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Saturn Ion fuel leak problems

209 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
209
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$700
typical mileage
85,900
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 85,200 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.

Filed Jul 25, 2023 · Fuel system · WV

The contact's parents own a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle when the vehicle was started or turned off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's father inspected the vehicle but could not find a fuel leak. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which she linked to the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Fuel system · 76,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact then noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2022 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while he was attempting to start the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he began to smell a fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle and also saw a fuel leak between the rear tires. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel system, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2021 · Fuel system · NY

I bought this car recently when I filled the gas tank I noticed gas leaking where thee fill tube connects to the gas tank.

Filed Oct 16, 2021 · Fuel system · LA · fire

The year, make, and model of my car has a factory recall for the fuel pump failing. I went to the dealership and they informed me my Vin # wasn't included and their was nothing they could do about it. My vehicle started leaking fuel last week so I dropped the tank and removed the fuel pump. I have done my homework on this including watching several videos on YouTube concerning this issue and I'm 100% positive this fuel pump has failed in the exact location that all the other recalls have and yet my Vin number isn't on the recall according to this GMC service department manager. I am going to have to put a fuel pump in at my expense today because it's my transportation for work but I'm very upset about this situation and GMCs failure to have my vehicle included and having to replace their defected fuel pump. It's very frustrating knowing I'm putting my time and money towards it because I have my hands full trying to replace the house that Hurricane Ida destroyed about a month ago. We need help with this situation because our money is very tight and don't really have it to fix GMCs mistake. I will keep the fuel pump that came out of it along with the receipt for it so anyone can clearly see that I'm not only correct but being shafted on the recall. Thanks have a nice day I'll be eagerly awaiting your response

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · Fuel system · MN

Hi I am a kind of new owner of an 04 saturn ion, this is actually the second complaint I've filled out. Last July I had a mechanic friend look at my fuel filter and he had said the fuel line needed to be cut off becuase of how rusted on to the original fuel filter I'd got it with was and I didn't believe him so I replace it myself and when I got it off I had cleaned up the metal fuel line the best I could and put a new filter on. Well now it leaks gas right where the hook up is and very strong fuel smells come from there too, I've gotten numerous comments about how un safe that is to be driving it but I need to have a way to work and then someone had mentioned to check for recalls and I seen on there that this car did have a recall for faulty fuel filter gas lines. If you could get back to me as soon as possible about an inspection if needed or whatever else you'd need on my behalf. Please and thank you for your time

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Fuel system · IN

The car is leaking gas from the gas tank. I see recalls from this year, make and model from this vehicle yet when I put my VIN in it says 0 recalls.

Filed Dec 5, 2020 · Fuel system · 167,573 miles · FL

Fuel leak on rear driver side when the engine is running while car is stationary. It may have happened before the date and mileage stated below but that's when I first noticed the fuel leak.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Fuel system · 154,917 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by independent mechanic, she was informed that the vehicle had a fuel leak and needed the fuel pump and fuel tank to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,917.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported September 19, 2012 · 49,768 vehicles affected
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 pumpReported October 29, 2009 · 69,139 vehicles affected
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 pumpReported June 8, 2004 · 670 vehicles affected
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, gasolineReported January 5, 2004 · 127,285 vehicles affected
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 leak

Which Saturn Ion years have fuel leak problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (102 complaints), 2007 (69 complaints) and 2004 (18 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix fuel leak on the Saturn Ion?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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