NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

2006 Saturn Ion (Page 1 of 6)

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CarComplaints.com Notes: When it comes to the 2006 Ion, the biggest questions are: what big problem is going to pop up next? And how long until GM chooses to address it?

The 2006 Ion has a defective ignition switch that gave owners fits. Their keys would get stuck in the ignition, the engine wouldn’t shut off or in some cases it would shut off at the most dangerous time. The ignition was eventually recalled as part of one of the largest recalls of all-time , but it took GM 10 years to do it. Then there’s this car’s temperamental power steering which is prone to stop working randomly while driving. It too was eventually recalled, even if GM took their sweet time about it.

Lastly, it turns out a car built with plastic doors, fenders and bumpers – while fun for a game of “shopping cart bocce” – is horrible for safety.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,706 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.

2006 Saturn Ion fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #110

Oct 142020

Ion

  • miles

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

Fuel and evap line rusted out inside heat wrap for exhaust pipe near rear drivers tire. Pumped out fuel onto street.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #109

Oct 012021

Ion

  • miles
The year, make, and model of my car has a factory recall for the fuel pump failing. I went to the dealership and they informed me my Vin # wasn't included and their was nothing they could do about it. My vehicle started leaking fuel last week so I dropped the tank and removed the fuel pump. I have done my homework on this including watching several videos on YouTube concerning this issue and I'm 100% positive this fuel pump has failed in the exact location that all the other recalls have and yet my Vin number isn't on the recall according to this GMC service department manager. I am going to have to put a fuel pump in at my expense today because it's my transportation for work but I'm very upset about this situation and GMCs failure to have my vehicle included and having to replace their defected fuel pump. It's very frustrating knowing I'm putting my time and money towards it because I have my hands full trying to replace the house that Hurricane Ida destroyed about a month ago. We need help with this situation because our money is very tight and don't really have it to fix GMCs mistake. I will keep the fuel pump that came out of it along with the receipt for it so anyone can clearly see that I'm not only correct but being shafted on the recall. Thanks have a nice day I'll be eagerly awaiting your response

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #108

Jul 052021

Ion

  • miles
The car is leaking gas from the gas tank. I see recalls from this year, make and model from this vehicle yet when I put my VIN in it says 0 recalls.

- Auburn, IN, USA

problem #107

Feb 242021

Ion

  • 154,123 miles

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

The rpms jump around and the A/C makes noise and lights flicker at times. The car will just stall in the middle of an intersection or when I'm turning onto another road. It's quite scary with children in the car. My main concern is a large SUV put it in reverse and hit the front of my car before ending up on the hood near the windshield. She was going pretty fast and pushed my car pretty far but no airbag! then on a separate occasion I was doing 55 miles when a large animal darted out in front of me. My front end and radiator and front end were shot. Even split my passenger side dash open and had to be towed off but no airbags!! exactly how do I have to be going for me to have protection"??"

- Irvington, AL, USA

problem #106

Jun 102020

Ion

  • 123,456 miles
I started smelling gas when getting out of car. Then it got progressively stronger gas smell that lingered on strong an hour after the car had been sitting. So I checked for gas leak on exterior of gas tank and found extreme amount of gas coming from both of the fuel lines of the fuel module on top of tank. This didn't start until the weather has become warm in the 80 S and 90S.

- Keokuk, IA, USA

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problem #105

Aug 012019

Ion

  • miles
Lately have been noticing by myself and others, strong fuel smell around car. While cleaning out various paperwork, I found a recall letter dated 8/2015 regarding cracked fuel tank inlet control valve. I really need this problem looked into as I am hesitant to drive with the horrid gas smell. Please advise as soon as possible. Thank you

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #104

May 022019

Ion

  • miles

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

The car is having the same difficulties as the other cars covered by the recall. It was made in Tennessee. The manufacturer is refusing to correct the problem and states the car is not cover under the recall. Car can't be driven due to smell of gas and due to the information I have researched it may start a fire. I would like them to correct the problem.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #103

Jun 152019

Ion

  • 135,000 miles
Fuel leak

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #102

May 022016

Ion

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact smelled fuel fumes inside the vehicle. Gold star Buick GMC (1980 N davis rd, salinas, ca 93907, (831) 240-4859) diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel pump needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer did not have the parts and the contact was still required to make a partial payment. The contact asked for a rental vehicle, but her request was denied. The contact had to drive the vehicle home with it leaking fuel. The contact was concerned for her safety. The dealer mentioned that there was special coverage for certain parts under a warranty. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not disclose a lot of information due to the fact that the contact was speaking with her attorney. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #101

Mar 292019

Ion

  • 100,121 miles
Leaking fuel and fuel smell.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #100

Dec 082017

Ion

  • 170,820 miles

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

The car died while in motion moving down a city street and failed to restart. There's a strong gasoline odor in and around the vehicle and it appears to be leaking fuel from underneath the car.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #99

Oct 292017

Ion

  • 109,000 miles
We have power steering light comes on and later it will rest but its happening alot also emulsion light came on after replace fuel lines

- Edwardsburg, MI, USA

problem #98

Nov 042017

Ion

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle and the previous owner did not take it for recalls.it has 6 recalls..the car seems to have a leak by gas tank, smells like gas. I got temporary plates for now but car needs to go to emissions.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #97

Oct 262017

Ion

  • 134,000 miles
Engine reduction, serious safety concern, was almost hit by a semi, engine reduction light comes on, lose power and car slows at a high rate causing extreme safety hazard in traffic, must pull off interstate turn car off to reset, happening 2-3 times a day, strong smell of gas, have a leak and it is not covered under the warranty, sooner or later someone is going to be cruising down the interstate and their Saturn is going to reduce engine power and they will not have time to get out of the way, they will be plowed down by a semi. Are we going to continue to allow GM to ignore this issue like they ignored the ignition switch probelms until it starts causing deaths, why not solve the issue before the deaths start to occur, it seems the older these year models get the worse this problem becomes. I was forced to put a date, but this is an ongoing problem that is getting increasingly worse with the fuel leak, maybe one day the engine will reduce power at the same time I will get run over by a semi and the car will explode into flames from the fuel leak they are not recalling for my vehicle

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #96

Sep 152017

Ion

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving various speeds, a fuel odor emitted through the vents. The contact also noticed the fuel odor coming from the floorboard. The contact called schmidt Chevrolet Cadillac (3423 broadway St, mt vernon, il 62864, phone number: (618) 242-5100) and was informed that the vehicle had to be towed if there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Mount Vernon, IL, USA

problem #95

Jun 012017

Ion

  • 97,656 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while reversing at 3 mph, the contact noticed a fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the fuel lines due to the material in the fuel lines having rotted and failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also spoke to herb chambers Cadillac of warwick located at 1511 bald hill rd, warwick, ri 02886, who advised the contact to tow the vehicle over to have it diagnosed under a potential warranty extension. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,656.

- Wakefield, RI, USA

problem #94

May 312017

Ion

  • 153,272 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving unknown speeds, fuel leaked without warning. The contact called a local dealer (klein Chevrolet Buick located ar 111 w madison St clintonville, wi 54929 715-309-5708), but could not be serviced because the fuel pump module needed to be replaced and was not covered under the recall remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,272.

- Tigerton, WI, USA

problem #93

May 102017

Ion

  • 137,000 miles
I noticed that my car smelled like gas, and then when I parked and got out I saw a puddle of gas under my car. My car is the Saturn Ion 'redline' for some reason I can't pull up my car only a regular Saturn Ion but my car is different. I could tell the gas was coming from the top of my tank. When I dropped the tank I could see that the fuel lines on my fuel pump were broken! the lines were broke right at the pump. On the Saturn and redline forum I see that my car isn't the only redline to have this problem my car only has approx 137000 miles on it, the fuel pump should not have broke like that. There is recalls on some Saturn Ions in certain states for the fuel pump lines breaking just like mine did. My car was put together in Tennessee I bought it brand new in 2006 in New Jersey and now I live in Kentucky. I don't believe I should have to pay for a new fuel pump when this problem is obviously not just limited to Saturn Ions in Arizona and Nevada. My kids and myself got sick from the gas fumes and we're lucky not to of had some sort of spark hit the puddle of gas under my car.

- Mayfield, KY, USA

problem #92

Mar 272017

Ion

  • 153,331 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact inspected the rear of the vehicle and noticed that there was evidence of fuel on the ground under the vehicle and on the underside of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,331.

- Kiln, MS, USA

problem #91

Jan 102017

Ion

  • 122,000 miles
Strong smell of fuel at rear of car after driving, and while parked and running. I noted the recall notice affecting these cars with this problem, however, when I searched, I found that this recall did not affect my VIN number. This car is a special rare version of this type of car called the "redline" edition, and so the VIN may not come up automatically, as only about 600 were made that year. I am planning on talking to the dealership

- Milton, GA, USA

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