Saturn ION Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Saturn ION across 5 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (127). The words owners use most often: “fuel pump” (58% of reports).
- 240fuel system, gasoline complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel pump: mentioned in 139 of 240 complaints (58%)
- Gasoline delivery: mentioned in 45 of 240 complaints (19%)
- Strong odor: mentioned in 27 of 240 complaints (11%)
- Smell gas: mentioned in 13 of 240 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, gasoline repair on the Saturn ION at $850, and half of them between $750 and $1,150.
Based on 22 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 203 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 240 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Saturn ION fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 2007
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. 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.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
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, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2003, 2004
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l 4-cylinder (l61) engines were built with a fuel filter that could corrode prematurely on the exterior surface.
Risk: If corrosion on the exterior surface of the fuel filter progresses to the point of creating a hole in the shell, fuel droplets could form and drop to the ground. If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filter assembly. Owner notification began on december 30, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact's parents own a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle when the vehicle was started or turned off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's father inspected the vehicle but could not find a fuel leak. Upon investigation, the…
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact then noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The…
The contact's mother owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle to his residence and parking the vehicle in the garage, he observed that a puddle of gasoline had accumulated overnight underneath the vehicle from the fuel tank by the driver's side rear wheel. The…
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while he was attempting to start the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he began to smell a fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle and also saw a fuel leak between the rear…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by independent mechanic, she was informed that the vehicle had a fuel leak and needed the fuel pump and fuel tank to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Saturn IONs have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 240 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Saturn ION. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Saturn ION fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix fuel system, gasoline problems on the Saturn ION?
Owners report a typical cost of $850 (half paid between $750 and $1,150), from 22 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Saturn ION?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel pump”, in 139 of 240 complaints, followed by “gasoline delivery” (45).
Other Saturn ION problems
- Steering problems (1,701)
- Electrical System problems (1,549)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (317)
- Air Bags problems (262)
- Power Train problems (198)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (145)
- Engine problems (141)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (116)
See all Saturn ION problems.