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 2005 Saturn Ion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello I am reaching out to complain about Courtesy Chevrolet - San Diego. I've been trying to get my car serviced in order to fIx the recalls. Unfortunately I have not been successful. I called the dealer to make an appointment but the dealer told me that the car has been discontinued and they can't find the parts. The suggested to call somewhere else.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. During the crash the passenger side of the vehicle was severely damaged but no air bags had deployed. The driver sustained an injured neck and was transported to the hosipital. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving 10 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a building and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I was driving my car and a deer ran out in front of me, I was able to miss that one but another one came out and I hit it. It hit so hard and my steering was hard like a car without power steering and the brakes were like that too. The airbags did not deploy nor did the safety belts catch me and my granddaughter. It did $3500.00 worth of damage to my car and my head slammed up against the driver window, my granddaughter was in her carseat but I had it in the front seat so it released the carseat. She had bruises and a black eye, and now 3 years later, that same eye is causing her problems seeing. Everyday I feel so bad because she was in my Saturn that night. People asked me over and over what about your airbags, etc. I never knew what to say until I started getting the recalls and realized what GM had known all along about my ignition. …
My girlfriend and I were in an automile accident by hitting a deer head on then losing control of the vehicle and hitting and embankment head on. We hit the embankment so hard that the 2005 Saturn Ion bounced back off and ended up in the middle of the road. The airbags never deployed and the seat belt never caught resulting my girlfriend to be injured by the steering wheel with lacerations to her chin and her teeth went through the back of her lip and also neck and back injuries from the hard impact. The insurance company totaled the car because of the front frame and underneath damage it cause. She hit so hard that the whole front end was pushed into the motor and the motor was pushed back into the firewall.
I was in a front end collision on 10-7-2005 . The other driver was driving a Ford pick--up truck f-150 ranger. None of my airbags deployed. The truck drivers driver and passenger side air bags deployed. My Saturn was a total loss. The VIN # is as follows: [redacted]. I am concerned about the Ion airbag safety . My daughter has a 2005 Ion coupe. Please investigate this matter and inform me of results. Thank you, [redacted]. Updated 07/18/2012
I hit the rear of a truck hard enough that my radiator was crushed against my engine block. However, the airbags in my car did not deploy at all. I know I had to have hit the truck in front of me somewhere between 20 and 50 MPH. We are still waiting to hear back from our doctor to see if my wife and I are OK, and I have not had my car repaired yet for I am still waiting for the car insurance company. If this is normal I would like to know at what point were the airbags in a 2005 Saturn Ion type 1 suppose to deploy in a front end collision.
My husband was driving my 05 Saturn Ion 2 quad coupe home from work on the interstate.traffic stopped , came to complete stop vehicle behind did not brake and rear ended my vehicle at roughly 50+ MPH causing him to hit another vehicle in turn causing a 6 vehicle accident. The air bags did not deploy causing his head to hit the steering wheel and the driver seat broke in half with him in it landing on the back seat.
My son was driving and the truck in front of him stopped suddenly. He hit the brakes and felt the steering lock up, brakes locked and he couldn't stop. Hit the truck hard enough to crack the core support in the Saturn but the air bag do not expand. He was not injured but this is definitely a safety issue if you can hit another car enough to crack the steel frame but no airbag was deployed.
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 2005 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 6% of the model year's 573 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 Saturn Ion airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries 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.