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BrakesPart report

2003 Saturn Ion Brakes Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
1%of 758 total for the year
Median mileage
130,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Saturn Ion, 1% of the 758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I don't feel safe in this vehicle, I have experience how dangerous it could be if the ignition switch does malfunction. I fear for my safety and my families safety the air bags does not work and there is electrical issues with the windows. I don't know why geico insurance didn't find this car not to be an safety issue?”

NHTSA complaint #10622191, filed 2014-08, 19,000 miles

“I was driving my Saturn tonight and noticed that even when I would let off the brake, the car would accelerate and rpms would stay elevated. I was driving at about 35-40mph. I was coming up to an intersection and it simply didn't feel right, like it was pulling forward. The traffic light turns red and I start to apply pressure to the brakes. It felt like the brakes were resisting and it was taking a lot more pressure than usual to slow down. My car would not come to a complete stop and I was going ~5mph right up to the crosswalk. …”

NHTSA complaint #10689732, filed 2015-02, 144,000 miles

“I received a letter from GM about the ignition switch recall either last week or the week before. It stated to drive my vehicle with the ignition key only, not even with the key fob. I was also told that the part is no longer made for my vehicle. The letter also stated that there is no risk of ignition failure as long as the driver uses the key only. I have faithfully followed that since receiving my letter. I am telling you that information is false. As I was driving home tonight, I noticed the engine sounded different. …”

NHTSA complaint #10574822, filed 2014-03, 139,293 miles

“On multiple occasions this vehicle has accelerated without pushing the gas pedal, with no cruise control option, it's unsolved by multiple mechanics. Sometimes the brake works while it's happening, sometimes it doesn't, the most recent time I pulled into a parking lot where I had to hold the brake down to shut the car off, I could smell the transmission, I turned vehicle off, turned it back on and it went to over 5 RPM still, turned back off, sat and waited, it was 2am so I couldn't call anyone. After 10 minutes it finally went back to normal. …”

NHTSA complaint #10566175, filed 2014-02, 133,000 miles

“There is a leak in the c-line (the hose between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. I talked to another Saturn owner and they have the same problem of the leaking hose. Since this fluid controls both my clutch and my brakes, this is a major problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10142256, filed 2005-11, 55,230 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007121%
2006131%
200592%
2004192%
2003111%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Ion

Electrical system
383 complaints
Steering
139 complaints
Engine cooling
58 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
55 complaints
Air bags
49 complaints
Vehicle speed control
38 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Exterior lighting
31 complaints
Engine
21 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn Ion

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology