Vehicle Data Hub

2004 Saturn Ion electrical system problems

353 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2004 Saturn Ion, which is 31% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
353 31% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
52,000 miles 250 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
10 and 3
Injuries and deaths
8 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Electrical system complaints by mileage, 2004 Saturn Ion Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 52,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 41 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 43 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 59 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 37 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 25 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 12 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 13 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 8 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 5 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 4 complaints 200k+ miles: 3 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 52,000 miles
Based on 250 complaints that include mileage. 57% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles41
20k to 40k miles43
40k to 60k miles59
60k to 80k miles37
80k to 100k miles25
100k to 120k miles12
120k to 140k miles13
140k to 160k miles8
160k to 180k miles5
180k to 200k miles4
200k+ miles3

What the data shows

Of the 250 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 52,000 miles, and 57% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries.

What owners wrote

2004 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice issues, air bag malfunction and several other vehicle problems. *smd the consumer stated her daughter was involved in 3 accidents. Her daughter lost power and the vehicle stalled. When her daughter hit the other vehicle, the air bags did not deploy. Her daughter was injured. Also, the consumer had difficulty steering the vehicle.

April 2014 CrashInjury

After 5 years my 2004 saturn ion will not start when the temperature is below +10f. There is power ( new battery ) and no fuel issue ( clean fuel system and filter ), but after 10 to 15 minutes and a couple of hesitant engine turns, it starts. No one needs an unreliable vehicle where winter temps last several months. After replacing the anti-sway bar, both headlight assemblies as well as other annoying problems ( instrument lights out, cabin fan noisy ) I will never ever buy another saturn .

Reported at 118,000 miles, January 2009

Other problems reported for the 2004 Saturn Ion

Electrical system problems in other years

Electrical system problems across all Saturn models