers.
I will email you my VIN # so you can see when it started and what they did and how it continues to be unfixed, tho it was never repaired properly under warranty.
100 years since the self starter and GM can't even get an ignition switch right ?
No more key's getting stuck ... and I am talking on the average another 60k miles on the odometer on every single one. Good luck - fully understand you consider a non-GM product (we have replaced several ION's with imports) mainly due to total failure by Saturn and GM to act on these and similar complaints.
48,000 miles in 6 years.....
It's unfortunate: as a car buyer my standards are pretty easy to meet. I expect the car to stop, start, run reliably and not need a lot of expensive repairs down the road.
The ION with it's polymer,Ecotec and GM 4 speed auto appears bullet proof.
Ideal on paper as a 20 year car. I ordered with minimal electronic gadgetry to go haywire down the road [no power windows or locks], no timing belt and water pump to replace at regular intervals. Like a Checker: built for the long haul.
And the simplest, most basic function of a car GM f#$%s up.
Every time I think of it my contempt for this company grows. "Bankruptcy is not an option " ? No, it was and is a foregone conclusion.
I was reading your post and I would look into this for you. Can you please email me with your VIN, involved dealer, and complete contact information. I look forward to your response.
Christina
GM Customer Service
It never seemed to happen consistently, so I never brought it in to be fixed. It would seem to stop stopping mostly over the summer, but would start stopping in the Fall. Strangely, when the temperature went below 32 degrees, it seemed to stop stopping less and less, perhaps after every 3 days it would stop starting maybe once.
I finally googled, and discovered this thread a few years ago, and saw many descriptions of the same issue.
I worry, when I bring my car in for service for other issues {Currently a bad bearing, a coolent notification and an oil change} that it might happen, frustrating the mechanic, but I forwarn them to wait exactly 11 minutes, and it should then start, or else wait another 11 then retry.
So far, it has never failed to start for any mechanic, and they've never heard of this issue. Well, within a year or two, I will be getting a new car, and I can live with this until then.
-Lou
The starting problem has nothing to do with the outside temperature, hour during the day etc. as this is a Saturn/GM problem (since day ONE) on the ION's ... You are so correct, wait 10 to 11 minutes, try a 2nd time, even a 3rd and a 4th time. Always wait in between. GM keep on responding take the vehicle to a dealer, have it checked out ... at the consumers expense! This is a major GM problem, a liability actually and they do not take the time and expense to review it and recommend how to fix it. As late as y-day they called us, saying we should take it to the dealer when this problem occurs! Have the car towed to their dealer .... Keep in mind the window is 10 to 11 minutes - not much time to get the tow truck, have the car brought to the dealer and they look at it ... All this at the consumers expense. I don't think so. Consider trade the car, turn your back to it and let someone else keep fighting with GM - their reputation will not improve until this issue is taken care of. So far have sold off 3 ION's and the 4th is due to go in September - and the replacements are non-GM products.
HOWEVER: had the car in and had the ignition switch changed. Got home, first time I shut it off: key stuck again.
Took it back to the dealer: he had no problem getting it out. Got home again and the fool thing hung on to the key until I diddled the little button underneath the steering wheel.
Called the dealership from the car itself while the key was stuck. They said bring it back in !!!! By that time I said I would drive it for awhile to see if it got any better as I said I had spent all day on this runaround. OMG: I wound up paying for a repair only to get the same BS problem I went in with.
Ran the car around town yesterday, all three stops, no problem. Get to the mail box, turn off the car, key stuck again.
Today I tried it at least 6 times. Four out of those times the key came out. The last time it didn't and had to use the override button.
I shouldn't have even bothered. May just take the thing to CarMax and sell it outright. The 63 Valiant I have has only had a problem starting when someone stole the battery out of it !!!!!!!!!!!!
And the only time I have replaced an ignition switch has been when I lost the keys and had to replace it.
As a matter of fact, in all my years of driving that's the only one I have ever had to replace.
On #3 with the ION now and the 7th trip for the same problem with no resolution.....
I am stunned at the way I was treated: car is back and problem is resolved. It was a two part problem.Ignition switch I paid for, the other, a $400.00 repair GM covered.
The other issue with the ignition was with the connection between the shifter and the key release in the ignition, some sort of sensor where the whole unit had to be replaced.
Because it had been replaced 20,000 miles before under warranty and the car only has 48,000 miles they replaced it.
ORielly Chevrolet here in Tucson proved themselves genuine Authorized Saturn Service Providers. And I will be using them for maintenance from here on.
Let them try to help you as there is also an extended warranty on the electronic power steering. Going in raving won't help, simply make a case for your problem with GM Customer Service and let them try to fix the problem. They'll open a repair ticket & take you through the process.
Have you had this ignition switch repaired before ? Your car is a 2003 ? How many miles ? Have you given the GM people a chance to look at it ? If you've never had the problem before you've been lucky.
Mine is finally fixed and I'm grateful. Brilliant customer service on their part. Car was out of warrnaty but had been repaired under warranty twice before and the dealer that repaired it wasn't the one that sold the car.
They get a 10. And I was NOT expecting any satisfaction. Maybe this IS a new GM
Thanks for the advise!
Maybe the fact that mine was fixed before under warranty and not 20,000 miles ago helped.
The offer of help from GM Customer Service [see posts from "gmcustsrv", click on that link ] is a effective route to get people higher up involved. They will be in a position to help you better make your case. See post # 580.
My service diagnostic was only $59.00 and the diagnostic waived when I had the repair done IIRC.
And the power steering has an extended warranty for replacement.
Not trying in the least to diminish the aggravation. Been there. But I got some satisfaction where I had no confidence there would be any.
And in 5 years you haven't had any dealership attempt to repair your car or given them a chance to work with you, just called and asked them ? You haven't given them a real opportunity from the first to fix it ?
Not to diminish any of the problems. Believe me I have had [and still have] a skeptical view of GM and the cars it builds because of this.
But take it step by step and start with using the link in this thread and contact GM with your VIN and phone # and description of the problem. It's obvious they read the postings here as that's how I found the link. And at least they're making an offer to help, rather than you going to the dealer and losing it [and your credibility].
I think the same way you do, don't mistake it. Just don't want you to blow your case because you've got a short fuse. [Been there too ]
It's ironic as I chose the car with as few power accessories as possible to avoid things going haywire down the road. The engine and transmission are stout, the polymer helps to keep the body looking nice, should be a fine candidate for long term driving. Theory shot down.
Only later did I find out that the ION , at the time, had the most sophisticated electronic system in it's category. I had read that the 03s and 04s were the most problematic and the 05s had addressed the ignition problem and had all the improvements shared with it's Cobalt cousin which was new for that year.
Another of my theories shot down: never buy a car in it's first year of production, wait a couple so all the bugs can be worked out.
Still it's nice to have the car back. And the service people have been Grade A.
Oh yes, I am aware the ION's first model year was 2003, but the first models for sale were available in fall 2002 as 2003 models. GM has known about the problem since introduction is what I should have said.
And someone had to sign off with the supplier for this POS piece even earlier than that. The first problems started showing up not long after the first IONs hit the streets and GM just let it go on for years afterward.
That's what makes the continued problem so far into the run and then using the same garbage in other lines so infuriating.
Is there any way to simply to keep that key release button under the steering wheel depressed ? It's likely going to happen again and I would rather do that than doing the "cut the white wire" fix. Or even swapping the ignition switch for yet another defective replacement piece.
Also read here on Edmunds about a Passlock by pass kit that's out there. No one is going to steal this car, and I could do without the Passlock junk.