YearToAvoid

2006 Saturn Ion Fuel System Problems

NHTSA has 238 owner complaints about fuel system problems in the 2006 Saturn Ion, 19% of all 1,235 complaints for this model year. That is the highest fuel system complaint count among 4 Ion model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 80,000 miles.

Fuel System complaints
238
19% of 1,235 complaints
All complaints this year
1,235
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
80,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Saturn Ion fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 14, 2008, latest Feb 7, 2024.

2006 Saturn Ion fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter232008 Q12010 Q22011 Q42013 Q22014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42020 Q4
238 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2024 Q1; peak 2012 Q3 (23).

Fuel System recalls for the 2006 Saturn Ion

  1. NHTSA 09V419000Oct 29, 2009Fuel System69,139 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle performance may be affected.

    Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Fuel System complaints by Ion model year

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

  1. 200527 (5%)
  2. 2006238 (19%)
  3. 2007208 (24%)
  4. 20080 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Saturn Ion have fuel system problems?
NHTSA has 238 owner complaints about the fuel system in the 2006 Saturn Ion, 19% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 80,000 miles.
Which Saturn Ion year has the most fuel system complaints?
The 2006 Saturn Ion has the most fuel system complaints (238), compared with 238 for the 2006.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2006 Saturn Ion?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Saturn Ion concerns the fuel system: 09V419000.

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.