VehicleVerdict

2005 Saturn Ion problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2005 Saturn Ion is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 755 owner complaints run below the Ion median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 270 reports (36% of the total).

755

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

49

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Ion years?

Ion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted1,537 complaints2003: 958 complaints2004: 1,124 complaints2005: 755 complaints2006: 1,537 complaints2007: 1,090 complaints2008: 4 complaints
Ion NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ion years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Saturn Ion problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering27036%
Electrical System23932%
Engine375%
Airbags345%
Lighting314%
Transmission294%
Fuel System274%
Other243%
Speed Control182%
Body & Structure111%
Brakes101%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Suspension61%
Tires & Wheels41%
Seat Belts41%
Seats30%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2005 Saturn Ion have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

14V153000SteeringMarch 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION, IT WAS SNOWING HERE IN SEATTLE. THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING GAVE OUT. I COULD NOT MANEUVER MY CAR AND THE CAR ENDED UP HITTING THE SIDEWALK WITH ALOT OF FORCE AND CAUSING FRONT DAMAGE. WHEN I CONTACTED SATURN THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 20, 2008 · crash

DROVE LESS THEN A MILE, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD MY HUSBAND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN FLAMES SHOT IN BESIDE HIS LEG WE JUMP OUT OF THE CAR AND HE GOT OUR SON OUT OF HIS CAR SEAT. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 23, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN TURN WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE DRIVER THEN TRAVELED DOWN AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 28, 2015 · crash

ON MAY 29, 2014 WHEN DRIVING FROM HOME TO WORK ON MY SATURN ION 2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF, BUT THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD THAT I ACTUALLY DROVE ON THE OTHER LANE WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY OF MY DIRECTION. THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 29, 2014

2005 Saturn Ion — common questions

Is the 2005 Saturn Ion reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 755 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Ion year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Ion problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (270 complaints), electrical system (239 complaints), engine (37 complaints).

Does the 2005 Saturn Ion have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Saturn Ion. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Saturn Ion under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saturn Ion years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ion years to avoid are 2006. The cleanest record among Ion years belongs to 2008.

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.