2003 Saturn Ion Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 5%of 758 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Saturn Ion, 5% of the 758 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 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.
“Takata recall, my 2003 Saturn ION has recalls on the ignition switch and cylinder which is causing my car to be impossible to drive. This recall is causing the system to have a short with all my electrical. For example, windows don't roll down/up, wipers don't work, heater doesn't work, blinkers don't work, dash lights stay on causing battery to constantly be dead. All because there are recalls that need to be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11164884, filed 2019-01, 78,585 miles“. I was driving south on I-15 between cedar city and st. George utah.around 4:00 pm when I drove into a very heavy rain storm, I turned on the windshield wipers to clear the windshield. At which point the wipers went up and then quite. The driver side wiper went all the way to the left side of the windshield and stopped. The passenger side worked for a few minutes and then quite I had to pull over stop and water for the rain storm to pass over. …”
NHTSA complaint #10449481, filed 2012-02, 79,501 miles“While going down the interstate at 75, my wiper motor linkage blew apart because of the plastic. I couldn't see because of the snow, and had to reach out and grab the wipers, they cut my hand.”
NHTSA complaint #10670267, filed 2015-01, 161,000 miles“The other day while driving my Saturn ION in the rain my windshield wiper went the opposite direction into on coming traffic had to stop the car and attempt to fix on highway. The wiper since then will not work. The wiper arm no sits loosely on car. This issue happened to my wife's Saturn ION also we had to repair it. That time it happened while vehicle was at mechanic they never took responsibility for it.”
NHTSA complaint #10265270, filed 2009-04, 90,100 miles“In the photograph below you will see the wiper transmission, made of plastic, that broke on my 2003 Saturn ION and was replaced on my vehicle on 7/7/2017 at my expense of $298. I was stunned to learn that any car manufacturer would use plastic for any moving part in a vehicle engine compartment. I have been in contact with general motors, and at first they told me there was nothing they could do. However, I have requested that they do a recall on the 2003 Saturn to replace the wipers transmissions. I have also been told not to waste my time that this is not considered a safety issue by NHTSA. …”
NHTSA complaint #11005083, filed 2017-07, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V004000Jan 5, 2004Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 118, "power-operated window, partition, and roof…Covers: Saturn Ion 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10247780Sep 26, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10230697Dec 15, 2022This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10216361Jun 13, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10178385Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): 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 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 28, 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