Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact filled up the fuel tank. Once she arrived home, she observed that the fuel level was down to a quarter and noticed a strong fuel odor coming from the fuel tank. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 255,000.
Saturn Ion fuel gauge problems
12 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical mileage
- 52,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20074
- 20061
- 20054
- 20042
- 20031
Often reported together
Fuel smell 4Fuel pump 4Jerking 1Fuel leak 1Check engine light 1ABS 1
What owners say
Bill dodge auto group, westbrook me 04092, invoice 841019, customer states can smell fuel check for leak, 00 diag and replace leaking fuel pump and sender. 8986 cgm $us 198.00,1 19257125 nb- (s) module kit $390.32. Parts 390.32 labor 198 other 0 total $588.32 62491 fuel sending unit found fuel leaking by tank area, removed tank and found sending unit return line broken of sending unit, will need new sending unit, removed and replaced sending unit & checked for leaks, o.k. The federal safety agency campaign id number 12v459000 sept 19, 2012 fuel system, gasoline delivery pump, fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
My car has been driving fine and one day the security light and a few other warning lights went on as well as "trac off" came up on the screen. My gas gauge also went down to zero (even though I had a full tank.) the car still ran fine and no codes came up so I was told to replace the alternator. I replaced the alternator and now my car will start but I have to wait 5 minutes before it will let me put it in gear. Everything turns off and warning lights come on as the car "warms up?" after 5 minutes it will let me put it in gear but warning lights ABS, brake, and airbag will still be on. If I restart the car then, the lights go off. I have no idea what is going on!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted in and around the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after refueling to capacity, the fuel gauge read that there was only half tank of fuel left. Also, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground near the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. However, the contact was made aware that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v003000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
Car suddenly stops on hill. Meter in car says car is 3/4 full with gas. So the car was not out of gas. Car must have something wrong with the fuel ignition or something for it to stop. Went and put gas in car to just to make sure , and as soon as I did the car started. It makes no sense for the gas gauge to read it has gas and the car stops. Also when car is parked fuel is on the ground leaking. Not sure what is going on but according to a safety recall in 2012 I think that is the problem with my ion also.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact noticed that the gas gauge read empty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 21,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that gasoline fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the fuel level was decreasing much faster than normal. The contact mentioned that there was a fracture in the supply line of the fuel module. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact took her vehicle to the service station for routine maintenance. The fuel gauge was not monitoring the fuel, and was indicating that the fuel tank was empty. The fuel sensor was repaired. When the mechanic replaced the fuel sensor, he discovered that the gas pump was corroded and needed to be replaced because it was a fire hazard. The repair of the fuel pump, including diagnostic parts and labor was $900. Saturn customer service department stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v281000 (fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pump). The contact has pictures. The current and failure mileages were 23,800. Updated 06/17/08. *lj updated 06/16/08
Dt: the consumer stated transmission has never worked properly. The vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times, they stated could duplicate the problem. The problem was duplicated once, and the transmission module was replaced. The consumer has gone through 1-800- my- lemon, and since that, the dealership was not willing to help her anymore. The manufacturer was contacted, and they also claim ed it could not be t be duplicated, so they could not help. There have been multiple things wrong with the vehicle; the gas gauge and other things. The consumer did have the work orders and could send in that information. The transmission would go up to high rpms. It would jerk, and almost shut off. It happed on straight roads as well as hills.
Consumer complained about electrical problems. While driving and looking at the dashboard all the gauges shined, indicating that nothing was operating normally. The gas gauge/ speedometer, and battery meter, etc.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.
Recall number 12V459000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle performance may be affected.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V419000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Certain vehicles equipped with supercharged 2.0l 4-cylinder (lsj) engine were built with a fuel feed pipe that could crack and leak fuel near the fuel rail. If fuel leaks from the fuel feed pipe, there would be a noticeable fuel odor around the vehicle.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel feed pipe assembly. Owner notification began on june 9, 2004. Owners should contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876.
Recall number 04V281000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l 4-cylinder (l61) engines were built with a fuel filter that could corrode prematurely on the exterior surface.
- Risk
- If corrosion on the exterior surface of the fuel filter progresses to the point of creating a hole in the shell, fuel droplets could form and drop to the ground. If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel filter assembly. Owner notification began on december 30, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876.
Recall number 04V003000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn Ion fuel gauge
Which Saturn Ion years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (4 complaints), 2007 (4 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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