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Research · Compact Cars

2006 Saturn IonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,235 owner complaints for the 2006 Saturn Ion. Most complaints involve steering (544) and electrical system (392). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
1,235
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,235 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2005 – Mar 2025
  1. Steering544
  2. Electrical system392
  3. Fuel system, gasoline127
  4. Fuel/propulsion system111
  5. Air bags61
  6. Engine41
  7. Power train36
  8. Engine and engine cooling30
  9. Structure24

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
44
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
33
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

544 reports17 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11649410

Electrical system

392 reports13 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,764.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2023Electrical systemODI 11536214

Fuel system, gasoline

127 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11460956
All 2006 Ion problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 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 Nov 10, 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$2,400342
Ion
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,100355
Ion
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Ion
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Ion
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350386
  • Ion
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Ion
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2006 Saturn Ion as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1783Vehicle 1782
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

2006 Ion questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn Ion have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2006 Saturn Ion problems?

Owners filed 1,235 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (544), electrical system (392), fuel system, gasoline (127). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Saturn Ion get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Saturn Ion at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026