2003 Saturn ION
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 757
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
52% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 757 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 757 |
| 2004 | 898 |
| 2005 | 573 |
| 2006 | 1,235 |
| 2007 | 876 |
| 2008 | 4 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
52% · 395 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn ION. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, when the vehicle began to stall and another vehicle rear ended her. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-09-23
To formally add this incident to your records, on 2/22/13, at about 9AM, I was starting to brake upon approaching a traffic light on a highway near my home in icy conditions, only to find that I apparently had no braking capability, (At least all...
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-03
I took my 2003 Saturn ion to my local Chevrolet dealership in Lincoln Illinois and they refused to complete the recall issues (2) both are to do with the ignition and keys.thwy told me it was not fixable it needed a whole steering column that would...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-09
Also filed under Engine
Steering
18% · 140 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system and steering wheel/handle bar.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn ION. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle flipped upside down. The air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-28
Also filed under Air bags
I have the power steering column issue that still needs to be fixed as advised by GMC of Port Richey, FL where I was promised my replacement vehicle even 10 or 20 yrs later if I bought another one.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-20
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 59 reportsMost commonly citing engine and exhaust system.
Show complaint excerpts
Dear administrator: I purchased a 2003 Saturn ION 2 on December 28, 2002. I reported to both the Saturn corporation and the dealership that sold me the vehicle that the vehicle wasn't safe after driving the vehicle for 80 miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-26
Power train
8% · 57 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
Air bags
6% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Saturn ION. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, another vehicle in the opposite direction drove head first into his vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed at the scene.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-26
The vehicle was involved in a collision and the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. Dealer notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-08
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003-12-30Visibility04V004000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 118, "Power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems." The power windows…
Remedy: Dealers will upgrade the body control module (Bcm) calibration. Owner notification began on December 30, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
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2003-12-30Fuel system, gasoline04V003000 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filter assembly. Owner notification began on December 30, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
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2004-08-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-22 Front turn signal/drl failure
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2004-11-17Exterior lighting04V547000 Certain passenger vehicles have a condition in which the turn signal lamp and daytime running lamp (Drl) on either front side can stop working because of loss of contact between the bulb and socket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drl/turn signal bulb on both the left and right front side and inspect for and add a drl jumper kit if not present. The recall began November 17, 2004. Owners should…
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2004-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2005-10-20 Front turn signal/drl failure
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2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-02-06 Timing chain failure
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2006-01-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-06-06 Timing chain failure
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2007-02-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-08-09 Windshied wiper linkage failure
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for...
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge.
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2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if...
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2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 395 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 140 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 59 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V004000 · Visibility
- Recall 04V003000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V547000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
FAQ
- Is the 2003 Saturn ION reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn ION?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn ION have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-06 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.