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Comments
I apologize for your frustrations. I would like to see if there are any open recalls for your vehicle; can you please send me your VIN?
Christina
GM Customer Service
Can you please send me your VIN and current mileage? I apologize for your frustrations. If you can let me know what’s going on at the dealer as well, I look forward to your response.
Christina
GM Customer Service
When I took it in today, the guy that 1st looked at it said that it was very common and all Saturns eventually have this happen. Seriously? Yet they can't fix it?
I do have an extended warranty, but I'm tired of paying the deducible for the same thing over and over without getting fixed.
Can you please email me directly? Please include your VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer. I look forward to working with you.
Christina
GM Customer Service
Im very angry I need to pay $400 to fix a problem saturn and GM have known about all along. This is a manufactoring issue -everyone knows it..For the owners of Ions to be frustrated with GM everyday they drive their car is not even good service..I would not be a GM vehicle anymore cause they can not stand behind their mistakes. GM used to be dependablity..Somewhere down the line they lost something as many others did
Thank you
Read the earlier posts and email GM Customer Service your vin and phone #. You have to begin some course of action, even if it costs you 59.00 for them to "diagnose" a known problem.
Now that it's summer, I still have to keep in the garage but don't need to use the heater. If I leave the car outside usually the dampness or if it rains will prevent the car from starting.
I was leaving work yesterday and it was 87 degrees and it wouldn't start. Usually it will start after 3-4 attempts but it took 30 minutes to start. This is so frustrating.
The sway bar bushing was replaced last year and now it needs replacing again. My car has around 135,000 miles on it. I was hoping to get to 200,000 but I don't think I can put up with it much longer.
I've seen the You Tube video about cutting the white wire and thinking about giving that a try.
So even thought they don't make Saturn any more, STAY THE HECK AWAY FROM USED ONES!!!!
The ignition problem is a SAD issue.
And it is not related to winter conditions as so many are referring to.
One of our ION's had this problem (as so many many times before) numerous times last week, heat index was 106 and it required the usual wait 10 minutes etc before starting. After 3 'dead' attempts, the 4th after 30 minutes it started right up! Go figure.
GM is simply not taking responsibility to issue a proper repair instruction - instead they rather see that Saturn ION owners purchase NON-GM vehicles when changing out the failing Saturn ION's ....
Have replaced 4 so far with NON-GM cars, 5 more is due this fall/winter ... One thing is certain, it will not be GM products.
Do you experience any variations whatsoever between the temperature/humidity extremes?
Have you had the vehicle diagnosed by a GM dealership? Please keep me posted.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Eventually I came across this thread, and saw how prevalent this issue is, and how it seems to be unaddressable by GM, I've decided to live with it. I don't mind 10 minutes of extra reading time every now and then, just so long as I'm not freezing too many times during a cold winters day.
However, if you think it is worth trying again, when should I do it? Would it be worth doing now, when it hasn't happened in over a month? Or should I wait until it happens, and then get it in as soon as possible, within a day or two of the issue ocurring again?
If you are not having any problems at this time I would encourage you to wait until you are experiencing these concerns to have the vehicle brought into the dealership. At that time please be sure to contact us directly and we will be able to assist in setting up a case with GM Customer Assistance to try and get these problems resolved.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
DozenSaturn first is adamant that the issue is not weather related,
Saturntech9 insists it is the ignition switch, and should be changed immediately
GMCustsvc suggests waiting until it stops starting and let the dealership diagnose and correct,
And then Dozensaturn points out that the diagnostic window is the 10 minutes that it won't start...
It seems that the white wire method is the most reliable, but to me it also suggests that the issue is not currently diagnosable, as I don't believe the diagnostics have been designed to detect variations in resistance in a wire due to possible temperature variations, and I also agree with the 10 minute diagnostic window that Dozensaturn mentioned.
But the ignition switch, is it physically connected to the white wire? If not, I don't see how it could correct the starting issue...
There is a Passlock "bypass" kit available that I read about in this very Edmund's thread that is sold by car stereo outfits that's been used with some success .
The fact is - not all ION's that we have or have had experience this problem. Of our's, one is notorius - several times a week, sometimes multiple times the same day. Another one a handful times per year. Then other's that has never had that problem. We are 'facing out' the ION's for non GM vehicles.
It really disturbs to read how many - even at dealerships get taken and have the battery replaced. The battery is NOT the cause of the problem.
Would it not be great if GM would announce a solution to this problem, and then stand behind that to be correct - and this problem would go into the history books!
GM Customer service has done nothing but give me the run around. If you want my case #, I can give it to you... but basically they tell me I need to go to a GM dealer... which I did before... but now they are no longer a GM dealer, so I need to go to a new place and pay them out of pocket to diagnose the issue. This is a GM ponzi scheme- the dealers make money and GM moves on to other things, not caring about its customers. Customers want #1 -issue reolution and for GM to take accountability for their faulty ION models with ignition start problems. GM customer service is not doing that. What I would really love is for Saturn/GM to pay for me to get the problem diagnosed and fixed- maybe a total of $500 at the most. Will GM do that? NO!!! I have requested, and still get the run around. Now Caron- you tell me what I can do!
Like you, if they don't cover the cost, I am calling my attorney general office and get their opinion on what my next step will be. I can't afford to have this repaired. I am by myself and barely making ends meet now without having to repair Saturn's faulty car when they should step up to the plate and fix this issue. It's nothing I done that caused this. I keep my car maintained regularly so the blame is not with me, it's Saturn. I will post what they tell me tomorrow.
Sold off the 03's, still have one 04 with starting problems on the average 5 times a week - year around, in the 'cold' 50-60 degrees and in the warm 80-95 ... no difference, problem is the same.
This '04 is next to go in exchange for a non GM product.
Also have several '05 ... One of the 05's has this problem but only once in a while.
I agree, Saturn is very aware of this problem, but they (read GM) do not recognize it - that is the problem ... not recognizing it - in the hopes all dissatisfied Saturn owners is going to remain GM customers, well we are not as 4 ION's is gone so far - with the rest to go as well ...
Ive read from several different people that they replaced their fuse box and their ignition switch and a few months later the car would turn off on its own again. Also, that they have had their car scanned for codes and no code comes up. I cant afford to do all of this when I have a feeling these people are correct and my money would just go to waste.
I also came across a thread on a different message board form a guy who spoke to saturn and hired a lawyer and everything after having spent $1,000's on parts for his car and still having the same problem. He said after months of going back and forth with GM they finally took responsibility and admitted that this is a problem with Saturn Ions and they don't know how to fix it, so they gave him a settlement. I think Im gonna get rid of my car, I really dont wanna die on the freeway (or at all)!
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
It used to be that this only happened when it was cold. Since we live in Northern California, we weren't too concerned about it, as it only happened a couple of times a year. Now, however, it is happening much more frequently, regardless of weather or temperature.
The main problem we are having is that waiting 10 or 20 minutes (with the kids in the car) often means coming in to work 10 or 20 minutes late. My tardiness has been commented on by my supervisor, and I can only use the "car trouble" excuse a few times, ya know?
My spouse is also looking for a job and, although this has not happened yet, this problem could make him late for an interview.
I know - the solution is to allow enough time in case it happens, but with two kids, our lives are planned down to the last second, and we don't have a lot of wiggle room in our schedule.
I am thinking of calling our Attorney General's office and filing a formal complaint. If enough of us living in California do that, perhaps something might start to change!
jta
And why is this NOT on a recall? Way too many people have had the same problem with their ignition. So are you going to tell me the same thing? This is going to cost me well over $500.00 to fix and I should NOT have to pay for this since GM/Saturn has been and still is aware of the key ignition issue for years.
You can believe this...I will NEVER buy another GM product and will encourage others in person and on the internet to stay as far away from GM as they can. I am also calling my states attorney's office and see what they have to say about this. Just Google Saturn Ion Key Ignition Issues and you will find TONS of complaints, something like 94,900 results.
Tell me that Saturn will pay for this...I have an appointment with the car service manager on Wednesday at 4:00 pm central time. Please don't try to make yourself look good by posting "Send me your VIN number"...if you are NOT going to correct this issue and pay for the work on the car. :mad:
I apologize for your frustrations I asked for the VIN to further look into your vehicles history, recalls and etc. Each case is handled on a case by case basis and without asking for your VIN and looking into it I personally cannot evaluate your situation or guarantee GM will pay for any of the repairs.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Have you had the vehicle into your local GM dealership?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
*And I can not recreate the problem. I know their gonna say if they cant see the problem then they cant fix it. No codes will show up, and its not the ignition or the fuse box...its a problem with the way GM makes cars.
Thank you for replying though
I understand your frustrations with your situations. As all major companies or corporations, we have standard operating procedures. GM does handle their customers individually, not all situations are the same, so they must be handled on a case by case basis. I am here to help make GM aware of your situations. The only way I can do this is with your assistance. First, I need your contact information (including a good number to reach you), VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and a break down of what you are experiencing. The best way to get me this information is a direct email. The vehicle must be taken to a GM Dealer. They have a contract with GM and must look at the vehicle. For GM to know you are experiencing issues, you must contact GM; whether it is me via email or Customer Assistance via the telephone. This will help identify the problem and how large it is. I understand when you are experiencing these concerns these processes can be frustrating. All concerns, whether it be with a dealer or your vehicle, are documented in the cases set up if you directly contact GM. If you would like to call Customer Assistance and speak with someone the number is in your owners manual, or email me and I can provide it to you. If you would like me to assist you, please feel free to email me the information requested above.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service