Overview & Reviews

Significant changes accompany the Ion into 2005. A revised front fascia on sedans, as well as various other exterior trim and wheel upgrades, spruce up the Ion's outward appearance. Inside, new front and rear seats (on level 2 and 3 models) provide substantial comfort improvements, and a new steering wheel replaces last year's go-kartlike unit. Interior trim and materials have also been refined. Substantial improvements to noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) have been made possible through the use of Quiet Steel for the plenum and dash, an acoustic engine cover, and other powertrain and insulation enhancements. The electric power steering has been recalibrated, and various suspension revisions improve ride and handling. A four-speed automatic transmission replaces last year's five-speed unit and the coupe's CVT unit.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 152.00

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  Worst Car Ive ever bought - 2005 Saturn ION
  By ION "Worst Car" - October 22 - 2:56 am

  My 2005 Saturn Ion3 is the worst car I have ever owned, I currently owe $7000.00 on the car and its engine is shot along with the rear main seal multiple attempts to fix the sunroof, drivers window, IGNITION (3times), HORRIBLE gas mileage and the worst customer service from GM ever. I wouldnt not recommend this car to my worst enemy!!! Sincerely Monica-

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  You get what you pay for - 2005 Saturn ION
  By city girl - October 2 - 8:50 pm

  This is a cute car for a teenager. It is not made for the highway! When on the highway it swirls a bit because the car is so light weight. When it is a windy day outside, the car swirls because it cannot handle the wind. This car is too light weight, but other than that I do not have too many problems with it. I also have a problem with the defrost. The windows get foggy as soon as you turn the car on.

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  Warm weather only! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Catt - February 28 - 10:03 pm

  Aside from the plastic construction, & non-ergonomic interior, I can only recommend this car to be owned in warm climates. From my experience, once the temps fall to freezing, the anti-theft system in the steering column freezes, the engine is incapacitate & you are stranded. I have to carry a small electric heater & a very long extension cord with me & insure I park near an outside outlet. Getting rid of it as soon as possible, & I will never buy another. Saturn denies there is any problem with the anti-theft & will not remove it.

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  Frustrated Saturn 2005 ION2 Owner - Cold Start Issue - 2005 Saturn ION
  By mam824 - November 8 - 9:10 am

  In 2008, I had to purchase a vehicle right after I started a new job. I went to SATURN dealer, out of loyalty, (my old SATURN lasted 12 yrs). There was a car just brought in with very low mileage (12,000+) for a 2005 model. I have had my share of issues, but the cold start issue has been a thorn on my side for over two years! First it was the engine light that kept turning on, that took almost a year and two instances of my car being out of commission for weeks at a time to be resolved. GM did away with the SATURN brand, but they have certainly left a bad taste in my mouth about their product.

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  Buy at your own risk - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Suzanne - September 14 - 1:53 pm

  In the past three years, my car has been in the shop 11 times. Each time for a different reason. The following things have been addressed: driver window leakage, gas pedal module, 4 valves replaced at 40k which then leaked oil, multiple electrical issues, driver visor, computer reprogramming- twice, emission control sensor replaced. There are more issues that I dont care to list at this time. This car has a cheap plastic feel all around, and the seats were uncomfortable. I do not suggest that anyone buy a car of this type.

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  Small annoying problems - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Mislead - December 19 - 8:36 pm

  Bought this car in 2006 as my first car. Was very reliable for the first few years, then stopped. Key cylinder has had to replaced once and soon will have to be replaced again. Car has leaked in the rain which destroyed my phone. Other than that, it has not been too bad. But it is really annoying having to spend fifteen minutes to remove your car key. Once it would not even turn off.

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  Lemon of all vehicles - 2005 Saturn ION
  By sandi - August 30 - 8:56 pm

  I purchased my 2005 Saturn in Mid 2005. I had a 1996 for almost 10 years and loved it. This 2005 ION is a piece of junk. I have almost been killed three times driving this car, once was on I-95. You can start the car, but dont leave the house because after a mile or so the car stops dead, leaving you without power or brakes. You have to wait from 10 to 20 minutes to get it started again, and then pray it does not stall again. Apparently the computer in the car is defective. However, it takes them several tries to determine this defect. Had they determined it back in 2006, I would have sent this car packing back to the manufacturer under the lemon law here in Florida. Dont buy one!

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  I hate this car. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Danielle - June 14 - 10:13 pm

  This was my very first car. The first month of driving it I loved it! But then things started going wrong. The waterproofing on the drivers side window wore down so it was extremely loud driving and water would leak in when it rained. At the same time the steering column collapsed. There is something always rattling in the back of my car and it comes loose and I have to shove it back in to place. When i have the air on, there is a buzzing noise coming from the passenger side. It seems like there is always something rattling. The seats are extremely uncomfortable and hot. It is not a very smooth ride. I am getting a new car as soon as possible. Exterior and interior are also very cheap.

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  Plenty of little problems. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Jim - January 12 - 8:36 pm

  Bought car with 30,000 miles. Soon realized that it had a temperature sensitive drive ability problem, bucks violently at low speeds cool temps. Caused premature wear on clutch with first owner, I have babied it for 36,000 miles, needs new clutch. Dealer could not figure out problem, says its the clutch. Said maybe they could figure it out when it got bad enough. Its time to find out, and bet them a clutch that its the engine. Suspension is very noisy and sloppy when cold, you can feel the engine shifting back and forth on corners when cold, the clutch pedal creaks and feels rough at the release point. Mirror cant be adjusted to match seat position when adjusted to my 59" frame.

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  Think twice about an ION! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Jamie M. - October 10 - 2:03 pm

  Got my Ion in 05. I would say this car has good performance, only that would be when it wants to. After having the car for 13 months I began to have troubles with getting my keys out of ignition. This would drain my battery. I took it to saturn they said there is no problem. I accepted that and kept the car. Now I find out after replacing the battery multiple times (which they r expensive batteries) that this is a common problem. My car stalls on me and will not restart for about 15-20 minutes--during which time it is draining my battery. I am so disgusted with this car. Prior to this I drove a 2000 Saturn Coupe..Loved it! My opinion of Saturn has changed for the worse with this car!!!