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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Saturn IonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 573 owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Ion. Most complaints involve steering (265) and electrical system (227). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
573
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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 use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Steering: electric power assist system

Remedy pending

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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

SteeringReported Mar 31, 2014NHTSA 14V153000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

573 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2005 – Nov 2025
  1. Steering265
  2. Electrical system227
  3. Air bags34
  4. Exterior lighting31
  5. Power train28
  6. Engine22
  7. Fuel/propulsion system21
  8. Vehicle speed control18
  9. Engine and engine cooling15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ion model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003768
2004898
2005573
20061,235
2007876
Crashes reported
31
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

265 reports9 crashes
“This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it’ll stay off for an hour sometimes it’ll stay off for weeks and I can’t figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11699599

Electrical system

227 reports5 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck inside the ignition key slot, and the vehicle failed to start. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 167,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2025Electrical systemODI 11674938

Air bags

34 reports19 crashes
“Hello I am reaching out to complain about Courtesy Chevrolet - San Diego. I’ve been trying to get my car serviced in order to fIx the recalls. Unfortunately I have not been successful. I called the dealer to make an appointment but the dealer told me that the car has been discontinued and they can’t find the parts. The suggested to call somewhere else.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2023Air bagsODI 11515552
All 2005 Ion problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ion
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$2,450342
Ion
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Ion
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,450386
  • Ion
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Saturn Ion as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1654Vehicle 1653
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Ion questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Ion have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Saturn Ion problems?

Owners filed 573 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (265), electrical system (227), air bags (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Saturn Ion get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Saturn Ion at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026