Overview & Reviews

Saturn has upgraded the Ion with new fabrics, improved plastics and a new radio with MP3 and satellite radio capability. The electric steering has been revised for improved feel at highway speeds, while the sedan's five-speed automatic and the coupe's CVT have been recalibrated for improved gear selection and response. Finally, Saturn has installed additional sound-deadening material to reduce cabin noise. A Special Edition version of the sedan provides black exterior paint, distinctive 16-inch wheels and a two-tone interior.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 288.00

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  Saturn ION review - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ron - April 12 - 12:23 pm

  The interior quality of the ION is poor. However, the engine runs well, is reliabile, and has fairly good MPG for a small car.

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  dont waste your money on a saturn - 2004 Saturn ION
  By lemon driver - May 9 - 2:00 am

  These cars are poorly built and are a costly mistake to own. If you value your money and what something that will hold up, buy a toyota. Dont learn the hard way like I did.

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  Think hard before you buy the ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Patrice Shields - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my ION in March of this year. I am already hearing rattling noise under the car. I also do not feel that it is a smooth ride. I am also furious because the seats are made of a cloth material that stain. I only drink water in my car and the water creates large round areas of discoloration on the seats and it doesnt come out. I am just disappointed in my new car.

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  Saturn ION 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By txbostont - December 30 - 11:56 pm

  The front end of the car makes dull popping sounds when driving over rough surfaces and shimmies as well. Told it was the rotors. Loud interior noise. Seats are the most uncomfortable things I have ever sat in. Cloth is cheap and stains easily. Exterior looks good. Like the body lines of the car. Engine revs up on its on accord. Transmission shifts very rough. Cheap materials used in production of this car.

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  LEMON not by their call - 2004 Saturn ION
  By AngrySaturnBuyer - March 1 - 2:00 am

  After i had my car for two weeks the vehicle would turn off by itself while i was driving. This had happned *six* times including once on the highway. The car was sent back to the dealership twice, where it was there for three weeks. They put EIGHT HUNDRED miles on my new car and sent the vehicle back with trash and filth. I missed the lemon law by the skin of my teeth. I was accused of lying about my vehicle and treated like dirt. So much for buying a new car and then feeling like you have a death trap! Not only that but the car has also been recalled and has also had to go back for a fuse issue.

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  a kit car in disguise - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kurt w - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Despite the courtesy of Saturns sale staff and large rebates, the ION 3 sedan has proved the worst car Ive ever owned. Full of rattles and squeaks, poor fitting trim, a jerky transmission, and harsh ride over small bumps, the final insult are service departments that, while polite, damage the car while fixing it (wrecking trim or leaving grease and oil behind) or leave parts off. My last two Toyotas together had a third of the problems this car has. Bob Lutz, stop talking about sport cars and get GM build quality past Yugo class!

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  Disappointing - 2004 Saturn ION
  By MeOhMy - April 15 - 10:00 am

  One really wants the US to build a better economy car, but ION is merely another failed attempt. The car handles very poorly. Foremost, beware of the shoddy steering, which has an electric assist motor rather than a vacuum. This means the steering mistakes a bump in the road for the driver turning the wheel and pulls you off course with sudden and alarming frequency. What control you do have is administed through a shrunken steering wheel which was miniaturized in consideration of easing the 3 seconds spent getting into and out of the car rather than the hours spent driving it. The wheel has a slippery texture and no indentations for a sense of grip. Taking the car in bends is harrowing

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  starts great then peters out - 2004 Saturn ION
  By bbilly - January 24 - 11:36 pm

  bought this car brand new back in 04 and ran without any problems till 2009 right when the viecle was paid off. it only has 55000 miles and had to replace ecm computer module and cat conververter but the car just feels like its going to fall apart and the engine sound like a engine that has 150,000 miles on it. because of this quality issues I will not buy another domestic vehicle again. i just hope it runs for another 3 to 5 years.

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  Junk dont buy it - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Amurtadi - September 15 - 3:30 pm

  ION2, Bought it new in 2004 for $20K thinking that I made a good budget decision but I had electrical problems since then. Burnt light bulbs, non functioning turn signals, non functioning fob. Took it to the dealer at least 6 times for electrical problems, 2 for Suspension problems, and once for rain water sneaks into the trunk. I discovered that because I needed to jump start it. You can pull the key out when it is on the acce. position without noticing and that will cause the battery to run dry.Interior is so cheap and is falling apart. Everything rattles, CD player gets stuck. Verdict Junk Junk Junk.

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  Car Wont Start - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Saturn Stinks! - May 19 - 5:40 pm

  I bought a Saturn because I thought they were reliable and Saturn always made such a big deal of their great service. What a joke! I have the same IC chip problem in the ignition as lots of others. Before I knew this I contacted Saturn and they were absolutely not helpful. Told me to take it to a local GM dealer or drive and hour to the nearest Saturn dealer. No wonder they went out of business. I will never buy and never recommend a Saturn to anyone.