Exterior Lighting Problems of Saturn ION

Saturn ION owners have reported 23 problems related to exterior lighting (under the exterior lighting category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Saturn ION based on all problems reported for the ION.

1 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 03/12/2025

My key is stuck in the I can take it out the O2 seners not reading.

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2 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 03/21/2022

I turn my turn signals on and nonthing happens in the frontline bulbs are brand new doesn't matter back turn signal work,front turn signal dont. This has been happening since forever my inlaws didn't know we didn't know until they gave car. So don't know how long seems like forever.

3 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 01/02/2020

Dash lights go out and all systems are you functioning property.

4 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 04/04/2019

Driver lights will not work switched bulb and checked fuses.

5 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 08/04/2017

Took my vehicle for inspection it passed safety and failed emissions ! there is no engine check light on.

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6 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 02/05/2017

Strong gas smell & started noticing poor gas mileage and it got worse. Then notice it is leaking gas by the rear driver side tire. Also the running lights automatically come on during the day but not at night.

7 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2003 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 12/18/2014

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the front driver side turning indicator failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to find a failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 7/16/cn.

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8 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2006 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 05/10/2014

Electrical problem with interior lighting also problem with electrical power door lock (driver side) and power windows, in which all riders feel they are suffocating. Due to unattainble natural air.

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9 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 04/15/2014

When I start my car I get a message that days power steering service vehicle. That I loose all dash lights occasionally radio and air I do not regain power steering or lights for about 5-10 minutes. I can hear a change in the engine when it is regained. Once it's done I can drive perfectly normal. My check engine light is on and off. When I turn my car off the lights are there during the fit and off when the car is on. All the codes thrown are electrical. Help.

10 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 04/06/2014

Driving on the florida turnpike northbound on my way to work on may 6, 2014, going about 55 mph the car turned off while in the center lane. I had followed all the procedures that gm instructed for recall #14v-047 using the key without ring our additional keys. I have been dealing with this issue since the day of purchase back in 2007. I have presented this issue to the dealer numerous times. Fortunately, I was able to stop the car safely, remove the key, placed it back in the ignition and the car started.

11 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 09/13/2013

One day I was driving and have been noticing that the steering wheel was starting to get harder and harder when turning. I fear this because in not that strong and fear I might crashed and hurt my three kids. The steering coolant light comes on and that make me wonder about that too, when I turn I have to be in strong mode or I might be in an accident. Can gm please fix this problem.

12 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 03/01/2013

I was driving at night on a country road when a deer ran out in front of me and the car struck it. The car sustained some front end damage and the cabin filled with smoke. The seat-belts locked up but the airbags never deployed. Now the airbag light is on and the seat-belts are locked up. It concerns me that with everything that happened that the airbag should have when off.

13 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2006 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 11/15/2011

Every time fuel is slightly below a quarter tank the engine stalls as if the car is running out of gas and the cars drastically reduces speed with minimum power. Also, after the incident occurred I went online to research the problem and found out that the vehicle had been recalled for fuel pump problems as well as lighting irregularities. Furthermore, as I continued using my vehicle the ignition switch cylinder broke causing the key to be stuck and was unable to turn off the ignition of the car. Luckily, I have a stick shift transmission and was able to turn off the car by putting it into 4th gear and letting go of the clutch to turn off the ignition. Unfortunately, the car battery remains on and in order to completely turn off the car I have to disconnect the battery cable so the batter life is not drained.

14 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 10/17/2011

Driver side directional stopped working. Changed bulb still did not work. Took to Saturn dealer said they had to order a part for $185 to fix the problem. Find that the 2003 & 2004 Ions were recalled for the same problem but not the 2005. Believe the 2005 was manufactured in 2004 so should have the same parts as the 2004. Why was the 2005 not recalled also if it has the same problem.

15 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2007 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 06/07/2010

Unfortunately I have a 2007 Saturn Ion which sounds like it is going to break in half over even the slightest small bumps in the road. I have a warranty on the vehicle which expired in June 2010. Although the car only has 29000 miles on it~ Saturn would not honor the warranty when I brought my car in for a check engine light~ it was the purge sensor. They wanted to charge me over $300 to repair this issue. I went online and saw many other's had reported the same problem. I also saw the part for only $26. 00 ~however at the Saturn dealership they charged me $51. 00 for the part. I ended up fixing the repair myself to avoid being robbed by the Saturn dealership!! I am very displeased with my car~ now the struts and control arm bushings are making significant rumble when driving over the slightest bumps in the road. At 29000 miles the car should not be making any noise!! I feel very unsafe and scared in my Saturn!! I've seen many reports of other owner's with the same vehicle that are similar. Even the gm cobalt which has the exact same platform and steering has the same issues and for that car power steering issues have been recalled but not for the Ion which ~I repeat has the same components. I bought my car when fuel costs soared and thought it would at least last me 5 years with out issues. I think gm needs to address these issues especially since so many consumers are experiencing issues at such low mileage. There are also issues with the rear defrost, power windows, steering, and transmission. I'm from mn. And it's terrible when you have a newer car that won't even take you 30,000 miles without breaking down!! I'm very disappointed and Saturn needs to recall everything on these unsafe vehicles before someone gets seriously hurt ~like Toyota. I'm sure you've had several complaints. The car is defective!! please help!! Saturn won't repair unless it's completely broken even if the car is smokin they blow you off!!! ~horrible!!!.

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16 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2003 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 07/22/2009

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact called the manufacturer to have her vehicle repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04v547000. She was informed that her vehicle was included in the recall, but it could not be repaired because the warranty expired. The current and failure mileages were 126,000.

17 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 06/01/2009

Having repeat problems with 2005 Saturn Ion blinker. We saw there was a recall on 03 and 04 Saturns for the same problem. Please look into a recall for the 05 Saturn Ions.

18 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 12/03/2008

Ignition switch recognition began to deteriorate. When trying to start the car, the anti-theft would come on. I would have to wait hours. This would happen in cold and rainy weather. Key would get locked in ignition with accessories on and not go off. Battery would die. When jumping the car the key would still be locked in the on position and begin turning on and off violently and rapidly until key was able to be removed. Car blew fuse while driving on highway. Max speed reduced to 30 mph. When turning on key would be 1/2 recognized and lights/electric would flicker on and off violently and fuses/computer had to be replaced/reset. Car did the light/electrical issue while on and driving, key would not come out of ignition. Car was towed by palmetto chevy in conway SC, who despite recall and vehicle history refuse to fix the car or give loaner as stated on website. I have been calling since 2008 about the issue. Gm says take it to a dealership but I have to pay for issues. Car has been towed on Tuesday 3/11/14 to palmetto chevy, after they told me they would pick it up but were a no show on Monday 3/10/14. Again, they refuse to do the recall. Stating they find nothing wrong with the ignition.

19 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2004 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 09/04/2008

In 2005 a recall was issued for the 2004 Saturn Ion front headlamps. I had the recalled parts replaced. For the past few months my left blinker has gone out about five times. I have replaced bulbs, had the dealer replace the sockets, and am now about to have the wiring harness replaced. The dealer said that no one else has had this problem. However, I have been researching the problem and have found hundreds of the same occurrences online and have seen other Saturn Ions around town with the same blinker out. I believe this problem is not normal wear and tear. I believe it is directly related to the 2005 recall.

20 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2005 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 01/01/2008

2005 Saturn Ion. Front and back blinkers will not blink. I have replaced all bulbs and entire light assemblies. The vehicle is not inspectale because it has to have all lights working. This has been an intermittant problem and the cause of the light flure is unknown. The vehicle has been with an auto mechanic/electrician for over 2 weeks now and is very frustrating and unacceptable. Saturn has to find a way to repair the problem at their cost. It should not be the responsibility of the customer to have the problem repaired, because it is obviously an internal malfunction. Not only have I heard several complaints regarding the Saturn and the difficulty in finding repair parts, but to find someone willing to work on them is not easy either. This has been an ongoing expense that appears to be never ending . These vehicles should be taken off the roads for the safety of the drivers and their passengers, as well as other drivers on the road, due to the unexpected and unknowing events of when and what will malfunction at any given time. I also feel that the value of the vehicle should be refunded to each customer as an "allowance" to put towards the purchase of a safer vehicle. This is a serious situation and should be investigated to the fullest by the NHTSA immediatly.

21 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2003 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 10/07/2003

Problems with vehicle left front blinkers and rear blinkers.

22 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2003 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 10/01/2003

To date, vehicle has has multiple problems which dealer/service department has been unable to resolve. 10 service visits in less than 6 months and no end in sight. Problems include: daytime running lights/blinker lights inopperable (repaired 6 times); outside temperature guage malfunctioning (repaired 3+ times); air conditioning inopperable and compass malfunctioning.

23 Exterior Lighting problem of the 2003 Saturn ION

Failure Date: 01/01/1901

2003 Saturn Ion has problems with daytime running lights.


Other Common Exterior Lighting related problems of Saturn ION


Fuel Economy of ION Vehicles
ION Service Bulletins
ION Safety Recalls
ION Defect Investigations