10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,949 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #50

Jun 012013

Ion

  • 93,000 miles
Several times per week (and sometimes 2-3 times per day) there is a strong gasoline odor inside my car while I am driving. It is so strong it gives me a headache, and I have sometimes become sick to my stomach. My passenger is able to smell it as well.

- Hustler, WI, USA

problem #49

Jun 252013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 144,055 miles
Early in 2013, we noted some moisture in the trunk of this vehicle. In late may, we hung a "damp rid" desiccant device in the trunk and noted that the "damp rid" device rapidly saturated with moisture and also formed clumps and/or crystals in the trunk of the auto. (the "damp rid" in the trunk was saturated within two weeks, whereas it takes a couple of months when hanging inside a closet in the house 1-888-326-7743). This week, I inserted a brand new 9 volt battery into a kidde model number kn-coeg-3 carbon monoxide/explosive gas monitor and placed the monitor in the trunk. Within 24 hours, the monitor was chirping. The peak level of gas after 24 hours in the trunk of the car was 10. (this household monitor can not discriminate the precise type of gas in this particular case). Today, I opened the trunk and cleaned everything out. The source of the moisture was clearly noted on the passenger side inside of the trunk because the interior of the trunk was actually muddy close to a one way flapper vent/valve on the passenger side. The one way valve measures around 4 inches high and 6 inches long. I am reporting this because of the proximity to the gas tank filler cap on the passenger side, 12 volt ac delco battery on the passenger side in the trunk, and auto emissions from this Saturn and other cars. Inhalation of any or all of these fumes or vapors can lead to health problems including erratic behavior, drowsiness, etc. Of course the risk of explosion and corrosion of sensitive electrical and fuel components is accelerated in damp conditions.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #48

May 102013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
I was driving on the expressway when I lost all throttle response. After investigating I found it had to be the fuel pump that quit. When investigating why the fuel pump quit after a new one did not fix my problem, I noticed the wires got too hot and burned black and actually burned through the positive wire at the connector going into the fuel tank. Hot wires and burning wires inside a gas tank is not a safe combination. To top it off, I had to drill through the connector and wire in a pigtail connector purchased from the dealer since they would not sell me the whole fuel tank cover to replace it properly. Only after haggling with dealers that would not give me part number or sell me the fuel tank cover that they finally gave me the part number of 25815572 but it is under restriction to sell so that is why they sold me the "backyard mechanic fix". my worry is still that I have my family travel in the car and I do not want this thing catching fire or exploding. Is there a defect in the part is why it almost caught fire on me" and is there still a defect and that is why the part is on restriction? what is the correct, safe fix for my family? I just want a safe working vehicle and a explanation in why it is so difficult to get the part I wanted at first. It is running now but it is with the drilling through the connector, sealing it, and soldering the new wires in. I was hoping for thicker wire to maybe handle the current to the pump or an assurance that the vehicle is safe. Sorry, one last complaint. My Saturn is a California emission vehicle but is currently in mi. Why is this not covered under some of the recalls? is this like the ca cancer warnings that are only in that state? my car will only explode in those states and not Michigan"

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #47

Apr 262013

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion 3. the contact stated that he smelled gasoline fuel while inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the fuel pump had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The failure mileage was not available.

- Des Moine, IA, USA

problem #46

Nov 212012

Ion 4-cyl Diesel

  • 2,000 miles
The car, when just weeks old, smelled of gas coming from the front grille, a strong odor 5 minutes after shutting it off. Dealer checked said all was normal. Along with this issue was a loss of vacuum in the brake assist canister when it sat in the driveway " when you got in the car the brake the brake pedal was rock-hard. There should be 5 " 10 pumps of vacuum in the canister on any car. This is noticeable in a stick shift (it is) or any car you have to step on the brake for the interlocked starter. Dealer checked also said was normal. Then about two years after the smell of gas stopped altogether and the power assist seemed normal as the peddle had power when the car was left to sit. About 6 months ago the gas smell started coming back when it was parked " this time for just a minute or so ? intermittent. Then about 3 months ago it started getting worse " not just when the car was shut off but now gas odor with closed windows at the first few lights you came to after starting the car, with windows shut in cold weather. Now the odor is strong, sometimes nauseating at traffic lights. The brake pedal issue also returned in February on very cold mornings. I do not know if a vacuum leak and a fuel smell are related here. I cannot see any leaking gas or spots on the pavement and I have looked a few dozen times over the two time periods this problem(s) have occurred. A very strong smell of gas and no visible leak. I am familiar that car is recalled in southern states only for a fuel pump that has cracks in the plastic return lines ? and also have read (although cannot be sure if this is true leak fuel in a pool on top of the tank and not drip and the evaporating odor will make its way forward to the engine compartment or the back wheel wells - I can smell gas in the rear wheel wells also although sometimes not as strong as the grille.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #45

Mar 012010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds or when standing outside the vehicle, he noticed a strong odor of gasoline. In addition, he also noticed that the power steering would fail when completing a turn. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #44

Feb 022013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
After replacing the fuel pump last year I am now facing a cracked gas tank. I asked the mechanic if it could be due to me hitting anything, I had not been in any accidents, and I was advised there wasn't anything to indicate and outside damage. Just that the tank itself has worn away.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #43

Dec 272012

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 65,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #42

Jan 252013

Ion 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
The fuel pump assembly unit on my 2007 Saturn Ion has cracked and developed a leak causing a significant fire and environmental hazard. There was no incident that lead to the crack, just a faulty part. There was a recall issued for this same problem, but it does not extend to the state in which I reside.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #41

Dec 142012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 49,927 miles
I had smelled a very strong gas odor in my car and contacted GM/Saturn customer service on November 28, 2012 in regards to the smell and to find out if my car was included in a recent recall for the fuel pump. I was told that the fuel pump recall was only included in certain states and my state was not included. I took my car to my mechanic on 12/14/12 and they confirmed that my car smelled of gas due to a faulty fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. They also said that the fuel pump faults were due to being in states that high heat. I live in Maryland and the fuel smell came about during the summer which is very hot in the state. I contacted GM because I feel that I should be reimbursed for a faulty fuel pump since it is a fire and safety hazard.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #40

Sep 042012

Ion

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline fuel smell odor from the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who advised that the fuel pump module was fractured and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump and the dealer was notified of the failure. The dealer advised the contact that there had been a recall for the failure but his VIN was not included in the recall campaign (NHTSA campaign id number: 12V459000: Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump). The manufacturer was notified who confirmed that the recall did not include the contact's VIN. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #39

Dec 282012

Ion

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that gasoline fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that there was a fuel leak under the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that there was a leak on the fuel pump that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.

- Havertown , PA, USA

problem #38

Nov 142012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
There is a crack in the plastic fuel line coming out of the fuel pump. I see online there is a recall for this problem but GM says my car is not included. Even though it is for the exact problem the recall addresses.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #37

Nov 012012

Ion

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that she noticed a leak coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. After diagnosis, they advised her that the fuel pump assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the fuel pump assembly. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The failure and current mileages were unavailable.

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #36

Nov 142012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 114,150 miles
Began smelling an odor of gasoline when I got out of my car. Didn't think much of it until it happened several times. Took my car (2007 Saturn Ion) to a GM dealer for other, unrelated issues and the service manager told me the fuel pump module was cracked. I contacted GM after learning about the recall for the same problem on cars in other "warm weather" states. However, they told me because it was not part of the "recall" they would not help cover the cost of repair even though it is a safety/fire hazard. I've read similar complaints from all over the country, so this is obviously affecting more people than GM will admit.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #35

Jul 042012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The vehicle's fuel tank has a hole where the "neck" of the spout meets the tank. This results in a strong smell of gasoline and presents a significant danger.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #34

Apr 072012

Ion

  • 124,600 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after months of smelling gasoline fuel in and around the vehicle, he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the fuel pump would need to be replaced. The contact stated that fuel sprayed out of the pump every time the vehicle was started. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was given the faulty fuel pump and noticed several stress fractures. After researching, he was informed of a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The manufacturer was notified but advised the contact that due to mileage they would not assist in the repair costs. The failure mileage was 124,600 and the current mileage was 126,000.

- Reedsville, SC, USA

problem #33

Jul 112012

Ion

  • 53,277 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, there was an overpowering gasoline fuel smell being emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the fuel tank sending unit had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The failure mileage was 53,277 and the current mileage was 65,000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #32

Nov 012012

Ion

  • 76,000 miles
Strong smell of gasoline near gas tank and in cabin when parked or moving, engine on or off.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #31

Aug 182012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 52,002 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while parked, a strong odor of gasoline was emitted from the vehicle. The manufacturer was contact and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that there was a fuel leak because the fuel pump module failed needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle was 52,002 and the current mileage was 52,602. Updated 11/21/12 updated 11/30/2012

- St Louis , MO, USA

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