FaultScore

Saturn ION engine problems

288 of the 5,471 complaints filed about the Saturn ION are about the engine — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

288

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

3

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2003 ION 80 27.8%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

2004 ION 57 19.8%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

2005 ION 37 12.8%

Median failure at 95,867 miles

2006 ION 71 24.7%

Median failure at 74,612 miles

2007 ION 43 14.9%

Median failure at 70,049 miles

What owners said

2003 Saturn ION Lincoln, IL

ENGINE

I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would cost me they said around $800.so it has now been 2 weeks my car has been there at Graue Chevrolet Dealership unfixed and they refused to fix please help me it's my only means of transportation and I have health issues that I have to go to Dr appointments quite frequently.

NHTSA complaint #11755714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION Dallas, TX

ENGINE

Airbags

NHTSA complaint #11570686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION Beech Bluff, TN

ENGINE

2003 SATURN ION, CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

NHTSA complaint #11441262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 110,000 miles Warrenton, OR

ENGINE

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, (866)607-2902) 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.

NHTSA complaint #11416273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 173,387 miles Hunt, NY

ENGINE

I NEED TO KNOW WHY YOUR SYSTEM SHOWS NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE USING THE VIN NUMBER, BUT HAS (7) RECALLS IF I USE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL, THE SYSTEM SHOULD ALLOW ME TO RUN THE VIN, SEE ALL RECALLS, AND EVEN REPORT WITH PROOF IF THE RECALL IS COMPLETE, LIKE A CHECK LIST. YOUR SYSTEM IS USELESS IF THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT AGREEING TO THE RECALLS UNDER THE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL AND ASSIGNING THE RECALLS TO THE VIN TO GRANT APPROVAL TO DEALERS TO REPAIR, A DEALER WILL NOT COMPLETE A GM RECALL UNLESS GM APPROVES OF THE RECALL FOR A PARTICULAR VIN. I HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE THAT FALLS IN THE CATEGORY OF THE RECALLS, BUT I'M NOT PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS, WHEN THEY ARE KNOWN SAFETY ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11319384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 170,117 miles Atlanta, GA Crash

ENGINE

CAR CUTS OFF A/C WONT WORK UNLESS ON MAX AND MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING. CPU ISSUE LIKE RPM FLUCTUATES I THINK ITS THE FUEL PUMP AND GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY CPU PROBLEM AND ITS JERKS ALOT DEALER SAID AINT NOTHING THE CAN DO BOUT IT BUT THEY SUPPOSE TO FIX IT WITH IN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE TIME. SO IT CUTS OFF WHILE RIDING AND JERKS WHILE IM ON THE BREAKS

NHTSA complaint #11281970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 217,000 miles Lenoir, NC Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT'S SON OBSERVED AN ORANGE GLARE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THEIR HOUSE. THE FAMILY RAN OUTSIDE TOGETHER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SON'S VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DOWN THE STREET, BUT TOOK TWENTY MINUTES TO ARRIVE AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT'S NINETEEN YEAR OLD SON EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER FROM THE HOUSE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.

NHTSA complaint #11230171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 113,000 miles Arlington, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANDERGRIFF CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1200 W INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76017, (682) 323-2486) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11149448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 150,000 miles Holiday, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11123216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 185,000 miles Dover, DE

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF DOVER (1450 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901, (302) 760-9956), BUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA complaint #11115106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn ION at 43,000 miles Maricopa, CA Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL GMC DEALER IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11099248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 105,000 miles North Decatur, GA

ENGINE

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CAR EVEN AFTER I HAVE HAD SOME RECALLS DONE TO IT. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS WHEN I AM DRIVING OR STATIONARY WITH MY CAR ON, THE CAR RUMBLES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS TUGGING BACKWARDS. THE CYLINDER 2 KEEPS MISFIRING (P0302). I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SATURN IONS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY. THERE ARE PERIODS WHERE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN MUCH AND SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. FURTHERMORE, MY CAR STILL DOESN'T TURN ON/OFF ALL THE WAY SOMETIMES AND THE IGNITION SWITCH MESSES UP.

NHTSA complaint #11098513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 120,000 miles Tarpon Springs, FL

ENGINE

FUEL LINE TO THROTTLE BODY LEAKED FUEL DUE TO STRESS CRACKS. PART THAT FAILED IS " NO LONGER AVAILABLE" ACCORDING TO GM PARTS SALES. .MECHANIC WELDED CRACKED PIPE AND SAID EH HAS FIXED QUITE A FEW OF THESE. I HAVE RECEIPT FROM REPAIR SHOP

NHTSA complaint #11093262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 80,000 miles Dolton, IL

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL THE ENGINE IS ON. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE KEY DOESN'T GO IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE ON AGAIN AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.SOMETIMES 2 OR 3 TIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE ON AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE CAR IS PARKED.

NHTSA complaint #11053821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 134,000 miles Edgewater, FL

ENGINE

ENGINE REDUCTION, SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, WAS ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI, ENGINE REDUCTION LIGHT COMES ON, LOSE POWER AND CAR SLOWS AT A HIGH RATE CAUSING EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC, MUST PULL OFF INTERSTATE TURN CAR OFF TO RESET, HAPPENING 2-3 TIMES A DAY, STRONG SMELL OF GAS, HAVE A LEAK AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE CRUISING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THEIR SATURN IS GOING TO REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THEY WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, THEY WILL BE PLOWED DOWN BY A SEMI. ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW GM TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE LIKE THEY IGNORED THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBELMS UNTIL IT STARTS CAUSING DEATHS, WHY NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE THE DEATHS START TO OCCUR, IT SEEMS THE OLDER THESE YEAR MODELS GET THE WORSE THIS PROBLEM BECOMES. I WAS FORCED TO PUT A DATE, BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE WITH THE FUEL LEAK, MAYBE ONE DAY THE ENGINE WILL REDUCE POWER AT THE SAME TIME I WILL GET RUN OVER BY A SEMI AND THE CAR WILL EXPLODE INTO FLAMES FROM THE FUEL LEAK THEY ARE NOT RECALLING FOR MY VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11040840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION Sacramento, CA

ENGINE

VIN: [XXX] , SALESPERSON:[XXX] DATE OF PURCHASE: MARCH 27, 2017 , DEALERS NUMBER: 47243...$2000 IN REPAIRS PAID IN CASH.PURCHASE VEHICLE IN CASH FOR $3000.FALSE ADVERTISEMENT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION@TIME OF PURCHASE&SEVERAL DEFECTIVE& MALFUNCTIONING PARTS&I WAS SOLD A LEMON CAR THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK.WIND SHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKE@ TIME OF PURCHASE. MUFFLER PROBLEMS, RATTLES TOO..EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NO GOOD&FIXED.BRAKE FAULTY,I PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS.TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY.CAR CONTINUOUSLY SHAKES.IT'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF SHOP SINCE I PURCHASED IT. TRANSMISSION ACCELERATION&GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY OR SHIFT IN TIME. WINDOW IS OFF THE TRAP&WILL BRAKE IF I PUT IT ALL THE WAY DOWN..GAS LEAK. GAS LEAK=$30 A DAY SINCE PURCHASE. IGNITION LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL&WON'T TURN WHILE DRIVING. KEY WILL NOT TURN.CAR WILL NOT START&NEEDS A NEW IGNITION. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH/IN 2WEEKS OF BUYING IT. I WAS ON THE ROAD&THE WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. I HAD TO REPLACE IT& IT'S AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHEEL. BRAKE FLUID WAS SOLD DIRTY. OVERHEATING CONSTANTLY. FAN OVER RUNNING.TIMING BELT NEEDS CHECKED. BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING& SQUEALING&WHEN PUMPED SHOOT AIR, BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED& BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED& IS CLEAR INSTEAD OF BLACK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS EXISTED@TIME OF PURCHASE.IT WAS SOLD AS IS.I'VE LOST TIME FROM WORK. I DID NOT KNOW IT'S BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. GM &DEALER IS@FAULT. IT IS A LEMON. PUTS MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THE ROAD.DEALER GAVE ME A DUMMY KEY. THAT'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE RIGHTS UNDER THE SONG-BEVERLY WARRANTY RIGHTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10985885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn ION at 175,400 miles Greenville, SC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,400. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. SHE HAD TO REDUCE HER SPEED INTO ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THE STEERING RESET IT SELF. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/03/16.

NHTSA complaint #10904834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn ION at 190,710 miles Dalton, GA

ENGINE

WAS GUARANTEED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ORIGINALLY GOT A 2007 FORD ESCAPE BY TRADING IN MY VEHICLE AND 500 CASH. THEY WANTED ME TO PUT DOWN AN ADDITIONAL 900 DOWN WHICH I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DO. SO THEY OFFERED TO PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS CHEAPER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY ON. THE 2004 SATURN ION I RECEIVED ON 08/23/2016 NOT ONLY HAD CLUTCH ISSUES WHICH I SAID I WOULD FIX, BUT THE BATTERY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR MECHANICALLY. WE DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SO NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY YARD AND I AM OUT MY ORIGINAL VEHICLE AND THE 500 CASH I USED ORIGINALLY PLUS TOWING CHARGES AND A VEHICLE I HAVE TO PAY ON THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. I WANT THEM TO COME GET THE CAR AND GIVE BACK THE 500 I WASTED ON TWO JUNK VEHICLES. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE. I WAS PRETTY MUCH STUCK TAKING THIS VEHICLE SINCE I LIVE TWO HOURS AWAY AND HAD NO OTHER WAY HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10898150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn ION at 141,000 miles Tampa, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10895916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn ION at 125,000 miles Raleigh, NC

ENGINE

ENGINE FAILED AT 125,000 MILES. ENGINE SPECIALIST DETERMINED CYLINDER #4 OIL STARVATION AS THE CAUSE. OIL CHANGE INTERVALS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 7500 MILES. ENGINE STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT CRANK TO RESTART. ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST: APPROXIMATELY $4,000.

NHTSA complaint #10892556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn ION problems