YearToAvoid

2005 Saturn Ion Engine Problems

NHTSA has 52 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2005 Saturn Ion, 9% of all 573 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest engine complaint count among 4 Ion model years. These complaints report 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 81,730 miles.

Engine complaints
52
9% of 573 complaints
All complaints this year
573
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
81,730 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Saturn Ion engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 15, 2005, latest May 12, 2021.

2005 Saturn Ion engine complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2005Mar 2006Jun 2008Jul 2011May 2014Feb 2015Aug 2016
52 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2005 to May 2021; peak Mar 2014 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2005 Saturn Ion

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Ion model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200552 (9%)
  2. 200682 (7%)
  3. 200755 (6%)
  4. 20080 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Saturn Ion have engine problems?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints about the engine in the 2005 Saturn Ion, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 4 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 81,730 miles.
Which Saturn Ion year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Saturn Ion has the most engine complaints (82), compared with 52 for the 2005.
Is there a engine recall for the 2005 Saturn Ion?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Saturn Ion is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.