Model year guide

2003 Saturn ION

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Saturn ION is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 69 on record.

2003 Saturn ION — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Saturn ION at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints767
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$1,501

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Saturn ION recalls 7

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V171000 · 10/04/2014

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.

Fix: 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 ea…

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #14E021000 · 30/04/2014

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 use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditi…

Fix: 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. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners r…

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #14V047000 · 10/02/2014

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 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicl…

Fix: 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…

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #04V547000 · 16/11/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls NHTSA Campaign #04V004000 · 05/01/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #04V003000 · 05/01/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Saturn ION common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 767 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2003 Saturn ION safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Saturn Ion 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Saturn ION MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,517

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Saturn ION worth?

Low
$650
Typical price
$1,501
High
$2,700

From 67 comparable 2003 Saturn ION listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Saturn ION costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,585
Fuel only$12,585
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Saturn ION trims & engines on record

Trims
2 · 3 · 1
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 170 hp

2003 Saturn ION vehicles on record

2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F23Z112616 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AF52F93Z156887 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52FX3Z184819 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F93Z131809 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F23Z113376 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AM12F43Z199628 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AG52FX3Z189281 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52F83Z177044 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AG54F53Z191047 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52F73Z174278 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AG52F23Z126787 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F03Z130371 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F63Z152665 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F53Z178612 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AN12F03Z197369 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AF52F43Z177856 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AJ52F63Z123702 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AG52F53Z205015 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AM12F23Z200419 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 21G8AN12F53Z168207 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52F53Z129503 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52F43Z118802 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 11G8AG52F13Z135609 2003 Saturn ION 2003 Saturn ION 31G8AL52F23Z121908

Other Saturn ION model years

2007 2006 2005 2004

2003 Saturn ION — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Saturn ION have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2003 Saturn ION. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn ION?

Based on 767 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, engine.

What is the 2003 Saturn ION safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Saturn ION crash-test ratings of frontal 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Saturn ION get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Saturn ION at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2003 Saturn ION worth?

Comparable 2003 Saturn ION listings run roughly $650–$2,700, typically around $1,501 (from 67 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.