I was exiting off the freeway and while merging off my power steering gave out almost resulting in a crash with a red SUV, luckily the vehicle did not crash yet I had to pay out of pocket as 2003 saturn ions are not added to the power steering recall as 2004 saturn ions are.
2003 Saturn Ion steering complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 139, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving approximately 3 MPH, the steering wheel seized and required excessive force to turn. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. After the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system), the key failed to turn off the ignition. As a result, the steering wheel locked. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 10/23/14*cn updated 08/28/2017
On may 21st 2014 fidelity fleet and finance in portland or knowing sold me a 2003 saturn ion which is involved in the gm ignition recall. When asked if the vehicle was part of the recall the response was clearly represented as the car is not part of the recall and it was safe and mechanically sound. The dealership uses deceptive practices and sells unsafe vehicles including those linked to deaths and thousands of injuries. The dealership has also failed to register the vehicle in over 70 days since the purchase.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
I already have filed a complaint. I inadvertently gave the wrong VIN number. Instead of [xxx], it should be : [xxx]. My odi # is 10616998. Hope this doesn't interfere with the investigation into the electronic power steering safety problem. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 4/15/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While making a left turn at approximately 10 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact turned off the vehicle and, when it was restarted, the power steering operated normally. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the eps needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle loss power and stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
I was driving down the road and warning bell went off and display showed pwr strg. It became like driving a non-power age vehicle. I hear that this is the same part as the one being replaced in recalled vehicles.
Me and my daughter were going threw a drive threw teller in dansville, ny, as a turned to go around the building the car kept going straight. There was no steering function at all!! It had been clicking in the days before like something internally was binding. The part was available threw a-1 cardone and only took about 1/2 to change. *just happy we weren't traveling down the road @ 55 MPH when it happened!
Power steering went out this morning after car was running for 30 mins. In city driving. Last summer the power steering started going out when making turns, sometimes while driving straight. This began in the summer, after the temp. Outside started reaching 100+. Had to turn the car off and back on to get the steering working again. When the outside temp became cooler in the fall I didn't have problems with the power steering until today, now that it is getting hotter outside. I contacted gmc in april of this year, 2014; they maintain it is not their responsibility. I know my car has had power steering parts replaced previously under recalls and asked if they would check to see if their replacement parts went bad, again they declined. The steering seems to go mostly when making turns making it very difficult for me to even safely get to where I can stop, turn the car off, and then back on to get the power steering working again. I often have young grandkids in the car with me so it not just my safety I am concerned about. This is unsafe for me, my passengers and those driving around me. The car has less than 51,000 miles on it. Please can you help?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that the steering wheel would become difficult to control without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the electronic steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to maneuver. The contact restarted the vehicle and returned to normal functioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 300,000 and the current mileage was 335,000.
Power steering lost power while daughter was practicing parallel parking (repeated turn of steering wheel). Power steering came back on after ignition was turned off and then turned back on. However, the same thing happened again after a while under the same circumstances (practicing parallel parking). The problem didn't occur during regular driving, but again in february and then in march while practicing parallel parking. A press release from general motors says all saturn ions from 2004 onwards are recalled for this issue and some 96 thousand 2003 model year ions have been given lifetime warranty for this issue but I am told my vehicle isn't covered, even though it exhibits the same power loss to the steering and has the same power assist motor.
Starting 7 years ago, the power steering intermittently goes out, usually while parallel parking. It is not reproducible on demand, so trips to the mechanic yielded nothing. I now see there is talk of a power steering recall separate from the ignition recall -- but only starting with 2004 ion! Why not also the 2003? The same problem exists with this year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult maneuvered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 45,000.
When driving my car. My power steering power light comes on and beeps. It is difficult to steer, I have to pull over and restart my car. Also my power windows will work after the car is off and doors are opened. These items are on the recall list, I was told because it was not my year it was just a coincidence. Really?? Thanks for any help.
Periodically the saturn will lunge fwd will stopped or even driving the rpms spike while driving. Breaks will not stop this issue. I've put my car in the ditch to miss major wrecks ..this has been going on for yrs. Also the losing power when turning has happened but not as much as the accelerator sticking. Bought a new car just for my kids to be in they aren't allowed in the death trap saturn. Wish someone would investigate these problems because they keep getting worse as the yrs go by. Have had the vehicle since it was new..would even be willing to show anyone these problems if they would sit in this death warrant.
Power steering problems went down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle became very hard to maneuver. Also, the contact mentioned that the horn failed to turn off after being pressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 129,000.
Power steering assist turned off while driving down the highway. The chime went off and the "pwr str" message appeared in the dashboard. The loss of power steering has happened numerous times since the initial occurrence. I have tried several times to have a gm dealership replace the part due to the similar issue on similar models. Recently the 2004 saturn ions were recalled for this exact issue. I am not sure why the 2003 saturn ions were not included. I am confident that it is the same part and the same exact issue. I called the local gm dealership after the recall came out and they said that since there is no recall on the 2003 ion, that they will not replace the defective part at no charge. Because it is the same part and the same issue, the 2003 saturn ions should definitely be added to the recall list.
I was driving along the highway when my car began to accelerate and shift gears strangely. The check engine light came on and then a warning about the power steering. It did feel a little bit harder to drive. Took it to a mechanic who said something about the transmission had come up instead of power steering. Took it to another place who said it was a computer control module. Once checked, engine light turned off and car drove normally. Happened again in march, lost power steering for a few miles before it came back. Engine light came on, stayed on for a day, and then turned off. Searched online for other instances of this happening and found other saturn ion owners complaining of same thing, only it applied to 2004 and later. My 2003 is having the same issue as their's.
Why is gm not required to include the 2003 saturn ion's in the recall for the power steering problem? I was advise by the gm customer service department that only the models 2004 and above are being recalled yet, I had a dealership confirm that my car has the same defective part as the 2004 models. I have lost power steering while driving on the highway multiple times at speeds over 55 mphs. This happened to my 3 times alone just yesterday. It seems like the problem is getting worse yet gm refuses to correct this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel in either direction, a banging noise was heard and the wheel would feel bumpy. The contact also indicated that when turning, the steering assist would malfunction, become loose and cause difficulty in the contact controlling the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 7/16/14*cn updated 8/23/2017
I was driving on highway 395 south near edsal road exit and I lost the ability to turn the steering wheel. It became hard to turn the wheel. There was no injury to myself or the vehicle.
Power steering cut off and on while driving on highway...( this has happened more than once) saw there is recall on 2004 and up saturn ion but not on 2003? Don't they use the same parts? Gm will offer lifetime replacement for part...so it would seem that I have to have a crash before gm will fix?
At all speeds the power steering stops working. Started when making a turn. Steering did not return after turning had to manually force the steering wheel turn back to straight position. Rack and pinion could be the issue. Also makes a growling/rubbing sound.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became hard to turn. The power steering light illuminated after the failure occurred. The power steering regained normal function when the vehicle was restarted. A local mechanic replaced the steering wheel column. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,333 and the current mileage was 117,000. Updated 5/27/14
This is more of a question / comment than an incident. It appears that gm is recalling saturn ions, model years 2004-2007 for a problem with the electronic power steering assist motor. I am concerned that the 2003 ion models do not seem to be included in the recall as, from what I can tell from replacement part sites, they are equipped with the identical part, #19207619 electronic power steering motor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact she had to use extreme force to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where they stated that the power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000. Updated 05/28/14 ma
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