MYRModel Year Report

2006 Saturn ION

○ Not enough data
2006 Saturn ION
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Saturn ION Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 2003: 756 complaints 2003 2004: 898 complaints 2004 2005: 573 complaints 2005 2006: 1235 complaints 2006 2007: 876 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2008
2006: 1235 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003756
2004898
2005573
20061235
2007876
20084

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 42%

42% of complaints: steering — 524 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2006 SATURN ION WAS TRAVELING THROUGH A FLAT CURVE AT 45 MPH WHEN THE STEERING FROZE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%

25% of complaints: electrical system — 310 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE RPMS JUMP AROUND AND THE A/C MAKES NOISE AND LIGHTS FLICKER AT TIMES. THE CAR WILL JUST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR WHEN I'M TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IT'S QUITE SCARY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210311

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!

NHTSA ODI report, 20051130

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 111 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE RPMS JUMP AROUND AND THE A/C MAKES NOISE AND LIGHTS FLICKER AT TIMES. THE CAR WILL JUST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR WHEN I'M TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IT'S QUITE SCARY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210311

Airbags

NHTSA ODI report, 20240207

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 93 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE RPMS JUMP AROUND AND THE A/C MAKES NOISE AND LIGHTS FLICKER AT TIMES. THE CAR WILL JUST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR WHEN I'M TURNING ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IT'S QUITE SCARY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210311

MY SON LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR HITTING A POLE HEAD ON AND THEN THE CAR SPUN THREE TIMES IN A 360 AND THEN A 180... AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND HE AND THE PASSENGER ARE BADLY INJURED. THE AIR BAGS COULD HAVE SAVED THEM FROM SEVERAL INJURIES... *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130211

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070305

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R 20100204 — fuel system, gasoline

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORI

Campaign 09V419000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101215 — RQ (closed 20111005)

Electric Power Steering Failure

I 20110929 — EA (closed 20140415)

Electric Power Steering Failure

R 20140404 — electrical system

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

R 20140418 — electrical system

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

R 20140418 — air bags, electrical system

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

R 20140717 — steering

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

2006 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (524 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (310 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (111 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline) 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2006 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 2006 Saturn ION?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn ION have?

6 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.