2006 Saturn Ion: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Saturn Ion: 4 recalls, 1235 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #09V419000 · 2009 · 69,139 vehicles
What's wrong: The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly May crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel May be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle performance May be affected.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina,…
Airbags, Electrical Vehicle recall #14V047000 · 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles
What's wrong: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors LLC (gm) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac g5 vehicles.…
Why it matters: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags May not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014.…
Steering Vehicle recall #14V153000 · 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, there May be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Why it matters: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin…
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V171000 · 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position.
Why it matters: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission…
The fix: General motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Electrical Equipment recall #14E021000 · 2014 · 14,529 vehicles
What's wrong: The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event May cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Why it matters: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: Uci-fram group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by gm dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14v-047, free of charge. Uci-fram's purchasers should contact uci-fram group at 1-800-890-2075. Gm vehicle owners…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 33 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (544): the most common themes are steering problems (520), warning light on (149).
- Electrical (392): the most common themes are electrical failure (149), stalls / loses power (100), door / lock issues (92).
- Fuel system (127): the most common themes are leaks (83), fire / smoke (13).
- Fuel & propulsion (111): the most common themes are leaks (59), fire / smoke (11), stalls / loses power (7).
The 2006 Saturn Ion has 1235 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 6 Ion model years for complaints (1.7× the average Ion year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (282 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 66,913 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (573 complaints, 3 recalls), 2007 (876 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Saturn Ion.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Saturn Ion have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Saturn Ion, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Saturn Ion problems?
Owners have filed 1235 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (544), electrical (392), fuel system (127).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Saturn Ion get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Saturn Ion repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.