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Fuel systemPart report

2006 Saturn Ion Fuel system Problems

Complaints
238about this part
Share
19%of 1,235 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 238 complaints about the fuel system of the 2006 Saturn Ion, 19% of the 1,235 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“I started smelling gas when getting out of car. Then it got progressively stronger gas smell that lingered on strong an hour after the car had been sitting. So I checked for gas leak on exterior of gas tank and found extreme amount of gas coming from both of the fuel lines of the fuel module on top of tank. This didn't start until the weather has become warm in the 80 s and 90s.”

NHTSA complaint #11329472, filed 2020-06, 123,456 miles

“A few weeks ago I noticed a smell of fuel coming from my car when I stop, or slow down. The last couple days the smell has bin getting stronger.. I see all these complaints, but nothing being done or it only for a few states. As a single mother of two I don't feel safe having my kids in the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10849854, filed 2016-03, 160,000 miles

“Fuel smell and fuel leakage under car. Cracked fuel line? Recall has been issued for southern states, but I live in ohio. Recall should be extended to all states, since my breakdown occurred at only 70,000 miles. I am unable to drive the car or repair it due to expense and obvious safety concerns for my family.”

NHTSA complaint #10669628, filed 2015-01, 70,000 miles

“The fuel pump was leaking, and I had to deal with the gasoline smell every time that I used my car. I paid $798.94 to have this issue fixed at car-x in des moines, who failed to tell me that this issue was under recall. (recall id # 66616, GM recall id # 090226). I am now going to request reimbursement for this fix.”

NHTSA complaint #10592077, filed 2014-05, 73,165 miles

“Strong smell of fuel at rear of car after driving, and while parked and running. I noted the recall notice affecting these cars with this problem, however, when I searched, I found that this recall did not affect my VIN number. This car is a special rare version of this type of car called the redline edition, and so the VIN may not come up automatically, as only about 600 were made that year. I am planning on talking to the dealership”

NHTSA complaint #10960132, filed 2017-03, 122,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200720824%
200623819%
2005275%
2004526%
2003344%

Other parts of the 2006 Saturn Ion

Steering
544 complaintsElectrical system
392 complaintsAir bags
61 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 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