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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Saturn ION: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

4 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

75,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting125.0%
Engine operation125.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
1
Electrical System
1
Visibility
1
Visibility/Wiper
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Visibility1
Visibility/Wiper1

Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Visibility: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2011
1
2014
2
2015
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20111
20142
20151

2011: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10383292 · 2011-02-18 (February 18, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10383292 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10566353 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566353 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10615155 · 2014-07-21 (July 21, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,200.

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615155 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10736177 · 2015-07-24 (July 24, 2015)

MY WIPERS FAILED. I COULD HEAR THE WIPER MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THE TRANSMISSION AND LINKAGE HAD FAILED. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE ISSUE, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR LATER. I CAN GRAB A WIPER ARM AND MANUALLY MOVE THE WIPERS. BOTH WIPERS MOVE WHEN I MOVE ONE ARM. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH BOTH THE WIPER LINKAGE (WHICH HAS A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE) AND THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILING.

Owner-reported narrative. 73,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10736177 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

75.0%Usable mileage3 / 4 records
100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records
100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200320042005200620072008
Steering
12917.0%
ODI 10052273

WHEN TIRES SPIN TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTS. THEN. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SNOWING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN.*AK

Look up ODI 10052273 at NHTSA ↗

32336.0%
ODI 10191451 · 45,326 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION 2. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKED. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. SATURN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,326.

Look up ODI 10191451 at NHTSA ↗

25544.5%
ODI 10138987 · 16,000 mi

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LINES ON MD I-97 NORTH BOUND FROM THE SLOW RIGHT LANE TO THE FAST LANE LEFT LANE. WHEN A CAR IN THE FAST LANE SPEED UP WHICH NEVER ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES, I CONTINUED TO TRAVEL IN THE SAME SLOW RIGHT LANE. WITHIN 1 MINUTE AFTER THAT ACTION OF THE ATTEMPTED LANE CHANGE, I EXPERIENCED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING ERRATICALLY AND TRYING TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR STARTED FISHING TAILING OR SWERVING. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW…

Look up ODI 10138987 at NHTSA ↗

52442.4%
ODI 10172994 · 1,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND WOULD NOT NEED FIXED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Look up ODI 10172994 at NHTSA ↗

39745.3%
ODI 10200698 · 17 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 2-60 MPH. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE STEERING WHEEL BUT, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,058.

Look up ODI 10200698 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
22930.3%
ODI 10018187

WHEN THE CONSUMER PLUGGED DEVICES INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT WORK. *NLM

Look up ODI 10018187 at NHTSA ↗

23325.9%
ODI 10078329 · 230 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2004 SATURN ION 3 ON THURSDAY JUNE 10, 2004. ON SUNDAY JUNE 13 THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL RAINS IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND I NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK WAS FULL OF APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER AROUND THE TIRE AND BATTERY. THE BOX OF BOOKS IN THE TRUNK ALONG WITH SOME OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS WERE DAMAGED FROM THE WATER. ON MONDAY JUNE 14, AFTER HAVING HAD THE CAR IN MY POSESSION FOR ONLY 4 DAYS I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED ME ON TUESDAY JUNE 15 THAT THE HOLE WHERE THE WATER IS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN OUT OF IF THE CAR…

Look up ODI 10078329 at NHTSA ↗

17330.2%
ODI 10124351 · 86 mi

DT: THE CAR IS LOSING POWER AT 70MPH AND IS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 3 AND IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 4 WITH THIS HAPPENING 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. THE SALES PERSON SAID "STAY THERE AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE". THE SALES PERSON DID COME AND PICK UP THE CONSUMER. THE SALES PERSON SAID THAT THE IGNITION WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE CONSUMER'S KEYCHAIN WAS AT FAULT. THE KEYCHAIN WEIGHED ABOUT AN OUNCE OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP IS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO INDICATOR…

Look up ODI 10124351 at NHTSA ↗

31025.1%
ODI 10144029 · 65 mi

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR LESS THAN 72 HOUR OLD CAR AND THE UNDERNEATH CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BUT SATURN SAYS WE MUST HAVE IT A MOVING BLANKET! WE HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND BARELY GOT THEM OUT BEFORE THE FUEL LINE CAUGHT FIRE. WHO'S IDEA WAS IT TO MAKE FUEL LINES OUT OF NYLON ANYWAY? *JB

Look up ODI 10144029 at NHTSA ↗

16919.3%
ODI 10201613 · 6,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY FOUR MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE SECOND FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND T…

Look up ODI 10201613 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10566353 · 75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Look up ODI 10566353 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System
192.5%
ODI 10478257 · 82,000 mi

CAR WAS PARKED WHEN STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. MOVED CAR TO HARD SURFACE AND DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING RATHER LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM AREA BEHIND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP HOUSING. NOTICED 2007 MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR FUEL PUMP ISSUE. FURTHER STUDY SHOULD PROBABLY BE DONE TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE ENTIRE ION LINE. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL RELEASED AFTER PART FAILURE IS A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Look up ODI 10478257 at NHTSA ↗

364.0%
ODI 10468989 · 94,376 mi

STARTED LEAKING GAS FROM FUEL FILTER AND I CHECKED ON LINE FOR RECALLS AND WAS ONE FOR THAT VEHICLE I CALLED SATURN THEY SAID THERE WASN'T. *TR

Look up ODI 10468989 at NHTSA ↗

213.7%
ODI 10584198 · 80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PULLING OUT THE NOZZLE, THE FILLER NECK CAME COMPLETELY OUT WITH IT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,184.

Look up ODI 10584198 at NHTSA ↗

1119.0%
ODI 10460432 · 90,000 mi

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN CAR. GAS LEAKING UNDER THE CAR. IT HAS A CRACK IN THE FITTING ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE SAME PROBLEM GM HAS HAD A PARTIAL RECALL ON. INFORMED BY SATURN THAT OUR CAR ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN ITS THE EXACT SAME PART AND PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH GM OR SATURN AND WILL NEVER BY OTHER GM AGAIN IF THIS IS HOW THEY DO BUSINESS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Look up ODI 10460432 at NHTSA ↗

13014.8%
ODI 10460164 · 110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS DECREASING MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE SUPPLY LINE OF THE FUEL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. T…

Look up ODI 10460164 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
395.2%
ODI 10041950

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Look up ODI 10041950 at NHTSA ↗

424.7%
ODI 10079846

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DAUGHTER WAS HIT BY A HARLEY DAVIDSON F150 TRUCK IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE SHE TURNED AND THE HARLEY HIT HER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE DAUGHTER DROVE 4 MILES, AND PARKED, THEN FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE BRAKES HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHUT OFF…

Look up ODI 10079846 at NHTSA ↗

295.1%
ODI 10161049 · 26,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT WHICH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING AND THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES.

Look up ODI 10161049 at NHTSA ↗

574.6%
ODI 10184279

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE ROAD AND I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE STREET WAS COVERED IN BLACK ICE. I SPUN OUT AND CRASHED STRAIGHT INTO A CAR SITTING IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND SOME MUSCLE SORENESS AND BRUISING. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE WENT OFF AND THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY. *JB

Look up ODI 10184279 at NHTSA ↗

637.2%
ODI 10178130 · 5,620 mi

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I WAS CUT OFF BY A CAR FROM THE RIGHT LANE WHILE TRAVELING ON I280 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WAS FORCED INTO THE NEXT LANE TO MY LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION - I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-65 MPH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS A RENTAL (ENTERPRISE-RENT-A-CAR) - MY ATTEMPTS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AS TO ANY POSSIBLE DEFECTS OF THE CAR FROM ENTERPRISE (& ELCO ADMIN SERVICES) HAVE PROVED FRUITLESS. I REPEATEDLY INFORMED ENTERPRISE THAT I W…

Look up ODI 10178130 at NHTSA ↗

125.0%
ODI 10615155 · 82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,200.

Look up ODI 10615155 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:Ignition
547.1%
ODI 10039290

KEY ALWAYS STUCK IN IGNITION, CAR DOESN'T START CAR DOOR LOCK BROKEN. *JB

Look up ODI 10039290 at NHTSA ↗

475.2%
ODI 10104585 · 4,300 mi

THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY PARENTS BOUGHT A SATURN ION 2, IT IS ONLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO THEIR LOCATION AND TURNING IT OFF, THEY CAME BACK TO THE CAR (MAYBE 2 HOURS LATER), TO START THE CAR AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES ON THE REMOTE. AFTER ABOUT 20 PUSHES THE CAR WAS FINIALLY ABLE TO BE STARTED. THEY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED ONLY TO HAVE SOMEONE TELL THEM THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG …

Look up ODI 10104585 at NHTSA ↗

386.6%
ODI 10168551 · 9,400 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN IDLE STATE OR PLACED IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE EASILY RESTARTED AFTER STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OF ALL THE KEY CHAINS USED BY THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF ON ITS OWN. AFTER THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT, ONLY ONE KEY CHAIN WAS USED WHILE THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE STALLING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK

Look up ODI 10168551 at NHTSA ↗

564.5%
ODI 10211611

ONCE A SATURN VEHICLE (MOSTLY IONS) ARE EXPOSED TO COLD TEMPERATURES AT OR APPROACHING 32 DEGRESS F FOR SEVERAL HOURS (WORK / SLEEP) WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT IS A FAILURE IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. SATURN ADMITTED THIS IN 2005 WHEN I HAD MY 2004 MODEL IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. BUT NOW MY 2006 MODEL IS DOING THE SAME THING AND THE KEY WILL ALSO GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM YOU CAN SEE COMMENTS AT HTTP://WWW.64.4.38.249/ATT/GETATTACHMENT.ASPX?FILE=... (CA…

Look up ODI 10211611 at NHTSA ↗

354.0%
ODI 10231223 · 63,500 mi

I PURCHASED A USED 2007 SATURN ION IN JULY OF 2007. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO (IF THAT) I HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION CYLINDER BECAUSE WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVE WAY I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OFF. A FEW DAYS AGO I WENT TO THE STORE AND AS I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT TURN. I HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER IGNITION CYLINDER AND HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN!!! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 1/2-3 MONTHS! *TR

Look up ODI 10231223 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline
111.5%
ODI 10055481

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING TWO RECALLS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *PH WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER HE HAD HEARD OF THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IT SAID, THE CONSUMER WANTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT WAS TOLD THE MOST SKILLED MECHANICS WORKED WEEKDAYS. THE CONSUMER FELT THE DEALERSHIP HAD ONLY BEEN MINIMALLY INFORMED OF THE RECALL. *JB *NM

Look up ODI 10055481 at NHTSA ↗

151.7%
ODI 10246503 · 35,000 mi

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD (USUALLY BELOW 40), MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT SIMPLY CLICKS AND SECURITY SENSORS START COMING ON. IF I WAIT 10 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN TRY AGAIN, THE CAR WILL START AND PROMPTLY STALL OUT. I HAVE HAD IT STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING WHEN IT'S COLD OUT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Look up ODI 10246503 at NHTSA ↗

40.7%
ODI 10202238 · 5 mi

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, DROVE ONE MILE OFF THE LOT, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED THE NEXT MORNING TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. AT 15,400 MILES THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. AT 16,000 MILES THE CHIME FOR THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE IGNITION HOUSING WAS REPLACED. AT 19,500 MILES I COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR WOULD START AND IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF AGAIN, THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE NEXT DAY THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE KEY WAS …

Look up ODI 10202238 at NHTSA ↗

937.5%
ODI 10237393 · 61,000 mi

TOOK MY 06 SATURN INTO THE DEALER DUE TO STALLING. WAS TOLD BY THE MECH. THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING THAT THE PLASTIC ELBOW HAD A CRACK IN IT DUE TO THE ROAD VIBRATION MY CONCERN IS THAT TIS IS A LINE THAT IS UNDER APPOS 20PSI LOCATED ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE AND DIRECTLY UNDER THE BACK SEAT. IF GAS IS BEING SPRAYED OUT OVER THE EXHAUST A SPARK IS ALL THAT IS MISSING TO HAVE A ROLLING FLAME THROWER. IN MY SIMPLE MIND THIS PART SHOULD NOT BE PRONE TO CRACKING BECAUSE OF NORMAL DRIVING. I STILL REMEMBER THE PINTO I HOPE SOME ONE WILL TAKE ACTIO…

Look up ODI 10237393 at NHTSA ↗

596.7%
ODI 10229897 · 4,147 mi

REVISED BRAND NEW CAR, DENT IN TRUNK, 3 MONTHS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NOT STARTING, NEEDS NEW FUEL TANK AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR IN THE AC UNIT. 05-30-08, CAR WONT START AGAIN - SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT IS DUE TO AUTOMATIC CAR STARTER NEW CAR PURCHASED ON 11-29-08, 6 MONTHS OLD, ONLY 4700 MILES ON IT. FALLING APART ONE PIECE AT A TIME. *TR

Look up ODI 10229897 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
689.0%
ODI 10106560 · 56,000 mi

OVER THE PAST 2 AND 1/2 WEEKS WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING OUR 2003 SATURN ION. THE CAR WOULD NOT START LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THEN A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR STARTED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND WENT VERY QUICKLY. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN LATER WITH NO PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL SATURN SERVICE TECH ADVISED US THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN WITH OTHER IONS AND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Look up ODI 10106560 at NHTSA ↗

444.9%
ODI 10140711 · 37,119 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V547000 CONCERNING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL. SHE HAD THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, SHE BELIEVED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE COSTS FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/29/05. **JB

Look up ODI 10140711 at NHTSA ↗

132.3%
ODI 10168833 · 18,400 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS STARTED AFTER ONE HALF HOUR AND MOVED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE AN UNDETERMINED PART WAS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED.

Look up ODI 10168833 at NHTSA ↗

181.5%
ODI 10184172

KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY LUBRICATE THE SYSTEM BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT BEGAN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND STILL PERSISTS TODAY. WE CANNOT TAKE ANY MORE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP TO BE TOLD THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM OR THE TRANSMISSION/GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM THAT MAY BE THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONI…

Look up ODI 10184172 at NHTSA ↗

111.3%
ODI 10235769 · 20 mi

PURCHASED A 2007 SATURN ION 2 WITH 20K AND I'VE HAD IT FOR LESS THEN 2 WEEKS AND DRIVEN IT ABOUT 80 MILES OR SO. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO FORCE THE STUCK KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT CONTINUED RUNNING. FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND PROBLEM THAT I HAD 3 DAYS PRIOR WAS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING SERVICED. *TR

Look up ODI 10235769 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
212.8%
ODI 10463420 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Look up ODI 10463420 at NHTSA ↗

232.6%
ODI 10460794 · 107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT START. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

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223.8%
ODI 10493499

WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR A DAY OR MORE IT WON'T CRANK AND NEEDS TO BE JUMPED OFF. THE BATTERY AND ALTENATOR ARE GOOD AND SO ARE THE FUSES. I HAVE CHANGED IGNITION RELAY AND NO DIFFERENCE. HAD CAR RUNNING AND WOULD NOT THIS MORNING AFTER SITTING FOR 18 HRS. BATT IS TOTALLY DEAD. *TR

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413.3%
ODI 10461348 · 86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Look up ODI 10461348 at NHTSA ↗

343.9%
ODI 10457755 · 56,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER DOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOTH A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONSTAR REPORTED A FUEL S…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air BagsToo few reports for a range82,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10615155 · 82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON CRASH BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,200.

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Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range75,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10566353 · 75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Look up ODI 10566353 at NHTSA ↗

Visibility/WiperToo few reports for a range73,130 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10736177 · 73,130 mi

MY WIPERS FAILED. I COULD HEAR THE WIPER MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THE TRANSMISSION AND LINKAGE HAD FAILED. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE ISSUE, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR LATER. I CAN GRAB A WIPER ARM AND MANUALLY MOVE THE WIPERS. BOTH WIPERS MOVE WHEN I MOVE ONE ARM. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH BOTH THE WIPER LINKAGE (WHICH HAS A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE) AND THE WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILING.

Look up ODI 10736177 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 290 reports

2007: 90 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2007214390
2008000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
200787204
2008400

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsElectrical SystemVisibilityVisibility/Wiper
Air Bags—000
Electrical System0—00
Visibility00—0
Visibility/Wiper000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10566353 · 75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Look up ODI 10566353 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b