2003 Saturn ION

$2,399
from
4
listings
$2K–$7K
price range
Low$2,399
High$6,798
From$2,399
Avg Mileage100,000 mi
Fresh

Sourced from 4 active dealer listings as of

Safety

6 recall campaigns to check. See the safety breakdown below

2003 Saturn ION Trims

All Trims Combined
From$2,399
$2K$7K
4 listings100,000 avg miles

2003 Saturn ION Pricing

Price Trend

-10.9%
$2K$3K$4K$5K$6KMar 26Mar 26Mar 26$2,494
3 data pointsAs of Mar 26

Only 4 available nationwide.

Limited supply means limited chances. Get notified the moment new ones appear.

Saturn ION Safety & Reliability

Elevated

Federal safety data shows 6 recalls and 766 complaints for the 2003 Saturn ION, a elevated safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

6
Recalls
766
Complaints
44
Crashes
4
Fires
Recall Findings
14V1710002014-10-04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

View at NHTSA
14E0210002014-30-04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

View at NHTSA
14V0470002014-10-02
AIR BAGS

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA
View all 6 recalls
04V5470002004-16-11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

CERTAIN 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 OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET.

IF A FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE, OTHERS MAY REACT MORE SLOWLY TO A TURNING VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

View at NHTSA
04V0040002004-05-01
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS AND/OR SUNROOF MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED.

IF UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE VEHICLE AND OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS OR SUNROOF, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

View at NHTSA
04V0030002004-05-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILTER THAT COULD CORRODE PREMATURELY ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE.

IF CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER PROGRESSES TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE IN THE SHELL, FUEL DROPLETS COULD FORM AND DROP TO THE GROUND. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 766 issues reported over 1 model years, electrical system problems are the most common for the 2003 Saturn ION. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Electrical System288
02Steering105
03Power Train39
04Engine And Engine Cooling39
05Air Bags22
766 total across 1 model years (2003–2003)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Saturn ION Fuel Economy

24–25mpg combined
·
21-22city
·
29-30hwy
·
$1,750-$1,800/yr

The 2003 Saturn ION delivers 24 to 25 MPG combined across 3 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim
Ion - Manual 5-spd
25mpg
2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
22 city30 hwy~$1,750/yr-1/10 Poor
Ion - Automatic (variable gear ratios)
24mpg
2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city29 hwy~$1,800/yr-1/10 Poor
Ion - Automatic 5-spd
24mpg
2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city29 hwy~$1,800/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2003 Saturn ION

16States

Delaware has the most inventory at 11%, with options spread across 16 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2003.

Buying a 2003 Saturn ION?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2003 Saturn ION a good car to buy?

The 2003 Saturn ION has its strengths and its watch-outs. 6 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report electrical system as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Saturn ION?

There are 6 documented recalls for the 2003 Saturn ION. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2003 Saturn ION?

You'll get between 24 and 25 MPG combined from the 2003 Saturn ION, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2003 Saturn ION?

Out of 766 owner complaints, electrical system issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.

How does the 2003 compare to other Saturn ION years?

Pricing, reliability, and supply vary across Saturn ION model years. Visit the Saturn ION buyer's guide to compare year-over-year.

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