RoadVitals

2004 Saturn Ion Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
52
Latest Jul 6, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 898 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
30
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
25

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Saturn Ion submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 52 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 52, in the owner's own words

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 6, 2023

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 ID
11530643
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
230,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 21, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

Airbags did not deploy

NHTSA ID
11528201
Incident
Jun 19, 2023
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Oct 2, 2018
Crash reported

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR

NHTSA ID
11131268
Incident
Aug 27, 2011
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 5, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10882584
Incident
Dec 14, 2015
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 24, 2015

CAR WENT FOR RECALL 7/7/14 ABOUT 3 TIMES AFTER THE FIRST RECALL I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR TO ASK WHAT HAVE HAPPEND WHY TYHE CAR NEED TO GO BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE SECOND RECALL CHEVROLET SAYD THAT THEY DID NOT PERFOM THE JOB RIGHT ONCE AGAIN I CONTACT GENERAL MOTOR IN DECEBER THEY SEND ME A LETTER TELLING ME AND COMES BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR IN THE FREEWAY CAR STOP COULD NOT GET OUT BECAUSE CAR LOCK ME INSIDE THE KEY DID NOT WANT TO COME OUT AFTER THE RECALLS THE CAR STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION

NHTSA ID
10806571
Incident
Jul 7, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V153000 (STEERING) AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10734627
Incident
Feb 21, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 24, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT SHORTLY BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED. CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED. *TA THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, IT SLID AND ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. ALSO, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10667980
Incident
Feb 1, 2014
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10682787
Incident
Feb 11, 2015
AirbagsSteering
Filed Dec 17, 2014
Crash reported

WAS ON WAY HOME CAR STARTED GOING TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN TRIED TO CORRECT IT CAR WOULDN'T TURN LEFT KEPT GOING INTO A TREE AND CAR IS NOW DAMAGED. OVER TWO MONTHS AGO GM SENT OUT SOMEBODY TO LOOK AT CAR THIS WAS AROUND OCTOBER 15 AND HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD BACK FROM ANYBODY. WHICH ISN'T A SURPRISE BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 13 AND WE WERE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND FROM THE BEGINNING. APPOINTMENTS MADE AND NOT KEPT, PHONE CALLS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER ALL WITH DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND RESPONSES. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHEN IS SOMEBODY GOING TO CONTACT US AND GIVE US SOME ANSWERS? I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST CALL BACK AND HAD NO PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT ONLY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE OR SAID BUT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN GO OFF BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY AND THE ADJUSTER YOU SENT OUT SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY AS WE WERE TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS BETWEEN THE CENSORS. I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WAS WAITING FOR THE REPORT. STILL WAITING, I KNOW WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA BUT THREE MONTHS IS A LITTLE LONG TO WAIT DON'T YOU THINK? *TR

NHTSA ID
10664738
Incident
Sep 13, 2014
Mileage
64,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH RECALLS EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES.

NHTSA ID
10622005
Incident
May 1, 2014
Airbags
Filed Jul 30, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE TOLLWAY,THE OTHER VEHICLE CAME IN MY LANE,PASSING LANE, JUST AS I WAS PASSING HIM CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT,PASSENGER, PART OF THE CAR.THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID OPEN,NO PROBLEM.,THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SPILT CAUSING THE POWDER TO COME INTO MY FACE.I DID LOSE A TOOTH BUT NEITHER THE OTHER PERSON INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT NOR MY HEALTH INSURANCE . ONE GOOD THING THE IGNITION DID SHUT OFF ,WHICH WAS GOOD BECAUSE THERE WAS A GAS LEAK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE. I LOST OVERTIME PAY.MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO HAVE ALL MY TEETH BECAUSE I TALK FOR A LIVING. THIS CAUSE UNDO STRESS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP *TR

NHTSA ID
10617482
Incident
Dec 22, 2013
Mileage
194,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 7, 2014

S10 DIRECT REPLY- TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING GENERAL MOTORS RECALLS ON 2004 SATURN ION (RECALL NOS. 14063/14113 AND 14115. DATE OF PURCHASE DEC. 27, 2013). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 10, 2014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ROADSIDE SERVICE WAS CALLED, AND THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY. AS THE CONSUMER BEGAN BACKING OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SEEMED VERY STIFF; SHE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THE POWER STEERING SIGNAL AND CONTINUED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. SHE DROVE TO THE DEALER, ABOUT A MILE AWAY WITH POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE ARRIVED, SHE MENTIONED THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. A FUSE WAS REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE ISSUE, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION PROBLEM WERE RESOLVED. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, SHE ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. WHEN THE KEY FINALLY RELEASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, EVEN THOUGH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON. UPDATED 11/19/14. *JB UPDATED 11/24/14. JB UPDATED 12/04/14*JB

NHTSA ID
10608359
Incident
Jan 10, 2014
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10607486
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2014
Crash reported

WAS TRAVELLING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND A FOX DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. I SWERVED SLIGHTLY TO MISS THE FOX AND THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR WENT OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL AND THE CAR WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN AND ENDED UP FACING THE OTHER DIRECTION FLIPPED UP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CRAWLED OUT OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEATBELT, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND IF TRAFFIC HAD BEEN COMING, I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ELSE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607373
Incident
Jun 30, 2014
Mileage
134,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN APRIL OF 2014, HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10606387
Incident
Apr 11, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD HER VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN SHE CAME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS VISIBLY ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THAT CONDITION PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REATTACHING ONE SIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WITH A WIRE HANGER. THE CONTACT RELUCTANTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND WHILE ON THE WAY HOME THE AIR BAG, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. SHORTLY AFTER THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID
10604520
Incident
Jun 18, 2014
Mileage
127,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 16, 2014

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS MOTHER'S SATURN ION THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED, DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH DEFAULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING THE RUN-AROUND REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10598200
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 12, 2014

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE INFORMATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10597169
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 12, 2014

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED, BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10597162
Incident
Jan 3, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID
10595468
Incident
Mar 17, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. KMJ

NHTSA ID
10587464
Incident
Feb 10, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID
10586617
Incident
Jan 13, 2014
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 24, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST POWER STEERING, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. THE AR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUMPER ABSORBED THE HIT, AND THERE WAS NO REAL DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/24/14

NHTSA ID
10584682
Incident
Oct 16, 2013
Mileage
87,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE RECALL NOTICES AND HAD STILL BEEN WAITING FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10584491
Incident
Feb 3, 2014
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 17, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE ISSUES, AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS. HER DAUGHTER LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN HER DAUGHTER HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER WAS INJURED. ALSO, THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10582779
Incident
Apr 1, 2014

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .