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 (44.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 7.2× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 255 · 44.5% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 |
| Electrical System | 173 · 30.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Electrical System:ignition | 38 · 6.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 29 · 5.1% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 · 4% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Engine | 22 · 3.8% | not available | — |
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 573 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
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.
“2005 SATURN ION ELECTRIC POWER STEERING QUITS WITHOUT WARNING. OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 40 MILE TRIP. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF CORNERING WHEN POWER…”NHTSA complaint 10282817 — filed 09/03/2009 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER…”NHTSA complaint 10277591 — filed 07/21/2009 · STEERING
“ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILING AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON 2005 SATURN ION-2.”NHTSA complaint 10274759 — filed 06/23/2009 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 255 of 573 NHTSA complaints (44.5%), followed by electrical system (173), electrical system:ignition (38), air bags (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
573 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 31 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
