Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 167,000.
It says I have 0 I repaired recalls. I have had the powers steering fail 2x. More importantly, the ignition cylinder locks up and I can't get my keys out. I have to wait most times after turning the car off - for 3-5 minutes through a series of clicking noises in the ignition before the key will release. It is concerning because sometimes I have to get out immediately and the keys don't release. The car automatically locks itself and if I don't roll the window down- I become locked out. It yesterday had a issue with ignition all together and I wonder if it's related. I was made aware again there were many recalls on this issue and hoped to get it repaired. However it now states there are none unrepaired. I'm wondering if it is a ongoing problem with the vehicle, it's repair parts etc and if it's just not been addressed because it's so old that so few are left on the road. Thank you. …
This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it'll stay off for an hour sometimes it'll stay off for weeks and I can't figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.
When pressing the gas pedal 2/3 of the way down the pedal got stuck causing the engine to rev high while driving forward. I had to put the car in neutral, shut the engine off and manually get the gas pedal unstuck by reaching down to the floor and pulling the pedal upwards with my hands. Also I had no floor mats in my car for the pedal to get stuck on. This has happened on multiple occasions.
I turn my turn signals on and nonthing happens in the Frontline bulbs are brand new doesn't matter back turn signal work,front turn signal dont.this has been happening since forever my inlaws didn't know we didn't know until they gave car.so don't know how long seems like forever
All dash gauges failed, including gas gauge, speedometer, odometer, etc. On at least two separate occaisions. Car was two weeks old to the day. My son (the owner/lessee) was attempting to take it from his work to the dealer less than a half mile away for "advice" when he was involved in accident that probably didn't contribute to the accident. However, it's important to note that when I called the dealer and let them know the situation with the dash was the reason he was returning the car, the salesman then informed me that "oh, yeah, those cars sometimes have a software problem in them, and while we had to wait a while to get a "fix", we now have one." so if they knew there was a problem, why didn't they fix it during the "dealer prep" stage? Or at least warn the consumer of this problem? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the loss motive power without warning. The contact stated that steering assist and gauges were in operable. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that several of the electrical functions returned however, the electrical functions failed intermittently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated intermittently when the power steering assist was inoperable. Ocean crest Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (855 alternate hwy 101, warrenton, or 97146, [phone]) was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer suggested that the vehicle be taken in to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon turning the key in the ignition and an abnormal noise was present. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and reset the computer by restarting the vehicle each time the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a manufacturer recall and they repaired the vehicle for the ignition switch failure. The contact also noticed strong fumes emitting from outside and inside the vehicle and it idled roughly. The dealer did not diagnose the fuel system failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) months ago and was unable to determine when the recall repair would be performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Dt: the contact stated intermittently the vehicle will accelerate with the contact's foot on the brake. The vehicle has been to the dealership, and they were unable to duplicate the problem, and no codes were found. This caused the consumer's vehicle to rear end another vehicle. There was property damage. The hood buckled and the grill was damaged. There have been no repairs done. The consumer experienced electrical problems such as the right front turn signal, which turned out to be a loose connection. The vehicle would not start until 10 minutes after the initial start. It was determined the vehicle needed a new module. Updated 01/25/06.
Dt: vehicle was parked outside in the yard and consumer went to the vehicle to get some papers out of the glove compartment and smelled smoke coming from both front and back of the vehicle. No flames at this time. Consumer did not enter the vehicle. Ran inside the house and called the fire department. The fire department came and put the fire out. The fire department investigated the vehicle and determined it was an electrical fire, and most likely was linked to the battery, where they believed the fire originated. No repairs were made. The insurance company did not determine if vehicle was totaled at this time.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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…
Electrical complaints in other Ion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 227 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 40% of the model year's 573 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Saturn Ion electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Saturn Ion electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.