2004 Saturn ION Consumer Reviews

Avoid this car at all costs

Written by: Diana V on 06/23/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 3 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car is one of the major reasons GM has been having problems. Within a month of driving the car off the lot I began having problems. I had to take the car back to the dealership every month that I owned the car for the first year. Every month was a different problem, and since it was not the same problem twice I was unable to file lemon law on the car. Problems include but are not limited to the electric steering failing (at 74,500 miles and year 3 that I owned the car, warranty expired at 75,000, when I was able to get car to dealership I was 200 miles past warranty so I was told by Saturn corporate that it was my problem), central computer glitches, faulty wiring to headlights, anti-theft device would lock car ignition upon inserting key in ignition during cold weather, and a problem with the crank case is what caused my Ion 3 to go to it's final resting place. The final year I had the car (Dec 2008, exactly 5 years from the date I bought the car) I again started having monthly problems and dumped a lot of money into the car.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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sad

Written by: Denise on 05/26/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Saturn Ion in 2005 it was a year old. I have driven it for almost four years. Really the only problem I have had with it was the CD 's stick. This last Sunday however my daughter was hit on the passenger front end. After doing some research I found out that the 2004 had a recall of the body structure on the passenger side right where she was hit. she was driving about 20mph and was hit by a truck going about 55-70 in town. The Ion Airbags did not deploy. Thank God she was not hit severely. Though my car was totalled. I have found six other recalls on the car I bought and I have never received any type of notification...

Favorite Features

exterior shape

Suggested Improvements

Airbags and bumpers for deploying airbags

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Not a bad little car

Written by: Some Kid on 03/19/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

GM/Saturn did a pretty good job with this car. About 60/40 driving conditions (city/highway), I get between 28-30 mpg. It's not a very fast car (despite the way Saturn designed the exterior) but it will get you to where you need to go while sipping on fuel. I do not like the interior. The rear seating of the 2 door quad coupe is unbearable and not comfortable for anyone over about 5'7" ish. Good size trunk space. The instrument cluster (speedometer and such) is in the center of the dash...kind of unnecessary. If you you're a commuter and aren't looking for an over luxerious vehicle, this is for you.

Favorite Features

Decent fuel economy 5 speed is fun to drive The rear suicide doors

Suggested Improvements

A slightly more powerful engine..it's kind of weak A better interior (seats are slightly uncomfortable on long trips)

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Car won't start in Winter

Written by: Mike48128 on 02/25/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Passlock (BCM) makes the car impossible to start in cold weather. Noisy suspension and easily damaged bumpers. I liked this car a lot at first due to the large cargo space and good gas mileage...but not anymore. Do not buy this model as a used car. You will be sorry.

Favorite Features

Plastic panels resist denting and scratching. Good gas mileage. Quiet and long lasting exhaust system.

Suggested Improvements

Disable the passlock security system on your used Ion. Modifying the ignition key switch with a bypass module or by cutting a white wire, very carefully! This will cause the passlock icon to "stay lit" but at least the car will start in the Winter. Don't want to do this? Don't buy a used Ion!

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Love my ION

Written by: wayne on 02/20/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Driving this car is great. The electric steering system is better than other systems. Went through a heavy hail storm, polymer panels came through without any problems.

Favorite Features

Polymer body panels, ride, gas mileage on the highway over 35 mpg. No problems with this car.

Suggested Improvements

Polymer hood and deck lid.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great example of thinking outside of box

Written by: Sidney on 02/06/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great car. Great example of thinking outside the box. It is an example of what I used to like about Saturn, not afraid to try something new. How many times have you bought a new car and only months later, find that you have door dings all over it from parking? Solution: Polymer body panels. The center console some people hate but I just love it. So much easier to see the instrumentation without having to look thru the steering wheel. The engine is smooth and refined, but the trans could use a bit of tuning. 2nd to 3rd shift is a bit abrupt when cold. The only service issue I have had in 50,000 miles are loose front stabilizer bushings. Front seats a bit soft. Very reliable so far.

Favorite Features

Interior styling with intersecting eliptical patterns. Center console is great, 2nd best design feature. Polymer body panels, best design feature. Electric power steering (more efficient than hydraulics, no high pressure fluids to leak). Battery in trunk to keep it cool and improve balance.

Suggested Improvements

2-bolt clamps around front stabilizer bushings. Sturdier gas access door. The existing one is kinda flimsy. More supportive front seats. 4-wheel disc brakes. (Why is anyone still using drum brakes?)

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Good Car, Some Caveats

Written by: Matt_A on 10/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Ion 2 purchased new at end of season, with a power package. An econocar, with great exterior styling (seemed to be copied in the 2004 Nissan Maxima). The engine has plenty of power and pep than the older Saturn S Series. Long drives were extremely comfortable, suspension was comfy, seats are 'firm' yet comfortable enough for 6 hour drives. The soft donut hole head rests (reminiscent of the Audi) are great for the passenger looking for a sleep and for seeing through. The innovative center console is cool/easy to read. Flexible body panels are excellent, a BMW bumped into the rear in a parking lot and no harm to the Ion but it crumpled up the BMW side panel. The huge trunk is a bonus.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, peppy engine, manual transmission/cruise control (recommended for long drives/gas savings), center console, comfortable ride, seats (easily cleanable via a rent/steam cleaner), very easy to clean, flexible/composite body panels (dent and rust proof) = less maintenance issues

Suggested Improvements

Biggest problems are 1) Engine lock occurs in wet weather, hard to override and 2) Battery/back doors act up in extremely cold weather. Cushy ride = non-precise ride, huge beams = blind spots, seats stain easy (yet clean easily), extra safety features would have been nice (tc, esp, more air bags).

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Love my Saturn!

Written by: docsmilitarywife on 09/19/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My husband bought me my Saturn ION Sport with all leather trim, sunroof, 6 cd changer & everything for my birthday and I absolutely adore it! It's the funnest car I have ever driven. It's reliable, sporty, beautiful, and low maitenance. The only things about it I would change are I would like it if it got a bit better gas mileage and the back seat is kinda cramped. I highly recommend one for those whom have no children or only a small child. We have driven this car to GA & Tennessee multiple times and it has always proven reliable. I get compliments on it all the time. People really like it, though not as much as I do! It is a 6 cylinder, too so it has great pick-up and speed.

Favorite Features

Leather interior, sunroof, pick-up, huge trunk

Suggested Improvements

Should get better gas mileage, back seat area could be a bit larger.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Going to be my last Saturn...sad

Written by: Aaron on 08/15/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My wife and I bought a new ION (9th Saturn for my family since 94) and before it reached 10000 miles we had to take it to the dealership 3 times for suspension issues (suspension arm/brushings replaced). It also lunges forward between 2nd and 3rd gear when accelerating slowy and it downshifts and jerks backwards when coasting down hills. When I roll my windows up and down it sounds like a jack-in-the-box before it pops open. My 94 Saturn was great. It had 180,000 on it before we traded it in and got a 2008 Civic. I really don't think the ION will make it that long.

Favorite Features

I like the exterior styling.

Suggested Improvements

No more Ions are being made so it wouldn't matter.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Ions Are Fuel Efficient

Written by: Cody on 08/07/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased my Ion back in 2006. The only repairs that I have had to perform on it was replacing the front rotors due to the roads in Jacksonville, NC and on Camp Lejeune, NC. Other than that I just perform the normal routine maintenance on it(i.e. oil change, brakes, etc). Every time I travel to Florida, I save always on gas. It is roughly 762 miles from Camp Lejeune to where I live in Florida, and I only have to fill up 3 times (that's stopping when my tank is sitting at a 1/4 of a tank). Overall, my experience with this car has been nothing but Superb. I recommend it to anyone. But do not listen to reviews, with this car you got to try for yourself.

Favorite Features

My ultimate favorite feature is the gas mileage. I save a lot of money with this car. My next feature is the speedometer location. It is located in the center of the dash making it easier to view your speed and other instruments.

Suggested Improvements

None.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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