2003 Saturn Ion: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 16, 2011 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · NY

The car's headlights and instrument lights shut off. Warning lights such as "check engine", "ABS", and "theft lock" all came on after parking the car. The horn would not shut off, I had to disconnect the battery to get horn to stop. Attempted to start the following morning and while reconnecting the battery the horn came on again and the listed above lights stayed on. Car has been unreliable and unsafe to drive!!!

Filed Mar 25, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 00

There are no events leading up to the failure. From everything I've read from other saturn ion owners this is a frequent and seemingly random problem. At any given time if it is cold outside the car won't start. Everything lights up, the engine turns over and catches, only to stall. Upon repeated attempts to start the car there will be no response whatsoever. The engine does not turn over. After waiting several minutes it will eventually start. This problem has occurred 4 times in the last month; twice causing me to be late for particularly important engagements. Upon reporting the problem to the saturn dealership where I bought the car I was told that they have many complaints of the same problem, but that their staff haven't been able to resolve it. This has been their general attitude towards several issues I've had with my car. I took it to another garage and they can't find a thing wrong with it. Saturn seems to be turning a blind eye to a problem that is clearly the result of a poor design somewhere on their part. I have also had to replace control arm bushings when I was at about 80 000 km, and now need to replace struts. I am hesitant to do this though, as the general consensus among saturn ion owners is that bushings and struts are in perpetual need of replacement on these cars. After replacing the parts most people find that they have to make the same repairs again within 2 years. Further problems I have with my car are: trunk will not open with key, replaced wires on both front turn signals and one headlight, key would not release from ignition, erratic transmission behavior (I was told that this is a common problem and that I just have to deal with it), seat belt guides broken (front, both sides), rear seat belt "female" component falls into crevice in seat, paint peeling from front bumper without being chipped prior, and a faulty cruise control switch. Every single one of these problems has turned up again and again in the ion owners community.

Filed Dec 31, 2007 · Lights · NE

I was drove my car home one night and the headlights were working fine. I went in the house changed and got ready to leave again when I turned on my headlights they did not come on. Thought maybe it was the bulbs that went out but the bright lights worked. Had the bulbs check they were fine, I also checked the fuses to make sure that was burnt out. After a week the lights still were not working took it to a car mechanic and the analysis showed some sensor. He replaced the sensor and it did not fix the problem my low beam headlights are still not working.

Filed Feb 13, 2007 · Lights · WA

I purchased this car from saturn of bellevue (wa) in october of 2005. I am experiencing a problem with my passenger side front blinker. It does not operate. My back one flashes quickly. It is not the bulb. When I took apart the headlight to look at it, it started working. Seemed like a loose connection. That was a temporary fix, now the problem is back again. I found a recall campaign about this issue. The federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v547000. I am thoroughly disgusted that saturn expects its customers to pay $92 for a diagnostic on a recall issue. It seems quite obvious that the recall work was not done properly.

Filed Mar 7, 2006 · Electrical, Transmission · 45,470 miles · IA

This has happened twice in exactly thirteen months the first time was on february 3, 2005. I adjusted my power drivers side mirror while driving home at night on highway 61 and heard a pop and all my lights including headlights and dash lights went out . My four way safety flashers also would not work I was driving in complete darkness while traveling approximately 67 MPH this incident occurred almost identically last year while driving in town approximately 25 MPH adjusted mirror heard a pop and all lights went out. Luckily in both incidents no one hit me from behind due to the fact they couldn't see me until it was too late. No one was killed or injured but that was just pure luck .. Last years incident I had my car towed to saturn and they determined that the bcm fuse was bad they replaced fuse. Obviously they did not get to the root of the problem you would think you can adjust your power mirror without having all lights shut off including dash lights .. Once you put the vehicle into park you cannot turn it off completely the key will only go as far as the accessory position and cannot be removed. The engine will run you just can't move the vehicle. Somehow I do not think they corrected the problem entirely when they replaced the fuse. It seems to me you should not blow a bcm fuse every thirteen months exactly to the day. It is such a potentially fatal problem the consequences are terrifying. My 2003 saturn ion-3 can not be the only car out there with this happening especially twice in thirteen months.

Filed Nov 9, 2004 · Lights · WI

Front right turn signal bulb 'bright' / 'high' elment burned out. Bulb was oem wagner 5702ka. Bulb base was blacked, had signs of overheating. Both left and front headlight assembly outer lenses have changed from clear to translucent imediately above turn signal bulbs, perhaps due to overheateing. Dealer said a problem was discovered and fixed in the later 2003 ions. Dealer offered to diagnose and install a 'resistor and harness' kit at my expence. This is obviously a design error and should be fixed at saturn's expence. May be a potential fire hazard.

Filed Nov 4, 2004 · Lights · 38,000 miles · IL

Headlights do not project a beam as far as when vehicle was new. Nightime driving on rural roads during deer season is hazardous. Saturn dealer has installed updated wiring harness to correct repeated premature daytime running light failures and coincidently or not, the headlights have performed poorly since then. Discussed this with saturn dealer and service manager said he has lots of complaints about poor headlight performance from the ion. I know my saturn ion headlights performed satisfactorily at first, but have degraded. The electrical system and my vision are both fine. The supension has not been altered and the vehicle has not been involved in an accident. I replaced factory halogen bulbs with sylvania silverstar 9007 bulbs and illuminated field is brighter, but still does not extend down the road much farther. At speeds over 55mph, on a dark rural highway, I can overdive my headlights. Emailed saturn and they have never heard of my problem and did not offer a solution, but will listen to determine if this is a "trend". I'm afraid to drive this vehicle at night.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Acceleration, Lights · 49,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Throttle froze during the winter months. Consumer contacted manufacturer, and was told that because warranty expired they will not make any repairs without consumer first paying for it. Also, headlight covers were covered with a film that made visibility difficult.*ak on 3-7-04 the vehicle was involved in an accident. When the consumer took her foot off the gas but the vehicle did not slow down. The vehicle began to slide then rolled over. The driver sustain double whiplash and left shoulder muscle spasms. The vehicle was not totaled. On 6-16-04 the front passenger side wheel bearing was replaced.

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · Lights · 4,248 miles · NM

I have had repeated problems with the exterior front lighting on my new 2003 saturn ion which is a safety hazard. On 5/15/03 I took the vehicle to the albuquerque saturn dealership to fix the front driver side running light and left turn signal. They replaced the bulbs, but I had to take it to the dealership again on 7/18/03 after having driven it less than 100 miles for the same problem. This time they replaced the entire headlamp assembly. Then again on 9/29/03 I took it back to the dealership to have the passenger side front running light and turn signal replaced. I talked with the sales manager ben vigil and the service manager justin greenberg. I complained that I've spent more time at the dealership for unscheduled maintenance than routine maintenance, and I was concerned I had bought a lemon. I told them that if my turn signals aren't working properly, that is a safety issue. Mr. Greenberg told me that he probably gets two customers a day with the same problem (which shocked me). He said saturn has sent out new bulbs to the dealerships which they claim will solve the problem. We'll see.

Filed Aug 6, 2003 · Lights · 3,000 miles · VA

Headligh movement, distracting to dirver as light beams hit object the beam appears to be gittering. Distracting also to vehicles in front of you as drivers continue to look in mirror. Saturn dealership stated they do not have a fix, that is is this way by design. Headlight mounts to mounting panel with (2) pins going through upper ear in mounting panel and then upper and lower ears on headlight assy. And into lower ear of mounting panel. Appears to much play in the pin to mount area, this will worsen over time as metal pin in plastic ears will become larger from the shaking. This occurs even of smooth road beds.