Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
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. …
This car has been cursed with electronic steering problems. The car has been serviced repeatedly. I have had very little response and zero satisfaction from GM. The key often does not release from the ignition. The car was involved in a violent front end collision that was caused by these issues. I bought the car (based on a false Saturn promise) and I had two daughters in the front of the car during the preventable collision. I couldn't figure out why the bags did not deploy. Now I get it! The car cuts off when making a right hand turn. I do not believe a single thing that GM says to me. I am going in for a rental car tomorrow. I. Do not even believe that this will go according to plan. I take the car for service, they tell me that they, "cannot repeat the problem." GM sucks and so does NHTSA. Earn your money. I earned mine. …
This car has been cursed with electronic steering problems. The car has been serviced repeatedly. I have had very little response and zero satisfaction from GM. The key often does not release from the ignition. The car was involved in a violent front end collision that was caused by these issues. I bought the car (based on a false Saturn promise) and I had two daughters in the front of the car during the preventable collision. I couldn't figure out why the bags did not deploy. Now I get it! The car cuts off when making a right hand turn. I do not believe a single thing that GM says to me. I am going in for a rental car tomorrow. I. Do not even believe that this will go according to plan. I take the car for service, they tell me that they, "cannot repeat the problem." GM sucks and so does NHTSA. Earn your money. I earned mine. …
I believe that the power steering issue (recalled recently and received letter) caused my vehicle to be very hard to control on a downslope hill at 12 MPH coming up to red light. My car went from the right lane to the left Land of 4 lane street and I hit car in front of me. Now, having received information today about the power steering recall, I have an appt. At my local dealership to check on the alignment/suspension and the piece of metal that I believe to be brake pad that a few hours later shot out and hit car next to me in a parking lot when I applied brakes and turned off vehicle ignition. I will know more of what happened once dealershjp runs diagnostics.
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.
About three years ago is when I had my first problem with speed acceleration with my Saturn. I left work and turned on my car and started to drive an hour to go home all the sudden my car began to accelerate and I wasn't pressing the gas. My vehicle continued to accelerate and I had to keep my foot on the brake to slow the vehicle down and it was still accelerating. I had to pull over on the side of the road and pop my car into neutral going approximately 70mph. I somehow managed to get home but my car continued to accelerate without me pressing on the gas. When I would turn the vehicle on while it was still in park the RPM's would go crazy as if I had my foot on the gas pedal. I immediately contacted my auto shop who indicated that they could not find anything wrong with my vehicle. I have had several incidents since then and ended up crashing earlier this year. …
I bought my 2004 Saturn Ion 2 coupe and had to replace the front rotors in the first 2 years, they were worn down to the iron. I bought American steel rotors from midas. I'm still using the new rotors and everything, including the brakes, are still like new. My car is in a garage and I don't do much driving. I had the same problem when I had my new 1992 Saturn sl1. Now I'm told my sway bar is going again. This will be the 3rd time. I was told that was normal for the brakes and the sway bar because it's a Saturn and I needed to drive it and apply the brakes harder and parts for the sway bar on the 2004 had to be imported and were poorly made. I find this suspicious to say the least. I have never been in an accident or even a fender bender. I noted 2006 on my Saturn 2010 from it's first problem, a year later on the sway bar and a couple more years on the 2nd sway bar. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Ion years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (19), 2006 (13), 2007 (12), 2003 (11) and 2005 (9) model years. Brake complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Saturn Ion brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Saturn Ion model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn Ion brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (5).
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.