CarBrief

Steering is the most reported problem on the 2007 Saturn Ion, with 408 of its 876 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. NHTSA also lists five recalls for this model year, including one for power steering assist that was still waiting on parts when recorded[3][4].

876owner complaints[2]
5recalls[3]
23–26MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 876 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Ion[2]. Of these, 38 mention a crash and 29 mention injuries[2]. None mention a fire or a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries Median miles at failure
Steering[1] 408 19 13 62,000
Electrical system[6] 215 11 8 66,500
Fuel/propulsion system[7] 130 1 1 82,500
Fuel system, gasoline[8] 79 0 1 65,234
Air bags[9] 65 23 17 66,000
Engine[10] 43 3 3 70,049

Steering. This is the biggest group by a wide margin[1]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the power steering suddenly stopping while they drive. Some say a message appears on the dashboard, and some say the assist comes back after the car is turned off and on again. Several mention a costly repair. This sample is small, so it shows what owners describe, not how often it happens[1].

Electrical system. In the sample we read, owners describe a key that sticks in the ignition or a car that will not switch off, often followed by an ignition cylinder or switch replacement. A few texts describe the car stalling while driving[6].

Fuel leaks. Owners in the sample describe a gasoline smell or a leak, often traced to the fuel pump module. Some say they were told their car was not part of a fuel pump recall[7][8].

Air bags. The group is much smaller than steering, but it has the most crashes and injuries of any group in the table[9]. The Engine group is smaller still[10]. Power train (19 complaints) and suspension (17 complaints) are lower again[11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2007 Ion[3]. Newest first:

A recall applies by vehicle and, for the two fuel pump recalls, by state. Before you buy, ask the seller for proof that each recall repair was done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists several engine and transmission versions of the 2007 Ion. Ratings are city, highway and combined miles per gallon[17][18][19][5][20].

Engine and transmission Fuel City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[17] Premium 21 / 29 / 24 $3,400
2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[18] Premium 22 / 31 / 25 $3,300
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[19] Regular 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[5] Regular 23 / 32 / 26 $2,600
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[20] Premium 20 / 28 / 23 $3,550

All versions are front-wheel drive. The 2.2L engine with the manual transmission has the best combined rating, and it uses regular fuel[5]. The 2.0L manual is the lowest combined rating, at 23 MPG[20]. The annual fuel costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not given 5-Star Safety Ratings to the 4 DR FWD version[21] or the 2 DR FWD version[22] of the 2007 Ion. That means there is no crash-test star score to compare with other cars.

Engine and size

The EPA ratings above list 2.4L, 2.2L and 2.0L four-cylinder engines[17][19][20]. Remove the sentence.

Dimensions come from Transport Canada specifications, so they are Canadian-market numbers and can differ slightly from US cars.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR Quad Coupe FWD /2/3[23] 185 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,751 lb
4DR Quad Coupe FWD /Red Line[24] 185 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,945 lb
4DR Sedan FWD 1/2/3[25] 185 in 67 in 57 in 103 in 2,692 lb

How 2007 compares with other years

2003: 758 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 898 complaints, 8 recalls20042005: 573 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 1,235 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 876 complaints, 5 recalls8762007
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ion model year. The 2007 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20037585
20048988
20055733
20061,2354
20078765

NHTSA lists these complaint and recall counts for each Saturn Ion model year[3]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2003[3] 758 5
2004[3] 898 8
2005[3] 573 3
2006[3] 1,235 4
2007[3] 876 5

The 2007 model year has the third most complaints of the five years, behind 2006 and 2004. It is tied with 2003 for the second most recalls, behind 2004[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2007 Saturn Ion?

The record for this model year is not clean. Steering is the largest complaint group[1], and the power steering recall was waiting on parts when it was recorded[4]. Ignition problems show up in both the recalls and the complaint sample[13][14][6]. Fuel pump leaks are covered by recall only in certain states, and some owners say their cars fell outside it[15][16][7].

None of this means every car is a problem, since the complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales[2]. If you are looking at one, check its VIN for open recalls, ask for proof of the ignition, steering and fuel pump repairs, and test the steering carefully. Remove the sentence and trim the verdict to 5 sentences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Saturn Ion?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 408 of 876, followed by the electrical system with 215[2][1][6]. Owners in the sample we read describe power steering loss and sticking ignition keys[1][6].
Does the 2007 Saturn Ion have any recalls?
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[3]. They cover the ignition cylinder (14V171), power steering (14V153), the ignition switch (14V047) and fuel pump modules (12V459 and 09V419)[13][4][14][15][16].
How many miles per gallon does a 2007 Saturn Ion get?
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 26 MPG depending on engine and transmission[17][18][19][5][20]. The best is the 2.2L manual at 26 MPG combined[17][18][19][5][20].
Is the 2007 Saturn Ion reliable?
It has 876 NHTSA complaints and five recalls[2][3]. Steering is the biggest complaint group at 408[1]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales[2].
Which Saturn Ion year has the fewest complaints?
Among 2003 to 2007, 2005 has the fewest complaints at 573 and the fewest recalls at 3[3]. The 2007 model year has 876 complaints and 5 recalls[3].

Facts and sources

  1. 408 complaints name the steering component group (19 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 876 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Saturn Ion (38 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Saturn Ion model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Ion, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 215 complaints name the electrical system component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 130 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 79 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,234). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 65 complaints name the air bags component group (23 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 43 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,049). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 19 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,948). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 17 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 12V459, filed September 19, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V419, filed October 29, 2009: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Ion, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Ion, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Ion, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Ion, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ION 4DR QUAD COUPE FWD /2/3: length 185 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,751 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ION 4DR QUAD COUPE FWD /RED LINE: length 185 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,945 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ION 4DR SEDAN FWD 1/2/3: length 185 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,692 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.