This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Ion airbags problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
11crashes
7injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON WITH DTC B0081 OR B0092 SET IN PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) SDM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG ON LIGHT (AOL) INDICATOR LOOSE OR PUSHED IN. TO INCLUDE 2006 SATURN ION. UPDATED 08-15-07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Saturn Ion's airbag system generates consistent complaints across three distinct patterns. First, the airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or stays on permanently, sometimes with no fault code to identify the cause. The light flickers more often in hot weather and recurs within days of dealer service in at least one documented case. Owners report feeling unsafe knowing the warning indicates potential non-deployment.
Second, multiple owners describe complete airbag non-deployment during significant crashes—30 to 65 mph impacts with severe vehicle damage—resulting in head, chest, and eye injuries. Some of these crashes occurred after the warning light had been illuminated, suggesting a known system fault at the time of impact. Dealers did not consistently investigate the failures.
Third, a passenger-side sensor fault disables the entire airbag system without clear notification to the driver. One owner drove for weeks unaware all airbags were offline. Fixing this fault typically requires replacing the passenger presence system module at roughly $900, with no recall to cover the cost. Saturn issued a technical service bulletin (TSB #060941008) for the fault codes B0081 and B0092 but has not issued a recall despite the safety impact and the problem's documented presence since 2007.
Same Saturn Ion airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light—intermittent or persistent illumination
Warning light comes on and off unpredictably, or stays on continuously. Owners report the light flickers, appears sporadically (especially in hot weather), or remains steady. Dealers sometimes cannot locate a fault code despite the light being on.
When: Mileage ranges from 20,000 to 128,000; timing varies from nearly a year of recurring warnings to sudden illumination
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or constantly; Light flickers on and off during driving at various speeds; Warning bell sounds in some cases; Problem occurs more frequently in hot weather; Light may recur within days after dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics sometimes yield no fault code. When codes are found, replacement of passenger presence system (PPS) module or airbag sensor is recommended; one owner paid approximately $900 for PPS module replacement. Replacements have recurred within a few miles in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #060941008 covers B0081 or B0092 codes in passenger presence system. No formal recall issued. Manufacturer advised some owners to file complaints with NHTSA rather than offering remedy.
Airbag non-deployment during crashes
Airbags fail to deploy when the vehicle is involved in crashes with sufficient impact force to warrant deployment. Impacts range from 30 to 65 mph head-on or near-head-on collisions. Owners sustained head, chest, shoulder, and eye injuries. In several cases, the airbag warning light had been illuminated before the crash.
When: Failure mileage recorded between 28,786 and 128,000 miles; crashes occurred across multiple years in the complaint cluster
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal or near-frontal impact crashes; No deployment during rear-end collisions with secondary front-end impacts; Airbag warning light was illuminated sporadically or continuously before some crashes; Crashes involved speeds of 30–65 mph with severe vehicle damage
Repairs/costs cited: Most vehicles were not inspected by dealers after crashes. One owner reported conflicting information from Saturn about deployment failure. Another noted a body shop indicated the vehicle used an accelerometer rather than crush sensors.
Passenger airbag system fault disabling entire airbag system
A fault in the passenger awareness or presence detection system triggers the airbag warning light and disables the entire airbag system—both driver and passenger protection. Owners drove unknowingly with all airbags disabled for extended periods.
When: Unknown exact mileage; one owner reported riding for a couple of weeks unaware
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; All airbags are disabled, not just the passenger side; Owner unaware of the disabled state until receiving a service notice
Codes mentioned: B0092
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger presence system (PPS) sensor required; cost approximately $900. Owner felt compelled to accept the repair cost due to safety concerns despite the expense.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #060941008 issued but no recall. Known issue since 2007.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Saturn Ion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Saturn Ion?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 22,142 and 68,973 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,142; a quarter make it past 68,973. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Saturn/Ion.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.