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Saturn Ion 2003–2007 problems by year and mileage

Single generation · GM Delta (GMX357)

NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,340 complaints, 3,540 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2003 Saturn Ion

Close
Median failure report
71,000 mi
Complaints filed
758
Recalls naming this year
5

Most reported on the 2003

  1. Electrical system383 reports · median 69,000 mi
  2. Steering139 reports · median 99,000 mi
  3. Engine and its cooling system58 reports · median 40,000 mi

Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Exterior lighting — turn signal
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2004 Saturn Ion

Close
Median failure report
70,000 mi
Complaints filed
898
Recalls naming this year
8

Most reported on the 2004

  1. Steering345 reports · median 86,000 mi
  2. Electrical system331 reports · median 54,000 mi
  3. Transmission and driveline60 reports · median 64,000 mi

Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2005 Saturn Ion

Close
Median failure report
61,000 mi
Complaints filed
573
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2005

  1. Steering265 reports · median 68,000 mi
  2. Electrical system227 reports · median 53,000 mi
  3. Airbag system34 reports

Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2006 Saturn Ion

Close
Median failure report
67,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,235
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 2006

  1. Steering544 reports · median 65,000 mi
  2. Electrical system392 reports · median 62,000 mi
  3. Fuel system127 reports · median 68,000 mi

Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2007 Saturn Ion

Close
Median failure report
66,000 mi
Complaints filed
876
Recalls naming this year
5

Most reported on the 2007

  1. Steering408 reports · median 62,000 mi
  2. Electrical system215 reports · median 66,000 mi
  3. Fuel and propulsion system130 reports · median 82,000 mi

Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA

When each system fails on this generation →

Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2003; earliest: the 2005, and the 2003 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).

The short answer

“Is the 2003–2007 Saturn Ion reliable?”

Median of reported failures
67,000 mi
90% of reports came by
135,000 mi
Reports with mileage
3,540
Recalls
10

Most reported

  1. Steering39.2% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
  2. Electrical system35.7% of complaints · median 62,000 mi
  3. Fuel and propulsion system7.3% of complaints · median 101,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 4,340 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2007 Saturn Ion; the steering leads with 39.2% of them, and half of the 3,540 that record an odometer reading came by 67,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.

No single peak: the middle half runs 44,000 to 100,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2003–2007 Saturn Ion last?

On the 2003–2007 Saturn Ion, half of the 3,540 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 67,000 miles and 90% by 135,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).

236 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 56 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Ion reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Saturn Ion 2003–2007 · 3,540 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 217 complaints

Mileage at failure, Saturn Ion 2003–2007Histogram of 3,540 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 60,000 to 65,000 miles with 217 complaints, 6.1 percent of the total. No single peak: the middle half runs 44,000 to 100,000 miles. A further 56 complaints, 1.6 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 67,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 56 complaints (1.6%), plotted separately
10%
24,000
25%
44,000
Median
67,000
75%
100,000
90%
135,000
Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,0001253.5%
5,000–10,000641.8%
10,000–15,000471.3%
15,000–20,000631.8%
20,000–25,000742.1%
25,000–30,000712.0%
30,000–35,0001183.3%
35,000–40,0001454.1%
40,000–45,0002005.6%
45,000–50,0001765.0%
50,000–55,0001975.6%
55,000–60,0001905.4%
60,000–65,0002176.1%
65,000–70,0001694.8%
70,000–75,0001654.7%
75,000–80,0001414.0%
80,000–85,0001363.8%
85,000–90,0001263.6%
90,000–95,0001353.8%
95,000–100,000792.2%
100,000–105,0001193.4%
105,000–110,000772.2%
110,000–115,000852.4%
115,000–120,000712.0%
120,000–125,000762.1%
125,000–130,000641.8%
130,000–135,000531.5%
135,000–140,000511.4%
140,000–145,000411.2%
145,000–150,000290.8%
150,000–155,000431.2%
155,000–160,000170.5%
160,000–165,000210.6%
165,000–170,000230.6%
170,000–175,000200.6%
175,000–180,000140.4%
180,000–185,000130.4%
185,000–190,000120.3%
190,000–195,000110.3%
195,000–200,00060.2%
200,000+561.6%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

How to read these figures

Common Ion problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Saturn Ion 2003–2007

When each system fails

Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)

  1. Engine and its cooling system145 reportsmedian 45,000middle half 22,000–75,000
  2. Transmission and driveline198 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 22,000–92,000
  3. Electrical system1,548 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 40,000–92,000
  4. Airbag system261 reportsmedian 66,000middle half 35,000–102,000
  5. Fuel system240 reportsmedian 69,000middle half 49,000–93,000
  6. Steering1,701 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 49,000–102,000
  7. Fuel and propulsion system317 reportsmedian 101,000middle half 70,000–132,000
  • Your odometer, once entered below

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Steering1,70139.2%70,00049,000–102,000
Electrical system1,54835.7%62,00040,000–92,000
Fuel and propulsion system3177.3%101,00070,000–132,000
Airbag system2616.0%66,00035,000–102,000
Fuel system2405.5%69,00049,000–93,000
Transmission and driveline1984.6%57,00022,000–92,000
Engine and its cooling system1453.3%45,00022,000–75,000
Engine1413.2%102,00075,000–133,000
Throttle and speed control1162.7%80,00025,000–115,000
Problems owners could not categorise1002.3%78,00050,000–141,000

Known problems with the 2003–2007 Ion

VTi CVT Transmission 2003–2004

GM's VTi continuously variable transmission suffered very high failure rates — slipping and shudder progressing to total loss of drive. GM halted VTi production in January 2004 and dropped it for MY2005; a class action produced a settlement and extended warranty coverage.

Ignition Switch 2003–2007

Same low-detent-torque ignition switch as the Cobalt/HHR: key-ring weight or a jolt can rotate the switch out of 'Run', killing the engine and disabling power steering assist, power brake assist and the airbags. All 2003-2007 Ions were included in GM's February 2014 recall expansion.

Electric Power Steering 2004–2007

Column-mounted electric power steering assist motor/control circuit fails, causing sudden loss of steering assist (steering remains mechanical but effort rises sharply). GM recalled all MY2004-2007 Ions under its 2014 power-steering campaign after an extended delay.

Before you buy a 2003–2007 Ion: the 3-minute check

Generated from 3,540 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
  2. Check VTi CVT transmission on 2003–2004 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
  3. Check ignition switch on 2003–2007 cars.
  4. Check electric power steering on 2004–2007 cars.
  5. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.

Ion problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer, or read the table.

earlier past most reports · in window inside the middle half · later before most · reports, not your odds (how to read)

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi42% belowAt 90k mi68% belowAt 120k mi84% belowAt 150k mi93% belowAt 200k mi98% below
Steering49,000–102,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system40,000–92,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Fuel and propulsion system70,000–132,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier
Airbag system35,000–102,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Fuel system49,000–93,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline22,000–92,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Engine and its cooling system22,000–75,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Saturn Ion 2003–2007 · 3,540 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Steps at bin edges (how to read it)

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Saturn Ion 2003–2007Of 3,540 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 42 percent below 60,000 miles. 68 percent below 90,000 miles. 84 percent below 120,000 miles. 93 percent below 150,000 miles. 98 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 67,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 42% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 68% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
  • Median (the 50% line)
  • Your odometer, once entered

Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

2003–2007 Saturn Ion recalls (10)

NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).

The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (3), the electrical system (1), the steering (1) (why one area can repeat).

Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Apr 2014 · 2003–2007 · Electrical SystemIf the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be…

    What can happen. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park"…

    The free fix. General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-171 (2014-04-10).

  2. Mar 2014 · 2004–2007 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there…

    What can happen. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-153 (2014-03-31).

  3. Feb 2014 · 2003–2007 · Air BagsIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…

    The defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.…

    What can happen. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-047 (2014-02-10).

  4. Sep 2012 · 2007 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn Ion vehicles…

    What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for…

    NHTSA campaign 12V-459 (2012-09-19).

  5. Oct 2009 · 2006–2007 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet cobalt and Saturn Ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 Chevrolet cobalt, Pontiac g5 and Saturn Ion vehicles originally…

    What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california…

    NHTSA campaign 09V-419 (2009-10-29).

  6. Nov 2004 · 2003–2004 · Exterior LightingIf a front turn signal lamp is inoperative, others may react more slowly to a turning vehicle and a crash…

    The defect. Certain passenger vehicles have a condition in which the turn signal lamp and daytime running lamp (drl) on either front side can stop working because of loss of contact between the bulb and socket.

    What can happen. If a front turn signal lamp is inoperative, others may react more slowly to a turning vehicle and a crash could occur.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the drl/turn signal bulb on both the left and right front side and inspect for and add a drl jumper kit if not present. The recall began november 17, 2004. Owners should contact…

    NHTSA campaign 04V-547 (2004-11-16).

  7. Jun 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, OtherFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    The defect. Certain vehicles equipped with supercharged 2.0L 4-cylinder (lsj) engine were built with a fuel feed pipe that could crack and leak fuel near the fuel rail. If fuel leaks from the fuel feed pipe, there would be a noticeable fuel odor around the vehicle.

    What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel feed pipe assembly. Owner notification began on june 9, 2004. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-281 (2004-06-08).

  8. Jan 2004 · 2004 · StructureLong term durability of the joint may be reduced and separation of the bumper from the frame on the…

    The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, some welds between the passenger's side motor rail and the front bumper bracket do not meet engineering specifications.

    What can happen. Long term durability of the joint may be reduced and separation of the bumper from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. All vehicles are still in dealer's possessions.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-002 (2004-01-06).

  9. Jan 2004 · 2003–2004 · VisibilityIf unsupervised children are left unattended in the vehicle and operate the power windows or sunroof, there…

    The defect. Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 118, "Power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems." The power windows and/or sunroof may be operable after the ignition has been turned…

    What can happen. If unsupervised children are left unattended in the vehicle and operate the power windows or sunroof, there is an increased risk of injury to the child.

    The free fix. Dealers will upgrade the body control module (bcm) calibration. Owner notification began on december 30, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-004 (2004-01-05).

  10. Jan 2004 · 2003–2004 · Fuel System, GasolineIf corrosion on the exterior surface of the fuel filter progresses to the point of creating a hole in the…

    The defect. Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2L 4-cylinder (l61) engines were built with a fuel filter that could corrode prematurely on the exterior surface.

    What can happen. If corrosion on the exterior surface of the fuel filter progresses to the point of creating a hole in the shell, fuel droplets could form and drop to the ground. If an ignition source is present, a…

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel filter assembly. Owner notification began on december 30, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-003 (2004-01-05).

Some of these 10 campaigns also cover Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010 (5 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair. 5 of the 10 are specific to this vehicle alone.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

Out of 4,340 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:

Crashes
207 (4.8%)
Fires
19
Injury reports
111
Fatality reports
3

Self-reported and overlapping (how to read these).

Ion problems by model year

The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,235, most of them about the steering, and the 2005 the fewest, 573. A typical year drew about 876.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
200375855471,000Electrical system (383)5
200489871370,000Steering (345)8
200557346661,000Steering (265)3
20061,2351,07267,000Steering (544)4
200787673566,000Steering (408)5

What Ion owners reported

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring shortly after. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering…

2003 · 97,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The…

2005 · 167,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the…

2006 · 85,000 miles · Electrical system

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the…

2003 · 111,000 miles · Electrical system

Built from 3,540 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built

Other compact cars from the same years