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Engine coolingPart report

2005 Saturn Ion Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
3%of 573 total for the year
Median mileage
42,662miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 3% of the 573 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,662 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When I was pulling out of the parking lot of my job there is a slight dip in the road when exiting the parking lot on to the street and as I was pulling out making a right turn and I went over the bump and my car shut off and I was not aware it had shut off until I was almost at a complete stop. That was the very first time it happen, it shuts off almost every time I hit a bump.”

NHTSA complaint #10573363, filed 2014-03, 123,645 miles

“1. Events leading up to failure I was getting ready to leave for work. The time of day was 9am. The temperature had been hovering around freezing all night. The vehicle had not been driven since the previous day at around 9pm. I unlocked my vehicle using keyless entry - driver door only. I inserted my key in the ignition, closed the door, pushed the clutch to the floor while fastening my seatbelt. I then turned the key to the start position. The engine did not start - the starter did not engage at all. …”

NHTSA complaint #10289496, filed 2009-10, 48,500 miles

“We have had this problem now going on the 3rd time with our Saturn ION. No crank no start, like you cut the power off to the car. No gauges ,no lights no emergency signals. There is a problem with the circuit board in the fuse box, it seems to break contact with in the area that controls this. The first time the dealer changed the part, 2nd time we had no warranty and had to pay $550. Now it has done it again. The first time my wife was driving home at night when it just shut off and there was no lights or emergency signals and she was on a dark highway.”

NHTSA complaint #10226579, filed 2008-05, 49,000 miles

“The gas pedal gets stuck while driving and the check engine light comes on. Car will not exceed 5 MPH even if the pedal is pushed to the floor. Car must be turned on and off 3 times for the pedal to go back to normal. Another incident is the car will stall when stopping at a light or stop sign. Turns back on with no problem. I have had all recalls performed.”

NHTSA complaint #10655039, filed 2014-11, 59,600 miles

“Unable to turn key in the off position of my 2005 Saturn ION while the engine was running. Had to eventually unhook the battery to turn off the engine and have the car towed to a service station where they ended up breaking the key to remove it from the ignition and then replacing the entire ignition lock mechanism.”

NHTSA complaint #10266512, filed 2009-04, 44,325 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200791%
2006302%
2005153%
2004334%
2003588%

Other parts of the 2005 Saturn Ion

Steering
265 complaintsElectrical system
227 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Saturn Ion

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology