RoadVitals

2006 Saturn Ion Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
1,235
Latest Mar 20, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
51
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 27, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 1,235 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Saturn Ion. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 1,235 · page 1 of 50

ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 20, 2025

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 right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.

NHTSA ID
11649410
Incident
Jan 30, 2025
Mileage
85,200 mi
EngineFuel systemVisibility
Filed Feb 7, 2024

Airbags

NHTSA ID
11570686
Incident
Feb 7, 2024
Electrical
Filed Aug 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,764.

NHTSA ID
11536214
Incident
Jan 3, 2014
Mileage
100,764 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while exiting a driveway and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir and there was power steering fluid in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11502837
Incident
Dec 20, 2022
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2022

The contact's mother owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle to his residence and parking the vehicle in the garage, he observed that a puddle of gasoline had accumulated overnight underneath the vehicle from the fuel tank by the driver's side rear wheel. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID
11460956
Incident
Apr 14, 2022
Mileage
84,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 1, 2021

Fuel and evap line rusted out inside heat wrap for exhaust pipe near rear drivers tire. Pumped out fuel onto street.

NHTSA ID
11442332
Incident
Oct 14, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that upon switching gears to reverse, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. The contact stated that she was unable to shift gears and continued to drive the vehicle in third gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the clutch was fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to their location in two weeks for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

NHTSA ID
11439091
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Mileage
195,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 16, 2021
Fire reported

The year, make, and model of my car has a factory recall for the fuel pump failing. I went to the dealership and they informed me my Vin # wasn't included and their was nothing they could do about it. My vehicle started leaking fuel last week so I dropped the tank and removed the fuel pump. I have done my homework on this including watching several videos on YouTube concerning this issue and I'm 100% positive this fuel pump has failed in the exact location that all the other recalls have and yet my Vin number isn't on the recall according to this GMC service department manager. I am going to have to put a fuel pump in at my expense today because it's my transportation for work but I'm very upset about this situation and GMCs failure to have my vehicle included and having to replace their defected fuel pump. It's very frustrating knowing I'm putting my time and money towards it because I have my hands full trying to replace the house that Hurricane Ida destroyed about a month ago. We need help with this situation because our money is very tight and don't really have it to fix GMCs mistake. I will keep the fuel pump that came out of it along with the receipt for it so anyone can clearly see that I'm not only correct but being shafted on the recall. Thanks have a nice day I'll be eagerly awaiting your response

NHTSA ID
11436989
Incident
Oct 1, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jul 26, 2021

The car is leaking gas from the gas tank. I see recalls from this year, make and model from this vehicle yet when I put my VIN in it says 0 recalls.

NHTSA ID
11426415
Incident
Jul 5, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 16, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph and there was a stopped vehicle in the middle of the road, in order to avoid crashing the contact veered to the right lane but crashed into the rear of a truck. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, arm, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (Air bags, Electrical system). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to file for the class action lawsuit. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11425122
Incident
Dec 9, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 14, 2021

We purchased this vehicle recently. 1 week later we discovered loss of power steering assist while attempting to parallel park. We spoke with the seller (repair shop) and they discovered the Recall Notice 14V153000: Loss of Power Steering Assist. When I attempted to schedule a recall service at a GM dealership it was shown that this vehicle already had this particular recall service performed on the vehicle. 1. Power steering Assist 2. Loss of control of steering. 3. No (issue is intermittent) 4. No (original recall was performed though; it is happening again) 5. No warnings.

NHTSA ID
11424752
Incident
Jul 7, 2021
Transmission
Filed Jul 2, 2021

2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE SHIFTER SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TO TURN OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF. THIS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11423194
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE RPMS JUMP AROUND AND THE A/C MAKES NOISE AND LIGHTS FLICKER AT TIMES. THE CAR WILL JUST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR WHEN I'M TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IT'S QUITE SCARY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. MY MAIN CONCERN IS A LARGE SUV PUT IT IN REVERSE AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR BEFORE ENDING UP ON THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. SHE WAS GOING PRETTY FAST AND PUSHED MY CAR PRETTY FAR BUT NO AIRBAG! THEN ON A SEPARATE OCCASION I WAS DOING 55 MILES WHEN A LARGE ANIMAL DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY FRONT END AND RADIATOR AND FRONT END WERE SHOT. EVEN SPLIT MY PASSENGER SIDE DASH OPEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED OFF BUT NO AIRBAGS!! EXACTLY HOW DO I HAVE TO BE GOING FOR ME TO HAVE PROTECTION????

NHTSA ID
11400399
Incident
Feb 24, 2021
Mileage
154,123 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 8, 2021

I HAD CLEARED MY WINDOWS OF SNOW AND TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND DISCOVERED MY REAR WINDOW HAD IMPLODED.. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID
11395201
Incident
Feb 7, 2021
Mileage
156,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,917.

NHTSA ID
11366637
Incident
Oct 26, 2020
Mileage
154,917 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 7, 2020

DIFFICULT TO STEER OR TURN STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11363309
Incident
Sep 4, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 7, 2020

STILL HAVING IGN. KEY PROBLEMS NOT TURNING AND CAN NOT REMOVE, AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON WHEN STARTING AND HARD TO STEER. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CAN'T REPAIR UNLESS THEY SEE IT

NHTSA ID
11343887
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
109,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARK, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED OR THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE TURNED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,804

NHTSA ID
11341270
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
68,804 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 17, 2020

I STARTED SMELLING GAS WHEN GETTING OUT OF CAR. THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY STRONGER GAS SMELL THAT LINGERED ON STRONG AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING. SO I CHECKED FOR GAS LEAK ON EXTERIOR OF GAS TANK AND FOUND EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS COMING FROM BOTH OF THE FUEL LINES OF THE FUEL MODULE ON TOP OF TANK. THIS DIDN'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER HAS BECOME WARM IN THE 80 S AND 90S. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329472
Incident
Jun 10, 2020
Mileage
123,456 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2020

STEERING ERRORS

NHTSA ID
11296616
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11290183
Incident
Nov 20, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2019

AIR BAG IF IS A RE CALL I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR WHERE TO.

NHTSA ID
11268405
Incident
Oct 10, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Aug 30, 2019

LATELY HAVE BEEN NOTICING BY MYSELF AND OTHERS, STRONG FUEL SMELL AROUND CAR. WHILE CLEANING OUT VARIOUS PAPERWORK, I FOUND A RECALL LETTER DATED 8/2015 REGARDING CRACKED FUEL TANK INLET CONTROL VALVE. I REALLY NEED THIS PROBLEM LOOKED INTO AS I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE WITH THE HORRID GAS SMELL. PLEASE ADVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11252449
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 1, 2019

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WON'T START. UNABLE TO RETRIEVE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11241072
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Mileage
72,401 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2019

THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES AS THE OTHER CARS COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT WAS MADE IN TENNESSEE. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND STATES THE CAR IS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL. CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN DUE TO SMELL OF GAS AND DUE TO THE INFORMATION I HAVE RESEARCHED IT MAY START A FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11222258
Incident
May 2, 2019

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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