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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Saturn Ion Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
58about this part
Share
8%of 758 total for the year
Median mileage
40,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Saturn Ion, 8% of the 758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“Oil started leaking on saturday, took to shop on sunday, they thought cracked head gasket. Went to Saturn dealer on monday, they could not id leak, directed me to bring back in a couple days. Today they identified cracked cylinder head. Car has only 67,000 miles and has never overheated to the best of my knowledge. Block is cast iron, cyl head is aluminum. Quoted cost to repair: $2600, not under warranty and not covered by dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10255006, filed 2009-01, 67,600 miles

“My Saturn ION 3 had 4 occurrences of service vehicle's message in the last 24 hours since dec 29, 2006. When I turn the key, the engine doesn't turn over. The message windows shows service vehicle and the security /pass lock symbol on the dash keeps flashing. I kept trying turning the ignition, nothing happnened. The after approx. 10 minutes, the car started and ran great as if nothing happened.”

NHTSA complaint #10177416, filed 2006-12, 35,500 miles

“Car will not start in cold weather. This began 3 months ago at the beginning of the winter season, unfortunately the first day of a new job. This happened a number of times until I was let go for showing up late to work (apparently, a car that problematic was inconceivable). I had the battery replaced, but that didn't help. This happens sporadically, but mostly in the early morning or late evening when it's coldest outside. This past week alone, my car wouldn't start 3 times. …”

NHTSA complaint #10301938, filed 2010-01, 77,230 miles

“My 2003 Saturn ION consistently idles at between 1200 and 2000 RPM. Car drives itself when I take my foot off the brake. Car will drive 5-10 MPH with foot off the case. I have complained at each service but the dealer states there is nothing wrong. The idle is determined by software. Etc.”

NHTSA complaint #10131373, filed 2005-08, 24,000 miles

“The timing chain broke on the vehicle. All I did was go to start it up and it wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to a goodyear but they couldn't fix it. So right now it is being looked at by a mechanic. He said that the timing chain is broken and because of the breakage I now have to have the valves replaced as well as the thermostat, the fuel pump and the head gasket. All of these were damaged by the chain. This is now costing me approximately $3000. All of which is caused by a faulty belt that Saturn installed on their vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #10211163, filed 2007-12, 73,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200791%
2006302%
2005153%
2004334%
2003588%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Ion

Electrical system
383 complaintsSteering
139 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsAir bags
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsBrakes
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn Ion

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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