Skip to content
Fuel systemPart report

2003 Saturn Ion Fuel system Problems

Complaints
34about this part
Share
4%of 758 total for the year
Median mileage
105,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Saturn Ion, 4% of the 758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 1 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.

“Fuel line rotted so much that one day I start my car and every drop of gas I had poured out onto the ground under my drivers seat. It was a fire hazard and now I am stuck without a car. The garage wants over $600 to replace the fuel line and I literally have no way to fix it. The vehicle was on a city street.”

NHTSA complaint #11150234, filed 2018-11, 101,000 miles

“Same issue as in Saturn ION 2004 recall: rusted area on fuel line near rear door. Very sudden fuel leak (half gallon) when I arrived home and parked my car”

NHTSA complaint #11005577, filed 2017-07, 138,000 miles

“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

“Fuel line leak. I own a 2003 Saturn ION 3, with 120,481 miles on it. The car was garage kept till the past 6 months. When driving on 4/15/18, the car suddenly developed a strong fuel smell. The vehicle was brought into the repair shop on 4/16/18. The vehicle was diagnosed with a leaking, rusted fuel line. The leak was from line coming out of fuel pump. My research shows this was a known and common for the Saturn ION, also seems that GM is aware of the issue. Fuel line/s should not rust through like this. This car is well maintained, inspected regularly at every 3000 mile oil change intervals. …”

NHTSA complaint #11092158, filed 2018-05, 120,475 miles

“Key came out, but car was still running. Put key back in managed to get turn off engine, however key would not release for over 15min! This keeps happening to me. Scheduled appointment with chapman chevrolet tempe, az to repair according to recall instructions that I submitted to their customer service dept. They say they will notify me when the parts come in, but it has been approximately one month or more already. I believe my family and my self are in danger of a fatal accident or something; sometimes the car will not surrender the ignition key for in hour. …”

NHTSA complaint #10597224, filed 2014-06, 105,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200720824%
200623819%
2005275%
2004526%
2003344%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Ion

Electrical system
383 complaintsSteering
139 complaintsEngine cooling
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsAir bags
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
38 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 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