Problems · NHTSA complaints

2003 Saturn Ion problems

Owners filed 768 complaints about the 2003 Saturn Ion with NHTSA between Feb 2003 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (386).

Complaints
768
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
44
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
37
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system386
  2. Steering139
  3. Power train60
  4. Engine and engine cooling58
  5. Air bags49
  6. Vehicle speed control38
  7. Visibility33
  8. Exterior lighting31
  9. Engine21
  10. Fuel/propulsion system19
  11. Structure19
  12. Fuel system, gasoline15
  13. Equipment12
  14. Latches/locks/linkages10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200346
200461
200524
200630
200772
200882
200979
201053
201144
201220
201317
2014140
201533
201623
201712
20187
20197
20206
20215
20220
20231
20243
20251
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

386 reports12 crashes3 fires2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring shortly after. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff, the speedometer failed to display the accurate velocity, the fog lights would not deactivate, and several other electrical features failed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11771033

Steering

139 reports3 crashes
“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. If on my walking tape recorders and contact lens, I pull off my brake peddle flat lining at least twice without crashing however he would grant me whatever 2 vehicles on the lots I chose as long as I had insurance. However, I do not have the money for the tow and corporates to include the police will not listen too. Please, contact me immediately for a more rapid communication please at [XXX] or [XXX] .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2024SteeringODI 11572951

Power train

60 reports1 crash
“MY KEY SWITCH DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO REMOVE MY KEY WHEN I'M IN PARKED AND MY TRANSMISSION STRANDS AT TIMES AND MY CAR DOESN'T START ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO START IT I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT AWHILE BEFORE IT STARTS AGAIN I COULD BE SITTING IN THE DRIVE THRU ON PARKED WAITING TO TRAVEL AGAIN ON TH HE MAIN ROADWAY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2020Power train, Electrical systemODI 11342756

Engine and engine cooling

58 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE WOULD CEASE ONCE THE ENGINE WAS WARM BUT COULD STILL BE HEARD AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS IN COLDER WEATHER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH OF THE FAILURES WERE COMMON, BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10452258

Air bags

49 reports25 crashes1 related recall
“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. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined to service the recall repairs due to an insurance issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another unknown local dealer, who informed the contact to place the vehicle in park(P) and restart the vehicle, and the symbol turned off. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim and informed the contact that a technician would be sent to the residence, but the technician failed to show up. The failure mileage was…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11612866

Vehicle speed control

38 reports6 crashes
“DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2017Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10971606
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.