2003 Saturn Ion: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Electrical · 111,350 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the contact would wiggle the key around in the ignition before being able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,350.

Filed Oct 30, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 138,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving at low speeds and parking the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact also mentioned that the key would not eject out of the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall and the recalled part would not be repaired again. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Steering · 152,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving 65 MPH, the steering seized and the steering wheel could not be turned at all. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited for awhile. Afterward, the steering returned to normal. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, but could not repair the vehicle because they did not have the equipment to repair electric vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 152,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2017 · Steering · 227,478 miles · LA

Several times these last few months my vehicle pwr str light has come on. The steering wheel is hard to turn left or right. The first time this happened I turned the car off and went in the house and got my husband. When he turned it on and put it in reverse nothing happened, it was ok. The next time I was backing into a parking spot, it locked up and was hard to turn. I turned the ignition off and restarted it, then it worked again. Then again in the drive position. This has happened several times. My daughter was driving the car not long ago on a city street and had to stop in the middle of the street, turn the car off and on again, then it was ok. Today I was driving on the road (a city street) and the steering wheel locked. I fought with the wheel to get over. Turned the car off and on again but the steering wheel was still hard to turn and the pwr str light remained on. I did this several times to no avail.the wheel stayed hard to turn. I fought with the wheel, turning corners, praying no one would be in my way as I had to make wide turns because of the hard steering wheel. When I got to my driveway I had to turn and backup several times to get into my driveway. I turned the car off and on again several times and the light has not gone out. I will not be able to drive my car in this condition.

Filed Apr 10, 2017 · Acceleration, Airbags · 170,000 miles · TN · crash · 2 injuries

Driving on staight on the highway hit a bump in the road my car started spinning out of control steering wheel locked up which made my driver side crash into a cement wall, my airbags did not deploy even thought the car hit the wall so hard that it cracked my radiator, my car then shut off then turned back on

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use extreme force to turn the wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt and had to wait several minutes before it started. In addition, the key failed to release from the ignition switch. The independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch twice but the failure persisted. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Steering · 174,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Aug 22, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 150,000 miles · AL

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

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Steering · 114,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Aug 6, 2013 · Steering · 126,597 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting a right turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the steering motor would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,597.

Filed Jul 7, 2013 · Steering · 106,000 miles · MI

Steering locks or becomes extremely hard to turn steering wheel when car is in reverse for parking and thereafter in drive for minutes at a time. Becoming progressively more and more worse. Have had the steering column sensor replaced, the electric motor replaced and problem becomes more noticeable. Beginning to effect driving and the ability to maneuver the car while it is in motion. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 23, 2012 · Steering, Visibility · 160,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the power steering seized. In addition, the windshield wiper failed and the front windows driver and passenger side windows could not be opened or closed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified who advised the contact that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer and they would decide if they should offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.