2004 Saturn ION

898 complaints on file, page 1 of 45.

1. Filed Nov 2, 2025Failure Mar 1, 2024Lafayette, INSteering

   The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes no difference, no check engine light and auto technician said the ignition looks fine. Ive read tons of reports like this on the 2004 saturn ion 2-why isn't this being addressed?

   NHTSA complaint 11696981
2. Filed Jul 6, 2023Failure Aug 20, 2014230,000 milesSacramento, CAAir bags, Electrical system

   The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11530643
3. Filed Jun 22, 2023Failure Jun 19, 2023Sioux Falls, SDVisibility/wiper

   The drivers side windshield wiper linkage failed at the junction of the metal rod and the plastic wiper mount causing the wiper to stop working. And the wiper arms are almost impossible to remove, even with a puller. Obviously this condition is a safety issue, and other GM vehicles have been recalled for the same issue. Why not the 2004 Saturn Ion?

   NHTSA complaint 11528394
4. Filed Jun 21, 2023Failure Jun 19, 2023Bay City, MIAir bagsCrash1 injured

   Airbags did not deploy

   NHTSA complaint 11528201
5. Filed Dec 13, 2022Failure Dec 8, 2022Niles, MISteering

   The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for additional diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11497233
6. Filed Jan 4, 2022Failure Sep 8, 2021Las Vegas, NVFuel/propulsion system

   My car started getting a strong odor of gas. A fuel pipe leak is causing the odor

   NHTSA complaint 11446156
7. Filed Sep 11, 2021Failure Jul 18, 2020Fergus falls, MNFuel/propulsion system

   Hi I am a kind of new owner of an 04 saturn ion, this is actually the second complaint I've filled out. Last July I had a mechanic friend look at my fuel filter and he had said the fuel line needed to be cut off becuase of how rusted on to the original fuel filter I'd got it with was and I didn't believe him so I replace it myself and when I got it off I had cleaned up the metal fuel line the best I could and put a new filter on. Well now it leaks gas right where the hook up is and very strong fuel smells come from there too, I've gotten numerous comments about how un safe that is to be driving it but I need to have a way to work and then someone had mentioned to check for recalls and I seen on there that this car did have a recall for faulty fuel filter gas lines. If you could get back to me as soon as possible about an inspection if needed or whatever else you'd need on my behalf. Please and thank you for your time

   NHTSA complaint 11432589
8. Filed Mar 2, 2021Failure Jul 7, 2020100,000 milesFergus Falls, MNFuel/propulsion system

   TRIED TAKING FUEL FILTER OFF LAST JULY TOOK A WHOLE WEEKEND OF USING PENATRATING OIL AND FREEZE OFF THEN I FINALLY GOT THE TABS TO COME LOOSE, I THOUGHT MAYBE I MESSED UP THE NEW FILTER OR DIDNT GET ENOUGH RUST OFF THE FUEL LINE AND THAT'S WHAT WAS CAUSING THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS ND POOR PERFORMANCE BUT CHANGED IT AGAIN AND STILL THAT SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW THERES A LEAK. THE CAR WAS ON BACK TIRE RAMPS THE GIRL FUEL FILTER CHANGE THEN THE 2ND ONE WAS DONE WITH A HOIST AND CURRENTLY THIS CAR IS THE ONLY THING I CAN COUNT ON TO MAKE IT TO WORK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

   NHTSA complaint 11398818
9. Filed Jan 29, 2021Failure Dec 29, 202085,000 milesMesa, AZFuel/propulsion system, Steering

   THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING, GM REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN ISN'T ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR SAYS IT HAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AND PUMP.

   NHTSA complaint 11390624
10. Filed Dec 5, 2020Failure Nov 24, 2020167,573 milesOrlando, FLFuel/propulsion system

    FUEL LEAK ON REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY. IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE THE DATE AND MILEAGE STATED BELOW BUT THAT'S WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE FUEL LEAK.

    NHTSA complaint 11378021
11. Filed Dec 1, 2020Failure Nov 30, 2020138,000 milesManton, MISteering

    POWER STEERING STICKS. I TAKE A 55MPH CURVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T COME BACK TO CENTER. IT WANTS TO TAKE ME OFF THE ROADWAY.

    NHTSA complaint 11377365
12. Filed May 21, 2020Failure May 1, 2020172,639 milesMerritt Island, FLElectrical system, Fuel system, Gasoline, Steering

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,639.

    NHTSA complaint 11325424
13. Filed Apr 27, 2020Failure Apr 27, 2020Pigeon Forge, TNSteering, Wheels

    WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THE PAST FEW DAYS. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED THEN MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AND DOES NOT TURN THE WHEELS. I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT.

    NHTSA complaint 11322453
14. Filed Mar 28, 2020Failure Mar 3, 2019159,000 milesSAN Diego, CAUnknown or other

    WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION AND REMOVED FROM THE CAR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STAY ON. CAR IS PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

    NHTSA complaint 11319583
15. Filed Mar 18, 2020Failure Oct 1, 2019244,000 milesHollywood, FLSteering

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC LOCATED AT (300 S UNIVERSITY DR, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 417-8998) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11318552
16. Filed Mar 9, 2020Failure Jan 6, 2020Methuen, MAFuel/propulsion system

    IT LOOKS LIKE MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE FUEL INJECTOR LINE OR FUEL PUMP BUT I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON MY CAR BUT IT'S NOT SHOWING UP ON MY VIN NUMBER

    NHTSA complaint 11317140
17. Filed Sep 26, 2019Failure May 25, 2019100,000 milesSpringfield, MOElectrical system

    WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, IT WILL NOT ALWAYS REGISTER THAT IT IS PARK; THEREFORE, IT WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, IT WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT STARTED WITH JUST A FEW DAYS A WEEK, BUT IS NOW HAPPENING AT LEAST ONE TIME A DAY.

    NHTSA complaint 11258409
18. Filed Sep 12, 2019Failure Sep 5, 2019115,000 milesIron Mountain, MISteering

    I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 1 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THE ELECRTIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER IN MY AREA SAYS THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR MAY 2019 USED EVERY DOLLAR I HAD TO BUY IT. IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN THERE IS NOTHING FOR JOBS HERE. I WORK PART TIME AT A FAST FOOD RESTURANT AND CAN BARLEY AFFORD TO FEED MY FAMILY. I JUST SPENT 2000.00 ON THIS CAR AND CANT RISK DRIVING IT NOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND A JOB TO REPORT TO EVERYDAY I NEED MY CAR FIXED ASAP.

    NHTSA complaint 11255013
19. Filed Jun 18, 2019Failure Jun 14, 201917,800 milesMorristown, NJSteering

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITHOUT POWER STEERING ABILITY TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF DENVILLE (LOCATED AT 281 US-46 E, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973) 644-7584) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800.

    NHTSA complaint 11221011
20. Filed May 15, 2019Failure Apr 17, 2019147,000 milesCliston, COSteering

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). WHILE REVERSING, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11207896