Saturn Ion Problems by Year

We compared every Saturn Ion model year from 2003–2007 using 4,340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 10 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2006, which drew far more complaints than other Ion years at the same age. The best years are 2005 and 2003.

5model years
4,340complaints
10recalls
2006worst years
2005, 2003best years

Complaints by model year

200320042005200620077588985731.2k876
Owner complaints per model year, Saturn Ion. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20078761.4×5SteeringAverage
20061,2352.0×4SteeringCaution
2005573−33%3SteeringAverage
2004898typical8SteeringAverage
2003758−28%5ElectricalAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Ion year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Saturn Ion problems

Latest Saturn Ion recalls

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-171 · Apr 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the…

Steering › Electric power assist system

NHTSA recall 14V-153 · Mar 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 14V-047 · Feb 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 12V-459 · Sep 19, 2012 · 49,768 vehicles

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California,…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 09V-419 · Oct 29, 2009 · 69,139 vehicles

General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet cobalt and Saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 Chevrolet cobalt, Pontiac g5 and Saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california,…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii,…

All 10 Saturn Ion recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Saturn Ion should you avoid?

2006 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Ion years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2006.

What is the best year for the Saturn Ion?

2005 has the fewest complaints compared with other Ion years at the same age, followed by 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Saturn Ion problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (1,701), electrical system (1,548) and fuel & propulsion system (559). Steering complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Saturn Ion had?

10 recalls across 2003–2007. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Saturn Ion recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.