NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

2006 Saturn Ion (Page 5 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:
88,898 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 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Sep 152012

Ion

  • 123,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor. The contact inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the fuel pump supply area cracked due to defective material. The contact replaced the fuel pump assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 123,000 and the current mileage was 124,002.

- Lafayette , TN, USA

problem #30

Sep 292012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 74,500 miles
On September 29, 2012, the NHTSA issued a recall notice, on its website, for broken fuel lines to fuel pumps to all Saturn Ion sedans from 2007 and newer, in addition to a larger number of other GM vehicles all 2007 and newer. I have a 2006 Saturn Ion sedan and the same issue happened to my car on September 28, 2012, one day before I was aware of the recall. The plastic part connecting the fuel line to the fuel pump cracked, spilling gas around the car and underneath. Repairs were $856 and luckily I had no fire. The fuel pump module and connecting fuel lines all needed to be replaced.the recall as noted by the NHTSA is limited to only certain states and only to 2007 and newer vehicles, but the recall needs to be extended to include 2006 Saturn Ion models, and more states based upon my similar issue. The NHTSA said that 40,000 GM vehicles are affected but I think the problem is larger. I have the parts if needed. I purchased the car used from a Saturn dealership in Pennsylvania and I now live in Michigan, neither of which is listed as a state involved in the recall. You need to look into this further please, before someone dies because of a fire. GM denies anything at this time and indicates their records do not show the recall as mentioned in their system and my vehicle and VIN # are not listed under any fuel leak related issue or recall.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #29

Sep 032012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump had developed a crack. Also, he stated that the failure might be related to NHTSA campaign id number was 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline delivery: Fuel pump). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 11/1/12 updated 11/1/2012

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #28

Aug 172012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles

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

The car was in Arizona for 6 months (Feb. 2012 thru Aug. 2012) upon returning to Illinois there was a strong gas smell around the vehicle. The car was taken to a shop and it was found to have a crack in the fuel pump and it was replaced. I read about the recall for this problem but it did not list 2006 Saturn Ions. I believe that 2006 should also be included in the recall also. During my research I have found many other 2006 models having this problem. It was the hottest summer on record and the car was parked outside while in Arizona.

- Gilberts, IL, USA

problem #27

Sep 202012

Ion

  • 55,538 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the smell of gasoline fuel entered the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic discovered a fuel leak from the hoses. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign I.D. number 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) and called the manufacturer however, the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,538.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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problem #26

Sep 292012

Ion

  • 97,450 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while traveling 35 mph, the contact smelled gasoline in the interior cabin. The contact merged to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and found gasoline leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel pump had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The failure mileage was 97,450 and the current mileage was 97,550.

- Kuna, ID, USA

problem #25

Nov 102011

Ion

  • 53,000 miles

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

The car all of the sudden had a very bad smell of gas but no licking anywhere, two weeks later just park the car at my home and all of the sudden literally rain gas out of the car, had to call a tow company and finally paid extra $250 so the dealer carmax had to change the entire system, they only cover have of the total, it was really scary thank god it didn't caught fire. There is a recall but I don't know if we can get a refund or how does it work??

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #24

Sep 142012

Ion

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while parked fuel fumes were emitted inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the fuel reservoir needed to be replaced. Also, the dealer confirmed that the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 163,000 and the current mileage was 163,567.

- Guthrie, OK, USA

problem #23

Aug 152012

Ion

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while parked, gasoline fuel leaked from the vehicle abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 86,000.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #22

Sep 032012

Ion

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle and fuel was leaking from the fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #21

Aug 162012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 75,608 miles

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

We smelled a very strong fuel odor- very profound, obvious, confirmed by technician at lockhart Cadillac, greenwood, in. There is a current recall out, recall number 09V41900. This recall is for a faulty fuel pump plastic assembly that cracks in extremely high temperatures and includes several western and southern or otherwise traditional "hot weather" states. GM knows it is a problem but because I live in Indiana they would not cover the repair bill. The midwest has experienced on of the hottest summers on record which is what causes this problem. I believe that the midwestern states should be added since this is a potentially fatal problem if not repaired quickly. As you full well know a simple ignition source, a spark or cigarette butt, could set this off. It would be in everyone's best interest to remedy this problem for owners in the midwest.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #20

Sep 052012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Recently I started smelling gas around my vehicle and inside my vehicle after it had been sitting for awhile. Then the check gas cap light came on along with the check engine light, I also noticed the vehicle has a little trouble starting. I found NHTSA campaign id number 09V419000 and recall 09226 both of which explain my issue. My VIN number is included in the list of affected vehicles in the recall but because my vehicle was not originally sold or currently registered in one of the state listed it is not included in the recall. How can living in one state and not another influence a recall? since there is potential for a fire I can't wait to get this fixed and will have to pay for the parts and labor on my own.

- Nashua , NH, USA

problem #19

Sep 012012

Ion

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the plastic supply on the modular reservoir assembly had cracked and fuel was leaking from the area. The contact was informed of recall NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was not included in the recall since the contact did not reside in one of the states specified on the notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #18

Sep 262011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
My 2006 Saturn Ion key would not turn off. Left vehicle running until I could find a service shop open at 7pm. Took care to non-GM shop for fixing that night, shop claimed this is a very common problem. Ignition tumbler was broken. They replaced for around $400. Saturn would not even consider covering this since I did not use a GM dealer. Almost 1 year later this happened again. Luckily parts and labor were covered within the year, however, now they stated that the tumbler housing is also worn out and are wanting to charge an additional $300 to cover the new parts and difference in labor. First instance was at 63,000 miles, second instance at 75,000 miles. Unacceptable.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #17

Aug 222012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 114,074 miles
Recently, I have noticed a strong odor of gasoline in and around the car. I searched the fuel lines to see if there was a leak and there was not. I did some research online and found the GM recall for the fuel pump of this vehicle. The NHTSA campaign number is 09V419000. I contacted GM and gave them my VIN to see if my car was one of the affected. They told me it was not. I see that the recall includes 2006 Saturn Ions in North Carolina, but apparently my car is not part of the recall. The issue with my car is exactly the same listed in the recall. I have done more research and have found over 80 other complaints from other Saturn Ion owners stating that their cars are doing exactly the same thing. However, their cars are not included in the recall either. I believe this issue affects a majority of these model cars, not just the ones listed in the recall sent out by GM.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #16

Aug 212012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 64,596 miles
My 2006 Saturn Ion recently had to have the fuel pump replaced. I noticed a recall (090226) on certain Ion vehicles from this year for this exact issue, but the recall did not include my car. The problem described in the recall describes what happened to my vehicle. I'm hoping by notifying the NHTSA about the fact that this is happening to other vehicles that the recall may get expanded and GM will have to take car of the problem for other people.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #15

Aug 132012

Ion 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,695 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor while being driven or when parked. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and located the failure as the fuel pump being separated from the fuel tank due to defective material. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,695 and the approximate current mileage was 75,451....updated 10/19/12 the consumer stated the dealership's mechanic diagnosed the fuel ump and gas tank would need to be replaced. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. Updated 10/25/2012

- Greenfield , IN, USA

problem #14

Aug 162012

Ion

  • 119,892 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that he smelled fuel coming from the vehicle and later notices a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis who stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system). The failure and the current mileage was 119,892.

- Sanit Joseph, IL, USA

problem #13

Aug 012012

Ion

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While parked, the contact smelled an odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact was uncertain whether there was fuel visible on the ground. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle had not been diagnosed the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

problem #12

Jun 132012

Ion

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While parked, the contact smelled a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. A large amount of fuel leaked onto the ground continuously. The failure occurred during extremely hot weather temperatures. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician advised the contact that the fuel pump module would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump); however the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Union, KY, USA

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