2003 Saturn ION problems
Owners have filed 961 complaints about the 2003 Saturn ION with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 41.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of steering at 14.6%.
Complaints961
Crashes64
Fires4
Injuries48
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 41.1% · 395
Steering 14.6% · 140
Engine and engine cooling 6.1% · 59
Power train 5.9% · 57
Air bags 5.1% · 49
Vehicle speed control 4.0% · 38
Exterior lighting 3.7% · 36
Visibility 3.4% · 33
Severity
Of those complaints, 64 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 48 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Saturn ION in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 2006 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 72,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Takata recall, my 2003 Saturn ION has recalls on the ignition switch and cylinder which is causing my car to be impossible to drive. This recall is causing the system to have a short with all my electrical. For example, windows don't roll down/up, wipers don't work, heater doesn't work, blinkers don't work, dash lights stay on causing battery to constantly be dead. All because there are recalls that need to be fixed. Electrical system · reported at 78,585 miles
: The contact stated while driving on the freeway between 50-60 mph, the vehicle lost all electrical power. There is no warning when this occurs and the steering wheel also locks up. The vehicle is pulled over and restarted. The dealership replaced the ignition switch and fuel pump. The contact has been out of the country since the repair, last year; the vehicle has not been driven since repairs were made. Electrical system · reported at 33,000 miles
I have a 2003 Saturn ION. I have had it in 3 times to be worked on. Some days it will start some days it will not. I have had a fuse replaced, my started, and a connection to the starter. I know 2 other people who have had the same issue with the same car. Now I read this online blog and a ton of people having the same issue. My car is no longer under warranty so I will have to pay for all of these repairs. Electrical system · reported at 37,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…