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.

4.0

definitely annoying
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
92,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
2006 Saturn Ion transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Saturn Ion Owner Comments

problem #1

Aug 012012

Ion 2 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 92,000 miles

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

My Getrag F23 manual transmission rattles like a coffee can full of marbles. It shifts fine and doesn't grind at all. It happens when just taking off in 1st and really loud after shifting into 2nd, anywhere below 2000rpm. It is definitely NOT normal manual transmission noise and there is no way to avoid "lugging" the engine at the speeds that I have to make these shifts, especially below 20mph - aside from screaming around the neighborhood at 6000rpm and skipping 2nd gear.

GM has a TSB on this and they just consider it normal operation. There is a "wavy washer" fix inside the transmission that takes care of the rattle, but causes grinding in 4th gear? Overall, 2.2L engine + Getrag F23 = POS car. I hate this thing. It's REALLY LOUD going up hills around 30mph in the neighborhood after a long highway commute.

- Adam M., Scottsdale, AZ, US

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