Saturn Ion Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Saturn Ion model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2008 drew the fewest (4) and the 2006 the most (1,235).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
573 | 3 | Steering | — | 23–26 |
| 2003 Among the fewest complaints |
757 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 24–25 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
876 | 5 | Steering | — | 23–26 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
898 | 8 | Steering | — | 23–26 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
1,235 | 4 | Steering | — | 23–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Saturn Ion years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Saturn Ion: 1,235 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 544 (44%); Electrical system 392 (32%); Fuel system 131 (11%).
Reports mention 44 crashes, 7 fires, 33 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 66,926 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2004 Saturn Ion: 898 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 345 (38%); Electrical system 331 (37%); Power train 60 (7%).
Reports mention 51 crashes, 4 fires, 35 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Saturn Ion: 876 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 408 (47%); Electrical system 215 (25%); Fuel/propulsion system 130 (15%).
Reports mention 38 crashes, 29 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 66,500 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Saturn Ion years with the fewest complaints
2008 Saturn Ion: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (25%); Electrical system 1 (25%); Visibility 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Saturn Ion: 573 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 265 (46%); Electrical system 227 (40%); Air bags 34 (6%).
Reports mention 31 crashes, 4 fires, 19 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 61,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2003 Saturn Ion: 757 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 382 (50%); Steering 139 (18%); Engine and engine cooling 58 (8%).
Reports mention 43 crashes, 4 fires, 36 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 71,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn Ion owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 876 | 38 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 66,500 |
| 2006 | 1,235 | 44 | 7 | 33 | 1 | 66,926 |
| 2005 | 573 | 31 | 4 | 19 | 0 | 61,000 |
| 2004 | 898 | 51 | 4 | 35 | 3 | 70,000 |
| 2003 | 757 | 43 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 71,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Saturn Ion recalls
- Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off (2003–2007 model years; 2,191,014 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V171000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2003–2007 model years; 2,190,934 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2014; 14V047000)
- Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (2004–2007 model years; 1,373,177 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V153000)
- GM/SATURN/DRL TURN SIGNAL BULB REPLACEMENT (2003–2004 model years; 178,798 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2004; 04V547000)
- GM/FUEL FILTER CORROSION (2003–2004 model years; 127,285 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2004; 04V003000)
All 10 Saturn Ion recall campaigns · Saturn Ion problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Saturn Ion years FAQ
Which Saturn Ion year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2008 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (4). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Saturn Ion years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2004 and 2007 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Saturn Ion problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (1,701 of 4,343 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Saturn Ion have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Saturn Ion. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn Ion recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.