RoadVitals

2006 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.
238
Latest Feb 7, 2024
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.
19%
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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

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 2006 Saturn Ion submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 238 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 238, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel systemVisibility
Filed Feb 7, 2024

Airbags

NHTSA ID
11570686
Incident
Feb 7, 2024
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2019

FUEL LEAK

NHTSA ID
11222075
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. GOLD STAR BUICK GMC (1980 N DAVIS RD, SALINAS, CA 93907, (831) 240-4859) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AND THE CONTACT WAS STILL REQUIRED TO MAKE A PARTIAL PAYMENT. THE CONTACT ASKED FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, BUT HER REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITH IT LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN PARTS UNDER A WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT DISCLOSE A LOT OF INFORMATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CONTACT WAS SPEAKING WITH HER ATTORNEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID
11195389
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
45,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 29, 2019

LEAKING FUEL AND FUEL SMELL.

NHTSA ID
11192476
Incident
Mar 29, 2019
Mileage
100,121 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANDREW CHEVROLET (1500 W SILVER SPRING DRIVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53209, 1-414-228-6200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ID
11112768
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Mileage
57,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 9, 2017

THE CAR DIED WHILE IN MOTION MOVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND FAILED TO RESTART. THERE'S A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11053629
Incident
Dec 8, 2017
Mileage
170,820 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 13, 2017

WE HAVE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND LATER IT WILL REST BUT ITS HAPPENING ALOT ALSO EMULSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER REPLACE FUEL LINES

NHTSA ID
11045691
Incident
Oct 29, 2017
Mileage
109,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2017

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT TAKE IT FOR RECALLS.IT HAS 6 RECALLS..THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A LEAK BY GAS TANK,SMELLS LIKE GAS. I GOT TEMPORARY PLATES FOR NOW BUT CAR NEEDS TO GO TO EMISSIONS.

NHTSA ID
11043272
Incident
Nov 4, 2017
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2017

ENGINE REDUCTION, SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, WAS ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI, ENGINE REDUCTION LIGHT COMES ON, LOSE POWER AND CAR SLOWS AT A HIGH RATE CAUSING EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC, MUST PULL OFF INTERSTATE TURN CAR OFF TO RESET, HAPPENING 2-3 TIMES A DAY, STRONG SMELL OF GAS, HAVE A LEAK AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE CRUISING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THEIR SATURN IS GOING TO REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND THEY WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, THEY WILL BE PLOWED DOWN BY A SEMI. ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW GM TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE LIKE THEY IGNORED THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBELMS UNTIL IT STARTS CAUSING DEATHS, WHY NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE THE DEATHS START TO OCCUR, IT SEEMS THE OLDER THESE YEAR MODELS GET THE WORSE THIS PROBLEM BECOMES. I WAS FORCED TO PUT A DATE, BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE WITH THE FUEL LEAK, MAYBE ONE DAY THE ENGINE WILL REDUCE POWER AT THE SAME TIME I WILL GET RUN OVER BY A SEMI AND THE CAR WILL EXPLODE INTO FLAMES FROM THE FUEL LEAK THEY ARE NOT RECALLING FOR MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11040840
Incident
Oct 26, 2017
Mileage
134,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CALLED SCHMIDT CHEVROLET CADILLAC (3423 BROADWAY ST, MT VERNON, IL 62864, PHONE NUMBER: (618) 242-5100) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *LN

NHTSA ID
11025392
Incident
Sep 15, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THE MATERIAL IN THE FUEL LINES HAVING ROTTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE TO HERB CHAMBERS CADILLAC OF WARWICK LOCATED AT 1511 BALD HILL RD, WARWICK, RI 02886, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE OVER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED UNDER A POTENTIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,656.

NHTSA ID
11001441
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
97,656 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, FUEL LEAKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (KLEIN CHEVROLET BUICK LOCATED AR 111 W MADISON ST CLINTONVILLE, WI 54929 715-309-5708), BUT COULD NOT BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,272.

NHTSA ID
11000845
Incident
May 31, 2017
Mileage
153,272 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2017

I NOTICED THAT MY CAR SMELLED LIKE GAS, AND THEN WHEN I PARKED AND GOT OUT I SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR. MY CAR IS THE SATURN ION 'REDLINE' FOR SOME REASON I CAN'T PULL UP MY CAR ONLY A REGULAR SATURN ION BUT MY CAR IS DIFFERENT. I COULD TELL THE GAS WAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF MY TANK. WHEN I DROPPED THE TANK I COULD SEE THAT THE FUEL LINES ON MY FUEL PUMP WERE BROKEN! THE LINES WERE BROKE RIGHT AT THE PUMP. ON THE SATURN AND REDLINE FORUM I SEE THAT MY CAR ISN'T THE ONLY REDLINE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM MY CAR ONLY HAS APPROX 137000 MILES ON IT, THE FUEL PUMP SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE LIKE THAT. THERE IS RECALLS ON SOME SATURN IONS IN CERTAIN STATES FOR THE FUEL PUMP LINES BREAKING JUST LIKE MINE DID. MY CAR WAS PUT TOGETHER IN TENNESSEE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2006 IN NEW JERSEY AND NOW I LIVE IN KENTUCKY. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY NOT JUST LIMITED TO SATURN IONS IN ARIZONA AND NEVADA. MY KIDS AND MYSELF GOT SICK FROM THE GAS FUMES AND WE'RE LUCKY NOT TO OF HAD SOME SORT OF SPARK HIT THE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
10985549
Incident
May 10, 2017
Mileage
137,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,331.

NHTSA ID
10981091
Incident
Mar 27, 2017
Mileage
153,331 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2017

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AT REAR OF CAR AFTER DRIVING, AND WHILE PARKED AND RUNNING. I NOTED THE RECALL NOTICE AFFECTING THESE CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WHEN I SEARCHED, I FOUND THAT THIS RECALL DID NOT AFFECT MY VIN NUMBER. THIS CAR IS A SPECIAL RARE VERSION OF THIS TYPE OF CAR CALLED THE "REDLINE" EDITION, AND SO THE VIN MAY NOT COME UP AUTOMATICALLY, AS ONLY ABOUT 600 WERE MADE THAT YEAR. I AM PLANNING ON TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ID
10960132
Incident
Jan 10, 2017
Mileage
122,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2017

IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR (2016) I STARTED SMELLING GAS REALLY BAD SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT (MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY). THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED RIGHT AWAY AND IN MY MIND ALL I WAS THINKING WAS MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE SO I HAD THEM REPAIR IT RIGHT AWAY( $437.79). LATER I FIND OUT THAT IS UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE RECALL AND IT COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE COVERED. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD TO SUBMIT THE PAPERWORK AND THEY WOULD CHECK INTO IT . I SUBMITTED PAPERWORK IN JANUARY 2017 AND HAVE WAITED FOR RESPONSE , NOW IN MARCH 2017 I DECIDE TO CONTACT THEM BECAUSE I HAVE HAD NO NEED THEY TELL ME THAT MY REQUEST WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REIMBURSEMENT CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2014. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS 11 YEARS OLD AND 104,050 MILES ON IT. I WOLD HOPE THAT THE PUMP WOULD LAST LONGER THAN A FEW THOUSAND MILES BECAUSE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT HAS A MILEAGE CAP. SO IN SHORT I AM OUT ALMOST $500.00 .

NHTSA ID
10960106
Incident
Nov 11, 2016
Mileage
101,683 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 .