Saturn ION Saturn ION

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

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%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Saturn ION problem?

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

Saturn ION transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (25%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (28%)

< $100 (34%)

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

Chart based on 32 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

15000 mi Transmission pressure control solenoid valve replaced under warranty. 
45000 mi Coolant lines leaking; dealer replaced lines and replaced transmission pan gasket 
51460 mi

C $1350
Leaking transmission cooling hoses replaced Left axle seal leaking 
97000 mi

US $600
Shift solenoid 1-2 was bad, R/R all solenoids, fluid, filter, CV shafts/joints, antifreeze, rotate tires. 

Return to top

2007 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

8000 mi

US $33
Clutch pedal feels like it catches on something at the release when synchronizing. Continues to get worse as time goes by. 
25600 mi

US $1000
Clutch went at about 26,000 miles. Was always easy on the clutch too. First car I ever had, I needed to replace the clutch. ALSO...Need to go to dealer for recall. Power steering fails at times, ignition turns off at times. Recalls 
8000 mi Clutch cruise control (upper) replaced - warranty 

Return to top

2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

127000 mi

US $1469
- Could not change gears (manual transmission) - Diagnosed as bad clutch hydraulic slave cylinder - New clutch kit / slave cylinder installed to correct the problem. 

Return to top

2007 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

40920 mi

C $41
Clunk when shifting from Park to Reverse and slight noise from Reverse to Neutral. LARGE BANG when shifting from Neutral to DRIVE. Tech heard it for almost 10 minutes but next day could not replicate. T old not 2 worry about it 
52700 mi

C $80
warranty on CV boot driver side. Did alignmment at same time 

Return to top

2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

92000 mi

US $440
L outer CV boot torn and leaking, replaced. 

Return to top

2006 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

79000 mi

US $300
Transmission coolant line leak. Part had to ordered from Detroit since even local GM/Saturn dealer did not carry it. Paid $40 extra for next-day shipping. Problem solved. 

Return to top

2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

176700 mi

C $5000
Tie rods replaced 

Return to top

2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

170-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

156860 mi

C $450
left front axle seal and transmission service 

Return to top

2006 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

38000 mi The car was taken in the shop 4 times for a loss of power problem. The first 3 times dealership couldn't duplicate the problem. Last time I took it in I showed a saturn employee the problem. Later that night was informed dealership crashed my car. ... 

Return to top

2005 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

70000 mi

US $106
transmission lines leaking 

Return to top

2004 Saturn ION

Engine not specified

101000 mi

US $2000
This was the SECOND time the trans went! 

Return to top

2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

242000 mi

US $110
clutch pedal replaced 

Return to top

2004 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

145000 mi

US $400
Clutch Pedal broke in half 
124000 mi

US $1300
Timing belt broke. 

Return to top

2004 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

134000 mi Glitchy transmission, couldn't acceleration above 35 mph, start-and-stop behavior 

Return to top

2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

142000 mi

US $70
Changed drivers side CV Joint due to bad popping. Problem is solved. 
155800 mi

US $500
Manual transmission internal transmission burned up due to slight transmission leak. 
157400 mi

US $300
Replaced clunking Drivers side CV axle. 
166300 mi

US $1000
Replace passenger axle, leaking 

Return to top

2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

142200 mi CV boot leaking. Sealed with tape and zip ties. 
53000 mi

US $1800
transmission replaced, because not shifting properly, Still did not shift properly after replacement. 
94000 mi

US $750
Transmission was building up pressure and forcing the car to "bang loudly" when downshifting... Dealer replaced fluid and reflashed transmission. After a week problem still occured. Dealer suggested replacing valve body or rebuilding the trans.  
5799 mi Transmission slipping in 2nd gear. Dealer recalibrated. However, issue never completely disappeared. 
Transmission Valve Body 

Return to top

2003 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe

140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

71000 mi

US $2300
replaced CVT due to P0700 DTC replaced CVT due to P0700 DTC 
112600 mi

US $326
CVT fluid leaks. Dealer replaced transmission output shaft seal. CVT fluid leaks. Dealer replaced transmission output shaft seal. 

Return to top

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

Saturn ION Transmission 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 Saturn ION problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.