NHTSA Data Explorer

Saturn Ion

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Saturn Ion.

Complaints

4,342

Active records

Recalls

12

Active records

TSBs

1,075

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

4

Injuries

153

Crashes

208

Fires

20

Top reported issues — Saturn Ion

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

2,000

Steering behavior

1,616

Condition issue

937

Reporting mechanism

762

Starting behavior

753

Engine behavior

441

Fluid issue

356

Smell

247

Safety restraint issue

231

Powering on/off behavior

215

Noise

149

Performance issue

140

Safety restraint behavior

133

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

126

Access/entry issue

114

Lighting behavior

99

Electrical issue

93

Vibration/harshness

69

Braking behavior

67

Recent change

46

Thermal issue

40

Driver assistance issue

33

Wiper/washer behavior

30

HVAC behavior

26

Ride/handling behavior

26

Infotainment behavior

18

Communication/network issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2007 SATURN ION

Filed Apr 17, 2026


The power steering (the Eps, worst system ever) has been randomly cutting in and out driving down the road and traffic making turns shutting down and making it almost impossible to drive or Park stay between lines adjust as needed and it cuts in and out it has been fixed per recall once but it still continues to do it it hasn't even been 14,000 miles since the recall was fixed and it is still cutting in and out of the dash says power steering and you can't turn the wheel.

2005 SATURN ION

Filed Nov 15, 2025


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.

2004 SATURN ION

Filed Nov 2, 2025


The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes no difference, no check engine light and auto technician said the ignition looks fine. Ive read tons of reports like this on the 2004…

2005 SATURN ION

Filed Jul 21, 2025


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.

2003 SATURN ION

Filed Jul 16, 2025


After I did the recall several years ago, the problem came back. The key will not come out of the ignition. It's happened many times.

2007 SATURN ION

Filed Jun 23, 2025


Power steering went out. I was driving and I was on the freeway and the steering wouldn't move like it should. It became very hard to steer so I exited off the highway and pulled in to a store barely missing the sign. I call a friend and had the car towed home and looked at. I was told the eps went out. The next time I started the car it said power steering on the odometer. The dealership said the recall was closed out already. But I still have no ability to steer the car. It sits unrepaired…

2006 SATURN ION

Filed Mar 20, 2025


The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering).…

2005 SATURN ION

Filed Mar 13, 2025


My key is stuck in the I can take it out the o2 seners not reading

2005 SATURN ION

Filed Oct 21, 2024


The ignition cylinder was replaced in my vehicle because the key would not turn in the ignition to start the car. It is actually, the fourth time this has happened. I understand that there have been two recalls on this issue in the past. The reason it was recalled is because the ignition has turned to the off position killing the car's engine while the driver is driving on the road which has caused serious accidents. I was lucky not to get into an accident from this. The last replacement has…

2007 SATURN ION

Filed Oct 15, 2024


It won’t start! Been having starter problems. Battery not dead, and I also was told maybe crankshaft and starter

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.