Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Saturn Ion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Was on way home car started going to the right and when tried to correct it car wouldn't turn left kept going into a tree and car is now damaged. Over two months ago GM sent out somebody to look at car this was around October 15 and have not heard a word back from anybody. Which isn't a surprise because the accident happened September 13 and we were given the run around from the beginning. Appointments made and not kept, phone calls transferred from one person to another all with different answers and responses. My question to you is when is somebody going to contact us and give us some answers? …
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2004 Saturn Ion at about 30 MPH, another vehicle turned in front of the contact's vehicle and was unable to avoid hitting the other vehicle. She s hit the passenger rear side of the other vehicle with the front of the her vehicle. She stated that the passenger side airbag deployed, but no one was sitting on the passenger side of the bag. The driver side airbag deployed, but didn't deploy fully. The air bag never came in contact with her. There was smoke coming from the steering column with the airbag. The contact removed herself from the vehicle afraid there could have been a fire. She called 911 and the police reported the crash. The contact felt that the driver's side airbag didn't deploy properly. The contact sustained minor injuries. The failure mileage was 25900, and the current mileage was 26000.
Problems: a. Air bags didn't deploy . B. Driver's seat collapse and dent rear-ended while stopped at a railroad crossing. Upon impact seat flew back, hit back seat and dented. Our stopped car was then pushed into the stopped vehicle in front. Our car was smashed at front and back and neither front nor side airbags deployed. No skid marks reported and no brakes applied by offending car so our 2004 Saturn Ion took the full impact and was sandwiched between a camry from behind and a GMC jimmy in front. Woman in jimmy taken by ambulance to hospital since she was pregnant. My son driving the Saturn had his wife pick him up and proceeded to e/r where he was diagnosed with cervical strain. Driver of camry had her husband pick her up. All 3 vehicles were towed. Our Saturn will most likely be totaled. We took pictures as did the police in spokane, wa..
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot at 3 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the contact crashed into a cement pillar. There were no injuries. The vehicle was to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was informed that the part was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 06/10/14 ma the consumer stated he lost power steering, and the vehicle surged forward into a concrete pillar. The ar bags did not deploy. The consumer stated the bumper absorbed the hit, and there was no real damage. Updated 07/24/14
An accident occurred while traveling on the tollway,the other vehicle came in my lane,passing lane, just as I was passing him causing major damage to the right front,passenger, part of the car.the airbags on the passenger side did open,no problem.,the driver side air bag spilt causing the powder to come into my face.I did lose a tooth but neither the other person insurance would not pay for it nor my health insurance . One good thing the ignition did shut off ,which was good because there was a gas leak which could have cause a fire. I lost overtime pay.my job requires me to have all my teeth because I talk for a living. This cause undo stress and financial hardship
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 62 MPH, the vehicle stalled and came to a sudden stop as the contact attempted to exit the freeway. The vehicle rolled over two times and landed upside down. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), 14V171000 (electrical system), and 14V153000 (steering) after the crash occurred. The failure mileage was unavailable.
On 12/03/2007 at 8:41 am I was involved in an automobile accident on I-240 east in memphis tn. I was trailing traffic in the passing lane, when traffic came to a complete stop. I didnt react in time and suffered a frontal collision to a 2004 Saturn Ion that I own. I was travelling approx 30-35 MPH when I struck the back of the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt tensioner failed resulted in my going headfirst into the steering wheel. I have since had to have tests at the doctor for migraines and still experience the aftereffects of this accident.
Was travelling on my way home from work and a fox darted out in front of me in the center of the road. I swerved slightly to miss the fox and the power steering in the car went out. I was unable to straighten the wheel and the car went into a 180 degree spin and ended up facing the other direction flipped up on the passenger side. I crawled out of the drivers window. Air bags did not deploy either. Had I not been wearing my seatbelt, I probably would have ended up underneath the car and if traffic had been coming, I could have killed someone else in oncoming traffic.
On 12/03/2007 at 8:41 am I was involved in an automobile accident on I-240 east in memphis tn. I was trailing traffic in the passing lane, when traffic came to a complete stop. I didnt react in time and suffered a frontal collision to a 2004 Saturn Ion that I own. I was travelling approx 30-35 MPH when I struck the back of the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt tensioner failed resulted in my going headfirst into the steering wheel. I have since had to have tests at the doctor for migraines and still experience the aftereffects of this accident.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
Airbag complaints in other Ion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 6% of the model year's 898 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Saturn Ion airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Saturn Ion airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 30 crashes, 0 fires and 22 injuries and 3 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.