2004 Saturn ION
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 756 |
| 2004 | 898 |
| 2005 | 573 |
| 2006 | 1235 |
| 2007 | 876 |
| 2008 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
36% of complaints: steering — 323 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20181002
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180925
DRIVER WAS TURNING RIGHT AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN IMMEDIATELY AND RAMMED INTO THE MEDIAN. DRIVER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION AT MEDICAL FACILITY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120724
26% of complaints: electrical system — 233 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
OUR CAR, 2004, SATURN ION3, CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY ON IT'S OWN ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS DRIVEN HOME ON 4 NOV 2011. NO DRIVER - NO KEY IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120929
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND AT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120820
5% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file.
CRASH5% of complaints: electrical system — 44 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20181002
5% of complaints: air bags — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS AND/OR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Campaign 04V004000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILTER THAT COULD CORRODE PREMATURELY ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Campaign 04V003000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME WELDS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTOR RAIL AND THE FRONT BUMPER BRACKET DO NOT MEET ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER'S POSSESSIONS.
Campaign 04V002000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUPERCHARGED 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (LSJ) ENGINE WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FEED PIPE THAT COULD CRACK AND LEAK FUEL NEAR THE FUEL RAIL. IF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL FEED PIPE, THER
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED PIPE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Campaign 04V281000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) ON EITHER FRONT SIDE CAN STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL/TURN SIGNAL BULB ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE AND INSPECT FOR AND ADD A DRL JUMPER KIT IF NOT PRESENT. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTAC
Campaign 04V547000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
Electric Power Steering Failure
Electric Power Steering Failure
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...
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.
Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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...
Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V153000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (323 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (233 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (47 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V004000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V003000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V002000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V281000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V547000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V153000 (steering) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2004 Saturn ION reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn ION?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn ION have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.