2003 Saturn Ion Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 4%of 758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,490miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Saturn Ion, 4% of the 758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,490 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Failure of GM to notify me of 3 recalls on 2003 Saturn ION. It is possible that this work has already been done, but I cannot tell at this time and would like this problem investigated. Recalls are: NHTSA campaign id number: 04v547000 NHTSA campaign id number: 04v003000”
NHTSA complaint #10255471, filed 2009-01, 92,200 miles“Saturn ION 2 model year 2003 was serviced for 2004 turn signal recall back in 2005; in the past 16 months I have had the driver side turn signal bulb changed 4 times because it stops working, and have changed it 2 more times before the most recent series of incidents. As of today I changed it a 5th time and it still does not work. This is a hazardous condition particularly since it fails repeatedly. Now I have been told that the body control module might have a problem may need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10514611, filed 2013-06, 64,000 miles“At the time my Saturn was involved in an accident it was under 30,000 miles and still under warrenty. I was driving on a busy highway and my accelerator got stuck. At the time I could not see what was holding down my accelerator. It was a piece of panel that came off partially that was holding the accelerator really hard and it was stuck making my pedal stuck almost all the way to the floor. I tried to slow the car down with both feet on the breaks and the emergency break to no avail. I didn't turn the ignition off because I had cars on all sides of me going 50-70 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128630, filed 2005-07, 27,000 miles“Headlights do not project a beam as far as when vehicle was new. Nightime driving on rural roads during deer season is hazardous. Saturn dealer has installed updated wiring harness to correct repeated premature daytime running light failures and coincidently or not, the headlights have performed poorly since then. Discussed this with Saturn dealer and service manager said he has lots of complaints about poor headlight performance from the ION. I know my Saturn ION headlights performed satisfactorily at first, but have degraded. The electrical system and my vision are both fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098282, filed 2004-11, 38,000 miles“I have had repeated problems with the exterior front lighting on my new 2003 Saturn ION which is a safety hazard. On 5/15/03 I took the vehicle to the albuquerque Saturn dealership to fix the front driver side running light and left turn signal. They replaced the bulbs, but I had to take it to the dealership again on 7/18/03 after having driven it less than 100 miles for the same problem. This time they replaced the entire headlamp assembly. Then again on 9/29/03 I took it back to the dealership to have the passenger side front running light and turn signal replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10040964, filed 2003-09, 4,248 milesRelated recalls
- 04V547000Nov 16, 2004Certain 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…Covers: Saturn Ion 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Ion
383 complaintsSteering
139 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsAir bags
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 complaintsFuel system
34 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 31, 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