RoadVitals

2006 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
393
Latest Mar 20, 2025
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.
32%
of 1,235 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.
15
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Saturn Ion submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 393 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 393, in the owner's own words

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
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
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
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
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
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
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 22, 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS IN 5 P.M. TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK IN THE DASH AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER FOR 2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND FIXED FOR FREE IN 2014

NHTSA ID
11209397
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
244,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2019

KEY IGNITION LOCKED UP KEY WON'T TURN AT ALL AND THERE'S A RECALL ON IT AND TOOK IT TO DEALER SHIP FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND THERE WANTING TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT AND THERE SUPPOSE TO DO IT FOR FREE SENSE IT'S A RECALL

NHTSA ID
11169965
Incident
Jan 14, 2019
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, A BEEPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLOSE THE DOORS IN ORDER FOR THE BEEPING SOUND TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (O'RIELLY CHEVROLET INC., 6160 E BROADWAY BLVD, TUCSON, AZ 85711) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-553-6000 AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11051561
Incident
Jun 11, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 25, 2017

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE AUTO PARTS STORE TOLD US NOT TO BUY AN IGNITION SWITCH. THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO CHECK ON THE RECALL FOR THIS SATURN. HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF ALL RECALLS FOR THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPAIRED?

NHTSA ID
11048390
Incident
Nov 20, 2017
Mileage
122,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC GMC/BUICK IN MONTGOMERY, AL WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2014 PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
11030010
Incident
Sep 18, 2017
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2017

THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SLOWED BUT ENGINE DID NOT STOP APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A TOWN ROAD. DAYS LATER IT STALLED AGAIN ON A TOWN ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ANOTHER LIGHT FLASHED. IN BOTH CASES STOPPING THE ENGINE AND TURNING IT BACK ON REMEDIED THE ISSUE AND CLEARED THE LIGHTS. WHILE IN MOTION ON A COUNTRY HIGHWAY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING FROM ON AND OFF ALTHOUGH THERE WAS ONLY MY POCKETBOOK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. REMOVING THE BAG DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION CLEARED THE PROBLEM.THE CAR LOST POWER AGAIN ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM SOLVED. THE CAR BEGAN CHIMING INSTEAD OF TICKING WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EXITING FROM A HIGHWAY. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT TIME AS WELL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW. THIS LAST OCCURRENCE WAS YESTERDAY AUGUST 8, 2017. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR MAY STALL WHILE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
11020445
Incident
Aug 28, 2017
Mileage
221,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2017

I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONE OF THE TIMES GM PAID FOR IT DUE TO A RECALL WITHIN MONTHS THE CAR WAS BACK INTO PASSLOCK LIGHT COMING ON CAR STALLING WHILE IN MOVEMENT KEY STUCK IN IGNITION HAVE TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT BACK INTO THE TURN OFF POSITION. THIS LAST TIME AS OF TODAY THE CAR WILL NOT RUN YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT OF A LOCK THE PASSLOCK IS SHOWING ON THE CAR DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID
11010114
Incident
Jul 17, 2017
Mileage
124,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 30, 2017

WHILE DRIVING THE IGNITION SHUTS OFF KILLING POWER TO THE STEERING AND BRAKES

NHTSA ID
10992262
Incident
May 29, 2017
Mileage
84,170 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 22, 2016

PREVIOUSLY FIXED RECALL HAS FAILED. IGNITION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. CAR REMAINS RUNNING AFTER KEY IS REMOVED. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION.

NHTSA ID
10927461
Incident
Nov 21, 2016
Mileage
83,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 2, 2016

WHEN YOU TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION SOMETIMES YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY AND WHEN YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOORS BECAUSE IT HAS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO MOVE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU MUST RESTART THE CAR UNTIL THE IGNITION RELEASES THE KEY, WHICH PUTS UNDO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE STARTER AND SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A SHOP THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO THEY KEPT THE CAR A WEEK TO TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I JUST LEARNED THAT THE SHOP I AM TAKING IT TO HAS ALL THE APPEARANCE OF A DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ARE NOT A DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
10892546
Incident
Oct 5, 2014
Mileage
51,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2016

IN APRIL 2014, I TOOK MY CAR TO JOHN BOWMAN CHEVROLET IN CLARKSTON, MICHIGAN FOR THE RECALL NOTICE 14063, IGNITION SWITCH. SINCE THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW IGNITION SWITCH I AM NOT ABLE TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. I MUST REPEATEDLY RESTART THE VEHICLE UNTIL I AM ABLE TO REMOVE IT.

NHTSA ID
10871379
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
107,500 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 22, 2016
1 injury reported

THE GAS TANK LINE LEAKING GAS

NHTSA ID
10861028
Incident
Apr 11, 2006
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITON SWITCH WAS REPLACED FROM A PREVIOUS NHTSA NOTIFICATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,023.

NHTSA ID
10825671
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Mileage
84,023 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.

NHTSA ID
10824417
Incident
Jan 5, 2016
Mileage
107,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE WIGGLED SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID
10780730
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
69,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 27, 2015

MY CAR BEGAN WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH STICKING AND I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL SO I TOOK IT TO BE CORRECTED....AFTER SUPPOSABLY BEING FIXED I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO I STARTED SMELLING A FAINT SMELL OF GAS...NOW ITS SO SEVERE I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. IT'S ACTUALLY DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND. IT TAKES 3 OR MORE TIMES TO GET IT TO CRANK. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS GONE DOWN FROM 30 TO NOTHING. FROM THE VIN SEARCH MY CAR ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GM ISN'T TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. LIVES ARE AT STAKE HERE. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
10777917
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 269,000.

NHTSA ID
10764199
Incident
Aug 3, 2015
Mileage
269,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE KEY MOVED INTO THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID
10761188
Incident
Aug 30, 2015
Mileage
156,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .