I have a 2006 Saturn Ion, which I bought for my wife. I used the car to jump start another vehicle and the next day, my power steering went out. As I was making a turn into an intersection my wheel ceased to turn and I drove into some cones, which were in place to protect pedestrians. Had my wife been driving (who is very petite), I don't think she could have forced the car over and someone could have gotten hurt. From what I have heard this will cost about $600 (until recently they would force you to replace the entire steering column which would cost well over $1000). This is a ridiculous amount to spend on something that is clearly not up to a quality standard. I also cannot justify taking this to a shop. If they replace this poorly engineered part with an identical one, it is quite likely that it will just break again, to more costs. Beyond this, I cannot trust that my wife can drive this vehicle safely. If this is not addressed by the manufacturer, I have no choice other than to sell this vehicle and buy another that is safe for my family.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. As she was driving 35 mph the power steering light illuminated and then the power steering shut off. The vehicle was very difficult to control and maneuver to the side of the road. When the vehicle was turned on and off it reset and performed normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnostic test showed that there was no failure on the vehicle. The contact will take the vehicle to the dealer again on tomorrow so that they can perform another diagnostic test. The manufacturer was contacted stating that there was nothing that could be done unless the diagnostic test indicated that there was a failure. The warranty expired and there are no recalls. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 03/30/10. The consumer stated the dealer replaced the power steering unit at not cost. The consumer stated there have been no more problems since. Updated 06/14/10.

- Pamplico, SC, USA

While driving, pwr str lights up on my dash. This has happened 3 times in the past month. I have to struggle to get the vehicle turned off of the highway, so I can cut the ignition off, and restart the car. This seems to reset the system for a short time. I have done research online, and have found many complaints. I have called Saturn, and advised them of the problem, and they tell me that they have had no complaints. I find this very hard to believe. Of course, it will cost me over $1000 to repair it and it is no longer under warranty. It just seems like after everything that I have researched on the internet, something should be done, before someone is seriously injured by this steering problem.

- Pamplico, SC, USA

Power steering shuts off during car operation.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

On Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 the power steering went out on my 2006 Saturn Ion SL3. Restarted the car and it came back on but when out again about 5 minutes later. Took the car to van Chevrolet in Kansas City, Missouri. The said I needed a new steering column because the power steering is run off electric motors in the column. They reset the fault and ordered a new column. When they installed the new column, the power steering motors were bad, so the put the original steering column back on. The dealer did something with the computer module and the fault hasn't come back, but they did tell me that it definitely will and the power steering will definitely really go out.

- Liberty, MO, USA

Power steering fails while driving. Driver info area gives pwr str message. After you shut the car down it will work properly and pwr str message goes away.

- Welch, MN, USA

Power steering randomly quits. Occurs frequently. Low speed control requires physical strength beyond that of the average person. Resets when motor turned off and restarted.

- Enola, PA, USA

We recently purchased a used 2006 Saturn Ion. Runs great other than about a week ago while driving, the (pwr str) light went on and about 2 seconds later it was very difficult to move the steering wheel. My fiance was driving and while making the turn at the same time the lack of steering happened she couldn't stop in the middle of traffic and couldn't steer out and she hit the curb, damaging the front wheel. This could have been deadly if she would've panicked or just stopped in traffic, or someone could have been on that sidewalk. Currently online I've read and have heard that there are thousands with this issue. Maybe more that we don't know because people just got it fixed.

- Glendale , AZ, USA

Normal driving under normal conditions. Sudden steering failure caused by failure of left tie rod. Car has 65,000 miles and is well maintained. Entire rack and pinion system must be replaced due to collateral damage.

- Sterling, VA, USA

My power steering has gone out about 5 times while driving. It does not start working until the car is turned off and started again. It's extremely scary dangerous. The first time I thought it was a fluke, the second time I decided I needed to take it to get fixed and the power steering went out 3 more times before I could get it in.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

I have a 2006 Saturn ion2 who's power steering goes out while driving. I reported this issue to GM/Saturn a year ago and was told by the Saturn shop in mansfield, oh. That this seems to be an issue with this particular car due to seeing so many with the same problem. If you turn the car off and back on it seems be a temporary fix for about a minute and will click off shortly after accelerating in speed.

- Columbus, OH, USA

The electric power steering on my 2006 Saturn Ion 2, failed at around 37,000 miles. The power steering will work for a few seconds every time I start the car, but then shuts off. Steering is difficult with no power steering. So far now repairs have been made, Saturn said they will charge me at least $1,000 for the repair. This the same steering system as used the Chevy cobalt, "federal regulators investigate Chevy cobalt steering complaints."

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving various speeds including approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed. The contact was forced to drive onto the emergency lane and turn the vehicle on and off so that it would reset itself. The failure occurred four to five times while driving a longer distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the electronic steering motor and column $1000 at the owners expense. The Saturn manufacturer was not notified. There were no related recalls or warranties. The failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 03/04/10 updated 06/11/10.

- Gainesboro, TN, USA

While driving on normal road conditions, I received a power steering indication and the steering wheel became tight. It is hard to turn the car. Once I stop the car and restarted the problem goes away, but comes back periodically while driving. This is beginning to happen more frequently, more like two or three times a day.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated stated while driving at 55 mph the power steering light flashed and the power steering went out. The contact called the manufacturer regarding this issue and manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The contact is currently having a diagnostic test for repairs. The contacts feels this vehicle could have cause a crash while on the highway. Failure mileage was 40,000.

- Arroyo Grande, CA, USA

I have not been able to turn off my ignition or remove my key two separate times. Not only that my power steering went out and was only able to be fixed by the dealership. Most recently along with the key ignition problem, there is a transmission problem. The first time the ignition was fixed it was under warranty but this time it is not. I have read several blogs of similar complaints from suffering consumers.

- Centennial, CO, USA

Power steering went out on Saturn Ion 2006 without any warning. The fuse is fine. It goes out about 5 minutes after the drive begins. Upon turning off the ignition and restarting it, it works for another 5 minutes.

- Newnan, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 55 mph the "power steering" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, and then there was loss of power steering. She was able to resume operation, but with great difficulty. The vehicle has not been repaired for the failures. The failure and current mileages were 55,000. Updated 01/20/10. The consumer stated the vehicle was parked in front of his house in idle when suddenly the speedometer read 120 mph. Updated 01/22/10

- Chillicote, OH, USA

A few weeks ago, my 2006 Saturn Ion lost power steering capability while I was on a major highway (doing 65mph)! needless to say, I narrowly avoided a major accident and was dismayed to subsequently find out that I have a defective steering column motor (according to the local Saturn dealership) which will need to be replaced and is not currently under warranty. I bought this car in 2007 somewhat reluctantly since it already had 40,000 miles on it but it was the only one available after a major accident with my first Saturn for immediate delivery. I was at a new job and needed a car desperately. I chose Saturn again because of the brand's reliability, excellent customer service and my own personal satisfaction as a previous Saturn owner. When I called customer service last week to check whether this power steering failure was a recall item, I was told that it wasn't and that I would have to register a complaint to see what options were available for reimbursement for repair. Today I was informed by GM/Saturn customer service that they will not cover the $525 repair of this major defect since the warranty expired and the car had according to them, "excess mileage" (at 50,000 miles, a 3-yr. Old car should not lose a major component such as the power steering to my thinking). I was seriously concerned enough about this defect to contact you to see if you can bring some resolution to this issue. I've done extensive research online and found that thousands of Saturn Ion owners have experienced the same loss of power steering while in precarious driving situations. Is GM waiting for a fatality before they issue a recall, or is it because the company is bankrupt that they decided to play russian roulette with our safety? needless to say, my trust and faith in GM is compromised and I am not willing to pay for a repair that should be covered.

- Manchester, NJ, USA

The power steering fails while driving several times during a single trip. I need to turn off the car and turn back on in order to reset the power steering error msg that appears on dash... not long after that it fails again. There have been thousands of similar complaints on the web. The vehicle is a 2006 Saturn Ion 2. dealer says its a computer chip in steering column. I have yet to get repaired due to outrageous repair costs. Saturn needs to issue a recall, and need to stop stealing peoples money while putting they're lives in jeopardy with a faulty steering system that fails at high or low speeds.

- Rochester, NY, USA