10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 17 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 69,413 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Power steering failure.
- Bismarck, ND, USA
Was turning onto highway and "power steering" light came on and steering became difficult. We were able to drive to a parking lot and after a few minutes, we restarted the car and drove about 1 mile to a grocery store. After the store trip, we started home and approximately 2 miles further the light came on again and steering became difficult again. The problem seems to occur when we make too many turns in a short time.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
The power steering quits and reverts to manual steering without warning on average 6 to 8 times a day. The light on the dash warning system comes on and I have to turn the car off and restart it to reset the system. The car only has 64,000 miles on it and I have had it since it was new.
- Euless, TX, USA
2006 Saturn Ion - power steering failure. Occurs intermittently with no repeatable pattern of mileage, time, speed, etc. Chime sounds and pwr str appear on the dashboard display. At that point, the power steering assist no longer works and steering becomes difficult... especially at low speeds and cornering.
- Mesquite, TX, USA
I own a 2006 Saturn Ion and the power steering seems like it's going bad some times I can't turn and have to stop in the middle of traffic. It's getting worse buy the day. I have called GM several times but have not gotten an answer. The last time it happen was the other day 1/22/2011 and I almost caused an accident. I'm not sure how I'm suppose to handle the issue, or why I wasn't sent out a letter in the mail. Something has to be done. It happening more often now seems like everytime I drive my car.
- Byram, MS, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 2 mph the steering wheel became stiff and locked making it difficult to control the vehicle. The power steering light illuminated on the dashboard. The contact stated that the power steering would not function until he shut the ignition off and back on. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
Sometimes as I am driving, the power steering in my 2006 Saturn Ion stops working and I can't turn the vehicle. If I have to make a turn, I have to try to move the wheel. I have caused major delays and almost been in a few wrecks due to troubles turning the steering wheel. The power steering will not work until I turn the vehicle off and then restart it after a few minutes. The other problem I am having is turning the vehicle on in the morning which I have done the research on and found it is a very common problem for Saturn. There is a problem with the wiring components of the vehicle and once I turn the key I have to give it at least 10 minutes before it will turn on. Then I can't turn it off until I get to where I need to go or I have to wait again for at least another 10 minutes. This presents a big problem if I have to stop for gas, because I can't turn my car off at the pump or I am stuck at the gas pump for at least 10 minutes and sometimes longer.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
TL - the contact owns 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving the power of steering light is illuminating intermittently. She mentioned that she has to apply more force in order to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and it was not repaired. The failure and current mileage is 54,935.
- Austell, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 55 mph the power steering light illuminated and within a few minutes the power steering failed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off and back on but the power steering continued to malfunction which made the steering wheel difficult to turn. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
- Reisterstown, MD, USA
2006 Saturn Ion power steering failure. Intermittent loss of power steering. 1. was working normally, then just stops working without warning. Pwr str indicator comes on to indicate the power steering has failed. 2. intermittently works then stops working. Failure occurs once per day to once per week. It doesn't seem to matter how long the car has been driven. Loss of power steering has happened after 5 minutes of driving or as long as 1 hour of driving. 3. turning the ignition off for a few seconds to 30 seconds seems to temporarily cure the problem. Turn the car off. Wait. Turn it back on and the power steering works normally for the next 10 to 200 miles, then the problem re-occurs.
- Evans City, PA, USA
I have a 2006 Saturn Ion 2 sedan with approximately 75, 000 miles currently on it and the incident I have on my car is with the power steering locking up on me. It seems to occur when I drive distances over 15 miles and there is an outside temperature over 60 degrees. It started around late September when temperature was in the 70-80 range. For the next two months it ceased when the temperature dropped below 60 degrees. I don't know if there is any relation between the temperature and the problem, but it was just my observation. It occurred on me again on December 31. The power steering message disappears and the steering wheel stops locking when I stop and restart my vehicle. The steering wheel has locked up on me on major highways numerous times as a consequence, making it very dangerous to drive. I have had to avoid accidents with driving skills and prayer. From my own personal research I have discovered that other Saturn owners have encountered the same problem, which is why I have done nothing to correct the failure hoping that a recall will be initiated.
- Nacogdoches, TX, USA
2006 Saturn Ion power steering failure.
- Front Royal, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion level 2. while driving at any speed, the contact stated that the power steering light illuminated intermittently and then she lost the ability to control the vehicle. The failure began six weeks ago. The contact did not inform the dealer due to diagnostic testing and repair cost. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there were no related recalls. The current mileage was 47,893. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- Middlebury, CT, USA
The contact owns 2006 Saturn Ion II. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the power steering would fail sporadically. The contact would shut off the engine and the power steering assist would resent momentarily before the failure recurred. The contact stated that when the failure would occur, it was extremely difficult for him to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 61,000.
- Hummelstown, PA, USA
Electric power assist steering failure. Every startup within 5 minutes of starting automobile electric power assist fails and car becomes very difficult to steer. Vehicle has not been fixed because of expense of dealership replacement of over 900 dollars.
- Ft. Wayne, IN, USA
2006 Saturn Ion. Daughter highway driving returning from college, indicator light on dash came, power steering failed. She pulled over turned vehicle off, turned back on and it drove fine. Next day driving at a slower speed the same thing happened. This has happened several times since. Contacted authorized Saturn service dealer, they said they are aware of similar problems but after taking our VIN# indicated GM has not made a recall for our vehicle. To repair this at the dealership we are looking at $300+. I just spent over $200 six months ago on a problem I feel GM should also own up to...the ignition problem with the key sticking in the ignition and not able to turn the vehicle off. I know this electric steering problem is also showing up in other GM vehicles and for what ever reason they are only fixing a select few in a select few states across the country. I have read where there have been 14 accidents resulting in deaths tracing back to this problem. I feel my daughters safety is at risk. I don't understand why an american company would allow the safety of people to be compromised.
- Kansas City, MO, USA
While driving my 2006 Ion the power steering went out on the vehicle. After I stopped somewhere, shut off the engine and restarted the car, the problem was corrected. The same thing continued to happen more and more frequently, however, and now happens every time I drive the car almost as soon as I start driving. I have seen many other complaints online regarding this dangerous failure of vehicle equipment on cars that are not very old.
- Greenville, SC, USA
The contact 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph the power steering light flashed on and then the power steering malfunctioned. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to contact and could have cause a crashed. The contact called the manufacturer and was told that this was a common problem but there were no recalls. The contact was concerned about the safety risk. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 54,000.
- Baumont, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion level 2. the contact stated that when driving at any speed, the power steering would intermittently Y fail. The contact would shut the vehicle off and when restarting, the power steering would reset independently. Both the manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 105,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
- Moorpark, CA, USA
- Sylmar, CA, USA