TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE LOCK OUT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 35 DEGREES AND BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE …
2005 Saturn Ion electrical problems
severe 171 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
171
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM MY IGNITION. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT READ THAT THE STICK SHIFT IS ENGAGED IN PARK AND DOES NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING JUST AS MY CAR REACHED 60,000 MILES (MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 84,000). THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM, JUST RANDOM AND IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION. SOMETIMES I JUST HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY I…
OUR SATURN ION 3 WOULD NOT TURN OFF. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION IN THESE CARS. WHY HASN'T SATURN/GENERAL MOTORS RECALLED THIS PART. SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED. WE HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN A SECOND TIME. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUT! KEY WILL TURN, RADIO ETC. WILL WORK, BUT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CUTS OFF FUEL. MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM, ON SATURN ION 2, NUMEROUS YEARS! THE OIL/GREASE USED IN IGNITION FREEZES! SATURN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IS TURNING A BLIND EYE! *TR
TWO DAYS AFTER MOVING TO NJ FROM FL AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. I FOUND THAT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN THE STEERING IS GOOD FOR MAYBE 20 MINUTES. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSE AND TOOK IT TO A SHOP. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I DO SOME RESEARCH BECAUSE A CAR THIS YOUNG SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COM…
DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH THE CONTACT'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND NO CODES WERE FOUND. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE HOOD BUCKLED AND THE GRILL WAS DAMAGED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE. *AK …
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 …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Saturn Ion?
It's a meaningful issue. 171 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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