2005 Saturn ION Saturn ION 2005

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2005 Saturn ION repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (1%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (32%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 92 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Saturn ION.

2005 Saturn ION engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (56%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 36 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

130000 mi

US $60
random multiple misfires. Replaced coil pack 
130000 mi

US $60
Ignition cylinder failed. Key would not turn. Had to replace 
68300 mi

US $78
Radiator fan needed to be replaced. 
73000 mi

US $100
Replaced Front Oxygen Sensor and coolant sensor 
17000 mi Gauges starting "lagging". Speedometer in particular. Also cruise control occasionally not working. ECU update fixed it. 
23000 mi Head was cracked on the motor. Check engine light tipped us off that something was wrong - but car ran pretty well like this for a year. It explained the mysterious dissapearing coolant. Warranty covered $1400 cost. 
127700 mi

US $800
Ignition system stopped working correctly Catalytic converter was damaged by ignition issue 
168000 mi

US $20
Replaced thermostat 
73000 mi

US $35
Ignition switch was bad 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

59000 mi

US $150
p0455 error, can't solve it, put new gas caps still happens. can't find parts that need attention on the car, don't know where to look 
70000 mi

US $291
emissions problems 
75500 mi

US $45
Bad oxygen sensor "upstream", means before catalytic converter. Replaced sensor. 
78000 mi engine coolant light comes on. Needs new coolant surge tank. 
91000 mi

US $475
ignition switch lock cylinder replaced during GM recall failed (key will not turn). Found dealer recall 'repair' damaged switch housing to where lock cylinder replacement ineffective, need to replace the entire switch and housing 
102000 mi

US $320
Engine light, code 102; thermostat replacement 
14000 mi Ignition Switch Replacement, Car locked key in ignition, no start no electrical 
49000 mi

US $236
I paid for the ignition switch replacement though it was replaced not 20,000 miles ago under warranty. The BTSI sensor [$400.00] was covered by GM as it had been replaced 20,000 miles before as well. Update: GM later refunded the rest. 
61200 mi Recall ignition switch and cylinder. The 2011 repair lasted a little over a year and 3000 miles. I've been diddling a little tab under the steering wheel to get the key to release. 
69000 mi

US $988
Fuel filler neck and vapor recovery system 
147000 mi

US $300
replaced icm and coil 
160000 mi

US $250
Fuel line leak near rear driver-side tire. Found excessive corrosion on the line. Replaced with new lines. 
161200 mi

C $600
Serviced Catalytic Converter 
124000 mi

US $50
Replace spark plugs. 
59000 mi Took car in for yearly PA. state inspection. Car would not pass state emissions test due to bad gas cap. Dealer service replaced gas cap. 
75000 mi

US $8
Car was running a tiny bit hot according to temp gauge. Checked to find upper radiator hose was collapsing due to negative pressure in cooling system. Replaced screw on cap on overflow reservoir. Problem solved. 
99000 mi

US $65
Replaced the coolant recovery tank and hose engine supply hose from the tank to the engine. Old one was leaking from the bottom near the sensor. New one came with sensor and cap. 
113000 mi

US $266
Emission light on dash was related to a faulty valve from gas tank that traps and hold fumes. Valve replaced and light cleared. 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

97000 mi

US $1400
fuel and return line replaced - rusted from factory heat shield holding water 
106000 mi

US $88
replaced water pump 
63000 mi

US $100
Slow coolant leak. Dealer replaced water pump. 
75000 mi Cat convertor flex pipe cracked. Replaced under Federal Emmissions requirement 
115000 mi

US $300
Crankshaft position sensor failure 
118000 mi

US $680
Check engine light was still on after I replaced the crankshaft position sensor myself. Code said I needed to do a CASE relearn.  The dealer also found another code indicating the coolant temp was too low. Also replace a failing thermostat. 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

I seem to be have a stupid little problem with my gas caps. I am on my third and they keep going bad! I have replaced 2, at a whopping $26 each. 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

44000 mi Fuel injector line came loose / or electrical ignition cause a fire. Car was a total loss due to fire. 
30000 mi ignition lock cylinder replaced under warranty 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Coupes.
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.

2005 Saturn ION Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Saturn ION problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.