2005 Saturn Ion Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 4%of 573 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 4% of the 573 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We bought our 2005 Saturn ION used sept. 4, 2012,(87,812) before even could take off lot they had to install an ignition cylinder and cut new key, and the throttle was stuck could press all the way to floor, and would only get up to about 20mph. This was also fixed. (or so we thought). …”
NHTSA complaint #10566813, filed 2014-03, 100,984 miles“Engine would not de-accelerate and hitting the brakes did not stop the vehicle. I was passing cars on a highway,and I could not get the engine to down shift. It felt like it was in cruise control, and it was not. I hit the cruise control button to make sure I had not hit it by mistake. I had not. I down shifted into low gear that did not stop the engine from racing. I put it in neutral that didn't help. I managed not to hit any cars. I put the car in a snow bank near a guard rail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683883, filed 2015-02, 95,867 miles“I have had issues with my car even after I have had some recalls done to it. The biggest issue is when I am driving or stationary with my car on, the car rumbles and feels like it is tugging backwards. The cylinder 2 keeps misfiring (p0302). I have seen several Saturn ions that are having the same issue. Over the past four years this has been a problem consistently. There are periods where it doesn't happen much and sometimes it happens every time I drive. Furthermore, my car still doesn't turn on/off all the way sometimes and the ignition switch messes up.”
NHTSA complaint #11098513, filed 2018-05, 105,000 miles“On october 31, and november 1 of 2013 I was traveling approximately 40 MPH and in nearly the same spot the Saturn lost complete power and died. Both times I was able to get off the road. After the second incident we had it towed to a garage where they replaced the battery. I did not drive it again and currently it is in storage as I purchased a new car. I drive 350 miles a week to work and need dependable transportation. When the recall came out we realized we may have had trouble with the ignition switch for up to 2 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572611, filed 2014-03, 144,000 miles“Engine failed at 125,000 miles. Engine specialist determined cylinder #4 oil starvation as the cause. Oil change intervals have always been approximately 7500 miles. Engine stalled out and would not crank to restart. Engine will need to be replaced. Cost: approximately $4,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10892556, filed 2016-08, 125,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11007091Aug 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178949Jul 28, 2020This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This 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…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Saturn Ion
265 complaintsElectrical system
227 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
15 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