2004 Saturn Ion Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 7%of 898 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 7% of the 898 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I started my car, pulled forward through the parking lot, didn't reverse. Headed down westheimer at about approx. 35 MPH. I drove about one mile when I heard the warning chime and my power steering suddenly went out. Luckily I was the only one on the road being it was about 1 am. I pulled into a gas station turned my car off and back on suddenly it was back.”
NHTSA complaint #10483491, filed 2012-11, 92,536 miles“While driving my car on multiple occasions I have lost the ability to control the steering wheel. Also, I have experienced my car turning off while driving which thankfully has a recall on it but I want the power steering to be recalled as well because it has caused an accident and multiple near misses.”
NHTSA complaint #10577593, filed 2014-04, 46,780 miles“My car has a standard transmission and the clutch pedal assembly failed causing dangerous and difficult shifting between gears. The end of the clutch pedal assembly is plastic and it broke at the juncture where it meets the transmission. Unbelievably, general motors (GM) knew of the problem but took no remedial action. Complaint letters on the internet clearly show GM has known about the problem for awhile but taken no action. It cost me $609.74 to have the safety problem fixed. I reported it to GM and asked to be reimbursed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10995671, filed 2017-06, 120,370 miles“I purchased 2004 Saturn ION 3 in 2013 and within 30days I started having problems with transmission. Vehicle would stall out and begin to hesitate around 35mph. I started inquiring about transmission issues on internet and observed this is a common issue with this vehicle. I'm getting no help with this issue with GM dealership. With all the other owners complaints about this transmission issue with the Saturn ION there should be a national recall to fix transmission defect on this vehicle.(CVT or vti transmission).”
NHTSA complaint #10573906, filed 2014-03, 124,000 miles“The failure was to the arm that held the clutch pedal in place on the 2004 Saturn ION redline. The part broke and the clutch was completely inoperable ,as such the car was rendered inoperable. 5 minutes earlier I was on a major highway doing 60 MPH at which speed I could have lost all control of the car and caused a major accident in which lives may have been lost. The deal offered to replace the plastic arm with another plastic arm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10191169, filed 2007-05, 32,062 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10126322Nov 4, 201614632C Special Coverage. On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicle's transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Saturn Ion
345 complaintsElectrical system
331 complaintsAir bags
52 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsExterior lighting
25 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Saturn Ion
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology