Overview & Reviews

The entry-level Ion 1 trim level has been dropped for 2006. Wheel designs have been revised, OnStar is now standard across the board, and air conditioning has moved to the options list for the Ion 2. Upgraded performance is available via an optional Enhanced Performance package, which includes antilock brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 170 horsepower.

• Limited rear legroom, center-mounted instrumentation takes some getting used to, below-average interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 154.00

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  First and Last - 2006 Saturn ION
  By jnelson - March 14 - 9:36 am

  These cars are real junk. I just finished replacing the brake rotors that Saturn had turned down supposedly three times. Terrible service. Definitely my one and only GM purchase.

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  1st Saturn-Last GM vehicle - 2006 Saturn ION
  By jack - February 12 - 7:33 pm

  Problems so far: Key often gets stuck in ignition, check engine comes on for no reason, front transmission mount broke, cap on canister type oil filter leaks, suspension is clunky and soft. Slow to get up to speed, cheap interior materials, weather stripping around windshield comes loose, power steering feels weird. Gets good gas mileage & A/C is cold. This is the American version of the Yugo, a real piece of crap! Current mileage is 63,000, I doubt if it makes it to 100,000. My other cars are all old Fords. Now I know why.

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  What a LEMON - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ron - July 11 - 10:30 am

  I bought my 2006 Saturn Ion in July of 2006.Ever since I bought this car it`s been a problem.First week I own the car I had to get a new radio installed.The second week a spark plug had to be replaced. Six months later the car shook badly every time I stopped and still does to this day (7- 10-10) had it at the dealership countless times for the shaking.they claim nothing wrong with it. I recently had to get a waiver from the state of Pennsylvania because my check engine light won`t go out even after it was re-programmed by a authorized dealer. This car is nothing but a LEMON!

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  expensive to keep on the road - 2006 Saturn ION
  By mark - March 3 - 11:00 pm

  Like other reviews here, lots of mechanical problems. At 80,000 I am on my second engine, third ignition switch third set of shifting cables. replaced wheel bearings, stabilizers, and several other front end parts. Would love to trade it, but owe more than its worth. Looks decent, drives decent when its not in the shop. Unfortunately just a cheaply built car. I know people with older saturns that had decent experiences, but my feeling is this is a good car to stay away from

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  2006 Saturn ION - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Wanting Answers - December 24 - 11:13 am

  I bouught the car used with 36000 mi on it, and Initally it was fine, then at about 60000 mi it all was like a bad dream, the engine light, no one knows what to do about this, the computer has been reset 4 times, when it comes on the car wont accelerate, it jerks like tranny is going out, I finally parked it for a while and my Daughter needed a car to drive and that lasted about a week and then the same thing started happening again, really think GM needs to step up, In the shop again 900 to reset the computer, replace throttle Body , and 2 rotors.... Geeze this wears me out just reliving it. This Car is Garbage period, STAY AWAY, I need a HUG, No trade value, Owe more than its worth, HELP!!

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  Disillusioned - 2006 Saturn ION
  By sierpinski - September 20 - 8:46 pm

  I bought the car for its safety features, have a 2001 SL with 150,000 miles on it, wanted the security of a new car to drive a grandchild around in. It was brand new, only 10 miles on it. Nine days and 700 miles later, it wouldnt start. Dealer replaced the ignition. Well, Im angry, I put $10,000 of my money down on the car and dont want it now. The gas mileage stinks, accellerating seems to be painful for it. Everything about my 2001 SL is better, it runs better, it feels more roomy inside. The ION seats are like bulls in a china shop, there is no space to fit things under the seats, there is noplace to put a large-sized fountain drink. The car is a frigging nightmare, I hate it.

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  Lemon - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Carole - January 13 - 1:40 am

  We purchased a 2006 Ion in May of 2007 for our teenage daughter. While the look is sporty, the quality of the car is cheap. We have had the car in the shop 5 times since owning it for only a year and a half! The first time we had a heavy rain and the front passenger side of the car was drenched with water from some sort of leak. Then the automatic window stop working. It went to the shop 2 times for that. Next the key got stuck in the engine and could not turn the car off. And just this week the power steering went out and the whole steering column had to be changed. The engine light goes on and off also. The car is cheap and unreliable. I will never buy another Saturn again

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  I hate this car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Carole - November 13 - 12:00 pm

  I have the 2006 ION 3 and am so disappointed in this car. I bought it brand new and have had it in the shop 4 times in 3 weeks. Saturn has given me a rental car, but the inconvinience and unreliability of this car make getting into it a crap shoot versus a good experience. I hate this car and wish I had never bought it. I paid cash in full and have never been so displeased with a brand new car. Engine problems should not be a factor in a new car with 7000 miles. Ever. The great gas mileage is a lie also.

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  WORST CAR I BOUGHT - 2006 Saturn ION
  By HATE IT - September 2 - 6:26 pm

  Everything was fine the first year or so, but one of the first problems I had I was driving my car and the steering wheel wouldnt turn and I was going on a curve. I also heard rattling inside the steering column and was told it was a loose screw, but I still hear the rattling in there. My engine light came on twice in 6 months. And 5 times my car wouldnt start. Was told it was the battery which wasnt the case. Comes to find out that it was the engine switch. And I also had a transmission leak. And customer service were the ones telling me lies, like how the car "should be" fixed at a certain time. I worked hard for this car and its krap.

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  Problem after Problem - 2006 Saturn ION
  By crpolston - June 20 - 2:50 am

  Ive had this car for 3 1/2 years and unfortunately Ive had nothing but problems in the past years. One is the driver side automatic window has broken twice. Once under warranty and now that it is not under warranty. Also, the check engine light has come on numerous times, stumping the dealership service guys. The MAP sensor has been replaced, the fuel pump has been replaced, the catalytic converter is now having problems, I have so many work up reports it takes up an entire file cabinent! If you want a reliable car do not pick this one.