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 2007 Saturn Ion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. In October of 2016, while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was suddenly depressed. However, the contact crashed into the rear of a vehicle and, in turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted to diagnose and repair the air bag failure. The failure mileage was unknown. In December of 2017, while driving at unknown speeds, a pick-up truck crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the right knee, which required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent auto body mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. …
In January 2016 while driving on highway to work I had bear to the right at an intersection from 1-90 to 1-76, wheels/steering locked or something and I ended up spinning off roadway. Hit division embankment crashing front end and my air bags never deployed. Traction in the car I later found out was not engaging when it should have been. Now car's traction does not work if it ever really did. I have been in touch with GM complaints department and now I have been assigned a case number but this is about recalls on y vehicle that I do not know they really are because Saturn wants me to pay to get this information. I asked why but did not get an answer. Only was told that recalls are VIN specific and I needed to go to https://www.vincheckpro.com/VIN-register. Now my vehicle has a control board that is going haywire literally. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. While driving 35 MPH and attempting to avoid a vehicle that was stopped in the roadway, the ignition key became jarred and moved to the off position, which caused the vehicle to stall without warning. The contact attempted to switch lanes; however, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed to function when the pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into the rear of the parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There was no police report filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, shoulder, and lower back that required medical attention. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, a vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the contact and passenger required medical attention for head injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis of the air bag deployment failure. The manufacturer was not contacted and made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Vehicle was stopped at a traffic light and was struck from behind by another vehicle. This propelled said vehicle into a third vehicle (directly in front of the reference vehicle) also stopped at the traffic light. The resulting collision caused major front end damage to the Saturn Ion in question, crumpling the hood approximately 2 feet toward the rear of the car. In spite of the apparent force of the collision on the front of the vehicle, the air bags did not deploy.
There is a bosh/cdr report from esis of general motors outlining the data received from the crash for non-deployment of the airbag. Mr. Segovia of GM stated that the airbag should not have deployed based on the statistic from this report. I do not believe what he has stated. I need a review of the report for compliance regarding the non-deployment of the airbag to my 2007 Saturn Ion. GM through esis has refused to surrender the report to the defected seatbelts. My general motors pending claim #816261. I have noticed andrew segovia, esq., ms. Mary t. Barra, ceo, mr. Daniel ammann, president of GM regarding the second half of the claim of the defaulted/recall of the power steering during the crash. Mr. Segovia has confirmed esis's email stating that there was a power steering recall/defect to my car VIN number and remained open. …
An accident occurred when a vehicle pulled out in front of me. I was traveling 50-55 MPH and had time to briefly apply the brakes. The resulting collision destroyed the entire front end of my car. I was shocked the airbag did not deploy but at the time was unaware my car had serious potential safety issues. Since becoming aware of the recall I have been able to simulate the ignition failure by jostling the key in the ignition while the car is running. I have followed the instruction sent to me by GM in regards to the recall process and have heard nothing back from my GM dealer 3 months since calling to arrange bringing my vehicle in. I was simply informed they would call me when the part comes in. In the mean time, I am extremely conscious of the fact that my car does indeed fail. I actually say a quick prayer every time I get in the car now because I'm scared. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving in reverse approximately 2 MPH there was a sudden increase in acceleration and the vehicle crashed into a brick wall. The air bags did not deploy. The ignition key independently released from the switch prior to the crash. In addition, the front driver's side seat belt unexpectedly detached which caused the driver to strike the dashboard. The contact sustained injury to the chest and head. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the dealer. The contact stated the failure was a related to the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags , electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact did not receive the recall notice until after the incident occurred. The approximate failure mileage was 27,600.
I have had intermittent issues with my passenger airbag light coming on and off. My vehicle has about 65,000 miles on it and I do not feel safe driving it with passengers. My gas cap light is on and off as well, and now, water is pooling on the floor for no reason after a dealer looked at my car. I have reported my airbag case to GM, as well as to the NHTSA hotline. I feel like airbag issues should be covered in all vehicles, particularly if there is no evidence of a crash. I do not have an airbag on/off switch, so I have no way to turn it on/off. My concern is that it May deploy for no reason, possibly injuring my passengers. All of my issues are on the passenger side of my car. (reported by friend of vehicle owner) no documentation other than case number info given to GM. Specific date just sept 2015.
Within 2 months of having the first recall on the ignition switch repaired the airbag light on the dashboard will illuminate at random times. Some times it will stay on after starting the car and turning off at some point into the drive, or it will illuminate while driving, stay illuminated for a period of time and then shut off. Had the second recall that still impacted the key being able to be removed which required the gear shift to be replaced less than a year after the ignition switch was replaced. Since the second repair the air bag light illuminates more frequently. See many others have had the same issue since have the repairs completed. The air bag light never illuminate prior to recalls being repairs.
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 2007 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Saturn Ion, 7% of the model year's 876 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 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 2007 Saturn Ion airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 0 fires and 17 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.