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SuspensionPart report

2006 Saturn Ion Suspension Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
1%of 1,235 total for the year
Median mileage
69,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the suspension of the 2006 Saturn Ion, 1% of the 1,235 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“My key has gotten stuck in the ignition in the on position three times now. I have had to purchase the pay for parts and labor three times. My ball joints have gone out. Mechanics say this is very odd for a newer vehicle (2006 Saturn).”

NHTSA complaint #10419154, filed 2011-08, 69,000 miles

“Car began to make excessive rattling and clunking in front end and the steering felt very loose. Took to GM dealer and they found the entire front end pretty much shot. Control arm bushings, sway bar links, and struts all replaced. The dealer said the steering column was fractured and near failure. Steering I shaft and column were replaced. Around $3000 in parts and labor at 71000, not my idea of a quality built vehicle. Major safety hazard for something with this kind of mileage.”

NHTSA complaint #10473942, filed 2012-09, 71,000 miles

“There has been at least 4 times that while my car was idling at either a red light, stop sign, or what have you, my car would just shut off after making a rough idling noise. This scared the crap out of me the first time it happened. If I were to shut my car off & turn it back on, it would then go away. It made me weary of driving because you never knew when or where that could happen. The second incident would be my power stewing. My car would ding and the power steering light would come on making my wheel stiffen up immediately. …”

NHTSA complaint #10585175, filed 2014-04, 93,000 miles

“I first bought my 2006 Saturn ION in march of 2013. Three days later I notice that when I would get on the highway my car would sway extremely bad. Our hwy speed is 75. Going 70mph was too much and it would sway a lot. Mind you I was pregnant at the time. The car spun out as I was exiting the highway. I was terrified because cars were right behind me. Thank god I got out of the way before I got hit. You can understand how upset I was due to the fact that I was 4months pregnant at the time. Since then my husband has spun out 5 times driving our car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10599104, filed 2014-06, 20,000 miles

“My ION has had continuous steering and suspension problems since 2009. I have experienced the problems with the steering motor (warning light comes on - loss of power steering) and had the steering motor replaced. I have replaced the sway bar, control arms, link, and much more. And, I still have difficulties steering - have a constant cluncking noise from the front end and now have been told I need the rack & pinion replaced - estimated cost $550. The vehicle currently has 82,000 miles. The steering & suspension problems began immediately after the vehicle hit 50,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10547352, filed 2013-10, 82,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007172%
2006141%
200561%
2004192%
200391%

Other parts of the 2006 Saturn Ion

Steering
544 complaints
Electrical system
392 complaints
Fuel system
238 complaints
Air bags
61 complaints
Engine
41 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
36 complaints
Engine cooling
30 complaints
Other or unknown
27 complaints
Body and structure
24 complaints
Vehicle speed control
17 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 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