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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  High Maintenance for a Cheap Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Saturn User - October 31 - 10:36 pm

  Any options that are standard on other vehicles cost extra (power anything, auto transmission), boosting the price out of a moderate range for the car. 3 recalls in first year. The brakes squeal loudly all the time, and yet Saturn says this is normal. Goes into overdrive after just a few starts and stops - the engine intensifies. Steering wheel feels like a toy, seats stain easily, seats are hard and uncomfortable. Replaced radio three times because of defective products. Pros: Huge trunk space; reliable to always start up; warning message for low fuel, oil change; plastic body allows for some give and take with bumps and bruises; moderate prices for replacement parts.

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  Getting Better...I guess - 2004 Saturn ION
  By AZgirl - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2001 SL1 which was Ok but I had a couple of problems. I got a smoking deal on the Ion so I went for it. I have not been satisfied with it so far. I had 4 repairs (radio, 2 different doors, both headlights and turn signals) within the first 3000 miles. Right now it works marvelously but I would not recommend the standard model to anyone. Not a single soul.

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  Run Away from the ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By needanewcar5 - August 23 - 5:46 pm

  The Ion is my 3rd Saturn it will be my last. #1 and #2 were great. Now they are just any other GM. Then the lemon is #3 The ION. This car seems to be in the garage more than on the road. It is 3.5 yrs old 42k and averages a repair about every 5k. 4 break issues including completly loosing all breaks while driving. Talk about a saftey issue. The rear lights shorted out, wiper arms needed replaced, now the wipers catch on the antenna, numerous heating and cooling repairs. The dealer has been awful, each issue takes multiple trips for the dealer to make repairs. I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy.

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  Get me out of this thing - 2004 Saturn ION
  By nathan - January 13 - 3:43 am

  I loved it at first. It drove great, it turned heads and I thought it would last me forever. It problems started when it got cold,, The car will not start. The engine will turn once then the security light will come on and the car is useless until about 20 min later. When the problem first happend I thought it may have been the battery, I was going to get a friend to jump me off. When we went to the battery (in the trunk) Water was standing in the trunk well 4 inches deep. After repeat repairs the leak was fixed in the trunk but the car still wont start. There is a constant leak in the passengers side that leaves water 3 inches of water in the floor, there is a ever present smell of mildew.

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  plastic makes it posible - 2004 Saturn ION
  By krams - November 26 - 2:00 am

  handling is par but up to Honda civic

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  Avoid this car at all costs - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Diana V - October 2 - 7:40 am

  This car is one of the major reasons GM has been having problems. Within a month of driving the car off the lot I began having problems. I had to take the car back to the dealership every month that I owned the car for the first year. Every month was a different problem, and since it was not the same problem twice I was unable to file lemon law on the car. Problems include but are not limited to the electric steering failing (at 74,500 miles and year 3 that I owned the car, warranty expired at 75,000, when I was able to get car to dealership I was 200 miles past warranty so I was told by Saturn corporate that it was my problem), central computer glitches, faulty wiring to headlights, anti-theft device would lock car ignition upon inserting key in ignition during cold weather, and a problem with the crank case is what caused my Ion 3 to go to its final resting place. The final year I had the car (Dec 2008, exactly 5 years from the date I bought the car) I again started having monthly problems and dumped a lot of money into the car.

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  Thought it would be better - 2004 Saturn ION
  By psyculman - August 22 - 9:00 am

  I bought my Saturn based on friends who owned older ones. But, my Ion reflected GMs usual utter disregard for customer loyalty. The front suspension rattled @20,000 miles, the ignition switch froze in 20 deg. weather, the wiper gear case broke off, front wheel bearings began to make noise at 60,000 mi. After 4 yr my $2,000 warranty, 5 year warranty, "applied from the "day" the car was "assembled", so did NOTHING! The morning the check engine light came on, and I could not discover why on my own, I went directly to Toyota, and, bought a Corolla. End of story. See other reviews listed here on this site, if you can get a used Ion, cheap, its probably going give you good service, but beware.

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  A bad used car-fails to start - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Mike Dbn - August 14 - 2:06 am

  This Saturn has the infamous "Passlock" anti-theft defect. The IC chip in the ignition column switch fails to recognize a genuine key and fails to start, usually in winter, but this has happened other times as well. The IC chip has been replaced twice, but I refuse to pay $300+ for an out-of- warranty repair. Not a reliable used car because of this. Also, the McPherson struts are noisy in winter, and make anoying "click" sounds. Seats feel cheap (no back support). Electric steering is too tight and you might oversteer into the next lane. Bad blind spots on both side pillars. Basically this is a 2004 Chevy Cavalier with plastic side panels. A real dog!

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  Third Saturn owned, Ion bad choice - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kellyd - August 13 - 6:10 pm

  Ive been driving Saturns for almost 10 years now. I swore by them until the Ion.I no longer have it as it was totalled in an auto accident recently. The only damage was to the front underside. The hood was completely intact. Ive always bought Saturns for their safety features as well as price. However, the seating was very uncomfortable, especially for longer drives. My seats stained very easily, including water stains. The battery was defected and had to be replaced 2 days after purchasing it (brand new)! It was replaced again last year. I was unable to start the car right away in cold weather on certain days. This started 3 years after purchasing it.

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  A big headache - 2004 Saturn ION
  By A big headache - June 30 - 7:06 pm

  I really like the look and price of this vehicle. However, I have been to the dealership at least a dozen times with serious problems. The car has less than 40,000 miles and Im on my 3rd transmission, 2nd drive-line, 4th stereo, 2nd steering column, and have had my check engine light come on a couple of times. The Saturn service department has been unpleasant and unprofessional to deal with. This is my first and last Saturn. I am getting rid of this car ASAP.