NHTSA lists 757 complaints for the 2003 Saturn ION, 43 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 22 complaints mention an injury, with 36 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SATURN ION.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2014-04-10. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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. (excerpt)
Consequence: 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, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occup (excerpt)
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 necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition c (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-02-10. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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 recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 200 (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on Apr (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-11-16. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF A FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE, OTHERS MAY REACT MORE SLOWLY TO A TURNING VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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 CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-01-05. Systems: VISIBILITY.
Defect: 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 SUNROOF MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED.
Consequence: IF UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE VEHICLE AND OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS OR SUNROOF, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-01-05. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER PROGRESSES TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE IN THE SHELL, FUEL DROPLETS COULD FORM AND DROP TO THE GROUND. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
5 investigations; 0 open.
PE07011
Opened: 2007-02-28. Closed: 2007-08-09.
WINDSHIED WIPER LINKAGE FAILURE
INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN IN AUGUST 2003, REGARDING SERVICE THAT REQUIRED REMOVAL OF THE WIPER ARMS.GM ISSUED THE BULLETIN AT THAT TIME TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER COMMENTS ON WINDSHIELD WIPER CHATTERING OR HOPPING ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD DURING WIPER OPERATION.THE CORRECTION WAS TO REPLACE THE WIPER ARM AND BLADE.HOWEVER, THE BULLETIN DID NOT PLACE SPECIFIC EMP
Systems: VISIBILITY.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE06006
Opened: 2006-01-24. Closed: 2006-06-06.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENER
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP05008
Opened: 2005-12-20. Closed: 2006-02-06.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICL
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA04035
Opened: 2004-12-22. Closed: 2005-10-20.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
THE COMBINATION FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL IN MY 2003 SATURN ION COUPES EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT EARLY-LIFE FAILURES DUE TO VARIOUS BULB QUALITY ISSUES DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE.THIS PROBLEM TREND APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED AFTER THE FALL OF 2003.THE CHANGE OF LEAD WIRE MATERIAL NEAR THE START OF MY 2004 VEHICLE PRODUCTION APPEARS TO HAVE REDUCED THE FAILURE RATE FOR MY 2004 SATURN ION C
Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE04061
Opened: 2004-08-17. Closed: 2004-12-22.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
ON NOVEMBER 16, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 178,798 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 AND 2004 SATURN ION SEDAN VEHICLES FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL BULBS.GM STATED THAT TEMPERATURES IN THE LAMP ASSEMBLY EXCEED THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATION FOR THE BULB SOCKETS AND BULB BASE SLEEVES, WHICH CAUSE DEFORMATION.THE DEFORMED SOCKETS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BULB AND SOCKET CONTAC
Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Linked campaign numbers: 04V547000.
Manufacturer communications
499 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 178 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 106 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 62 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 42 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 29 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 22 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 17 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 16 |
|---|
11020816
Date: 2025-07-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
11014455
Date: 2025-02-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to
11009156
Date: 2024-10-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester A and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and st
11007743
Date: 2024-09-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
11007744
Date: 2024-09-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
11007208
Date: 2024-09-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician s
11006621
Date: 2024-08-26. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is com
11004557
Date: 2024-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
11002312
Date: 2024-06-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
11000576
Date: 2024-05-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process.