Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle my tail light and the headlight on the opposite side from that tail light went out. I replace the lights and have a mechanic looks at the issue at least once a year but they continue to go out constantly. I have been pulled over several times for this issue and have paid many tickets. This has to be something wrong with this vehicle, I have never had to change my lights on my previous cars like this and it is costing me a fortune not to mention dangerous if since it affects my turn signals as well.
My turn signal went out but my parking light stays on. I saw on a site that there was a recall for this problem. I need my right turn signal fixed! I have changed bulbs & it still doesn't work, but the parking still does work! Why is this! Just bought this car off of a person not long ago & it was working til yesterday!
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.
For the past 4-5 months, the front turn signals and daytime running lamps have not worked. We have replaced the bulbs all around the car with 3 different brands and on several occasions..still nothing. I have researched this matter online and found that there is a recall for this exact problem, but only on the 2003-04 model Saturn ions, not mine. This is a huge safety issue..I have had nothing but problems out of this car since the day I bought it brand new from the dealership 5 almost 5 years ago. I have also found online other 2006 Ion owners having the same issue as me. Please issue a recall to fix this, as it is a safety hazard.
This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it'll stay off for an hour sometimes it'll stay off for weeks and I can't figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.
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
The front drivers side exterior turn signal light stop functioning about 2 months or so after the bulb was replaced, now it doesn't work at all. The panel inside the car had shown me that same turn signal light had been malfunctioning for some time blinking extremely fast back to normal until it finally needed to be replaced. I can't get my safety check done because the turn signal lamp is inoperative. I wonder if a drl jumper kit needs to be added, can you please direct me? The car was in motion making a left turn on the highway.
While driving in pre-dawn hours (headlights & defrosters on), started smelling something melting or burning. Then instrument panel lights went out for a few seconds. Instrument panel lights then came back on & started flashing on & off really fast. At that same time, door locks started locking & unlocking repeatedly on their own. Burning & melting smell was getting stronger. As I was pulling over, I entered a more well-lit area and saw smoke accumulating inside car near roof & top of windshield. Shut car off immediately.
Related recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA investigations
Front turn signal/drl failure
On November 16, 2004, GM notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of 178,798 model year (my) 2003 and 2004 Saturn ion sedan vehicles for inoperative front turn signal/drl bulbs.GM stated that temperatures in the lamp assembly exceed the material specification for the bulb sockets and bulb base sleeves, which cause deformation.the deformed sockets can cause loss of bulb and socket contact.the deformed…
Front turn signal/drl failure
The combination front turn signal/drl in my 2003 Saturn ion coupes experienced significant early-life failures due to various bulb quality issues due to inadequate design and manufacture.this problem trend appears to have disappeared after the fall of 2003.the change of lead wire material near the start of my 2004 vehicle production appears to have reduced the failure rate for my 2004 Saturn ion coupes.although…
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Ion years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (31), 2005 (31), 2004 (26) and 2006 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Saturn Ion headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-547 (turn signal, Nov 16, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn Ion headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the turn signal (30 mentions), followed by the headlights (8).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.