2003 Saturn Ion Technical Service Bulletins

398 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2003 Saturn Ion. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10246951Oct 1, 2012Equipment. Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
• 10038294Jan 1, 2012Seat belts. Gm: there are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle. Buckle release button is sticking. Seat belt warning light illuminated. Likely caused by sticky beverages that are spilled into the buckle assembly. *rm updated 4/3/12.
• 10043015Nov 1, 2011Brakes. Saturn: low brake fluid warning and/or red brake light on due to possible brake fluid reservoir or fluid switch being replaced. Brake and brake pedal operation not affected. *pe updated 2/8/12.
• 10042986Nov 1, 2011Seats. General motors: information provided by bulletin for all 2012 and prior general motor trucks and passenger vehicles regarding the adjustable comfort and custom upholstery of the driver and the passenger head restraint.
• 10038510Mar 1, 2011Engine cooling. Gm: there may be noise coming from the cylinder head, because of low oil pressure which is caused by debris.
• 10019478Jun 1, 2010Steering. Normal operating characteristics of electric power steering (eps) system during extended lock-to-lock (maximum steering wheel rotation) usage. *tt updated 3/30/11.
• 10032327Dec 1, 2009Transmission and drivetrain. Saturn service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. New special reimbursement policy for vehicles equipped with variable transmission with intelligence (vti) transmission-50 percent of transmission repair cost will be paid by gm or customer may elect the option of $5,000 customer credit instead of repair. Csc letter was received.
• 10022958Aug 1, 2009Steering. Diagnostic tips for power steering inoperative/steering wheel hard to turn, power steering message displayed on dic, dtc's c0176, c0176, c0475, c0476, c0550, u2105, u2107 set. *nj updated 2/17/10. *pe updated 3/01/10.
• 10033184Jul 1, 2009Transmission and drivetrain. Chevrolet/pontiac/saturn: blocked shift, gear hop out 1st, 3rd, 5th gear or difficulty shifting. The shift lever on the manual transmissions roll pin can back out and contact the shift cover during a shift event. This can cause an incomplete, blocked shift or difficulty shifting the transmission.
• 10020740Jun 1, 2009Steering. Power steering inoperative/steering wheel hard to turn, pwr str displayed on driver information center (dic). After jump starting the vehicle. *kb (replace fuse and instruct owner how to jump start vehicle). Updated 2/17/10.
• 10021115Dec 1, 2008Suspension. Information on tire radial force variation (rfv). 2008 and prior gm passenger cars and light duty trucks including 2008 and prior hummer h2, h3 and 2005-08 saab 9-7x and 2000-05 saturn l series and 2003-07 saturn ion. *kb updated 4/11/08. *nj updated 5/27/09.
• 10027804Nov 1, 2008Electrical system, Equipment. General motors corp: special coverage adjustment; analog onstar deactivation. *pe updated 2/17/09.
• 10026586Jun 1, 2008Equipment. Buick cadillac chevrolet gmc hummer oldsmobile pontiac saab saturn service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Special coverage adjustment-analog onstar deactivation. Fcc ruled in 2002 wireless carriers would no longer re required to support analog wireless network starting in 2008. *pe csc letter was received. Updated 12/1/08.
• 10021114Feb 1, 2008Other or unknown. Trailer, recreational and disabled vehicle towing information. *kb updated 08-15-07. *kb updated 10/09/07. *nj updated 4/3/08.
• 10032850Jan 1, 2008Tires, Equipment. General motors: information on tire radial force variation. Vehicle must be driven before measuring tires on equipment hunter gsp9700 toensure removal of any flatspotting. Models include all gm passenger cars and light trucks, as well as certain hummers, saabs, and saturns.
• 10017497Sep 1, 2007Steering. Ei05093 - clunk noise in steering system at slow speeds while turning and/or driving over bumps. *tt (replace intermediate shaft). Updated 10/05/07. *nj updated 11/02/07
• 10021919Apr 1, 2007Electrical system. Floor plan corrosion (rust) perforation in battery compartment.
• 10021453Apr 1, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. Mg3, m86 transaxle grinding/whining noise in 3rd or 4th gear, excessive engagement or disengagement effort while shifting into 3rd or 4th gear, will not shift into either 3rd or 4th gear. (replace complete output shaft assembly).
• 10021074Mar 1, 2007Other or unknown. Parts update - timing chain tensioner design change.
• 10020923Jan 30, 2007Engine cooling. Low oil pressure - inspect oil filter for damage. *kb updated 10/18/07.
• 10020951Oct 1, 2006Steering. Information on inadvertent turning of key cylinder, loss of electrical system and no dtc's.
• 10019866May 5, 2006Brakes. Bcm service part not available for tsb 04-08-45-005c.
• 10019228Feb 21, 2006Transmission and drivetrain. M86/m94 transmission information to disassemble third fourth and fifth gear.
• 10019190Feb 17, 2006Engine cooling. Service engine soon light due to p0300 - inspect fuel system for rust contamination.
• 10018915Jan 25, 2006Electrical system. Hesitation on acceleration after internal engine repairs - check injector harness orientation.
• 10018624Jan 9, 2006Fuel system. Fuel tank is slow to fill and/or dtc p0446 - inspect evap vent pipe. The ses lamp may be illuminated due to a p0466 dtc. *tt updated 08-15-07.
• 10018547Jan 6, 2006Transmission and drivetrain. Remanufactured vt25e transmission quality issues. Inoperative, noise, slip, low pressure or leak related concern.
• 10018530Jan 5, 2006Electrical system. Incorrect mileage displayed after programming a new bcm. Various models including 2005 - 2006 pontiac pursuit (canada only).
• 10018679Nov 1, 2005Suspension. Identifying correct design level of rear axle assembly.
• 10017133Oct 26, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Transaxle slips, no third gear, engine flare during shift after transaxle service.
• 10017119Oct 25, 2005Engine cooling. Sulfur odor from exhaust.
• 10017032Oct 21, 2005Engine cooling. Service engine soon (ses) light and severe engine misfire on cylinders 1 and 4 or cylinders 2 and 3. *tt updated 08-15-07.
• 10017423Oct 1, 2005Steering. Power steering inoperative/steering wheel hard to turn, pwr str message displayed on driver information center (dic) after jump starting vehicle.
• 10018126Sep 1, 2005Engine cooling. Oil life system reset procedures - cars. Gm tech link.
• 10017502Sep 1, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Rear defogger grid inoperative or incomplete defogging of rear glass.
• 10013462Aug 1, 2005Suspension. Premature and/or irregular tire wear.
• 10014807May 10, 2005Electrical system. Engine stalls, loss of electrical systems, and no diagnostic trouble code (dtc). Including 2005-06 pontiac pursuit.
• 10015047Mar 1, 2005Electrical system. Service engine soon telltale illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0742.
• 10015026Mar 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Engine flare during 2-3 shift most noticeable during light to moderate acceleration.
• 10015025Mar 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Low speed grind noise and or hesitation while driving.
• 10015024Mar 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Intermittent no movement in drive or reverse with or without diagnostic trouble codes.
• 10012702Mar 1, 2005Exterior lighting. Turn signal indicator flashing faster than normal and corresponding front turn signal bulb inoperative. *eh updated
• 10017446Feb 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Intermittent hesitation during vehicle launch.
• 10013847Nov 24, 2004Exterior lighting. Update-2003-2004 ion sedan turn signal lamp/drl saturn letter to owners.
• 10012086Nov 18, 2004Exterior lighting. Daytime running lights (drl) / turn signal bulb. Replacement and drl jumper kit installation. Latest part availability and shortage information. Stocking policy message.
• 10012748Oct 1, 2004Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Sunroof drain hose rattle.
• 10014346Aug 1, 2004Engine cooling. Oil life system reset procedures - cars.
• 10012701Feb 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. On wheel movement in snow or slippery surfaces.

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn Ion