The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes no difference, no check engine light and auto technician said the ignition looks fine. Ive read tons of reports like this on the 2004 saturn ion 2-why isn't this being addressed?
2004 Saturn Ion steering problems
345 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,000. 16 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 345
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical mileage
- 86,000
- crashes
- 16
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system13
- Column8
- Hydraulic power assist system4
- Rack and pinion1
- Column locking: anti-theft device1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Saturn Ion steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Saturn Ion steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Electric Power Steering Failure
On March 31, 2014, General Motors Company (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 1,340,447 model year (MY) 2004 through 2010 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), including 334,728 MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles that are the subject of EA11-014.GM has assigned the recall number N140115.the federal safety agency recall number is 14V‑153.According to the DIR, if power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver.GM indicated that steering control can be maintained in manual (unassisted) steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe operation mode, removing power from the EPS motor.GM?s DIR identifies three basic conditions that may result in loss of power steering assist in the recalled vehicles:power steering motor faults, torque sensor assembly faults, and power steering motor controller unit faults.GM will issue four service bulletins providing different repair procedures for recalled vehicles.Bulletin 14115 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor in MY 2004-2007 Saturn ION, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and vehicles repaired in recall 10V‑073 that received repairs prior to May 31, 2010.Bulletin 14116 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly in MY 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura vehicles built from March 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.Bulletin 14117 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly and power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from February 1, 2008 through February 28, 2008.Bulletin 14118 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 4,787 complaints and 30,560 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 14.3 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 9.1 percent.ODI?s analysis of alleged steering related crashes identified 12 with evidence indicating the incident was related to a loss of power steering assist. Two of the crash allegations involved low-speed curb impacts and are excluded from the resume crash count.Three incidents occurred in parking lots, six occurred while turning at street intersections, and one occurred on a highway exit ramp.The crashes in parking lots or intersections all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph.The crash on the highway exit ramp involved impact into a guard rail at approximately 35 mph.Two of the crashes resulted in injuries to the drivers.This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the attachment pages.
EA11014
Electric Power Steering Failure
ODI has received 846 complaints and GM identified 3,489 reports alleging sudden loss of steering power assist in model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Saturn Ion vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).Sixteen of these complaints alleged that the EPS warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of steering assist and the increased steering effort contributed to a crash. Two of the GM crash claims indicated that the driver was injured in the crash. In a previous Preliminary Evaluation PE10-005, ODI investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in MY 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles. In May 2011, in response to an ODI information request letter for RQ10-004, GM provided ODI with complaint, warranty and EPS system information related to EPS loss of assist for the Saturn ION and Peer vehicles Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu. In that response, GM indicated that the EPS system used in the subject vehicles was the same as that used in the MY2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5. In March 2010, GM recalled approximately 1.05 million Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles (the federal safety agency recall no. 10V‑073) to correct a defect with the EPS assist motor. The defect identified was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material on the EPS electric motor armature which causes the motor to stop functioning; the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles.ODI has duplicated this failure in both a Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion previously tested at the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC). In the defect notification letter for the previously recalled Cobalt and G5 vehicles, GM stated that the vehicles may experience a sudden loss of assist that could occur at any time while driving and that if power steering was lost the vehicle would revert to manual steering mode and would require increased steering effort from the driver.ODI believes that, depending on driving circumstances this increase in steering effort could result in some loss of control and a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (EA11-014) to further assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of a sudden loss of steering assist in the subject vehicles.
RQ10004
What 2004 Saturn Ion owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for additional diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The fuel pump is leaking, gm refuses to fix it because the VIN isn't associated with the recall, but the same year make and model of my car says it has a recall for the fuel system and pump.
Power steering sticks. I take a 55mph curve and the steering wheel doesn't come back to center. It wants to take me off the roadway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power steering without warning. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. Additionally, the windows rolled up and down independently. The contact also stated there was an abnormal fuel outside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted however, the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,639.
We have been having trouble removing the key from the ignition the past few days. As I was making a left turn the steering wheel locked then made a loud popping sound. Now the steering wheel just spins in a complete circle and does not turn the wheels. I was in motion in a parking lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed to function as designed intermittently which caused difficulty while attempting to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to vera cadillac located at (300 s university dr, pembroke pines, fl 33025, (954) 417-8998) to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 244,000.
I recently bought a 2004 saturn ion 1 from a private party. I was not aware that there is a recall on the the elecrtic power steering assist. The dealer in my area says the recall has expired and they are refusing to fix it. I bought this car may 2019 used every dollar I had to buy it. Im a single mother of 4, I live in a small town there is nothing for jobs here. I work part time at a fast food resturant and can barley afford to feed my family. I just spent 2000.00 on this car and cant risk driving it now that this is an issue. I have kids to get back and forth to school and a job to report to everyday I need my car fixed asap.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven without power steering ability to the contact's residence. The contact called schumacher chevrolet of denville (located at 281 us-46 e, denville, nj 07834, (973) 644-7584) to schedule an appointment and was informed that the part was not available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). While reversing, the check power steering warning message illuminated. The vehicle seized and the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 147,000.
Questions about the 2004 Saturn Ion steering
Does the 2004 Saturn Ion have steering problems?
Owners have filed 345 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Saturn Ion steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Saturn Ion steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V153000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Saturn Ion have bad steering?
The Saturn Ion model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (544 complaints), 2007 (408 complaints) and 2004 (345 complaints).
Other 2004 Saturn Ion problems
Electrical 331Transmission 60Engine 56Airbags 52Fuel system 52Acceleration 27Lights 26Visibility 20Brakes 19Suspension 19Body 16Wheels 9Driver assistance 7Tires 6Seat belts 5Locks 4Seats 2
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