Check a VIN

Saturn Ion fuel pump problems

284 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
284
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$600
typical mileage
73,165
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

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 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 Jan 29, 2021 · Fuel system, Steering · 85,000 miles · AZ

The fuel pump is leaking, gm refuses to fix it because the VIN isn't associated with the recall, but the same year make and model of my car says it has a recall for the fuel system and pump.

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.

Filed May 20, 2020 · Fuel system · 137,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

Gas leaking from fuel pump/gas tank. A strong odor of gasoline is permeating the cabin. My eyes burn and lips are numb. Second day gas can be seen dripping off of the fuel filter, the fuel filter is coated with gasoline. Gasoline pours from underneath the rear passenger side of the vehicle any time its started.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Fuel system · MA

It looks like my car is leaking fuel. Don't know if it's the fuel injector line or fuel pump but I know there is a recall for this on my car but it's not showing up on my VIN number

Filed Nov 23, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 170,117 miles · GA · crash

Car cuts off A/C wont work unless on max and makes noise when turning. Cpu issue like RPM fluctuates I think its the fuel pump and gas pedal assembly cpu problem and its jerks alot dealer said aint nothing the can do bout it but they suppose to fix it with in 30 days of purchase time. So it cuts off while riding and jerks while im on the breaks

Filed Apr 10, 2019 · Fuel system · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact smelled fuel fumes inside the vehicle. Gold star buick gmc (1980 n davis rd, salinas, ca 93907, (831) 240-4859) diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel pump needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer did not have the parts and the contact was still required to make a partial payment. The contact asked for a rental vehicle, but her request was denied. The contact had to drive the vehicle home with it leaking fuel. The contact was concerned for her safety. The dealer mentioned that there was special coverage for certain parts under a warranty. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not disclose a lot of information due to the fact that the contact was speaking with her attorney. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Fuel system · 140,500 miles · NC

Fuel leaking from top of fuel tank, coming from broken port on the fuel pump. This is the same issue as documented in gm recall 09226c, but because this vehicle isn't in any of the states listed I have to pay for it out of pocket. How can a recall only cover vehicles in certain states.

Filed Aug 27, 2018 · Fuel system, Seat belts · 151,472 miles · TX

Takata recall the seat belts when stopping suddenly do not always lock up. This is very dangerous especially with kids. The fuel system has been producing a check engine light at certain times of fueling up. And the fuel pump will knock occasionally even after it's been changed. The suspension is really bad and dangerous, rattling noise and shaking.

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 pump

Which Saturn Ion years have fuel pump failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (153 complaints), 2007 (111 complaints) and 2004 (9 complaints).

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

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 37 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Saturn Ion?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history