RoadVitals

2004 Saturn Ion Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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 Jan 4, 2022
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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 fuel system

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

Fuel system
Filed Jan 4, 2022

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

NHTSA ID
11446156
Incident
Sep 8, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2021

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 ID
11432589
Incident
Jul 18, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2021

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 ID
11398818
Incident
Jul 7, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jan 29, 2021

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 ID
11390624
Incident
Dec 29, 2020
Mileage
85,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2020

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 ID
11378021
Incident
Nov 24, 2020
Mileage
167,573 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed May 21, 2020

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 ID
11325424
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
172,639 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2020

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 ID
11317140
Incident
Jan 6, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2018

2004 SATURN ION 2.2/4 ENGINE STARTED SMELLING GAS FUEL LINE ISSUES FOUND ... OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUE THERE ARE RECALLS BUT ONLY ON CERTAIN VIN #S 107,000 MILES HOW MANY CARS BEFORE NATION WIDE RECALL ??!!

NHTSA ID
11102391
Incident
Jun 18, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Apr 4, 2017

I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 2.2L L4 (VIN: [XXX]) FOR MY SON 4 MONTHS AGO. IT IS NOW LEAKING A PUDDLE GASOLINE AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN. I LOOKED ON LINE AND THERE DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED) YET MY VIN IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST. CALLED SATURN 800.972.8876, THEY SAID IT WASN'T ON A RECALL LIST ALSO. DEALER WANTS $600+ FOR REPAIRS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10970522
Incident
Apr 2, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 29, 2017

THE CAR IS UNDER 80,000 MILES AND HAS A LEAKING FUEL LINE.

NHTSA ID
10969431
Incident
Mar 27, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE DUE TO THE SMELL OF FUEL AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10968735
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 21, 2017

SOLD ME THIS CAR WITH WARRANTEE NEVER GUARANTEED THE WARRANTEE LATER ON ALSO DISCOVERED THERE WAS A WHOLE PATCH IN THE GAS TANK AND I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I WAS AFRAID OF THEIR SAFETY AND RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOT FOR SELLING ME A IN SAFE VEHICLE. THERE AND I WANT TO TAKE FAULT FOR THE VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND I WANT TO COVER THE WARRANTY THAT WAS PROMISED TO ME ON THE CONTRACT.

NHTSA ID
10956085
Incident
Feb 8, 2017
Fuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2017

STRONG GAS SMELL & STARTED NOTICING POOR GAS MILEAGE AND IT GOT WORSE. THEN NOTICE IT IS LEAKING GAS BY THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. ALSO THE RUNNING LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY COME ON DURING THE DAY BUT NOT AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10950318
Incident
Feb 5, 2017
Mileage
179,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 30, 2016

I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT MY 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT MY FUEL LINES NEED REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND IT SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928783
Incident
Nov 30, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2016

AFTER THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT BY A CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE RECALLS PREFORMED AND THE FUEL LEAK LOOKED AT, THEY SAID, ON PAPER, "C/S FUEL LEAKING UNDER VEHICLE." "FUEL FEED LINE LEAKING FUEL,ACTIVE LEAK,DO NOT RECOMMEND TO DRIVE. REPLACE FOR $689.99 PLUS TAX CUSTOMER DECLINED." I DECLINED BECAUSE THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, WHICH I WILL TAKE THEIR CAUTION AND NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TILL IT CAN FIXED. I AM BRINGING THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THEIR CLAIMS VERIFIED BY A NONE GM COMPANY. I LIVE IN NY, THEY USED TO USE SALTS ON THE ROAD WHICH MAY HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ISSUE, THE CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD AT ONLY 62K MILES. DISAPPOINTING. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED. 1 MONTH AGO AT 61K MILES PRIVATELY, I ASSUME THE SELLER SOLD THE CAR DUE TO THE GAS LEAK AND DIDN'T INFORM ME.

NHTSA ID
10918890
Incident
Oct 25, 2016
Mileage
62,683 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IN ADDITION, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V003000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
10917342
Incident
Oct 15, 2016
Mileage
62,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V281000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10876390
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE LEAK STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10870487
Incident
May 18, 2016
Mileage
101,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 27, 2016

FUEL LEAK. CHANGING FUEL LINE AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIX WORKS. SAME THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING ON OUR 2006 SATURN VIN [XXX]. FRUSTRATING READING ALL THE YEARS OF COMPLAINTS WITH LIMITED RECALLS. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10822693
Incident
Nov 7, 2015
Mileage
104,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2015

ANY TIME THE FUEL PUMP IS RUNNING, FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK A RUNNING DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. LEAVES ABOUT 12" PUDDLE ON THE GROUND AFTER RUNNING 10 TO 30 SECONDS.

NHTSA ID
10808435
Incident
Dec 2, 2015
Mileage
114,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT REACHED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FELT FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,714.

NHTSA ID
10806554
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
46,714 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10806355
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Mileage
190,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 9, 2015

WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED A GAS SMELL REALLY STRONG IT GOT WORSE WHEN THEN I NOTICED THAT I WAS GOING THREW GAS LIKE CRAZY AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY . ONE DAY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG WHEN I GOT OUT THE CAR I LOOKED UNDER THAT CAR AND SAW THAT ONE OF LINES WAS LEAKING GAS I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I DO HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR AND THAT ITS A BAD DANGER CHANCE OF FIRES TO START

NHTSA ID
10789289
Incident
Nov 6, 2015
Mileage
132,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/15/15. *JB

NHTSA ID
10785653
Incident
Oct 6, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 14, 2015

FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT NEAR FUEL FILTER AND DIRECTLY ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON GROUND AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, FUEL CONTINUED TO FLOW OUT OF RUSTED FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE.

NHTSA ID
10763577
Incident
Sep 10, 2015
Mileage
129,475 mi

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 .