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Model Year Problem Record

Saturn ION 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Saturn ION: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

898Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
8Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
84Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System353 complaints

353 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V171000.

Steering350 complaints

350 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V153000.

Power Train60 complaints

60 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System53 complaints

53 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V003000, 04V281000.

Air Bags52 complaints

52 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V047000.

Vehicle Speed Control27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting27 complaints

27 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V547000.

Visibility21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V004000.

Unknown Or Other20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V002000.

Equipment14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V002000Reported January 6, 2004 - 344 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on January 6, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 344 vehicles across all affected models.

04V003000Reported January 5, 2004 - 127,285 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 5, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 127,285 vehicles across all affected models.

04V004000Reported January 5, 2004 - 79,204 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on January 5, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 79,204 vehicles across all affected models.

04V281000Reported June 8, 2004 - 670 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on June 8, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 670 vehicles across all affected models.

04V547000Reported November 16, 2004 - 178,798 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on November 16, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 178,798 vehicles across all affected models.

14V047000Reported February 10, 2014 - 2,190,934 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 2,190,934 vehicles across all affected models.

14V153000Reported March 31, 2014 - 1,373,177 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on March 31, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 1,373,177 vehicles across all affected models.

14V171000Reported April 10, 2014 - 2,191,014 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 2,191,014 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA04035Opened December 22, 2004 - Closed October 20, 2005

FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11014Opened September 29, 2011 - Closed April 15, 2014

Electric Power Steering Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 14V153000.

PE04061Opened August 17, 2004 - Closed December 22, 2004

FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 04V547000.

RQ10004Opened December 15, 2010 - Closed October 5, 2011

Electric Power Steering Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ10004Opened December 15, 2010 - Closed October 5, 2011

Electric Power Steering Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200433
200552
200623
200753
200874
2009112
2010152
201149
201248
201341
2014147
201545
201617
201717
201811
20198
20207
20213
20222
20233
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.