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2005 Saturn ION Electrical System:ignition Problems

NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · data through 07/12/2026

38Electrical System:ignition complaints
6.6%Of all 573 complaints
#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How electrical system:ignition ranks on this vehicle

STEERING255 · 44.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM173 · 30.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION38 · 6.6%
AIR BAGS29 · 5.1%

Share of the 573 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2005 Saturn ION overview page.

What owners report

“2-02-07 KEY STUCK IN IGNITION...CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF.... IGNITION REPLACED 33,316 MILES 01-14-08 TRANSMISSION REPLACED 50,728 MILES 12-20-08 CAR WOULDN'T START...CLUTCH SWITCH REPLACED 50,728…”NHTSA complaint 10282805 — filed 09/03/2009
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10272597 — filed 06/01/2009
“AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES, THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I…”NHTSA complaint 10251125 — filed 12/08/2008

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Electrical System:ignition complaints by year filed

12006320071220087200942010120121201362014120211202212025

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Saturn ION have electrical system:ignition problems?

Electrical System:ignition is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2005 Saturn ION: 38 of 573 complaints on file (6.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2005 Saturn ION have in total?

573 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 31 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's electrical system:ignition category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.