TL* - THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HEARING A NOISE IN THE CAR SINCE THE ODOMETER REACHED 500 MILES. AFTER ONE AND A HALF YEARS A NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PUT ON THE CAR. THE NOISE STILL EXIST. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. CONTACT BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS BAD WHEEL BEARINGS EVEN THOUGH HE HAS BEEN TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT ALSO SAID THAT HE …
2005 Saturn Ion powertrain problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V17000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIRS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Saturn Ion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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