Faults:

The Saturn Ion not starting. The GM customer service states "The wrong oil was used inside the in-cased part leading to the ignition switch when manufactured. Saturn has now changed the oil inside the part. This is a design defect".

I asked why they did not recall the Ions, and they said the Highway Safety does the recalls. This is what causes the car not to start. The dealer replaced under warranty the part leading to the ignition switch, ignition switch system, and keys before, but was also the defective part. Now GM wants me to pay for the $88 dealer diagnostic fee, parts, and labor. GM customer services states "We can't help you with that". Since the part is defective, GM should have to pay for these repairs.

I have file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) http://www.nhtsa.gov

The NHTSA told me to call the Federal Trade Commission (I will post the phone number later). I filed a complaint. They told me to file a Better Business Complaint in my state, and one other place that I still need to do.

If enough of us file complaints, maybe GM (Saturn) or the NHTSA will recall the Ion for the failure to start.

General Comments:

Seats stain with water.

Faults:

Paint, CD Player, Chrome Button on Steering Wheel.

General Comments:

Don't Buy One.

If you do enjoy the No Haggle idea just wait till you get into the Finance Office. That easy feeling goes away and your caught off guard with someone who runs you through the extras gauntlet.

I was unprepared for that, lulled to sleep from the ease of making the deal, then sideswiped from the Finance lady.

Paid the extra money for the "Paint Sealant the protects the paint from looking swirly", it is swirly.

Paid a massive amount of money for the Extended Service Contract. When the Multi CD/MP3 Player went bad the Extended Service Contract Company said they wouldn't pay.

And why do the put a Chrome button right where you slam on the horn when someone almost kills you and your family.

This car gets worse gas mileage than stated and depreciates worse than a new, Ford, Toyota, or Chevy I have owned in the past.

Again, Don't Buy One.

Faults:

Almost nothing has gone wrong with this car or the previous one that I owned. This is my second Ion2. I bought it after someone rear ended my first one. For the most part I've just had to do regular maintenance stuff.

General Comments:

In general I think this car has decent features and performance comparable to most others in it's class as well as a few features that make it unique. The center mounted instrument cluster is great and it gives the cabin a nice open feel. The polymer body panels are dent resistant and will never rust. The air conditioning and heater controls are simple and easy to reach and operate on the road. The ride feels smooth for the most part but you can still feel the road and the seats are okay, definitely not a luxury car but it's comfortable enough. The cabin is also mostly quite but occasionally I hear a bit of a rattle from something in the roof (part of the sunroof mechanism).

Overall I like the way it feels on the road. With the manual transmission it has a bit of pep to it and it does a nice pull when I hit the gas as long as I keep it in the appropriate torque range. A good driver can get a lot out this modest little sedan.

With the factory 16" alloy wheels, deck spoiler, and dark gray paint job this car has a nice aggressive look as well.