2003 Saturn ION

○ Not enough data
2003 Saturn ION
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Saturn ION Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2003: 756 complaints 2003 2004: 898 complaints 2004 2005: 573 complaints 2005 2006: 1235 complaints 2006 2007: 876 complaints 2007 2008: 4 complaints 2008
2003: 756 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003756
2004898
2005573
20061235
2007876
20084

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%

30% of complaints: electrical system — 228 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20200923

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, 20140303

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that occasionally the key failed to turn while in the ignition. The vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to avoid bumps in the roadway while driving. The lock symbol was displayed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240905

STEERING 17%

17% of complaints: steering — 129 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20140228

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, 20240220

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 68 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 54 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 39 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20200226

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, 20140228

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that occasionally the key failed to turn while in the ignition. The vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to avoid bumps in the roadway while driving. The lock symbol was displayed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240905

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031230 — visibility

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 AND/OR

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.

Campaign 04V004000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031230 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 04V003000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040817 — PE (closed 20041222)

FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE

R 20041117 — exterior lighting

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 CONTAC

Campaign 04V547000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20041222 — EA (closed 20051020)

FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE

I 20051220 — DP (closed 20060206)

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE

I 20060124 — PE (closed 20060606)

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE

I 20070228 — PE (closed 20070809)

WINDSHIED WIPER LINKAGE FAILURE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140404 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — electrical system

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...

Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — air bags, electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Saturn ION — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (228 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (129 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (68 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V004000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V003000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V547000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.

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 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn ION have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.