Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Saturn ION

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 965 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V171000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,191,014
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V047000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,190,934
Reported to NHTSA
2014-02-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V547000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
178,798
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-16
Owners notified
2004-11-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL/TURN SIGNAL BULB ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE AND INSPECT FOR AND ADD A DRL JUMPER KIT IF NOT PRESENT. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V004000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
79,204
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-05
Owners notified
2003-12-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V003000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
127,285
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-05
Owners notified
2003-12-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system23072,000 mi
Steering130102,100 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch6854,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5470,000 mi
Air bags39120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3345,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3287,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3116,000 mi
Engine22120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1945,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system19120,475 mi
Power train19104,065 mi
Unknown or other18117,356 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1435,500 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1314,100 mi
Visibility1254,000 mi
Electrical system: horn113,002 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1177,000 mi
Exterior lighting1064,000 mi
Air bags: frontal719,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system660,000 mi
Structure: body6102,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer65,000 mi
Equipment527,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights538,000 mi
Service brakes5133,000 mi
Structure53 mi
Visibility/wiper580,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls53,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery475,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module460,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)4114,575 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch415,165 mi
Seat belts4138,000 mi
Suspension465,000 mi
Tires49,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal47,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages442,990 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers360,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system321 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit34,248 mi
Latches/locks/linkages367,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch314,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic335,900 mi
Suspension: front35,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module222,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys242,990 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights265,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump233,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift245,470 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Structure: body: door23,000 mi
Structure: body: hood2148 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control23,501 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor270,000 mi
Wheels2185,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: starter assembly164,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor13,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer1119,180 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch14,248 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, other1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift133,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission159,000 mi
Seat belts: front113,014 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid155,230 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm16,000 mi
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1303,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Structure: body: trunk lid13,501 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields15,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing149,000 mi
Tires: valve148,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1303,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer190,100 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices16,692 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.