2004 Saturn Ion Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 3%of 898 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 3% of the 898 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,000 miles. 3 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.
“When entering a highway and gathering speed, I removed my foot from the gas pedal and the car continued to accelerate. I applied the brakes but the car reached 85mph. I hit the gas pedal and the vehicle began to decelerate. I pulled off the road and turned off the vehicle. I restarted the vehicle and drove home (10 miles) without further incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10442299, filed 2012-01, 91,100 miles“Whilst driving, my car would accelerate on it's own going almost 45-50mph. Pressing the brakes would barely do anything. It won't start when it thinks it's too cold outside, I've had the battery tested multiple times and it is fine. Also, when trying to stop the car and take the key out of the ignition it resists a lot. Happens multiple times a week.”
NHTSA complaint #10445782, filed 2012-01, 120,000 miles“The car once again accelerated at a stop sign and I had to aim for a snoe enbankment to not go into traffic. If not for the snow I could have went on to the sidewalk ans possibly hit someone.”
NHTSA complaint #11061569, filed 2018-01, 6 miles“Turned vehicle on after sitting for about 8 hours in parking lot, the car revved up to about 4,000rpm which is unusually high. I waited for the car to calm down and when it did, I put the car into gear to drive. My car lunged forward and without pushing the gas pedal, my car accelerated and eventually made it to 40mpg through the parking lot before I had to hit my brake to avoid a collision. This as occurred intermittently over the past year; approximately 3 or 4 times a month.”
NHTSA complaint #10596406, filed 2014-06, 115,000 miles“I bought this car as a first car for my daughter that is a new driver. I has been off the road more than on the road for recalls. The first ignition recall could have injured or killed my daughter..as we were awaiting parts, we were following directions of no weight on key ring and only key in ignition. The incident still happened causing loss of power steering and loss of speed. As a new driver this incident scarred her and she did not feel comfortable driving the car. I put the car up for sale. …”
NHTSA complaint #10669850, filed 2015-01, 131,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Saturn Ion
345 complaintsElectrical system
331 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsAir bags
52 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
33 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 31, 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