2003 Saab 9-3 vs 2003 Saturn Ion
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Saab 9-3 | 2003 Saturn Ion |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 212 | 757 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 92 | 499 |
| Investigations | 4 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 43 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 24–25 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 52,683 mi | 72,178 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saab 9-3 | Saturn Ion |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 | 382 |
| Steering | 18 | 139 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 32 | 58 |
| Power Train | 32 | 55 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 49 |
| Suspension | 42 | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 31 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 38 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 43 | 81 |
| Loss of power | 10 | 23 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 11 |
| Clunking / rattling | 8 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 18 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 133 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 32 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 9 |
2003 Saab 9-3
2003 Saturn Ion
Compare all Saab 9-3 vs Saturn Ion years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.