Trim Report

Saturn ION Level 32003

Includes:ION|Level 3
$1,890
Starting From
10
Active Listings
Avg Mileage

Sourced from 10 dealer listings in the latest market snapshot as of

Min $1,890
Max $8,219
From $1,890
Fresh
Safety

6 recalls documented. Verify all are completed before signing

2003 Saturn ION Level 3 Pricing

Price Trend

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10 listings and counting.

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Where to Find Saturn ION Level 3

Location data for all 2003 Saturn ION trims combined

20States

Minnesota has the most inventory at 11%, with options spread across 20 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

Saturn ION Safety & Reliability

Safety data for all 2003 Saturn ION trims

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
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Saturn ION Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2003 Saturn ION trims

24–25mpg combined
·
21-22city
·
29-30hwy
·
$2,700-$2,800/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~$2,700/yr-1/10 Poor
Ion - Automatic (variable gear ratios)
24mpg
2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city29 hwy~$2,800/yr-1/10 Poor
Ion - Automatic 5-spd
24mpg
2.2L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city29 hwy~$2,800/yr-1/10 Poor

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

Level 3 Trim Buyer Questions

What to know about the 2003 Saturn ION Level 3

How does the Level 3 compare to other Saturn ION trims?

The Level 3 occupies a distinct position in the Saturn ION range. See how it stacks up on the 2003 overview page.

What should I know about maintaining the 2003 Saturn ION Level 3?

Maintenance costs for the Level 3 align with the broader Saturn ION ownership experience, though trim-specific equipment can add to routine costs. The 2003 model year has 6 recalls on record. The most-reported issue area is electrical system. Check the 2003 Saturn ION page for the full breakdown.

What are the best years for the Saturn ION Level 3?

For the Level 3, look at the price-to-mileage ratio across model years. Later model years before a redesign tend to be the most refined version of the platform. See the Saturn ION buyer's guide.

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