CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the 2004 Saturn Ion: defective transmission, deadly ignition switch, temperamental power steering and a cheap plastic exterior that won’t protect you in a crash. What more could you want?

The 2004 Ion was part of GM’s massive ignition switch recall where it was revealed they waited 10 years – and let 13 people die – before doing anything about it. It also features GM’s now infamous VTi continuously variable transmission. Let me tell you, the only thing the VTi did continuously was fail on its owners. GM scrapped it after only two model years.

1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,126 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Saturn Ion engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #3

Aug 262012

Ion

  • 155,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the second time the ignition lock cylinder broke. Today we unable to turn off the engine. We had to remove fuses to kill the engine and disconnect the battery. The first time it happened we were stuck in the grocery store parking lot because the key would not turn to start. In both cases we had to break the ignition lock in order to remove the lock cylinder. With the cylinder removed we can use a screw driver to start the car. The screw is much more reliable.

- Ellensburg, WA, USA

problem #2

Jun 202012

Ion

  • 142,750 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion L3. The contact stated that after removing the key from the ignition, the vehicle failed to shut down. The contact stated that the battery cables were manually disconnected so the engine could shut down. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 142,750 and the current mileage was 142,800.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Apr 062012

Ion

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated the vehicle intermittently would not start. On numerous occasions, the contact would have to push the vehicle until it started. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

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