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.

7.5

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,537 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #1

Dec 222004

Ion 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,537 miles

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

I purchased my 2004 Saturn Ion in April, 2004. In June, 2004 my right turn signal stopped working, causing my running light on that side not to work either. In July, 2004 when opening up the hood to refill windshield wiper fluid, the hood latch inside the car came off in my hand. On Dec 22, 2004, the brakes on my 2004 Saturn Ion failed to work cause me to go through a stop sign, which resulted in a accident with another car. Both cars were only moving about 15 - 20 mph, but on impact the whole right (passenger side) side bumper broke up and was on the ground. Leaving a big gapping hole on the right passenger side of the car. No recalls have been placed on defective brakes, as of this date. In February, 2005, when coming out to start car after work, the car would not start, the key locked in the ignition, the hood and the trunk locked and couldn't get them open to get a jump from the tow truck. I had to have the car towed back to the Saturn dealership. Battery was replaced. The same day I picked the car up from the dealership, went into a store when I came out the car would not start again. This time the key didn't lock in ignition so I was able to get a jump. This has happened on about 4 different occasion, with the dealership not able to give me any solution to the problem.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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