Reliability
Saturn

Ion (1st)

2003-2007 · Compact Sedan · 4 engines
4,322 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
19 Fire Reports
206 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

4.9 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 999 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 480.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.7 points better in the typical case.

Most of the complaints came before 2023.

Breakdown
Complaints overall999 complaints against about 480 for similar vehicles
4.9
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced77 complaints against about 82 for similar vehicles
7.2
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating11 complaints against about 22 for similar vehicles
8.5

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year
  • 20035.5
  • 20046.0
  • 20056.3
  • 20063.6
  • 20074.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

L61

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
3,264 complaints 652.8 per year Gasoline
15 fire reports 3 complaints reporting a death
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1350
electrical
1113
fuel system
447
engine
206
safety systems
205

Saturn Ion Unidentified Engine

852 complaints 170.4 per year
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
407
steering
239
fuel system
71
engine
69
cooling
48

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl
127 complaints 42.3 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
71
electrical
35
fuel system
30
safety systems
10
engine
6

LSJ

2.0L 4-cyl / 205 hp
64 complaints 16.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
32
transmission
9
fuel system
9
electrical
6
engine
3

Same engine used in

Show 12 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

L26

3.8L 6-cyl
3 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
safety systems
1
other
1
steering
1

L81

3.0L 6-cyl
2 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
steering
1

Same engine used in

L34

2.0L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
steering
1
exterior
1

Same engine used in

L33 HO

5.3L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1

L55

1.6L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

LG8

3.1L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1

LY8

1.3L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

LS6

5.7L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

LX9

3.5L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

LZ4

3.5L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

7A-FE

1.8L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
electrical
1
safety systems
1

LAT - MFI, DOHC, Bas Hybrid, Ecotec

2.4L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Ion, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 1,697 owner complaints
Electrical System: 1,567 owner complaints
Fuel System: 557 owner complaints
Engine: 284 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 259 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2003-2007 Saturn Ion

On a used 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (1,697), the electrical system (1,567) and the fuel system (557). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 1,697 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion about the steering.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,567 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion about the electrical system.
  3. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  4. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion about the engine, all engines combined.
  5. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 259 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion

Recalls (12)

14E021000Apr 30, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V171000Apr 10, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V153000Mar 31, 2014serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V047000Feb 10, 2014serious
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.

12V459000Sep 19, 2012serious
Fuel System

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Show 7 older recalls
09V419000Oct 29, 2009serious
Fuel System

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.

09E012000Apr 7, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

04V547000Nov 16, 2004serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

04V281000Jun 8, 2004serious
Fuel System, Other

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUPERCHARGED 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (LSJ) ENGINE WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FEED PIPE THAT COULD CRACK AND LEAK FUEL NEAR THE FUEL RAIL. IF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL FEED PIPE, THERE WOULD BE A NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE.

04V002000Jan 6, 2004serious
Structure

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME WELDS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTOR RAIL AND THE FRONT BUMPER BRACKET DO NOT MEET ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS.

04V004000Jan 5, 2004serious
Visibility

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.

04V003000Jan 5, 2004serious
Fuel System

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.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2007 Saturn Ion complaints?

Owners have filed 4,322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the fuel system.

Is the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 4,322 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion have?

NHTSA has 4,322 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion?

NHTSA lists 12 recalls covering some 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Saturn Ion?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the fuel system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Ion have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,322 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.

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