10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,413 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #223

Dec 052010

Ion

  • 42,000 miles
Was driving 2006 Saturn Ion about 40mph and the power steering shut down with a message on the dashboard. The wheel was extremely difficult to turn and I had a hard time getting off the road because of it. The next time I drove the vehicle the power steering worked fine but 2 more times since the power steering has suddenly shut down while driving. Taking to a shop sometime this week to have it looked at.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #222

Dec 022010

Ion

  • 28,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 55 mph, there was a chime inside of the vehicle followed by the power steering warning indicator illumination. The contact exerted excessive force when turning the steering wheel and pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normally. The same failure reocurred three times before reaching the destination. The contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis and repair. The failure mileage was approximately 28,500.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #221

Nov 172009

Ion

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering would intermittently fail over a period of one year without warning until completely becoming inoperable. The dealer advised that the electronic power assist had failed and that the power assist module and steering column would need to be replaced. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 58,000.

- Saint Claire, MI, USA

problem #220

Jul 012010

Ion

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while trying to park, the power steering became inoperative and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was inspected at a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the electrical power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Mahopach, NY, USA

problem #219

Oct 292010

Ion

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned and the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #218

Jun 202010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Power steering goes out, then when I re-start the car, it will work for a very short period of time before the power steering goes out again. About 60K miles.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #217

Jul 202009

Ion

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly locked. When she turned the vehicle off and restarted it, the power steering became functional; however, the failure progressed and the power steering was completely non-functional. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was approximately 100,000. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Putnam, CT, USA

problem #216

Oct 212010

Ion

  • 25,508 miles
I was driving and heard a click and the power steering light is on the dashboard. Not able to turn steering wheel. In one hour it happened 6 times. I have not taken to a repair shop the problem just started and would like to file a complaint. I am seeing to many problems and deaths from the Saturn Ion.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #215

Oct 172010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 68,857 miles
I own a 2006 Saturn Ion level 2 that I bought fairly knew in 2007. I have noticed a clicking noise for several months after I put my key in the ignition to start my car. I have also noticed for several months when I try to turn my car off, that it became more and more difficult to get the key out of the switch. Just three days ago I tried to turn my car off after driving and the ignition would not shut off at all nor could I get my key out. I was stranded out of town until I could call a family member to come and figure out how to shut my car off. It took him hours before he just decided to take out the fuse and unhook the battery. After hours of trying to figure out how I can get back home safely and drive on the interstate 4 hours away from where I was visiting. I now have to start my car by hooking the ignition wire switch just so that I can have transportation. I have researched this and apparently there is a long list of Saturn owners who have had the same complaint with their vehicles since at 2007. I could not find one recall in regards to a ignition cylinder malfunction on the internet or this site. I am outraged because this is a safety issue I could have easily been driving and god knows what else could have happened. The estimated cost for this repair is about 500 to 600 dollars which is a ridiculous cost that owners should have to pay for. It need to be on the recall list immediately, this is a safety issue someone could get seriously hurt.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #214

Oct 152010

Ion

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 25 mph, there was a complete loss of the power steering and the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact applied force to the steering wheel and continued with caution. When the engine was turned off and restarted, the steering wheel began to function normally. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 53,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #213

Sep 202010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
When I drive my 2006 Saturn Ion my power steering out of no where turns off. When I turn my car off and back on my pow steering works but then after driving for a little longer it will turn off again.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #212

Oct 062010

Ion

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. Prior to accelerating from a stop the power steering service light illuminated on the dashboard before to the steering wheel becoming very stiff. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart the vehicle operated as normal. The failure has since recurred twice. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure and was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 62,000.

- Carthage, NC, USA

problem #211

Sep 012010

Ion

  • 88,000 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 65 mph the steering wheel became very stiff and a power steering light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restart the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where they were unable to diagnose the failure. She replaced the power steering fuse herself but the failure continues to recur intermittently. The failure mileage was 88,000 and the current mileage was 88,790. Sm.

- Rancho Cucumonga, CA, USA

problem #210

Oct 052010

Ion

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While traveling 15 mph the contact noticed that the power steering light appeared on the dashboard, seconds later the vehicle lost all power steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 81000.

- Goleta, CA, USA

problem #209

Apr 022010

Ion

  • 33,349 miles
Key will get stuck in the ignition and will not come out. It was a safety concern because the vehicle could not be turned off with the key. The only way to turn off the vehicle was to pull the ignition fuse out. There was no improper use of the ignition or the key prior to the event. The dealership replaced the cylinder case and key cylinder. They charged for the repair it was 800 dollars for the repair. The vehicle was out of warranty with only 33000 miles on it. Their seems to be alot of complaints/blogs relating to this issue with the Ion.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #208

Aug 242010

Ion

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering warning chimed and the warning light came on. When she turned the engine off and restarted the vehicle, the power steering reset itself and then the failure recurred. General Motors was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Otisville , MI, USA

problem #207

Aug 312010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 83,293 miles
I drive a 2006 Saturn Ion. Five nights ago, I was driving home when a "power steering" alert came up on my dashboard, and then all power steering went from the car, making it almost impossible to turn. I stopped to buy some power steering fluid, assuming that was all it needed, but when my husband and I tried to find where to put the fluid under the hood, we could not find it. I started the car to try to get home, and the power steering was working fine, the alert from the dashboard gone. The next morning, I brought the car to my father-in-law to see if he could find where to put the fluid and he could not. We found out that apparently Saturn cars' steering are run electrically, so they do not require fluid. Since that first night, the power steering goes out every single day, and when I turn the car off and back on, it works again. Since it's extremely dangerous to drive a car in this condition, I am planning to take my Ion to a mechanic tomorrow to find out what needs to be repaired, and the costs. I no longer have a warranty, and I am very worried that it will be a costly repair.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #206

Aug 232010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer stating that the vehicle could potentially lose power steering capabilities and that the dealer would repair the issue only after the failure occurred. The contact was concerned because he did not know if and when the failure would occur. He called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 33,000. Updated 12/23/10 updated 01/03/11.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #205

Aug 102010

Ion

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving down the road and the car beeped as if warning me and the words power steering came across my cages. While driving down the road the power steering went out. I pulled over to check out car and turned off car, I couldn't tell what the problem was so I started the car back up and had power steering, but no more than a minute went by and it did it again. I repeated my same process, I was able to cripple the car home. After further checking into this I have found that there are so many more of the same car with this issue. This is very dangerous because of the nature of the part and when it can go out without warning. If you are in a major turn and it goes out you do not have time to compensate for the power loss and will most definitely cause a wreck or even serious injury to myself or others. That being said with so many others with the same problem this is obviously a recall issue and needs to be corrected. At this time im looking into parts and labor to have my car fixed because I have to, but this needs to be addressed before someone is seriously hurt.

- La Vergne, TN, USA

problem #204

Jul 282010

Ion

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving 5 mph making a left turn the contact noticed that the power steering light had appeared on the dashboard. Within a few seconds, the vehicle would not turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the electric power steering motor was replaced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 68000.

- Muncie, IN, USA

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