2004 Saturn ION Electrical System:ignition:switch Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system:ignition:switch 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
“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
“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
“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
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Saturn ION have electrical system:ignition:switch problems?
Electrical System:ignition:switch is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Saturn ION: 44 of 898 complaints on file (4.9%). 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 07/12/2026. 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:switch category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
