Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the gear shift failed to switch into the reverse position without warning.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, the contact mentioned that there was a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel line was rusted and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Events leading up to the failure: upon engaging the clutch (pressing on the pedal as usual) I heard a loud pop/crack noise and the pedal became very loose and went all the way to the floor very easily. Date/time/place of failure: on 4-19-2011 at 9:20 am while parked in a residential parking lot. The failure is described as the clutch pedal not properly engaging the hydraulic clutch due to a bracket or some other part of the assembly's breakage. This bracket holds a piston in proper place to actuate the hydraulic clutch as the pedal is depressed to the floor. Since the bracket is broken, the clutch will not engage fully, if at all. I have temporarily placed double-sided foam tape where the bracket used to be on the pedal so that the piston rod can remain somewhere close to its original mounted position - so that I May drive the vehicle. …
Re: brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) solenoid. The key would get stuck in ignition and not release, or I would be unable to turn the car on after inserting the key. Note: a couple of times I could not turn off the car, which is a safety hazard. I had to force the key to turn the ignition cylinder to the off position over several minutes. I have replaced ignition switch 3 times and ignition housing twice since buying my Saturn Ion new in 2005. Therefore, I am now on my fourth ignition switch since the car was manufactured. I acknowledge that ignition switches have been found defective in certain GM car models and years and a recall is in place. However, I believe that ignition problems in GM Saturn ions are additionally complicated by btsi solenoid and switch failure. …
My car key gets stuck in my Saturn Ion 2005 after I have shut it off, also when I try to turn the key it will not turn, I have to turn the wheel and jiggle the key to get it to start. Looks like this is a very common problem in the Saturn ions. Also the power steering goes out in my car, but once I shut the car off and on the power steering problem goes away but after about 10-15 minutes give or take the light comes back on and I lose power steering. Sometimes this problem will go away for a couple of days, but it comes back. This is very dangerous as it is hard for me to make sharp turns. Took the car in to the shop today, luckily still on warranty, but shame on Saturn because after doing research online, these are very very common problems with Saturn. I will never buy another Saturn! Oh and my transmission light will come on and I can't drive fast. …
3-16-2005 car leaking red fluid: diagnosis-axle not seated, new parts ordered, car repaired 4-7-2005 car making thud sound when shifting: diagnosis-not duplicated (never checked transmission-just drove car) 9-29-2005 car not going into 1st and 2nd gears smoothly, car not starting when key in ignition, internal car gauges not working: diagnosis-internal computer parts fixed-could not duplicate gear issues (again-did remove transmission and investigate) 3-24-2008 previous gear problems persisted, car would not go into 1st gear; took car to dealer, dealer would not look at because out of warranty due to mileage although problem was reported prior unless I paid 9-1-2008 car will not go into 1st or 2nd; diagnosis (paid for at my expense)-transmission needs to be repaired (at my expense) 9-11-2008 car repaired and while driving home car would not go in any gears: returned to dealer and found …
Now I have another transmission leak that I have to get fixed again. Which I find ironic due to the fact that the transmission is sealed. Also my family and I are moving cross county the end of August 2014. Now speaking to my car dealer shop they were honest with me and said that the ignition switch would probably be fixed but not my power steering motor. Now with that being said in the past eight months my car has stalled three times stopping, or coming off an off ramp from an interstate. It has even not wanted to start in my driveway and its not because of the battery or anything like that. I just had to change my battery in January 2014 because the car was dead somehow it had power but it wouldn't start. Also my car has been trying to keep my key for a couple years and I have to fight with it to get it back. …
Passenger front wheel of a 2005 Saturn Ion 3, still under factory warranty with 27,000 miles, locked up on dec 22, 2007 causing a single car collision. An ase certified mechanic looked the car over after having it towed to my residence and saw that the spindle was broken, but there was no sign of other damage to the vehicle that would cause enough force to break the spindle. His opinion is that the spindle (cast aluminum) was over-tightened at the dealership and had a defect/hairline crack that finally failed. The failure happened at 60 miles per hour, causing the vehicle to slam into the guardrail, then spin into a ditch. When the spindle failed and the vehicle pulled sharply to the right, I attempted to hit the brakes which went to the floor and did nothing. Insurance has refused to cover the damage, and declared the damage a manufacturer defect.
After starting the car and putting it in drive, the car will not accelerate. The engine idles no matter how hard you press the pedal. This vehicle has a electronic throttle body (no mechanical linkage) so the problem is electrical.. Today was the third time in that past month this has happened. For the record, this car has been into the dealer no less than 9 times for electrical issues (a few body control modules, a couple ignition switches, ABS modules, trans control modules, radios, instrument panels, etc, etc.) but this is the first one I think May cause injury. Getting rear-ended at a green light or having a car run into the driver side is a distinct possibility when the car 'all of a sudden' won't accelerate. GM has repaired every problem this car has had to date, but will not admit there is a problem with the car. I am now out of warranty.
I was driving my 2005 Saturn ion2 and the brakes totally failed when I depressed the clutch on my 5 speed transmission. After taking it in for service the mechanic told me that the slave cylinder was leaking and allowed air into the brake system because the brakes and clutch have a shared hydraulic fluid reservoir. I couldn't downshift because the clutch failed and I couldn't brake because the brakes failed. The warning system failed because there was still some fluid in the shared reservoir. The warning light goes on when the system is out of fluid not when it is running low. Scary stuff... I could have been killed or killed others. Lucky for me I was not going highway speeds and/or on a busy street. I was able to use the emergency brake to stop...
When I would try to turn my car off I could only turn the key half and would take a while before I could get the car turned completely off and the key out. On April 17th I went to my night job it took 3 to 4 hrs for the key to finally come loose after trying to shut the car off. When I got home that evening around 10:30 pm it took till 4:30 am to finally get my key out. On comsumeraffairs.com there is 47 pages of complaints just like mine starting back from 4-8-2006 and the last one was reported on 8-11-2010. Why hasn't GM stepped up to the plate and recalled and replaced this issue. I had to spend $442.65 for a new shifter and cable.
Transmission complaints in other Ion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 5% of the model year's 573 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Saturn Ion transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Saturn Ion, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Saturn Ion transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.