Saturn ION
Problems and Repair Histories
Select model year: 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
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Below you'll find Saturn ION problem and repair descriptions submitted through the Car Reliability Survey and the Car Repair History Survey that supplements it.
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To measure reliability, TrueDelta calculates a "Successful Repair Trips per 100 Cars per Year" stat. The latest Car Reliability Survey (CRS) results include Saturn ION reliability information based on owner experiences through June 30, 2010:
| Successful Repair Trips per Year (per 100 vehicles) | |||||
| Year | Make | Model |
Trips / Year | TS | Cars Mon/Car Av Odo |
| 2007 | Saturn | ION |  | 27 6.7 36700 | |
| 2006 | Saturn | ION |  | 25 8.0 41600 | |
| 2005 | Saturn | ION* | 16 6.0 64000 | ||
| 2004 | Saturn | ION* | 12 7.9 82200 | ||
| 2003 | Saturn | ION* | 11 6.4 108900 | ||
To see how the Saturn ION's repair frequency compares to other model years and competing car models, and for a table key, click here. Updated quarterly.
Details: Saturn ION Repair Histories
Odometer readings and repair costs are in local units.
Engines for which repairs have been reported
- 2007 175-horsepower 2.4L I4
- 2006 170-horsepower 2.4L I4
- 2005 supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4
- 2005 140-horsepower 2.2L I4
- 2004 140-horsepower 2.2L I4
- 2004 supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4
- 2003 140-horsepower 2.2L I4
Note: Repairs could have been reported for other engines, but as a non-member you can only view a maximum of 5 repair histories per model year. To view them all, become a member.
2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Quebec, Canada | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Jan | 2009 | 20000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jun | 2010 | 61000 | 0 | While making visual inspection, mechanic noticed that the rear shocks needed replacing. Dealer replaced them under warranty. |
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| Saturn ION in California, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Oct | 2007 | 3150 | 60 | Oil Change with Castrol Synthetic |
| Apr | 2010 | 60000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Ontario, Canada | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Jan | 2008 | 7000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jan | 2008 | 7000 | 0 | No repairs required. |
| Dec | 2008 | 10000 | 0 | The mechanics saw the problem was imminent during a previous maintenance visit. During this maintenance visit, both control arm bushings were replaced, because they split. This is a common issue on this model. |
| Sep | 2009 | 20000 | 0 | Both control arm end links replaced. Again. Common issue. |
| Nov | 2009 | 0 | RPMs were not dropping while coasting with the engine not in gear. RPMs remained at ~1500 until full stop. Issue appears to be fixed for now after a computer reflash. | |
| Jun | 2010 | 34000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in New York, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | May | 2008 | 9000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jun | 2008 | 10000 | 0 | the plastic facia flashing under the front had come loose and was flapping below the car |
| Dec | 2009 | 26000 | 0 | Sold. |
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| Saturn ION in California, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Feb | 2008 | 16000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Mar | 2008 | 16000 | 0 | Driver-side outside door/pillar covering fell off at highway speeds. Repair man told me the small bracket inside that it holds on to breaks easily. He checked pass. side. |
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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Missouri, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Jan | 2006 | 300 | 0 | Service Engine Soon light came on - clutch pedal switch/cruise control activation problem. Algorithm written to throw SES light on if computer "decides" speed changes too often within a certain distance. |
| Feb | 2006 | 1100 | 0 | Clutch pedal made a ratcheting sound when depressed - mechanic lubricated ball-and-socket joint at pedal actuator rod. Glove box refused to stay latched. Parts ordered. |
| Mar | 2006 | 2200 | 0 | Faulty glove box latch. Replaced with new assembly ordered in February. Clutch pedal squeaked. Lubed assembly. SES came on again around 2800 miles, same condition as 1st entry. Codes reset. |
| Apr | 2006 | 3300 | 0 | SES light activated again, same code stored as before. Tech cleared the codes, claims unit works as designed. |
| May | 2006 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Jun | 2006 | 5800 | 0 | Fuel sending unit shorted, replaced. SES light on again. LF & RF windows rattled when open. Not fixed. Repaired chip in LF rocker panel, repainted rear bumper where trunk meets, installed 3 rubber stops, repainted, adjusted fuel filler door. |
| Jul | 2006 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Aug | 2006 | 8700 | 0 | Foam emerged from LF roof driprail. Removed and repositioned foam. SES light again - no codes found. Installed latest PCM calibration, lubed clutch pedal hinge and push rod. |
| Sep | 2006 | 9750 | 0 | Foam protruding from LR roof driprail - trimmed excessive insulation that was visible. Later in same month, LR driprail foam replaced. |
| Oct | 2006 | 11100 | 0 | Foam in entire right side driprails removed and replaced. |
| Nov | 2006 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Dec | 2006 | 13500 | 0 | Brake lamp lit during extremely cold weather. System checked - no problems found. SES light on again - new clutch switch ordered. Replaced uppermost clutch switch. Front pass. seat cover partially loose, r&r seat, secured cover, fasteners. |
| Jan | 2007 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Feb | 2007 | 16300 | 0 | Brake lamp lit again during very cold weather - no issues. SES light on again. If PCM sees 8 or more changes in vehicle speed w/o pedal depressed, it will set code..."cannot be helped." |
| Mar | 2007 | 18000 | 0 | Squeak emanating from RR seat area - heard when outside temp is ~50F or less. Replaced RR latch, adjusted striker plate. Temporary fix. |
| Apr | 2007 | 18700 | 0 | RR squeak returns - Unable to duplicate at this time. |
| May | 2007 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Jun | 2007 | 21000 | 0 | LF window creaks and groans when going up or down. Ordered new window regulator. New LF window regulator installed. SES light on again. Same code, cleared code (P0833). |
| Jul | 2007 | 22000 | 0 | Dash crack appeared near auto headlight sensor. Replaced center dash trim. Rental car. Left fuel tank strap loose and dangling. Bolt fell out. Replaced. Car towed to retailer, key stuck in ignition. Lock cylinder binding in housing. Replaced cylinder. Ren |
| Aug | 2007 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Sep | 2007 | 24000 | 0 | Foam under RF roof driprail sticks out. R&R foam. Brake pedal squeaks, lubed booster rod. Moisture in headlamps, worse on L side. Given vented headlamp bulletin - working as designed. |
| Oct | 2007 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| Nov | 2007 | 27500 | 0 | RR seat squeak back again. Replaced RR seat cushion. Pop in driver's seat, at left edge. Seat bottom cover loose at front, adjusted tabs on seat pan and reclipped cover. |
| Dec | 2007 | 0 | No repairs this month. | |
| May | 2008 | 35000 | 0 | Steering wheel made a rattle when turned 180 degrees or more. Bad cruise control switch found - part ordered. |
| Jun | 2008 | 35000 | 0 | Steering wheel made a rattle when turned 180 degrees or more. Bad cruise control switch found. Wrong part was ordered on 2nd visit, had to return for 3rd visit to get correct ordered and installed. |
| Dec | 2009 | 56000 | 0 | RF wheel bearing assembly made droning noise at 25 mph and above. |
| Jan | 2010 | 56900 | 0 | Engine revs failed to drop between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd gears, SES light activated. Problem traced to failed camshaft position sensors. Retailer removed and replaced intake and exhaust sets under extended warranty. |
| May | 2010 | 0 | L and R front sway bar links loosened. Dealer replaced clamps, insulators, bushings and link assemblies. Worn intermediate steering shaft replaced, car's front end clunked and popped during turns at low speeds. | |
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| Saturn ION in California, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Oct | 2008 | 52000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Nov | 2008 | 55000 | 0 | Power steering became unoperable for a short trip was advised to take into dealer for safety |
| Jan | 2010 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| May | 2006 | 89 | 0 | Purchased car new from dealership in Madison, WI |
| Aug | 2007 | 20000 | 0 | passenger window bolt vibrated loose causing the window to fall off track. The 2nd passenger airbag light does not indicate anything when a passenger is in the car. |
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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
170-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in British Columbia, Canada | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Feb | 2010 | 22000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Mar | 2010 | 23000 | 0 | Check engine light showing intermittingly. Fuel injector fault code detected at dealer 4 injectors replaced. |
| Jun | 2010 | 24000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in Newfoundland / Lab., Canada | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Sep | 2009 | 62000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Oct | 2009 | 63000 | 0 | Engine light was on when turned in, may have been a tiny hole in muffler. |
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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in California, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Jun | 2009 | 61000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jul | 2009 | 63000 | 100 | Slow coolant leak. Dealer replaced water pump. |
| Oct | 2009 | 75000 | 0 | Cat convertor flex pipe cracked. Replaced under Federal Emmissions requirement |
| Dec | 2009 | 80000 | 550 | Replaced struts shocks |
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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Apr | 2008 | 32000 | 0 | Had rear cigarette lighter unit replace (just quit working) |
| May | 2008 | 32050 | 0 | Blower fan replaced, Sunroof Motor replaced |
| Jun | 2008 | 32100 | 0 | Clutch master cylinder replaced |
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| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Jun | 2006 | 17000 | 0 | Gauges starting "lagging". Speedometer in particular. Also cruise control occasionally not working. ECU update fixed it. |
| Aug | 2006 | 19000 | 0 | Window seal on passenger side went bad - window would not roll up properly into the door. Covered under warranty. |
| Dec | 2006 | 23000 | 0 | 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. |
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| Saturn ION in Vermont, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Apr | 2009 | 72000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| May | 2009 | 73000 | 35 | Ignition switch was bad |
| Sep | 2009 | 74000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in New York, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Mar | 2005 | 0 | Purchase | |
| Jul | 2005 | 5600 | 0 | oil change, tire rotation, self |
| Feb | 2006 | 12200 | 0 | oil change, tire rotation, windshield wipers, engine air filter |
| Sep | 2006 | 14000 | 0 | oil change |
| Mar | 2007 | 16500 | 0 | oil change, cabin air filter |
| Sep | 2007 | 21705 | 0 | AC compressor seized causing belt breakage Dealer replaced compressor and belt under warranty |
| Jul | 2008 | 27810 | 0 | No further repairs |
| Aug | 2008 | 28700 | 0 | Front control arm bushing fell loose from the control arm. Dealer replaced despite being out of warranty |
| Jul | 2010 | 54000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Jan | 2004 | 800 | 0 | Warranty repair of fuel filler hose. |
| Apr | 2004 | 2000 | 0 | Warranty recall fuel filter replacement. |
| May | 2008 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
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| Saturn ION in Illinois, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Dec | 2009 | 55000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jan | 2010 | 57000 | 600 | front bushings and 60,000 check |
| Mar | 2010 | 57000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in Arizona, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Apr | 2009 | 56000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Jun | 2009 | 58000 | 608 | Air conditioner quit blowing cold air when car stopped or idle. Replaced radiator fan. |
| Sep | 2009 | 60000 | 250 | New shock absorbers for rear of car. |
| Oct | 2009 | 61000 | 700 | Got new struts and shocks for front of the car. |
| Jun | 2010 | 68000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Tennessee, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Feb | 2008 | 43000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Mar | 2010 | 76000 | 0 | 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. |
| Jun | 2010 | 78000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in Ohio, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Sep | 2009 | 64000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Mar | 2010 | 65000 | 0 | Flex pipe failed. Covered under 8/80 catalytic converter warranty. |
| Jun | 2010 | 65000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Nov | 2009 | 104000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Dec | 2009 | 107000 | 374 | I replaced the front struts and rear shocks due to the banging on the floor board caused by the traction bar. |
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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in Quebec, Canada | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Jan | 2010 | 109000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Mar | 2010 | 110000 | 450 | Stabilizer link replaced. |
| Jun | 2010 | 116000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in California, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Feb | 2009 | 95000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| Aug | 2009 | 107000 | 0 | Suspension Noise most likely sway bar bushing and end links. |
| Jul | 2010 | 125000 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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| Saturn ION in Connecticut, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description |
| Aug | 2007 | 99000 | 450 | original spark plugs replaced, original front brake pads & rotors replaced |
| Oct | 2008 | 109000 | 740 | original FW bearings replaced |
| Dec | 2008 | 110000 | 760 | Passlock problem, dealer offered free repair upon $50 deductible = rejected. Other repair the same day original FW bearings replaced !!760$(tax incl). |
| Feb | 2010 | 0 | 0 | Most recent odometer entry. |
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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in Florida, United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Year | Odo | Cost | Description | Apr | 2009 | 89000 | 0 | First odometer entry. |
| May | 2009 | 90000 | 150 | needed new ignition switch, fixed by owner, needed cleaning. |
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Important: Most cars for which no repairs have been reported are not shown to make it easy to find those with repair information. So these repair histories should not be used to infer reliability. Instead, they provide an idea of the the problems and repairs Saturn ION owners have been experiencing,
Saturn ION Forums (TrueDelta partners)
These forums have helped make our results possible. For discussions of the ION by owners, visit:
SaturnFans.com -- Saturn ION forum
GMInsideNews.com -- GM news forum
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