My vehicle on cold days will not reliably start. Turn key, all lights and indicators work but start function is electronically terminated within 1 second of engagement. The car will start after waiting for ten to twenty minutes as if nothing was wrong. After many trips to the mechanic (dealer and non) I have found many such reports on-line indicating a faulty ignition switch which fails in cold weather. The time delay in starting appears to be some type of interaction with the theft deterrent system. I will now pay to have this part replaced but suspect, as many have reported, that this will correct the issue for one or two years before it occurs again (as many others have also reported).

- Camano Island, WA, USA

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.

- North Rose, NY, USA

1. there were no problems, until it got cold out. 2. if there is anytime the weather stoops below 10 degrees F, the car will not start. It will click and click and click, then nothing. Every once and a while it will start for all of a second, then quit. Then it does nothing when I try to start it again. 3. I have done nothing yet, but after reading forums where many people complain about the same problem, I'm going to try changing the ignition module, and possibly get a remote starter.

- Dresser, WI, USA

The vehicle in question does not start on cold mornings and many mornings missed at work, and other appointments. Money has been spent on starters and batteries but many owners of this similar vehicle have had the same problem, but Saturn is refusing to fix the problem. This could be a potential safety hazard when the car does not start in extreme cold temperatures and the vehicle has young children and elderly.

- Uxbridge, 00, USA

In trying to start my car in the mornings, especially when it is cold outside, it fails to start and my security system light will flash. I have been told that this is related to the passlock system, but it is not under warranty. I occurs 5 out of 7 days a week. I was told that there was nothing to be done unless I disable my security system.

- Corner Brook, 00, USA

Hi, I have a 2004 Saturn Ion, with only 22,000 miles on it. It seems to have a problem starting in cold weather. I had to take my moms 1988 Buick to work yesterday because my car wouldn't start in the cold! it happened about two weeks ago, and I waited about 10 minutes and it started right up. About a month ago it happened when I was going out to lunch, same thing after ten minutes it started right up. I can't keep being late for work and missing appointments and when I take my wife's car she has to walk 15 blocks with the kids to school and if it's too cold for this car to start I don't really want my kids to walk. I called Saturn today and was told they're not aware of any problems, yet when you search the internet there's thousands of people complaining about this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

It won't start when it is cold. I need to wait 10-15 min and try again. I see a lot of Saturn owners' are having the same problem.

- Viroqua, WI, USA

I own a 2004 Saturn Ion, within the past 2 weeks the car will intermittently not start in the mornings. I purchased a new battery from the Saturn dealer and still have the same issue. The vehicle was placed on a diagnostic machine and the check came back with every thing being ok but the vehicle does not start. When I called Saturn their customer service rep stated there is no recall but tried to sell me an extended warranty. Can you please help me.

- Monroe, NY, USA

Car will sporadically not start in cold weather. Starts fine in warm season. Waiting 10 minutes after initial try will usually remedy this. This usually happens 5 times a week and normally in the morning. This has been a problem since the purchase of the vehicle. The starter and batter has been replaced with no positive results. I have done internet research and found hundreds of others with the same problem. People seem to believe it is a problem with the pass-lock system being temperamental. The electrical system is sensitive to temperature and condensation. The cold start triggers an approximate 10 minute wait time before the system is reset and the car will not turn over until after that period. I have read where people have disabled the pass lock system to remedy this with good results. I am not comfortable with paying a mechanic to disengage the system or doing this myself and feel that Saturn should fix the problem. Since this is such a sporadic and temperamental problem it would be difficult for a mechanic to diagnose.... hence the dozens of accounts of people replacing starters and batteries with no lasting results. I have, with mixed results, that heating the ignition key before the initial start will cause a better connection. I am going to try this method. Overall this is just a ridiculous issue and I'm tired of being late for work and starting my car 10 to 20 minutes before leaving my car unattended while getting ready. I am hoping this complaint will help fix the problem for me and the others experiencing such strong dissatisfaction with their Saturn vehicles.

- Franklin, TN, USA

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion. It won't start when it gets cold and the chat room says its a common thing.it's the ignition switch and they know all about it but keep right on charging us to replace something they should be doing.as its been going on since 2003 Ion and still is on the 2007 Ion.. there should be a recall on all Saturn Ions GM knows but don't care. And they want us to buy GM that's a joke.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

2004 Saturn Ion passlock failure when the temperature is below about 25 degrees the vehicle will not start. Lights come on, radio works so there is power, even with another car trying to jump start the Saturn it will not start. You have to wait at least 10 minutes for it to start. This can happen anywhere at anytime, home, gas station, etc. Here is a list of other people who have had this failure. www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_97661_4.html.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

Car will not start when it is cold outside. The car uses the GM passlock system. Often after several instances of waiting 10 minutes, and trying again, the car will start.

- Holliston, MA, USA

Wont start due to passlock/ignition problems in cold weather. Have not replaced any parts yet as funds are limited.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

Bought the car under warranty, no crank/no start because of faulty passlock system. Saturn "rebooted the computer" (Saturn words). This was in may of 06. Strangely, the car has "died" in at least 3 driveways as though the battery was dead. I have taken the car to a garage and had the battery tested and it was fine. Recently, when the weather is cold, the car will no crank/no start and throw the passlock code. On the dash, sometimes it says service engine it may or may not reset after 10 minutes. The vehicle has become unreliable as I am never sure if I am going to get to work on time or not. I called Saturn last week. Apparently Saturn is aware of the problem, but since they are going to inconvenience me to drive 200 miles to the dealership and then charge me $100 to walk through the door land then another $1000 on top of that to "fix" the car' they know they are making money off their faulty equipment. I refuse to pay for it, but in the meantime my car continues to not start if it is zero degrees.

- Berlin, NH, USA

My 2004 Saturn Ion will not start when it is cold. This first happened last year, and I thought that the gas lines were freezing. I have put several bottles of dry gas in my tank thinking that this resolves the problem. Apparently it is a passlock security issue and my efforts of dry gas did nothing. I have been stranded countless times due to the error. This problems renders the car useless. The most recent occurrence was yesterday, but this happens way too often.

- Fairport, NY, USA

During the colder days my passlock system deny my car to start. I or my wife will have to sit in the car for 10 minutes to be able to try it again. If it doesn't start ate the 10 minute mark we have to wait another 10 minutes. We have waited a 1/2 an hour for it to start before. I have no trust it will start at any point. We need to wait the 10 minutes nearly everytime from end of Nov to Feb.

- Skokie, IL, USA

I own a 2004 Saturn Ion. It does not start in the cold weather (around 36 degrees F and below). I have replaced the starter and two months ago I bought a new battery. My mechanic assured me the battery is top of the line and guaranteed to start in cold weather. However, it did not start yesterday in 30 degree weather. All lights turn on but car does not crank. Does not even make noise. I have researched this through various discussion boards and most of them agree that there is a faulty switch in the ignition that leaks lubricant. When the lubricant freezes, the passlock anti theft alarm does not get it's electrical signal so it activates and prohibits fuel from being used so the car does not start. I take very good care of my car, but I have spent a lot of time and money trying to figure out what is wrong in this situation. If this is the case of a faulty switch, Saturn / GM should be held liable and forced to do a recall with an updated switch design. For the amount that cars cost today manufacturers should not be allowed to put out junk parts and expect consumers to sit back and take it.

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion which this morning would not start after I left a convenience store. It was a little hesitant in starting about a week ago. Both times were extremely cold compared to normal this time of year. This morning I figured it was a battery problem. Well after some internet research it would seem that these vehicles have problems starting in the cold and everyone else's description online describes what happened me to me perfectly. Wouldn't start, walked the mile home, called for a tow truck, got back, started right up with not problems.

- Laurel, MD, USA

My Saturn 2004 Ion has been breaking down since I purchased it used in 2005. They have put in 2-3 transmissions and everytime it is cold it won't start. A couple times the would start but not shift into gear! the tech's could not figure out what was wrong so my dad (who does not work on cars ) figured out it was a loose wire! they have replaced the stabilizer bar bushings at least 3 times! the cars heat and radio would just shut off and turn back on they also fixed that a couple times. My car will be paid off shortly but I will not be able to know what it is like to not have a car payment because at any moments notice my 2004 Saturn Ion might fall apart!!!!!

- Middleburg Hts., OH, USA

My Saturn Ion 2004, bought Sept. 2007 from carmax, frequently does not start when it is cold outside. For example, it was about 33 degrees this morning and even when I jumped it, the car would not start. I had the same problem last winter- my first winter having this car. When the weather is warm, I do not have any problems with my car starting. I have had the battery checked and there was nothing wrong with it but I am going to get the starter checked today. I have been reading about this particular problem on various online forums. Apparently there are many other people who have the same problem but there has been no recall. As an educator, I cannot afford to pay for repairs that are not going to fix the problem, as I have read people online have already done. I cannot afford to buy a new car, and most importantly, as a teacher, I cannot afford to be late to school whenever it is cold. I am very hopeful that my efforts in making this complaint will result in a recall for the cause for this problem. Reading the online forums, it seems like the problem is with the ignition/starter. Thank you for your time and patience. Have a wonderful day!

- Raleigh, NC, USA