Saturn ION Saturn ION

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Saturn ION repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (30%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 736 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Saturn ION.

Saturn ION suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (21%)

$100 - $499 (43%)

< $100 (30%)

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

Chart based on 199 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2007 Saturn ION

Engine not specified

99000 mi

US $400
replaced control arm bushings; full alignment 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

37820 mi While making visual inspection, mechanic noticed that the rear shocks needed replacing. Dealer replaced them under warranty. 
46500 mi

C $400
Front shocks leaking. Replaced. 
67580 mi

C $500
Problem with the suspension causing noise when going at low speed. 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

79000 mi

US $600
R/R front wheel bearings. 
52000 mi

US $167
control arm bushing replaced. 
34300 mi

C $200
Replaced failed intermediate shaft to eliminate annoying ratting noise from under dash. This is a known failure with Ions and Cobalts Clunking metallic noise on bumpy roads. Vertical bushings in lower control arms have split replaced with Moog solid bushings/ and new control arm - as this was less work since I do not have a press. 
34200 mi

C $15
Replaced 2 bushings (on subframe) for stabilizer link in attempt to eliminate front end rattle evident on wavy pavement or slight bumps. Repair improved situation . 
23000 mi

US $40
Electric power steering stopped working at low speeds. Fixed at no charge (new motor and codes) under TSB. 
49300 mi

US $1200
Passenger side front wheel bearing needed replacement. 
32000 mi

US $211
right front lower bushing replaced by Midas. (past 3 year warranty time) 
43000 mi

US $205
right front lower bushing replaced & appears to be quite common repair on Saturns. looks like I can plan on replacing L & R around the next 35,000 miles or so. crumby engineering of suspension. 
68000 mi

US $150
front arm bushings replaced - 2nd time since I have owned the car. First time was around 38,000 miles (car was out of warranty 1st time) 
23000 mi Left lower control arm was noisy. Defective part was replaced under OEM Warranty. 
90380 mi

C $800
wheel bearing/hub assembly (right front) and rear coil springs. 
117800 mi

C $300
Stabiliser bar linkage had play and needed to be replaced as it was causing vibration during braking 
122340 mi

C $1200
rear shocks plus some brake work and new tires 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

142000 mi unrepaired problem with the front end 
24800 mi Link kit and bushings of front suspension worn and made klunking noise going over bumps at low speed. 
30200 mi

US $800
Front end, suspension, axle. Low miles too. 
182000 mi

US $165
Loud Whining noise coming from the front. Replaced left front wheel hub assembly, did the left side 3 yrs ago. 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

68458 mi

US $592
I noticed a noise when driving on the highway. It was coming from the front end in particular the front wheel bearings. I could have waited to replace them but decided to go ahead and make the repair before it became louder and louder eventually failing. 
26000 mi

US $200
Loud suspension rattle due to defective control-arm-bushing on front-driver-side. Owner paid mechanic to replace defective control-arm-bushing on front-driver-side. 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

22940 mi Received a letter from GM instructing me to get my electric power steering motor replaced if I had experienced any "PRW STR" warning messages. Dealer said there were no recalls and would not investigate further.  

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

6200 mi 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. 
12400 mi Both control arm end links replaced. Again. Common issue. 
65100 mi

C $50
Both lower arm bushings replaced - worn out, rubber disintegrating 
67580 mi

C $200
Pulsating grinding noise from the left wheel. Replaced both wheel bearings. 
48980 mi replaced front wheel bearing 
62000 mi

C $200
replace both coil springs and rear shocks 
63740 mi

C $1000
Replace both control arms, front shocks, and stabeliser link kits 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

156200 mi

US $740
Replaced front struts and rear shocks. 
196000 mi

US $880
Passenger-side Inner Tie-Rod replacement. Replaced both Control Arms due to Subframe rubber bushing wear. Also included new ball joints as they are part of the Control Arm assembly. 
197000 mi

US $700
Steering Rack replacement 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

93500 mi

US $294
Replaced rear shock absorbers 
65000 mi Electric Power Steering failed, burned out motor, repaired under special warranty/TSB. 
100000 mi

US $800
Replaced struts, rear shocks,sway bar bushings 
113500 mi

US $1200
Replaced front wheel bearings 

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2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

85000 mi

US $1290
control arm and bushings wheel hub and bearing 
94000 mi

US $295
bad wheel hub bearing 
83740 mi less than 10,000 kms front swaybar bushings gone. front end sounded like it was falling off in right hand turns going up hill 
35620 mi For 3rd time in 56,000 kms the front end bushing were replaced due to being totally worn out. Took car into the Chev dealer due to an ice packed sound in the rear end during - 0 temp driving. Noise is very loud. Rear ones are still worn out. 
37820 mi

C $299
Rear 2 bushings holding the rear axle to the body. 
38320 mi

C $299
Muffler shop Apr 21 determined that the snap on the front driver side was a swaybar link problem. Both rear shocks leaking. 
39020 mi

C $300
both rear shocks were leaking a lot Dealer missed both while working about 3 inches away from peoblem charging me for their failed repair of parts.  
40300 mi

C $150
clunk in front end repeated on small road imperfections. Dealer could not find problem. Driver side Sway-bar link assembly needed replacing. Muffler shop noticed during oil change. 
47740 mi Wheel bearing passenger side had been replaced 2 yrs into ownership 2009. Vibration as if driving on rumble strip. Bearing worn out. Driver side checked at same time of repair and replaced as well 
62143 mi

C $300
Replaced sway bar link as well as rear spring coils Replaced sway bar link as well as rear spring coils 300 $ Canadian 
71160 mi

C $410
HAD TO REPLACE PASSANGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FOR THE THIRD TIME. 
79040 mi

C $325
Replaced 4th control arm bushing. Replaced rear Monroe sensatrac shocks under warranty parts only. 
60220 mi

C $700
Front right hub assembly needed to be changed but I changed both of them (left, right). Also changed rotors, pads, drums and shoes as maintence - this was the first time the brakes had been done. 
76880 mi

C $260
Right front Hub/bearing started to make noise. Replaced both front Hubs. 
84400 mi

C $250
- Both lower control arm bushings worn - had both replaced. - One worn stabilizer link replaced. 
44000 mi the power steering would go out, fixed 
35000 mi it had leaking front struts on the front 

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2006 Saturn ION

Engine not specified

110000 mi

US $100
Wheel bearing is getting terribly loud. I had to fix it. With the low value of the ion, I'm just sticking to one wheel bearing and not replacing the other. 
50840 mi loose stabalizer arm knuckle 
87000 mi

US $560
rear wheel bearing bad had to replace entire hub asesembly--other side will need to be replaced soon  

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

55000 mi Power steering became unoperable for a short trip was advised to take into dealer for safety 
56000 mi RF wheel bearing assembly made droning noise at 25 mph and above. 
62000 mi 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. 
80000 mi

US $530
Front lower control arm bushings and front sway bar end links/bushings were failing. They were replaced. 
92000 mi

US $440
Replaced shock absorbers and struts. They were 6.5 years old and the mechanic implied at least one was leaking. I decided to heed the recommendation before it became worse and one or more units failed. Shop said end links bad. Compared prices, found dealer cheaper, went there. They said end links fine, but other parts not. L outer tie rod needed replacing. 
102000 mi

US $387
Power steering assist motor began to fail. Replaced under extended warranty from manufacturer. 
111000 mi

US $377
Droning noise from front heard at 25mph and above. Dealer replaced LF wheel bearing. 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

55180 mi

C $574
Hear rattling noise in/near steering column. Similar to when i had steering column replaced a couple of years ago. Tech didn't detect the noise, he inspected steering components and didn't see anything. Still hear it, not too serious yet. 
78680 mi

C $1760
New brakes all around (new pads, rotors, drums and shoes) New control arm bushings (both) New sway bar (right front) coolant flush, new brake fluid, fuel line recall check, 
89280 mi

C $1100
Replaced both front struts that were serverely needing replacement 
102300 mi

C $500
Bushings 
103000 mi

US $483
Intermediate Steering Shaft removed and new part installed. stabilizer link bushings removed - new parts installed. 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

100000 mi

US $175
A SOFT GRINDING IN THE RIGHT FRONT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BEARING WHILE DOING THE 100,000 MILE TUNE UP 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

21000 mi Struts went bad. 
52000 mi correction of a power steering issue that was done under recall. experienced power steering failure several times previously. 
58500 mi replaced rear shocks 
93300 mi

US $900
Replaced front shocks and struts 
42000 mi

US $150
Lower control arm bushing replacement lower control arm bushing 
58000 mi

US $150
L lower control arm 
131000 mi

US $150
Power steering failed while driving. Upon restarting the car, the power steering restored. Mechanic evaluated problem and replaced a blown fuse. 
135000 mi

US $1500
Power steering fails, then reboots when the car is restarted. This is a constant problem. With the repair estimated at over $1500 on a car worth under $3k, we will be buying a replacement car instead of repairing. Common issue on 2006 Ion2 
139000 mi Steering also never fixed. 
83500 mi

US $425
Replaced the rear shocks 
82600 mi

US $600
Replaced the front struts. 
59000 mi

US $350
Rear shock absorbers leaking fluid. Replaced both shocks. Ride more comfortable now, especially when entering and leaving driveways or going over speed bumps. 
59000 mi

US $400
Both shock absorbers leaking fluid. Replaced both. Riding experience improved noticeably after repair. 
79000 mi

US $300
Lower front control bushings worn out. Had to order part from Detroit. Turns out, the rear bushings need to be repaired, too, but I'm waiting for another time. Rear passengers will still feel bumps when riding. 
85000 mi

US $400
Very bumpy ride. Rear passengers get carsick. Bushings/front strut links replaced. Ride quality significantly improved after repair. 
104800 mi

US $180
Front struts were worn and had to be replaced. Re-lubricated all bushings and related chassis parts. Ride is smoother but you can still hear creaking sound at low speeds. 
20000 mi replace passenger side conrtol arm bushing 
21000 mi Replaced driver side control arm. 
27000 mi replace control arm bushing 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

80600 mi

C $300
Shocks were going when I purchased the car at 77 000kms. At about 112,000kms, not longer could safely drive car. Back shocks replaced and fronts need to be done. 
84940 mi This was the electric steering problem which finally became untenable. Recall. 
94240 mi

C $550
Shocks were replaced 
106620 mi

C $350
all shocks and front bushings 
119340 mi

C $100
Purchased wheel bearing and installed myself Replaced struts, NOT quick struts Left and right control arms Replaced hub/bearing Replaced rotors and pads 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

26040 mi Both front control arm bushings torn out. 
30380 mi Left front sway link worn. 
34100 mi

C $440
replaced both front sway bar links 
68400 mi

C $700
Saturn Ions have a GM recall on the power steering. It goes out while driving 
45700 mi Electric Servo Steering motor quit working causing steering issues. TSB. 
54000 mi

US $50
When turning or going over speed bumps, there would be loud noises cluncking. 
5000 mi Left front wheel bearing replaced under warranty 
34000 mi Power Steering warning came on and the power steering failed a few minutes later, Car had 1 day left on warranty so no charge for tow or fix 
59040 mi Swaybar End-link Replaced sway bar end links 
74400 mi

C $359
Wheel Bearings... Driver front wheel bearing failed, causing loud noise and some vibration. Passenger side was replaced at same time for peace of mind. appro $159 per bearing. 
18600 mi sway bar bushing 
24180 mi ABS light on and abs action when braking. Left front wheel bearing replaced. 
26040 mi Front wheel bearing replaced. 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

24180 mi Changed both lower control arm bushings. 

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2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

113000 mi Electric power assisted steering intermittant. Known problem addressed by TSB. 
60000 mi

US $400
Control arm bushings replaced. Power steering failure. 
65300 mi

US $1000
Both front struts and rear shocks replaced due to significant leaking. 
104000 mi

US $300
Oil change plus wheel bearing replacement. 
92380 mi

C $200
The bolt holding passenger rear shock came loose and fell off. Replaced both rear shocks with new ones. 
93620 mi

C $340
Loud noise/grinding due to failing front right Hub. It was replaced with a quality part. 
127720 mi Steering linkage stiff - replaced 
63000 mi

US $1200
suspension work was somewhat preventative, front sway bushings were sheared and required replacement. hard to assign $ to "reactive" vs "preventative" work, a lot of the labor overlapped 
76000 mi

US $800
Replaced stabilizer links and front R wheel bearing (unplanned) 
25300 mi

US $528
Front struts were replaced. 
30000 mi

US $375
Wheel hub assembly was replaced. 

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2006 Saturn ION 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

49000 mi

US $130
Sway bar bushings and endlink bushing were worn and caused clunking while driving over bumps and back-and-forth steering 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

65800 mi

US $128
Replaced shocks and spring seats 
28700 mi Front control arm bushing fell loose from the control arm. Dealer replaced despite being out of warranty 
73000 mi

US $93
Control Arm Bushing came loose from its mounting. Replaced control arm 
104000 mi

US $75
Stabilizer bar links and bushings replaced due to rattling 
159000 mi

US $300
noise from front suspension, replaced bushings and control arms and stabilizer links 
52000 mi

US $600
Replaced sway bar links and wheel bearing - said wheel bearing was in the worst condition they'd ever seen. 
20000 mi noticed a knocking sound when turning. Suspension bushing was bad. Covered under warranty. Now, 6 months later, it is happening again. 
41 mi Just got back from dealer, many repairs done. LF wheel bearing and hub assembly; suspension bushing (for the 3rd time); Intermediate steering shaft, insulator and clamp; concentric slave cylinder; alignment. All covered under extended warranty. Thank 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

70000 mi

US $291
suspension problem 
90000 mi

US $890
replaced shocks and struts 
65000 mi

US $200
Both rear shocks replaced after I noticed one was leaking..car does not bounce so much going over rough roads 
79000 mi

US $262
Replaced both front stabilizer link bars as the y were worn and loose. front end noise going over bumps stopped had both rear shocks replaced as rear end bounced a lot 
81000 mi

US $326
front right wheel bearing was replaced as it was noisy 
93000 mi

US $150
Both rear shocks replaced for Pennsylvania state inspection due to leaks. 
99000 mi

US $600
Replaced both front end Mcpherson struts and coils 
65000 mi

US $381
Bushing on sway bar went out again after less than 30,000 miles. 1st time was under warranty. 
70000 mi

US $100
Replaced lower control arm bushings, stabilizer end links and bushings by myself 
94000 mi

US $600
Swaybar links replaced on both sides. 
145800 mi

US $150
Excessive noise at front driver side wheel. 
57660 mi

C $115
Replace Right front Sway bar link 
60240 mi

C $125
Replace front Left Wheel Bearing. 
75500 mi

US $45
Had to replace both stabilizer links, and sway bar bushings. 
92500 mi

US $580
Struts 
112840 mi

C $500
One front bearing changed. 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

80000 mi

US $550
Replaced struts shocks 
101000 mi

US $1000
front bearings replaced 

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2005 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

36000 mi

US $1100
Clunking noise from front suspension. Shop diagnosed as needing a new steering yoke. 
85000 mi Shocks, Struts, Break Pads and Rotors. 

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2004 Saturn ION

Engine not specified

70000 mi

US $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 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

157000 mi Rear shocks replaced 
242000 mi

US $296
Sway bar links had to be replaced 
53000 mi

US $340
Replaced driver and passenger side wheel bearing/hub assy. 
63000 mi

US $380
Humming noise at speed, wheel bearing bad. 
85000 mi sway bar links-replaced with moog greasable units 
227000 mi

US $400
Heard growling from right front that increased witn speed. Removed wheel, spun bearing by hand. Grittiness and noise confirmed failure. Replaced both sides. 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

107000 mi

US $2100
Had 4 shocks replaced 4 struts replaced and 4 bushings replaced.  
68200 mi

US $500
Stabilizer bar and bushings repaired/replaced 
133000 mi Sway bar link, control arms and steering end links 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

supercharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

95000 mi

US $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. 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

60000 mi

US $250
New shock absorbers for rear of car. 
61000 mi

US $700
Got new struts and shocks for front of the car. 
83000 mi

US $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. 
57000 mi

US $600
front bushings and 60,000 check 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

42 mi

US $110
Replaced left rear shock absorber 

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2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

34000 mi

US $75
Replaced Swing Arm Bushing. 
41000 mi Sway bar bushings went bad 
6510 mi head suspension, bushing change on garanty 
13020 mi rear suspension, bushing change on garanty 

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2003 Saturn ION

Engine not specified

64000 mi

US $150
Front Sway Bar Links 

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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

107000 mi Suspension Noise most likely sway bar bushing and end links. 
142000 mi

US $70
Also replaced control arm bushings. 
159700 mi

US $500
Driver side wheel bearing was replaced because noise/vibration/and too much free-play. 
157400 mi

US $300
Replaced Wheel bearing due to noise. 
166000 mi

US $350
Replaced tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar bushings, end-links. 
109000 mi

US $740
original FW bearings replaced 
110000 mi Other repair the same day original FW bearings replaced !!760$(tax incl). 
109000 mi

US $490
Lower control arm bushings worn - car had made clunking, squeaking noises for some time. 
121300 mi

US $600
Replaced struts and shocks after 9 1/2 years. No complaints 
68200 mi

C $450
Stabilizer link replaced. 
52080 mi

C $350
Front wheel bearings noisy 
53940 mi

C $200
Loud noise in front end on bumps. Rear end bounce on bumps 

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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

92000 mi

US $1000
Struts needed to be replaced. 
64000 mi

US $580
REPLACED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS 
136000 mi

US $70
suspension clunking on bumps. swaybar bushings and end links replaced with Moog parts. 
136000 mi

US $90
ball joint rubber boot torn. replaced both control arms. 
29517 mi Replace right front wheel bearing hub assembly, and reprogram transmission.Under warranty. 
135000 mi

US $282
Replace right front wheel bearing assembly. 
164960 mi

US $563
Replace both front struts,shocks and two new tires. 
166000 mi

US $773
Had to replace shocks and struts. 
181000 mi

US $539
Replace Tie Rod on left side. 
183300 mi

US $187
Replace sway bar. 
35000 mi Went in for 3000 mile oil change, needed new bushings and tires due to a bubble 
51500 mi

US $500
Front wheel hub bearings each had to be replaced, which I did myself for parts cost. I also replaced brake pads, rotors were OK so I left them alone. 
350000 mi

US $700
every 100K new tie rods, control arms, bushings... 4 set. 
29481 mi

US $405
Alignment due to uneven wear on tires. 
92000 mi

US $798
Wheel bearings went bad. The front hub assemblies had to be replaced. 

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2003 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

70000 mi

US $890
Loud growling noise. Replaced both front wheel hub bearings. Loud growling noise. Replaced both front wheel hub bearings. 
73000 mi

US $55
replaced both rear shocks due to worn out original units. 
88000 mi

US $70
Heard some clunking noise from front end. Replaced both side Stabilizer End Links. 
89000 mi

US $110
Loud clunking noise from front end when it ran over potholes. Replaced front stabilizer bar bushings. 
99000 mi

US $250
The familiar front wheel hub bearing noise occurred. The previous pair that Firestone had installed only lasted two years. This time, I refused to pay Firestone another ripoff $875 and replaced them myself. It went smooth and I saved $625. 
107000 mi

US $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 Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

60500 mi

US $204
Sway bar replacement (2) 
67000 mi

US $1400
Typical issue with Ions. 

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Saturn ION Suspension Problems

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