Saturn Ion Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 4,340 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Saturn Ion (2003–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2006 has the most, with 1,235. Across all years, the part named most often is steering (1,701 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Ion model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 876 | 66,500 | 5 | 833 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,235 | 66,913 | 4 | 736 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 573 | 60,500 | 3 | 568 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 898 | 69,936 | 8 | 450 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 758 | 71,000 | 5 | 398 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Steering1,701 36%
- Electrical system1,548 33%
- Fuel system559 12%
- Air bags261 5.6%
- Transmission and drivetrain198 4.2%
- Engine cooling145 3.1%
- Engine141 3.0%
- Vehicle speed control116 2.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “My steering column is all messed up, can cause me to lose control of my car. Also year of car was recalled a couple years ago for the same reason and sadly enough my car was not included in that recall. My steering column messes up the most, while drive and definetly while turning resulting in a very bad grinding noise of my steering wheel”
NHTSA complaint #11342361, filed 2020-07, 100,000 miles2006: “I was driving on interstate 10 in san antonio texas in 5 p.m. Traffic when my car lost power steering control lights blink in the dash and I had to pull over to the side of the road I was on the left side shoulder for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck same problem happened in 2014 when the car was recalled for the power steering issue and fixed for free in 2014”
NHTSA complaint #11209397, filed 2019-05, 244,000 miles2003: “Power steering goes out randomly while in motion. Sometimes it lasts 5 minutes sometimes up to 25-30 minutes. Goes out everyday on my way to work (26 mile commute). Extremely dangerous when trying to park or turn from a light and I don't realize that the assist is out. Obviously on highway not as much of an issue but when driving at slower speeds it is difficult.”
NHTSA complaint #11186034, filed 2019-03, 200,000 milesOther Saturn models
2,351 complaintsSaturn SL
2,218 complaintsSaturn LS
1,457 complaintsSaturn Aura
1,434 complaintsSaturn Outlook
1,352 complaintsSaturn Sky
516 complaintsSaturn SC1
413 complaintsSaturn SC
296 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology