VehicleVerdict

2003 Saturn Ion lighting problems

The 2003 Saturn Ion has 36 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

36

Lighting complaints

4%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Ion lighting complaints by model year36 complaints2003: 36 complaints2004: 27 complaints2005: 31 complaints2006: 9 complaints2007: 3 complaints
Ion lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

04V547000LightingNovember 16, 2004 · 178,798 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2003 Saturn Ion have?

NHTSA has 36 complaints about the 2003 Saturn Ion lighting — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Saturn Ion lighting?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 04V547000, 09E012000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.