Saturn models we see most
| Model | US model years | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| S-Series (SL, SC, SW) | 1991-2002 | Saturn's original cars, with dent-resistant plastic body panels on a steel frame. |
| L-Series | 2000-2005 | A midsize car that shared GM's GM2900 platform with the Opel Vectra; dropped after 2005 for poor sales. |
| Ion | 2003-2007 | Covered by the Cobalt ignition switch recalls and power steering recall 14V153000. |
| Vue | 2002-2010 | After Saturn closed, GM sold a lightly changed Vue as the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport. |
| Aura | 2007-2010 | 2007-2008 Auras with four-speed automatics are in shift cable recall 14V224000. |
| Outlook | 2007-2010 | 2008-2010 Outlooks are in seat side-airbag wiring recall 14V118000. |
| Sky | 2007-2010 | A two-seat roadster built alongside the Pontiac Solstice and included in recall 14V047000. |
Known Saturn problems that end up at the scrapyard
Ignition switch recalls on Ion and Sky
GM's recall 14V047000 covers 2003-2007 Saturn Ions and 2007-2010 Skys along with the Chevrolet Cobalt. A heavy key ring or a jolt can move the ignition out of run, cutting the engine and the airbags. A related recall, 14V171000, addresses keys that can be pulled out when the ignition isn't fully off, letting the car roll away. source
Sudden power steering loss on Ion and Aura
Recall 14V153000 covers 2004-2007 Saturn Ions and 2008-2009 Auras, plus several Chevrolet and Pontiac models. The electric power steering assist can quit without warning while driving, leaving the driver to steer with much more effort, especially at low speed. An Ion whose steering goes heavy in parking lots may never have had this repair. source
Fracturing shift cable on 2007-2008 Aura
GM recalled 2007-2008 Saturn Auras with four-speed automatics, then expanded the recall to similar Malibus and Pontiac G6s (14V224000). The transmission shift cable can fracture, so the gear the transmission is in may not match what the shifter shows, and the car may move in a direction the driver doesn't expect. Treat an Aura with a sloppy shifter as unsafe. source
How Saturn ended
GM put Saturn up for sale during its 2009 restructuring, and a deal for Penske Automotive to take it over collapsed on September 30, 2009, when Penske couldn’t line up another company to build the cars. Saturn production ended in October 2009, and remaining franchises closed in October 2010. The last models, the Aura, Outlook, Sky and Vue, ran into the 2010 model year.
Saturn started with plastic-paneled small cars and grew into a lineup of rebadged GM products. That split matters when you sell. The S-Series, the Ion and the 2002-2007 Vue use dent-resistant polymer panels, which means less steel in the body. Later Saturns share their platforms with Chevrolets and Pontiacs, so their parts interchange widely. When we quote a Saturn, we ask whether it starts, whether the transmission engages, whether anything has been taken off it, like the catalytic converter or wheels, and where it’s parked. A three-row Outlook weighs far more than an Ion or an S-Series coupe, and a running engine helps any of them.
Recalls that hit Saturns hardest
Saturn’s later cars were swept into GM’s biggest recalls. The Ion and Sky are in the Cobalt ignition switch campaign. The Ion and Aura had sudden electric power steering failures. The Aura’s shift cable could break, and the Outlook shares the side-airbag wiring fault of the Acadia and Enclave. A Saturn that has changed hands several times may still have some of these open, so look up the VIN before you spend money on it. If yours has quit altogether, our guide to what to do with a car that won’t run compares your options.
Getting a Saturn ready to go
Gather the keys and remove anything heavy from the key ring. Clear the radio presets and paired phones on later models, cancel OnStar if the car has the blue button, and take your garage remote and toll transponder. See our full list of makes for anything else in your driveway.
Selling a junk Saturn: questions
Saturn closed in 2010. Can I still sell mine for parts?
Yes. Most later Saturns share running gear with Chevrolets and Pontiacs, so engines, transmissions and many other parts stay useful. The plastic body panels on older Saturns don't add much scrap weight, but a complete car with a working engine still counts.
My Vue won't start and the title is somewhere in the house. Should I wait to find it?
Look for it first if you can, since a title makes the sale simplest. If it doesn't turn up, tell us what papers you have and we'll explain on the call what Illinois accepts for a scrap sale. We tow non-running Vues free.