NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Saturn Ion. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.
Airbags
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while exiting a driveway and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir and there was power steering fluid in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact's mother owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle to his residence and parking the vehicle in the garage, he observed that a puddle of gasoline had accumulated overnight underneath the vehicle from the fuel tank by the driver's side rear wheel. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that upon switching gears to reverse, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. The contact stated that she was unable to shift gears and continued to drive the vehicle in third gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the clutch was fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to their location in two weeks for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
The year, make, and model of my car has a factory recall for the fuel pump failing. I went to the dealership and they informed me my Vin # wasn't included and their was nothing they could do about it. My vehicle started leaking fuel last week so I dropped the tank and removed the fuel pump. I have done my homework on this including watching several videos on YouTube concerning this issue and I'm 100% positive this fuel pump has failed in the exact location that all the other recalls have and yet my Vin number isn't on the recall according to this GMC service department manager. I am going to have to put a fuel pump in at my expense today because it's my transportation for work but I'm very upset about this situation and GMCs failure to have my vehicle included and having to replace their defected fuel pump. It's very frustrating knowing I'm putting my time and money towards it because I have my hands full trying to replace the house that Hurricane Ida destroyed about a month ago. We need help with this situation because our money is very tight and don't really have it to fix GMCs mistake. I will keep the fuel pump that came out of it along with the receipt for it so anyone can clearly see that I'm not only correct but being shafted on the recall. Thanks have a nice day I'll be eagerly awaiting your response
We purchased this vehicle recently. 1 week later we discovered loss of power steering assist while attempting to parallel park. We spoke with the seller (repair shop) and they discovered the Recall Notice 14V153000: Loss of Power Steering Assist. When I attempted to schedule a recall service at a GM dealership it was shown that this vehicle already had this particular recall service performed on the vehicle. 1. Power steering Assist 2. Loss of control of steering. 3. No (issue is intermittent) 4. No (original recall was performed though; it is happening again) 5. No warnings.
The car is leaking gas from the gas tank. I see recalls from this year, make and model from this vehicle yet when I put my VIN in it says 0 recalls.
2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE SHIFTER SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO TO TURN OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO POWER OFF. THIS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIR.
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. MY MAIN CONCERN IS A LARGE SUV PUT IT IN REVERSE AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR BEFORE ENDING UP ON THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. SHE WAS GOING PRETTY FAST AND PUSHED MY CAR PRETTY FAR BUT NO AIRBAG! THEN ON A SEPARATE OCCASION I WAS DOING 55 MILES WHEN A LARGE ANIMAL DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY FRONT END AND RADIATOR AND FRONT END WERE SHOT. EVEN SPLIT MY PASSENGER SIDE DASH OPEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED OFF BUT NO AIRBAGS!! EXACTLY HOW DO I HAVE TO BE GOING FOR ME TO HAVE PROTECTION????
I HAD CLEARED MY WINDOWS OF SNOW AND TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND DISCOVERED MY REAR WINDOW HAD IMPLODED.. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,917.
Fuel and evap line rusted out inside heat wrap for exhaust pipe near rear drivers tire. Pumped out fuel onto street.
DIFFICULT TO STEER OR TURN STEERING WHEEL.
STILL HAVING IGN. KEY PROBLEMS NOT TURNING AND CAN NOT REMOVE, AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON WHEN STARTING AND HARD TO STEER. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CAN'T REPAIR UNLESS THEY SEE IT
I STARTED SMELLING GAS WHEN GETTING OUT OF CAR. THEN IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY STRONGER GAS SMELL THAT LINGERED ON STRONG AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING. SO I CHECKED FOR GAS LEAK ON EXTERIOR OF GAS TANK AND FOUND EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS COMING FROM BOTH OF THE FUEL LINES OF THE FUEL MODULE ON TOP OF TANK. THIS DIDN'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER HAS BECOME WARM IN THE 80 S AND 90S. *TR
STEERING ERRORS
The contact owned a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph and there was a stopped vehicle in the middle of the road, in order to avoid crashing the contact veered to the right lane but crashed into the rear of a truck. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, arm, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (Air bags, Electrical system). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to file for the class action lawsuit. The failure mileage was 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
AIR BAG IF IS A RE CALL I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR WHERE TO.
LATELY HAVE BEEN NOTICING BY MYSELF AND OTHERS, STRONG FUEL SMELL AROUND CAR. WHILE CLEANING OUT VARIOUS PAPERWORK, I FOUND A RECALL LETTER DATED 8/2015 REGARDING CRACKED FUEL TANK INLET CONTROL VALVE. I REALLY NEED THIS PROBLEM LOOKED INTO AS I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE WITH THE HORRID GAS SMELL. PLEASE ADVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR WON'T START. UNABLE TO RETRIEVE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARK, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED OR THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE TURNED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,804
FUEL LEAK
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS IN 5 P.M. TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK IN THE DASH AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER FOR 2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND FIXED FOR FREE IN 2014
THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES AS THE OTHER CARS COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT WAS MADE IN TENNESSEE. THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND STATES THE CAR IS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL. CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN DUE TO SMELL OF GAS AND DUE TO THE INFORMATION I HAVE RESEARCHED IT MAY START A FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BAR FRACTURED THAT HELD THE TRUNK OPEN. AS A RESULT, THE TRUNK LID STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE HEAD AND RIGHT HAND TWICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE STEERING CREATING THE 2014 RECALL HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND IS NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH. SO THE FACT THAT THE RECALLED PART THAT WAS REPLACED BY GM IS ONCE AGAIN HAVING ISSUES IS DISTRESSING. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT DURING A LOCAL DRIVE, LESS THAN 5 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2014. RECALL NUMBER: 14V153000. RECALL DATE: 03/31/2014. COMPONENT: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD BE MONITORED TO DETERMINE IF THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ALSO DEFECTIVE.
LEAKING FUEL AND FUEL SMELL.
MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO VEHICLES AROUND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO MANUAL STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER. THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I CONTACTED SATURN WHO LOOKED UP THE VIN # ON MY VEHICLE. SATURN SAID THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON 2004-2007 SATURN ION'S AND I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION. I MENTIONED THIS TO SATURN AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT IT'S VIN # SPECIFIC. I SAID HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN MY CAR (WHICH FALLS UNDER THE SAME MODEL AND YEARS RECALLED) IS HAVING THE SAME FAILURE? THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY QUESTION AND SIMPLY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED AND I CAN TAKE IT UP WITH THE NHTSA. THE FAILURE IS THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR. THEY USE THE SAME ELECTRIC MOTOR (EXACT SAME OEM PART NUMBER) IN ALL THE SATURN ION MODELS AND THE CHEVY COBALT. IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER ME? I REALLY DO NOT HAVE $1000 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND I ALREADY HAVE PUT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING IT. NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT.
KEY IGNITION LOCKED UP KEY WON'T TURN AT ALL AND THERE'S A RECALL ON IT AND TOOK IT TO DEALER SHIP FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND THERE WANTING TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT AND THERE SUPPOSE TO DO IT FOR FREE SENSE IT'S A RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VANDERGRIFF CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1200 W INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76017, (682) 323-2486) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WENT TO TURN THE CORNER ON TO I90 WEST FROM HIGHWAY 56 SOUTH AND IT WAS VARY HARD TO PULL OIT OF THE TURN LIKE IT LOCKED UP ALMOST PUT ME INTO THE DITCH
POWER STEERING GOES OUT THEN WHEN SITTING FOR A PERIOD, IT WILL RESET AND START WORKING THEN THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF AND I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, HARD TO PULL OFF ROAD. FIRST TIME IT WAS STATIONARY WITH "POWER STR" ON DASHBOARD, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS IN MOTION DOWN THE STREET OR ROADWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF DOVER (1450 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901, (302) 760-9956), BUT THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
ON JULY 21,2018, I STARTED MY SATURN ION 2006 IN THE MORNING , I SAW THERE IS A MESSAGE "PWR STR", AND THEN I FOUND THE CAR LOST THE POWER STEERING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR ON THE ROAD, WHEN I FINNALLY DRIVE IT INTO A CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY SAID THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED IN A 2004 RECALL AND THEY DECLINE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FOR FREE.
2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANDREW CHEVROLET (1500 W SILVER SPRING DRIVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53209, 1-414-228-6200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO PULLED FORWARD AND THE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAITED ABOUT 20 MIN'S AND STARTED MY CAR BACK UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK ON. WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. MY CAR WAS PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL IN 2014. THAT RECALL NUMBER WAS N140115.
THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT WILL NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE
POWER STEERING LOST WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. VERY HARD TO STEER. IT CAME BACK THEN 5 MINUTES LATER I LOST IT AGAIN. SCARY. NO INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. SATURN SAID IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE. SATURN SAID THERE IS NO RECALL.
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING GETS VERY HARD AND THEN CANT STEER WE HAVE TO TRY TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN RESTART IT TO GO.
I WAS HIGHWAY 56 TURNING ONTO INTERSTATE 90 AND THE CAR WAS VARY HARD TO CORRECT BACK FROM THE TURN IT WANTED TO STAY IN THE TUUN AND ALMOST OUT ME IN THE DITCH IN MINNESOTA
MY IGNITION WILL NOT TURN 'OFF'. IT WILL GET STUCK AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO PUT SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND BACK INTO PARK THEN TRY TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF . ALSO THE MUFFLER IS NOT COMPLETELY STABLIZED TO THE CAR WITHOUT TAMPERING.
TAKATA RECALL THE ENGINE IS ON. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE KEY DOESN'T GO IN THE OFF POSITION. I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE ON AGAIN AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.SOMETIMES 2 OR 3 TIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE ON AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE CAR IS PARKED.
THE CAR DIED WHILE IN MOTION MOVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND FAILED TO RESTART. THERE'S A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR.
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE AUTO PARTS STORE TOLD US NOT TO BUY AN IGNITION SWITCH. THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO CHECK ON THE RECALL FOR THIS SATURN. HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF ALL RECALLS FOR THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPAIRED?
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT TAKE IT FOR RECALLS.IT HAS 6 RECALLS..THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A LEAK BY GAS TANK,SMELLS LIKE GAS. I GOT TEMPORARY PLATES FOR NOW BUT CAR NEEDS TO GO TO EMISSIONS.
WE HAVE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND LATER IT WILL REST BUT ITS HAPPENING ALOT ALSO EMULSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER REPLACE FUEL LINES
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026