VehicleVerdict

2004 Saturn Ion electrical system problems

The 2004 Saturn Ion has 362 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

362

Electrical System complaints

32%

Share of year

11

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Ion electrical system complaints by model year411 complaints2003: 398 complaints2004: 362 complaints2005: 239 complaints2006: 411 complaints2007: 230 complaints2008: 1 complaints
Ion electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14E021000Electrical SystemApril 30, 2014 · 14,529 units

Defect

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy

UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

14V171000Electrical SystemApril 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

What owners report

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED AND WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE STRUCK THE CURB AND WENT UP ON THE CURB. THIS RESULTING IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE. (AXLE BROKE). HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 23, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2004 Saturn Ion have?

NHTSA has 362 complaints about the 2004 Saturn Ion electrical system — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Saturn Ion electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 14E021000, 14V171000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.