Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (36% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
All 6 of the most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 323 · 36% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 |
| Electrical System | 233 · 25.9% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Electrical System:ignition | 47 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 44 · 4.9% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 42 · 4.7% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 36 · 4% | Recalled | Recall 04V281000 · Recall 04V003000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 898 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2014 · reported 04/10/2014
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E021000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2014 · reported 02/10/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V547000 · 2004 · reported 11/16/2004
IF A FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE, OTHERS MAY REACT MORE SLOWLY TO A TURNING VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V281000 · 2004 · reported 06/08/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V004000 · 2004 · reported 01/05/2004
IF UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE VEHICLE AND OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS OR SUNROOF, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V003000 · 2004 · reported 01/05/2004
IF CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER PROGRESSES TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE IN THE SHELL, FUEL DROPLETS COULD FORM AND DROP TO THE GROUND. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V002000 · 2004 · reported 01/06/2004
LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE JOINT MAY BE REDUCED AND SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAY RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FAILING TO START. I WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT SATURN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING…”NHTSA complaint 10183338 — filed 02/23/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“IN COLD WEATHER (USUALLY BELOW FREEZING), THE 2004 SATURN ION 2 WILL NOT START. THE CAR WILL GO INTO A PASSIVE LOCK SITUATION UPON INITIAL…”NHTSA complaint 10182985 — filed 02/19/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“THE IGNITION SWITCH FREEZES UP WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. HAD TO GET THE CAR JUMP STARTED WHEN IT WAS -10 DEGREES OUTSIDE. SATURN SAYS…”NHTSA complaint 10182965 — filed 02/19/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 323 of 898 NHTSA complaints (36%), followed by electrical system (233), electrical system:ignition (47), electrical system:ignition:switch (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
898 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 51 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 35 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
6 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
