MYRModel Year Report

2006 Saturn ION

○ Not enough data
2006 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
1,235
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2006: 1,235 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.

Steering

45% · 551 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2013-10-06

Also filed under Service brakes

Electrical system

32% · 399 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2021-03-11

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system and air bags

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, 2005-11-30

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASH

Fuel/propulsion system

9% · 111 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Airbags

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-07

Also filed under Engine and visibility/wiper

Air bags

5% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-11

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, 2007-03-05

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. R
    2010-02-04Fuel system, gasoline09V419000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2010-12-15Recall queryClosed 2011-10-05 Electric Power Steering Failure
  4. I
    2011-09-29Engineering analysisClosed 2014-04-15 Electric Power Steering Failure
  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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

2006 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 551 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 399 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 137 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09V419000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 14V153000 · Steering
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 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn ION have?
6 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.