2005 Chevrolet Cavalier vs 2005 Saturn Ion
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier | 2005 Saturn Ion |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 287 | 573 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 526 | 584 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 31 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–26 | 23–26 |
| Median reported mileage | 67,000 mi | 62,085 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cavalier | Saturn Ion |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 211 | 227 |
| Steering | 8 | 265 |
| Power Train | 16 | 28 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 18 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 31 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 21 |
| Structure | 14 | 10 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 16 | 0 |
| Stalling | 9 | 46 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 62 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 30 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 26 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 11 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 6 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 5 |
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
2005 Saturn Ion
Compare all Chevrolet Cavalier vs Saturn Ion years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.