2005 Saturn Ion Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Saturn Ion has a complaint index of 33, the lowest of the four model years with data, and ranks 3rd worst out of 4 with a Good verdict. Steering and electrical system issues dominate, accounting for 46% and 43% of complaints, but overall complaint volume is far below the 2006 and 2007 models.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #3 of 4 Ion years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 573
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 31
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 19
- Top issue
- Steering
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 19 / 0
Top 2005 Saturn Ion problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering265 (46%)
- Electrical System245 (43%)
- Engine52 (9%)
- Airbags34 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (5%)
- Fuel System27 (5%)
- Other24 (4%)
- Brakes15 (3%)
- Structure & Body15 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel shakes erratically or pulls to one side during lane changes on the highway.
- Power steering assist cuts out suddenly, especially in wet or snowy conditions, making the car hard to control.
- Dashboard gauges (speedometer, odometer, fuel gauge) fail shortly after purchase, sometimes within weeks of ownership.
- Smoke or burning smell comes from the front or rear of the parked vehicle, in some cases leading to a fire.
- Front airbags fail to deploy in frontal collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- Unexpected acceleration occurs with the driver's foot on the brake, leading to a rear-end collision.
2005 Saturn Ion recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
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 necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
- NHTSA 14V153000Mar 31, 2014Steering1,373,177 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
- NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles
Air bags
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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMÂs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
2005 Saturn Ion fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Ion years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Saturn Ion reliable?
- Among the four Ion model years with data, 2005 has the lowest complaint index at 33 and earns a Good verdict. It ranks 3rd worst out of 4, meaning only one year performs better on complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Ion?
- NHTSA complaints show steering issues account for 46% of reports and electrical system problems account for 43%. Engine complaints make up 9% of the total.
- Does the 2005 Saturn Ion have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2005 Ion covering the electrical system (ignition cylinder), steering, and airbags (ignition switch related). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Ion compare to the 2006 Ion?
- The 2006 Ion has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far worse than the 2005 model's index of 33 and Good verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Saturn Ion?
- EPA rates the 2005 Ion at 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.