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2003 Saturn Ion

US · Compact Cars

The 2003 Saturn Ion is listed in the US market with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.

Engine
2.2L 4-cylinder
Transmission
Varies by configuration: 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
Drivetrain
FWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Economy
24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) combined
Generic outline for this body type. An illustration, not a photograph.
Specifications at a Glance

Key Figures

Units:
Engine / Powertrain
2.2L 4-cylinder
Combined Economy
24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km) combined
Drivetrain
FWD
Transmission
5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual
Market: US·Switch units to convert the figures shown.
Compare 2003 Saturn Ion ↗

Engine

Engine
SpecificationValueSource
Engine2.2L 4-cylinder
Displacement2.2 L
Cylinders4
Fuel typeGasoline

Transmission and drivetrain

Transmission and drivetrain
SpecificationValueSource
TransmissionVaries by configuration: Automatic, Manual
Gears5
DrivetrainFWD

Fuel economy and range

Fuel economy and range
SpecificationValueSource
Combined24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)
City21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km)
Highway29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) to 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)

Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.

Trims and configurations

3 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 4, 2026.

  • 14E021000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

    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…

    Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should…

    Reported April 30, 2014. View on NHTSA

  • 14V171000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

    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.

    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…

    Reported April 10, 2014. View on NHTSA

  • 14V047000: 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…

    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…

    Reported February 10, 2014. View on NHTSA

  • 09E012000: 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.

    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.

    Reported April 7, 2009. View on NHTSA

  • 04V547000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

    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.

    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.

    Reported November 16, 2004. View on NHTSA

  • 04V003000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    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.

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

    Reported January 5, 2004. View on NHTSA

  • 04V004000: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

    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.

    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.

    Reported January 5, 2004. View on NHTSA

Data sources

  • EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved November 9, 2026 · US Government public data
  • NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data

Source checked: November 9, 2026

Data verified: November 9, 2026

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

Related vehicles

  • Varies by configuration: 2.0L 4-cylinder supercharged, 2.2L 4-cylinder · FWD
    26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km) to 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km)

Frequently asked questions

What engine does the 2003 Saturn Ion have?

2.2L 4-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.

What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Saturn Ion?

Combined fuel economy is 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) to 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.

Is the 2003 Saturn Ion front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Drivetrain: FWD.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Saturn Ion?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 4, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.