2004 Saturn Ion Ratings
Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
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2004 Saturn ION - Red Line Coupe
Pros: stereo - 6 disc CD changer
Cons: Everything else. Horrible to drive!
Advice: Dont get a 2004! 2003 was great, but whatever improvements they tried to make went extremely wrong!
Horrible. Hits every little bump like its a huge pothole! Back end slides behind you. Feels very unsafe on highway and very loud! -
2004 Saturn ION - 1 (M5) Sedan
Pros: Center console, Large trunk, gas milage and the apperance
Cons: Not much leg room or cup holders in the back
Advice: Give the ION a chance most new cars have problems, IONS are only babies compaired to some older cars in its class such as the Honda Civic so all of the kinks have not been worked out
This is my second Saturn and I am very happy with my purchase. I bought a 2004 ION 1 because of the price and value of the car as well as the trusted name of Saturns. My husband and I are considering purchasing a 2005 Saturn ION 3 next year because we like my car so much. I have had the car now for about 2 years with only minor problems. The service department was always fast and courtious when I brought my car in. There are a few things that are bothersome that I hear have been improved on the new models, such as the suspension is noisy at slow speeds going over bumps and there is a slight downshifting problem which happens rarely, when i am slowing down on a hill and it takes a minute to find the right gear. But the 2005's have supposedly fixed these problems. -
2004 Saturn ION - 3 (M5) Sedan
Pros: 6 CD changer
Cons: Overall quality
Advice: Get a more reliable vehicle and don't count on the once famous customer service.
Soon after taking delivery we bagan noticing brownish-looking rust spots on hood and trunk. Brought in for service, they buffed them out and returned the car. Similar discolorations continue. Carpet started coming in in back seat, had to order new carpet to replace. Not long ago the power steering failed. First repair attempt unsuccessful, and added motre problems by not properly installing new steering column. Second attempt was technically successful, but now the car creaks and bumps when turning. Saturn is buying it back as a lemon. Not the usual Saturn quality or service I had been used to. -
2004 Saturn ION - 1 (M5) Sedan
Pros: The style
Cons: The stereo system
Advice: It is a wonderful car and it is a great car for the first time buyer
I own and now drive a Saturn Ion 1. I love the service and the depndability. The car has went to Illinois and back to Arizona around 8 to 10 times. The car has around 35000 miles and runs like the day I bought it. It is a wonderful car and i wouldnt want a different car! It is a nice way to get around in a big city and it is much better than my Ford F250 Super-Duty. The car gets great gas milage and I love it because I am just now a new car driver, I am 16 and it is a great car for me not having a job and i still have the money to get me places. I have left over money from insurence and gas money so I can take my Girlfriend out to dinner and to a movie. The car helps me save money! Thank you Saturn for making a wonderful car. -
2004 Saturn ION - 3 (M5) Sedan
Pros: the look
Cons: back seat leg room
Advice: go for the newer models ( most of the kinks have been worked out)
i got my ion in june 04. so far the only problem u have has with it was the left turn signal which was recalled and fixed once and havent had a problem since. I love the sporty look and think its a great car. I do think the interior could have been a little better but it does it job and more without problems. -
2004 Saturn ION - 1 (M5) Sedan
Pros: good for us shorties
Cons: problem, after problem, after problem, after problem, after problem, after problem, after problem,...
Advice: DON'T BUY IT!
I bought a 2003 Saturn ION in September of 2003. The first 10 months were great...with the exception of getting backed into and being unable to replace a part that the factory can no longer make properly (head lamp holder) - so the new part is in worse shape than the one that broke when being backed into. In March and again in August of 2003, I had to replace a front signal night - took it in and got fixed under a technical service bulletin. I soon noticed that the back passenger door always sounded like it was open - turns out I needed new weathering on it. The really annoying problems started in October when the car would randomly not start. First, they couldn't duplicate the problem, so they gave it back. It was towed in one week later because it wouldn't start again. Then, they replaced the body module stabilizer (?) but while testing it before returning it, it wouldn't start again. They then replaced the ignition protection switch (anti-theft system on all ions). I got the car back and two days later, it wouldn't start. This time they had the car for almost a month, and finally identified the problem - it was the fuel pump, which they described as sounding like a dying cow when tapped. So, they replaced it. The car has been starting ever since (knock on wood). Ten days ago however, they replaced a fan in the heater because it was sqeeking - now I have to take it in again tomorrow because the problem has started all over again. The worst part is, I'm leasing it and can't just sell it. Service techs have been nice, but need to take more initiative to get this hunk of junk out of my possession. -
2004 Saturn ION - 2 (M5) Coupe
Pros: the look
Cons: the dependability
Advice: Buy something else.
Below is a list of problems that I've had with my 2004 Ion, bought brand new. Nov. 03 - Bought the vehicle. It had a scratched armrest that needed to be replaced. Dec. 03 - Started having problems with static in the radio. Radio is replaced for the first time. March 04 – Continued problems with static in radio. Replaced it for a second time, and replaced recalled fuel filter. Also replaced the retained accessory power software, also recalled. April 04 - Continued problems with static in radio and it is replaced for a third time. Also complained of an idle problem while going downhill. It was tested and found to have no problem. Aug. 04 – Radio is finally recalled by Saturn and an updated replacement is installed. I complained of a thumping noise coming from the front of the car when going over bumps at low speed. The front antisway bar bushings were determined to be defective and they were both replaced. Also, a grinding noise was coming from the VTI transaxle. They replaced the transmission case cover assembly, valve body assembly, and the oil cooler lines. Jan. 05 - Brought in vehicle because of a grinding noise when first starting up, and a whistling noise coming from the vent fan. They found nothing wrong. Jan. 05 – Brought back vehicle for the same grinding noise and they found the entire transmission to be defective. They replaced it. They also replaced the HVAC blower motor to fix the whistling problem. The problem still exists. The car has less than 25,000 miles on it and is only fully covered by the warranty until 36,000 miles. If the warranty was not in place, the repairs listed above would have cost me almost $11,000. Not to mention the costs involved in car rentals, and the inconvenience of continuously having to bring my brand new car back to the dealer over and over, then picking it up again. Unfortunately, this car has been a huge disappointment, and has not lived up to the quality standards that I thought Saturn was known for.