Model year guide

2006 Saturn ION

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Saturn ION is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 116 on record.

2006 Saturn ION — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2006 Saturn ION at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints1,235
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$2,456

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2006 Saturn ION recalls 6

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V171000 · 10/04/2014

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.

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 ea…

Steering:electric Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #14V153000 · 31/03/2014

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.

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 System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #14E021000 · 30/04/2014

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditi…

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 r…

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #14V047000 · 10/02/2014

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 vehicl…

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #09V419000 · 29/10/2009

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 ASSEM…

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, …

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2006 Saturn ION common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2006 Saturn ION safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2006 Saturn Ion 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2006 Saturn ION MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,880

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2006 Saturn ION worth?

Low
$1,200
Typical price
$2,456
High
$3,988

From 111 comparable 2006 Saturn ION listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Saturn ION costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,400
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,600
Total$16,000
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,456) with the same model 3 model-years older ($1,501), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2006 Saturn ION trims & engines on record

Trims
2 · 3
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.4L 4-cyl

2006 Saturn ION vehicles on record

Other Saturn ION model years

2006 Saturn ION — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Saturn ION have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2006 Saturn ION. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Saturn ION?

Based on 1,235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, electrical system, steering.

What is the 2006 Saturn ION safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2006 Saturn ION crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Saturn ION get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2006 Saturn ION at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2006 Saturn ION worth?

Comparable 2006 Saturn ION listings run roughly $1,200–$3,988, typically around $2,456 (from 111 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.