2004 Saturn ION Electrical System:ignition Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system:ignition ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 898 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Saturn ION overview page.
What owners report
“SATURN ION WILL NOT START DUE TO COLD ISSUES AND IS CAUSED BY AN ISSUE IN THE STARTING MECHANISM. SOMETHING ABOUT THERE BEING A SECURITY…”NHTSA complaint 10182933 — filed 02/19/2007
“- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 SATURN ION DID NOT CRANK OR START WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 35 DEGREES. THE CONTACT CALLED…”NHTSA complaint 10182310 — filed 02/12/2007
“2004 ION II INTERMITTENTLY WON'T START - MAKES A SHORT CRANKING SOUND AND THEN - NOTHING. AFTER WAITING FOR A WHILE (20-30 MINUTES OR S)…”NHTSA complaint 10181388 — filed 02/01/2007
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System:ignition complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Saturn ION have electrical system:ignition problems?
Electrical System:ignition is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Saturn ION: 47 of 898 complaints on file (5.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2004 Saturn ION have in total?
898 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 51 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 35 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system:ignition category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
