| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Saturn ION repairs by problem area
Engine (36%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (2%)
Suspension and Steering (23%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (7%)
Chart based on 86 repairs.
2004 Saturn ION repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (4%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (47%)
< $100 (35%)
Chart based on 77 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Saturn ION
Engine not specified
| Saturn ION in New Jersey, United States Dec 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jan 200956000 miUS $30 | Ignition switch defective. Car would not start in cold weather. | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Ontario, Canada Dec 2010 - Oct 2011 | |||
| Feb 201177500 miC $22 | I had the "infamous" no start when the weather was cold. I just recently bought this car and did the research for this issue. It only cost me $22 for a new ignition switch ordered online!!! The repair was easy. | ||
| Jun 201179980 miC $11 | The drivers door jam switch became intermittent and interior light was staying on sometimes. Very easy and inexpensive fix! It only cost $11 dollars for the part from the dealer and I changed it myself. | ||
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States Sep 2011 - Oct 2011 | |||
| Oct 2011101000 miUS $2000 | This was the SECOND time the trans went! | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Apr 2011 - Apr 2016 | |||
| May 201185000 mi | sway bar links-replaced with moog greasable units | ||
| Jun 201186000 miUS $482 | ignition switch would not go to start position. replaced lock cyc and housing it goes into. also could not get steering wheel off so they had to get a new one. | ||
| May 2014107000 miUS $280 | wiper transmission needed replaced | ||
| Saturn ION in Missouri, United States Aug 2011 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Sep 2011117500 miUS $110 | Replaced water pump, thermostat, seals/gaskets, and coolant. Water pump replacement requires specialized tool for removal and install (difficult to obtain). Replaced water pump, thermostat, seals/gaskets, and coolant. Water pump replacement requires specialized tool for removal and install (difficult to obtain). | ||
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States Jun 2014 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Jun 2014226000 miUS $223 | Batt warning light. Tested battery, ok. Bench tested alternator, failed test. Replaced alternator and serpentine belt. | ||
| Jul 2014227000 miUS $400 | Heard growling from right front that increased witn speed. Removed wheel, spun bearing by hand. Grittiness and noise confirmed failure. Replaced both sides. | ||
| Apr 2015245000 miUS $117 | Starter failed. Checked all fuses, relays, neutral safety switch. Replaced starter. | ||
| Saturn ION in Nevada, United States Sep 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Nov 2010157400 miUS $51 | Rear shocks replaced Replaced A/C connector that melted. Replaced sunroof switch, trunk remote switch. Replaced ignition switch. Replaced driver's side mirror and windshield mounted rear view mirror. Replaced A/C connector that melted, replaced sunroof switch, trunk remote switch, and ignition switch Replaced driver's side mirror and windshield mounted rear view mirror | ||
| Saturn ION in Maine, United States Oct 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Dec 201070000 miUS $496 | to pass state inspection - front linkage replacement & rear shocks; regular maintenance oil/lube, winterization - fluids & windshield wipers; recent previous repair - transmission serviced for gear slipping & new front tires | ||
| Jan 2011 | longterm, chronic intermittent starter failure, 2009 spring ($360) and Jan 2010 replacement of starter (warranty); diag-starter burned; optional bypass ignition system installed; electrical failure system; unresolved; not happy | ||
| Saturn ION in Illinois, United States Feb 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jul 200863000 miUS $380 | Humming noise at speed, wheel bearing bad. | ||
| Saturn ION in New York, United States Mar 2008 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Feb 2010223300 miUS $160 | Mechanism of left windshield wiper was replaced | ||
| Oct 2010242000 miUS $110 | Sway bar links had to be replaced replaced alternator clutch pedal replaced | ||
| Saturn ION in New York, United States Feb 2008 - Apr 2008 | |||
| Mar 200853000 miUS $340 | Ignition control module and coil pack shorted, causing car to misfire under a load. Replaced driver and passenger side wheel bearing/hub assy. | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in Minnesota, United States Jun 2012 - Jul 2014 | |||
| May 201375000 miUS $47 | Coolant level sensor went bad. Had to replace coolant reserve tank that includes sensor in it. | ||
| Jul 201488000 mi | Power window hasn't worked since March. | ||
| Saturn ION in Florida, United States Apr 2013 - Sep 2017 | |||
| Jul 2013133000 mi | Sway bar link, control arms and steering end links | ||
| Saturn ION in Indiana, United States Jun 2015 - Jun 2018 | |||
| May 201660300 miUS $60 | Low Coolant Light stays lite even though there is plenty of coolant. Replaced coolant reservoir tank with built in coolant level sensor. Coolant still stays on. | ||
| Jul 201765500 miUS $511 | Replace shoes, drums, flush brake fluid system | ||
| Mar 201868200 miUS $500 | Stabilizer bar and bushings repaired/replaced | ||
| Saturn ION in Maryland, United States Apr 2017 - Apr 2017 | |||
| Jan 2017115000 miUS $150 | Engine was running poorly, after diagnostics I learned it has developed low compression. | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Mar 2017 - Apr 2017 | |||
| Apr 2017124000 miUS $1300 | Timing belt broke. | ||
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States Jun 2015 - Jul 2017 | |||
| Apr 2017145000 miUS $100 | Exhaust repair. Quick welding, roughly $100. | ||
| Saturn ION in New York, United States Apr 2011 - Mar 2014 | |||
| Jan 2013114000 miUS $450 | Battery failed. Car would not start without a jump then finally would not start at all. Also catalytic converter failed and had to replce. Had to replace battery also. | ||
| Feb 2013114500 miUS $110 | Starter went. Had it replaced. It would have cost $450 but because of warranty only had to pay $100 deductible plus tax. | ||
| Saturn ION in Virginia, United States Apr 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 2010145000 miUS $400 | Clutch Pedal broke in half | ||
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States Apr 2010 - Nov 2016 | |||
| Jul 201172000 miUS $365 | Piece of housing around radiator fan broke off and caused damage to fan. Cause of severe rattling and noise. If left as is the damage would have worsen and lead to major radiator damage. | ||
| Feb 2014107000 miUS $2100 | Had 4 shocks replaced 4 struts replaced and 4 bushings replaced. Also had the headlights cleaned/buffed. | ||
| Jun 2014112000 miUS $80 | Check engine light. Repair shop forgot to put oil cap back on. | ||
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States May 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Jun 200925000 mi | The air conditioning stopped working at 24,000 miles. The shop ordered a new compressor, but I had to come back to have it installed. New A/C compressor installed. | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Apr 2009 - Dec 2012 | |||
| Sep 201069000 miUS $100 | plastic wiper transmission linkage was broken. replaced w metal version of OEM part. $90 delivered installed myself in about 30 min, dealers rumored to charge $300 to replace | ||
| Dec 201071000 miUS $300 | I saw parking prake light was coming on while driving, suspected parking brake repair. Rear right caliper was leaking brake fluid and the light was a warning for low brake fluid. replaced caliper, bled brakes, and filled fluid. | ||
| Saturn ION in Ohio, United States Sep 2009 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Mar 201065000 mi | Flex pipe failed. Covered under 8/80 catalytic converter warranty. | ||
| Saturn ION in Nevada, United States Jun 2014 - Nov 2014 | |||
| Jul 2014115300 mi | Ignition recall | ||
| Saturn ION in Tennessee, United States Feb 2008 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Mar 201076000 mi | Saturn had sent me a notice of possible issues with the catalytic converter on my Redline. I had had some of the symptoms that they mentioned. ie SES light comes on for no reason in cold weather. Sometimes a loss of power in cold weather. | ||
| Jan 201295000 miUS $100 | I had a clunking noise coming from the front end of the car. I replaced the swaybar bushings and endlinks. The endlinks were probably fine I figured I'll have them off might as well replace them also. Car runs much better now. On really cold days the car would not start. From visiting saturnfans.com I found the problem was the ignition switch setting off the security mode. Bought replacement switch and installed easily. No problems since. | ||
| Jun 2014119000 miUS $430 | The crankshaft positional sensor started to go bad. It would sometimes cause the car to take multiple attempts to start. It never did leave me stranded though. | ||
| Apr 2015127500 mi | Coolant sensor went bad. Replaced the coolant reservoir and that fixed the issue. | ||
| Mar 2018158000 miUS $100 | Fan for the cabin was a little noisy. It ran fine. Installed a new one in about a half an hour. | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States Feb 2004 - May 2008 | |||
| Jan 2004800 mi | Warranty repair of fuel filler hose. | ||
| Apr 20042000 mi | Warranty recall fuel filter replacement. | ||
| Saturn ION in Illinois, United States Dec 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 201057000 miUS $600 | front bushings and 60,000 check | ||
| Saturn ION in Arizona, United States Apr 2009 - Sep 2016 | |||
| Jun 200958000 miUS $540 | Air conditioner quit blowing cold air when car stopped or idle. Replaced radiator fan. | ||
| Sep 200960000 miUS $250 | New shock absorbers for rear of car. | ||
| Oct 200961000 miUS $700 | Got new struts and shocks for front of the car. | ||
| Oct 201183000 miUS $213 | Car made shuddering, stuttering noise in the area of left front tire when braking or getting up above 60mph. The shop corrected the problem (somewhat) by tightening [something]. Complete correction would cost 1000+; they advised waiting. | ||
| Nov 201295100 miUS $800 | Leak from cracked engine block. | ||
| Aug 2013102700 miUS $750 | Engine Block Cracked | ||
| Sep 2016134000 mi | Glitchy transmission, couldn't acceleration above 35 mph, start-and-stop behavior | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States Jul 2006 - Apr 2012 | |||
| Apr 200642 miUS $110 | Replaced left rear shock absorber | ||
| Feb 2012181600 miUS $188 | Replaced alternator and drive belt | ||
| Saturn ION in Nebraska, United States Feb 2007 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Feb 200762677 mi | Replace back-up light switch-warranty | ||
| Apr 200875000 miUS $180 | Passkey system failure, seems to be common on these vehicle. | ||
| Aug 200879000 miUS $224 | Windshield speckled and sandblasted causing difficulty at night with glare from oncoming traffic. | ||
| Dec 200881800 miUS $150 | Replace windshield wiper drive assy due to breaking during ice accumulation | ||
| Feb 200982500 miUS $12 | Replace headlamp bulb | ||
| Mar 201094000 miUS $325 | Electronic ignition failure totally disabled vehicle requiring tow to shop and replacement of ignition control module. Replaced engine management computer. Car died and had to be towed to shop. | ||
| Apr 201095000 miUS $550 | Replaced cat converter and O2 sensors after reading codes that indicated system had failed. Found converter core loose and blocked, O2 sensor bad. | ||
| Apr 2011104000 miUS $789 | Told by authorized Saturn repair center that problem was BCM and would have to replace at cost estimated $1,100. Spent $89 for diagnostics. Had independent shop fix, did not remedy problem, at cost of $700 | ||
| May 2011104000 miUS $200 | Determined radio output making it to body connector, determined wiring shorting in right door. Repaired wires, repaired radio malfunction. | ||
2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in California, United States May 2016 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Dec 2017129000 mi | Just briefly looked at engine, since I had noticed an oil leak, need to take it into the shop for repair but for now it's a very slow leak that looks like it's coming from the valve cover. | ||
| May 2018135000 miUS $90 | Oil leak from back near water pump, Mechanic said it would be best to replace water pump at same time. Rough estimate of work was $1200, since leak is still really slow, (I haven't had to put oil in between oil changes) I decided to not have repair done yet. | ||
| Saturn ION in Minnesota, United States Feb 2011 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Dec 201184000 miUS $25 | Replaced gas cap - threading was broken | ||
| Saturn ION in Quebec, Canada - Mar 2006 | |||
| Feb 20056510 mi | head suspension, bushing change on garanty | ||
| Mar 200613020 mi | rear suspension, bushing change on garanty | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Jan 2009 - May 2012 | |||
| Feb 200934000 miUS $75 | Replaced Swing Arm Bushing. | ||
| Aug 200941000 mi | Sway bar bushings went bad | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.
