| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Saturn ION repairs by problem area
Engine (27%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (30%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)
Other (7%)
Chart based on 122 repairs.
2003 Saturn ION repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (16%)
$100 - $499 (40%)
< $100 (35%)
Chart based on 105 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Saturn ION
Engine not specified
| Saturn ION in Connecticut, United States Oct 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Nov 200864000 miUS $150 | Front Sway Bar Links | ||
2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD
| Saturn ION in Maryland, United States Aug 2017 - Aug 2017 | |||
| Aug 2017149000 miUS $250 | Windshield wiper transmission replacement. This was the second time needed for this car. It appears to need a new one every 50K. | ||
| Saturn ION in New York, United States Aug 2011 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 2015US $612 | Fuel Line leak just in front of Left Rear Tire , 2004 Saturn had a recall GM# 04053 for Fuel Line LeaK; but GM will not cover 2003 Saturn | ||
| Apr 2017148000 miUS $560 | Radiator was leaking < also replaced Upper/Lower hoses with Radiator | ||
| Apr 2018148768 miUS $1284 | replaced alternator | ||
2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saturn ION in California, United States Sep 2013 - Sep 2014 | |||
| Jul 2014203800 mi | Alternator replaced | ||
| Saturn ION in Ontario, Canada Nov 2011 - Mar 2018 | |||
| Jan 201247500 miC $470 | The flex pipe was leaking that had been replaced two years ago. The cat converter along with flex pipe from Walker was changed. I supplied this part and gaskets, labor was $120 and parts $350. | ||
| Jun 201452080 miC $350 | Front wheel bearings noisy | ||
| Nov 201453100 miC $150 | the rattle in the exhaust system was resolved by removing part of the heat shield. | ||
| Mar 201553940 miC $200 | Loud noise in front end on bumps. Rear end bounce on bumps | ||
| Dec 201555800 miC $70 | Starter replaced due to disengaguement problem | ||
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States Mar 2014 - Jan 2018 | |||
| Jul 2014166300 miUS $1000 | Replace passenger axle, leaking rotted fuel lines leaking fuel, replaced | ||
| Jan 2018291000 miUS $400 | Starter had to be replaced, car would not start in cold weather. Originally thought to be battery, but passed all tests, was actually the starter. | ||
| Saturn ION in Colorado, United States Apr 2016 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Jun 2017200000 miUS $150 | Windshield wiper linkage assembly had to be replaced. | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Sep 2015 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Oct 2016181200 miUS $50 | Had to replace Heating and AC control panel from the dash. | ||
| Saturn ION in Quebec, Canada Jan 2010 - Aug 2010 | |||
| Mar 201068200 miC $450 | Stabilizer link replaced. | ||
| Saturn ION in Idaho, United States Dec 2011 - Jul 2013 | |||
| Apr 2013110500 miUS $40 | Replaced spark plugs and fuel filter. Both were very worn. Noticed immediate performance improvement. | ||
| Saturn ION in Florida, United States Jul 2010 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Sep 201088000 miUS $146 | Radiator fan had cracks in it. Had it replaced with a larger after market fan kit. | ||
| Dec 201092000 miUS $350 | Caliper was tight against rotor on passenger side right. Had new pads, rotors, and calipers replaced on front of car. Gas mileage had been lower than normal but returned to normal after repair | ||
| Jul 2014104000 mi | Door locks not working properly | ||
| Saturn ION in Connecticut, United States Nov 2008 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Oct 2008109000 miUS $740 | original FW bearings replaced | ||
| Dec 2008110000 mi | Passlock problem, dealer offered free repair upon $50 deductible = rejected. Other repair the same day original FW bearings replaced !!760$(tax incl). | ||
| Saturn ION in California, United States Feb 2009 - Oct 2015 | |||
| Aug 2009107000 mi | Suspension Noise most likely sway bar bushing and end links. | ||
| Jan 2012142000 miUS $70 | Changed drivers side CV Joint due to bad popping. Problem is solved. Also replaced control arm bushings. | ||
| Jan 2013159700 miUS $500 | Manual transmission internal transmission burned up due to slight transmission leak. Driver side wheel bearing was replaced because noise/vibration/and too much free-play. | ||
| Aug 2013157400 miUS $300 | Replaced clunking Drivers side CV axle. Replaced Wheel bearing due to noise. | ||
| Jun 2014166000 miUS $350 | Replaced tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar bushings, end-links. Replaced clogged fuel injector and seals. | ||
| Saturn ION in Delaware, United States Feb 2010 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Sep 2010109000 miUS $490 | Lower control arm bushings worn - car had made clunking, squeaking noises for some time. | ||
| Jul 2012121300 miUS $600 | Replaced struts and shocks after 9 1/2 years. No complaints | ||
2003 Saturn ION 4dr Sedan
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in Alabama, United States Nov 2014 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 2015136000 miUS $70 | alternator replaced. belt replaced. suspension clunking on bumps. swaybar bushings and end links replaced with Moog parts. | ||
| Feb 2015136000 miUS $90 | ball joint rubber boot torn. replaced both control arms. | ||
| Apr 2015136000 miUS $45 | intermittent no start. only solenoid click. starter removed and rebuilt. probably bad solenoid. | ||
| Jun 2015136000 mi | key stuck in ignition due to faulty transmission switch. covered by extended warranty. | ||
| Aug 2015137100 mi | check engine light for O2 sensor. code deleted, didn't reappear. | ||
| Sep 2015137000 mi | check engine light for vacuum leak. code deleted, didn't reappear. | ||
| Dec 2015140000 miUS $50 | Noise on start. Timing chain tensioner replaced. Noise still there. | ||
| Apr 2016142200 mi | Water in trunk. Rubber plug missing on left side. Air vent sealed with sealant. CV boot leaking. Sealed with tape and zip ties. | ||
| Jun 2016143000 miUS $30 | O2 sensor light. Sensor replaced. | ||
| Mar 2018159000 mi | Water leak into trunk. Tried to patch it up with little results. Vibrations. Had to replace pads and rotors. | ||
| Saturn ION in Colorado, United States Oct 2007 - Dec 2009 | |||
| Jun 200764000 miUS $650 | Calipers, Pads, Turn the Rotors, New Brake Fluid | ||
| Jan 200870500 mi | Ignition Switch, covered by extended warranty | ||
| Jul 200878300 miUS $550 | Oxygen Sensor and Oil Change | ||
| Jul 200992000 miUS $1000 | Struts needed to be replaced. Replaced radiator hoses. | ||
| Dec 200994000 miUS $750 | Transmission was building up pressure and forcing the car to "bang loudly" when downshifting... Dealer replaced fluid and reflashed transmission. After a week problem still occured. Dealer suggested replacing valve body or rebuilding the trans. | ||
| Saturn ION in Massachusetts, United States Oct 2005 - Jun 2017 | |||
| Apr 200529517 mi | Replace right front wheel bearing hub assembly, and reprogram transmission.Under warranty. | ||
| Dec 200769575 miUS $188 | Replace broken left side windshield wiper assembly and motor. | ||
| Feb 200985400 miUS $8 | Replace windshield wiper blades. Check for wind noise coming from the outside of the car. Not found at this time. | ||
| Jun 200996759 miUS $100 | Had the car checked at my repair shop for wind noise. It was not mechanical. Took the car to my auto body shop. The problem was the roof rails. Had to remove front roof rails on both sides. So now the noise is gone but the car doesn't look good. | ||
| Dec 2009100991 miUS $160 | Replace ignition switch. Car would not start because of not reading key code. Yellow theft light on. | ||
| Oct 2010113000 miUS $326 | Car would not start. I replaced the battery and the car still wouldn't start.I had to replace the starter. | ||
| May 2012135000 miUS $282 | Replace right front wheel bearing assembly. | ||
| Dec 2013156000 miUS $270 | Replace gas line and filter,repair exhaust leak. | ||
| Oct 2014164960 miUS $563 | Replaced middle exhaust pipe as it was leaking. Replace both front struts,shocks and two new tires. | ||
| Dec 2014166000 miUS $773 | Had to replace shocks and struts. | ||
| Jun 2016181000 miUS $539 | Replace Tie Rod on left side. | ||
| Oct 2016183300 miUS $187 | Replace sway bar. | ||
| Saturn ION in New York, United States - Mar 2007 | |||
| Mar 200735000 mi | Went in for 3000 mile oil change, needed new bushings and tires due to a bubble | ||
| Saturn ION in Connecticut, United States Aug 2017 - Mar 2018 | |||
| Jul 201753000 miUS $1800 | transmission replaced, because not shifting properly, Still did not shift properly after replacement. | ||
| Saturn ION in Arizona, United States Oct 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Feb 200851500 miUS $500 | Front wheel hub bearings each had to be replaced, which I did myself for parts cost. I also replaced brake pads, rotors were OK so I left them alone. | ||
| Jun 200855000 miUS $195 | AC would not blow cold air. Replaced blower fan, was not the problem. Replaced AC control head, ($45), problem remedied. | ||
| Jan 200965000 miUS $230 | Ignition switch replaced, starter is in bad shape and will require replacement soon | ||
| Saturn ION in Pennsylvania, United States Mar 2010 - Oct 2010 | |||
| Oct 201080000 miUS $125 | Car was driveable earlier in the day. Went to park for about 5 minutes and came back to a disabled car. The engine would turn over, start, and come up to an idle for a brief second before dying. MIL/CEL came on. Diagnosed as a bad BCM. | ||
| Saturn ION in Maryland, United States Oct 2013 - Oct 2015 | |||
| Oct 2015350000 miUS $700 | every 100K new tie rods, control arms, bushings... 4 set. | ||
| Saturn ION in Florida, United States Apr 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| May 200990000 miUS $150 | needed new ignition switch, fixed by owner, needed cleaning. | ||
| Saturn ION in Virginia, United States Oct 2004 - Nov 2018 | |||
| Aug 20045799 mi | Transmission slipping in 2nd gear. Dealer recalibrated. However, issue never completely disappeared. | ||
| May 200520373 mi | Daytime running lamp/turn signal bulbs were replaced due to manufacturer recall. | ||
| Jun 200629481 miUS $405 | Alignment due to uneven wear on tires. | ||
| Feb 200851647 miUS $69 | Driver sunvisor wouldn't stay up, had to be replaced. | ||
| Feb 200961406 miUS $46 | 1st problem with no-start issue. Passlock light & service engine message. Took to dealer, diagnosed but unable to replicate problem. | ||
| Dec 200966284 miUS $146 | 2nd problem with no-start issue. Passlock light & service engine message. Took to dealer, diagnosed, found no problems. Battery replaced in attempt to resolve, but problem recurred. | ||
| Jun 201178764 miUS $135 | Bulb in the instrument panel burned out & was replaced. | ||
| Feb 201282500 miUS $345 | Wiper transmission failed & was replaced. | ||
| Nov 201289156 miUS $573 | Passlock would randomly fail, refusing to recognize my key & preventing the car from starting in 15 minute blocks, sometimes several times in a row. Ignition switch was replaced at my request based on my own research into this issue. Passlock would randomly fail, refusing to recognize my key & preventing the car from starting in 15 minute blocks, sometimes several times in a row. Ignition switch was replaced at my request based on my own research into this issue. Headlight housing had to be reconditioned. | ||
| Jun 201392000 miUS $798 | Wheel bearings went bad. The front hub assemblies had to be replaced. | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Jan 2009 - Jun 2010 | |||
| Feb 200958000 miUS $300 | Door panel was loose at the bottom of the door frame | ||
| Dec 200964000 miUS $580 | REPLACED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS | ||
2003 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD
| Saturn ION in New Jersey, United States Oct 2009 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Jul 201070000 miUS $890 | Loud growling noise. Replaced both front wheel hub bearings. Loud growling noise. Replaced both front wheel hub bearings. | ||
| Aug 201071000 miUS $2300 | replaced CVT due to P0700 DTC replaced CVT due to P0700 DTC | ||
| Sep 201072150 miUS $3000 | Found antifreeze leaked into cylinder #4 spark plug cavity. Cylinder head cracked. Replaced with a rebuilt unit. Found antifreeze leaked into cylinder #4 spark plug cavity. Cylinder head cracked. Replaced with a rebuilt unit. | ||
| Oct 201073000 miUS $55 | replaced both rear shocks due to worn out original units. | ||
| Jun 201183000 miUS $225 | found crack in fuel line between fuel filter and engine. mechanic replaced the rusted sections with a comparable brake line tubing. | ||
| Dec 201188000 miUS $70 | Heard some clunking noise from front end. Replaced both side Stabilizer End Links. | ||
| Feb 201289000 miUS $110 | Loud clunking noise from front end when it ran over potholes. Replaced front stabilizer bar bushings. | ||
| Sep 201299000 miUS $250 | The familiar front wheel hub bearing noise occurred. The previous pair that Firestone had installed only lasted two years. This time, I refused to pay Firestone another ripoff $875 and replaced them myself. It went smooth and I saved $625. | ||
| Jan 2014112600 miUS $326 | CVT fluid leaks. Dealer replaced transmission output shaft seal. CVT fluid leaks. Dealer replaced transmission output shaft seal. | ||
| Mar 2014113000 miUS $84 | Engine cranks but doesn't start. Found CEL's P0700 and U2105. Replaced battery and reset CEL's. Engine cranks and starts normal. No CEL's. | ||
| Saturn ION in Ohio, United States Mar 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Apr 201057000 miUS $278 | coolant display indicator problem, comes on and goes off randomly. | ||
| May 201057800 miUS $1200 | Once the car is put into park the idle will jump up up to 4000 RPMS and held there. | ||
| Sep 201062000 miUS $1800 | Car will idle 1000 RPMS, then jump up up to 4000 RPMS and stay there until car was turned off by key. | ||
| Saturn ION in Texas, United States Nov 2009 - Sep 2010 | |||
| Dec 2009107000 miUS $374 | I replaced the front struts and rear shocks due to the banging on the floor board caused by the traction bar. | ||
| Sep 2010118000 mi | Very high rpm at times, put it in neutral and sometimes shut it off to stabilize. Check engine light a couple of times, code pointed to the throttle advance sensor. Twice bought sensor and found it didn't fit engine. Not fixed when totaled. | ||
2003 Saturn ION 4dr Coupe
140-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| Saturn ION in Delaware, United States Oct 2008 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Jan 2008118000 miUS $85 | Engine had slight chatter to it. Valves were cleaned and one spark plug replaced. | ||
| Feb 2008127000 miUS $50 | Driver's side door lock fell into the door. Charge approx, had other routine maint. done at same time. Roughly 1/2 to 3/4 hour labor. | ||
| Dec 2008152000 miUS $80 | Hood latch broke from cable. Cable replaced and latch lubricated. Latch was a problem ever since replacement from front end accident. Not OEM problem. | ||
| Mar 2009160000 miUS $240 | Windshield Wiper motor/transmission on Driver's Side broke in half. Not the linkage, the motor. Replaced with a used part ($120) and another $120 was for labor. | ||
| Apr 2009165000 miUS $5 | Driver's door jam switch replaced. Self repair. 15 minutes and a $5 part. | ||
| Jul 2009169000 mi | Alternator replaced. | ||
| Saturn ION in Michigan, United States Nov 2010 - May 2017 | |||
| Jan 201150300 miUS $200 | driver side wiper transmission needed to be replaced. | ||
| Mar 201152000 miUS $200 | O2 sensor and another sensor. | ||
| Nov 201160500 miUS $204 | Sway bar replacement (2) | ||
| Dec 201267000 miUS $1400 | Typical issue with Ions. | ||
| Saturn ION in Nebraska, United States Sep 2014 - Jan 2016 | |||
| Sep 2014158000 miUS $800 | Radiator fan did broke down and internal temp gauge broke | ||
| Jan 2016US $125 | Engine flooded | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.
