YearToAvoid

2006 Saturn Ion Engine Problems

NHTSA has 82 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Saturn Ion, 7% of all 1,235 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 4 Ion model years. These complaints report 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 74,118 miles.

Engine complaints
82
7% of 1,235 complaints
All complaints this year
1,235
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
74,118 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Saturn Ion engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 6, 2006, latest Feb 7, 2024.

2006 Saturn Ion engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter112006 Q22008 Q32010 Q12011 Q22013 Q22014 Q32016 Q22018 Q4
82 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q2 to 2024 Q1; peak 2014 Q2 (11).

Engine recalls for the 2006 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 2006 Saturn Ion have engine problems?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Saturn Ion, 7% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 74,118 miles.
Which Saturn Ion year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Saturn Ion has the most engine complaints (82), compared with 82 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Saturn Ion?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 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.