Known Recalls

Model year record

2006 Saturn ION

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,539 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V171000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,191,014
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Safety risk

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 is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Manufacturer remedy

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 each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V153000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component
Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,373,177
Reported to NHTSA
2014-03-31
Owners notified
2014-07-17

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V047000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,190,934
Reported to NHTSA
2014-02-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

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. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V419000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
69,139
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-29
Owners notified
2010-02-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering52566,926 mi
Electrical system31163,257 mi
Fuel/propulsion system111101,683 mi
Fuel system, gasoline9361,069 mi
Air bags5779,826 mi
Electrical system: ignition5660,000 mi
Engine4188,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4075,608 mi
Unknown or other2668,857 mi
Power train2456,891 mi
Engine and engine cooling2344,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1840,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1568,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system1346,500 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1174,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1059,838 mi
Suspension1071,000 mi
Structure: body972,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission756,545 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine635,000 mi
Exterior lighting690,878 mi
Service brakes662,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system636,431 mi
Structure: body: door680,000 mi
Fuel system, other550,482 mi
Steering: column583,561 mi
Tires525,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls590,878 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module450,000 mi
Equipment444,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic433,000 mi
Structure410,800 mi
Air bags: frontal336,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery344,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring311,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings357,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission344,000 mi
Visibility352,000 mi
Visibility/wiper326,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly35,100 mi
Wheels364,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Seat belts258,164 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor23,250 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid244,000 mi
Suspension: front215,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt223,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Air bags: side/window1110,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel155,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: horn1115,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module143,607 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system174,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility181,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.155,200 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Interior lighting155,200 mi
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft118,600 mi
Power train: manual transmission: internal: gears1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: rear/other110,350 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip122,086 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages15,185 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device148,854 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump160,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion115,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers18,007 mi
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars117,262 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm126,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing117,000 mi
Trailer hitches140 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal114,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control136,000 mi

The 2005 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2007 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.