Sell your 2006 Saturn Ion for cash

The 2006 Saturn Ion is a compact car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl engines. At 20 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2006 Saturn Ion at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl (supercharged versions available)
TransmissionsManual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
Fuel economy20–23 city / 27–32 highway / 23–26 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,600–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂342–386 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA5 configurations
Age20 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 20 years old, most of a 2006 Ion's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a compact car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Ion. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 60,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2006 Saturn Ion recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2006 Saturn Ion. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Electrical SystemApr 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V171000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission,

SteeringMar 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V153000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could…

Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Air BagsFeb 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V047000

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are…

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fuel System, GasolineOct 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V419000

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…

Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Common 2006 Ion problems

Owners have filed 1,235 complaints about the 2006 Saturn Ion with NHTSA. 44 reports involved a crash and 7 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 33 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering524
  • Electrical System310
  • Fuel/Propulsion System111
  • Fuel System, Gasoline93
  • Air Bags57
  • Electrical System56

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering60,000 mi
  • Electrical System63,000 mi
  • Fuel/Propulsion System106,000 mi
  • Fuel System, Gasoline61,000 mi
  • Air Bags80,000 mi
  • Electrical System60,000 mi

2006 Saturn Ion service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 739 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2006 Saturn Ion. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment101
  • Equipment94
  • Electrical System72
  • Engine and Engine Cooling43
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility32
  • Equipment31

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2025 · PIP5601C

    This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2006 Saturn Ion.

SteeringEA11014 · opened Sep 2011, closed Apr 2014Led to recall 14V153000

Electric Power Steering Failure

On March 31, 2014, General Motors Company (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 1,340,447 model year (MY) 2004 through 2010 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), including 334,728 MY

SteeringRQ10004 · opened Dec 2010, closed Oct 2011

Electric Power Steering Failure

ODI has received 846 complaints and GM identified 3,489 reports alleging sudden loss of steering power assist in model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Saturn Ion vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).Sixteen of these complaints alleged that the EPS warning lamp had illuminated before or during t

Other Saturn Ion years

‹ Sell a 2005 Ion · Sell a 2007 Ion › · All Saturn Ion years

Other 2006 Saturn models

Selling a 2006 Ion: questions

How much is a 2006 Saturn Ion worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2006 Ion that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2006 Ions that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2006 Ion with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Saturn Ion; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2006 Ion?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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