2004 Saturn ION 2
1G8AJ52F74Z220294
Vehicle history report for the 2004 Saturn ION 2 (VIN 1G8AJ52F74Z220294). Gray, sedan/saloon, 2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp, gasoline. 157,299 mi reported. Registered in Oh. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2004 Saturn ION worth?
What comparable 2004 Saturn ION vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2004 Saturn ION.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1G8AJ52F74Z220294
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2004 Saturn ION.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 898 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Saturn ION, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 898
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2004 Saturn ION.
STEERING
The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes …
NHTSA ODI #11696981ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch and the ignition lock cylinder; however, the failure recurred. The …
NHTSA ODI #11530643VISIBILITY/WIPER
The drivers side windshield wiper linkage failed at the junction of the metal rod and the plastic wiper mount causing the wiper to stop working. And the wiper arms are almost impossible to remove, even with a puller. Obviously this condition is a safety issue, and other GM vehicles have been recalled for the same issue. Why not the 2004 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA ODI #11528394AIR BAGS
Airbags did not deploy
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #11528201STEERING
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a l…
NHTSA ODI #11497233FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car started getting a strong odor of gas. A fuel pipe leak is causing the odor
NHTSA ODI #11446156FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Hi I am a kind of new owner of an 04 saturn ion, this is actually the second complaint I've filled out. Last July I had a mechanic friend look at my fuel filter and he had said the fuel line needed to be cut off becuase of how rusted on to the original fuel filter I'd got it with was and I didn't believe him so I replace it myself and when I got it off I had…
NHTSA ODI #11432589FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TRIED TAKING FUEL FILTER OFF LAST JULY TOOK A WHOLE WEEKEND OF USING PENATRATING OIL AND FREEZE OFF THEN I FINALLY GOT THE TABS TO COME LOOSE, I THOUGHT MAYBE I MESSED UP THE NEW FILTER OR DIDNT GET ENOUGH RUST OFF THE FUEL LINE AND THAT'S WHAT WAS CAUSING THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS ND POOR PERFORMANCE BUT CHANGED IT AGAIN AND STILL THAT SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW T…
NHTSA ODI #11398818+ 890 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 1G8AJ52F74Z220294 valid?
1G8AJ52F74Z220294 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in United States. It decodes to the 2004 Saturn ION.
Does the 2004 Saturn ION have any open safety recalls?
No open NHTSA safety-recall campaigns were found for the 2004 Saturn ION. CarLogs checks this against official NHTSA data on every lookup.
What is a fair price for a 2004 Saturn ION?
Comparable 2004 Saturn ION listings run roughly $800–$3,500, typically around $1,932 (from 100 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 2004 Saturn ION get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Saturn ION at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).
Data last checked 15 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.