MYRModel Year Report

2004 Saturn ION

○ Not enough data
2004 Saturn ION
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
898
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 757 complaints 2003 2004: 898 complaints 2004 898 2005: 573 complaints 2005 2006: 1,235 complaints 2006 2007: 876 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2008
2003: 757 complaints 2003 2004: 898 complaints 2004 898 2005: 573 complaints 2005 2006: 1,235 complaints 2006 2007: 876 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2008
2003: 757 complaints 2003 2004: 898 complaints 2004 898 2005: 573 complaints 2005 2006: 1,235 complaints 2006 2007: 876 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2008

2004: 898 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003757
2004898
2005573
20061,235
2007876
20084

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

39% · 353 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-02

Also filed under Steering

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, 2012-09-29

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, 2012-08-20

Steering

39% · 350 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and column.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2018-09-25

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, 2012-07-24

Electronic assist steering system:ravaling at interstate speed - design flaw.esign flaw result - lost control of car due to sudden jerk of wheel to avoid collision with motorist coming into our lane. Did 270 deg spin in heavy traffic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-23

Power train

7% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Air bags

6% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving through an intersection the vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the front right side. The consumer stated that both frontal air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver sustained minor injuries as a result.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-27

Fuel/propulsion system

4% · 36 reports
FIRE

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-12-30Visibility04V004000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-12-30Fuel system, gasoline04V003000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2004-01-06Structure04V002000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2004-06-09Fuel system, other04V281000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2004-08-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-22 Front turn signal/drl failure
  6. R
    2004-11-17Exterior lighting04V547000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2004-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2005-10-20 Front turn signal/drl failure
  8. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2010-12-15Recall queryClosed 2011-10-05 Electric Power Steering Failure
  10. I
    2011-09-29Engineering analysisClosed 2014-04-15 Electric Power Steering Failure
  11. R
    2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2014-07-17Steering14V153000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 353 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 350 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 60 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V004000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V003000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V002000 · Structure
  • Recall 04V281000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 04V547000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 14V153000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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 electrical system, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn ION have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-06 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.