Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering light illuminated and the power steering failed suddenly. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted it; after restart, the power steering functioned properly. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 55,000.
2004 Saturn Ion steering complaints
Page 10 of 13: complaints 251 to 280 of 345, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2004 saturn ion. Power steering goes out intermittently I have had near misses twice with it going out at low speeds extremely hard to turn. When car stops & is restarted power steering works again. I drive 10 mi to and from work usually happens in afternoon 4 out of 5 times.
Driving on freeway through a bending tunnel and suddenly the power steering failed. Very near collision with the tunnel wall. Drove rest of the journey with no power steering. Power steering returned on start-up. But then failed again the next day and is now, except for the first 10 seconds after turning on the ignition, does not work at all. $1200 repair estimate to replace power module. 2004 saturn ion with only 35,000 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 65 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel immediately followed by a loss of power steering assist. The steering wheel became extremely hard and the contact had extreme difficulty in maintaining control of the vehicle. She was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway without incident and shut off the engine. When restarting, the vehicle was still without power steering assist. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had yet been contacted. This was the first incident of the failure in the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 92,890.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The power steering light illuminated and the power steering malfunctioned. When the contact turned off the vehicle and restarted it, the power steering functioned normally; however, the failure reoccurred constantly. The current and failure mileages were approximately 68,000.
My car ran fine until about 60,000 miles. Then the power steering going. At first it was sporadic. It would go out and then come back on. Pretty soon it got to be all the time. I have yet to get fixed. My mechanic told me it would cost $1,200.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving at any speed, the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. He then called the manufacturer who referred him to the dealership. The current mileage was 19,201. The failure mileage was unknown.
The power steering signal show on dash display and power steering goes out. When the car is turn off and after few minutes is turn back on, power steering work fine again for some time. Fuses are ok. This happen while you are driving and is very hard to get keep of the car. This had happened several times during the last year.
The power steering on my 2005 saturn ion just went out while I was driving, with out any warning. And after talking with other people and a mechanic it sounds like it is a pretty big problem.
During my drive home from work, I was slowing down for a red light, and the pwr str error light came on in my car immediately followed by my power steering giving out. I could hardly turn the wheel, but struggled with two hands to pull off the road and turn my car off. When I restarted it several minutes later, the error message was gone. I started driving again and the power steering returned. I made it home. The following monday I took the car to return to work where I planned to take it into the mechanic near there. Again, as I was coming to an intersection and preparing to turn onto a busy highway, the error message came on again and my power steering completely gave out. I was extremely shaken up and forced the wheel to turn off to the side. Again, by shutting off the engine temporarily, I was able to get it to work well enough to get to work. My mechanic observed the car and determined that this is an electronic steering problem. To fix it the entire steering column would need to be replaced. This has an estimated cost of $1,000 and needs to be done at a certified saturn dealer because of the software associated with the fix. This problem is exactly what was reported in the gm recall of compact cars to fix the power steering. The steering column parts are the same in the 2004 saturn ion 3, which is what I drive. Yet, my car was not included in the recall. Why? I am not able to drive my car until it is fixed. This is a serious safety hazard, as I am barely strong enough to turn the wheel without the power steering. I was only lucky that this did not happen while I was in different places of my commute or the consequences could have been severe.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact was driving approximately between 45-55 MPH the power steering locked without warning, causing limited control in the steering of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. When the vehicle restarted, the power steering functioned normal for a few moments and failure continued to occur. The dealer was notified and stated that the steering column would be replaced at the owner expense. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 10,000. The current mileage was 96,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving 65 miles per hour the power steering failed. The contact spoke with the dealer who advised they will send the part to the contact to repair the vehicle. The current miles were 84000. The failure miles were not available. The VIN was not available.
I was taking coming off a ramp at 40 MPH when the electric power steering failed. This happens frequently while the car is in motion. Dealer says the module is beginning to fail.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving at speeds of 30 MPH downhill, the power steering failed. The power steering warning light illuminated momentarily on the warning panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The approximate failure and current mileages were 150,000.
While driving the automobile the power steering light comes on and the power steering fails. The car must be pulled over and turned off for 30 seconds, then re-started. This problem happens when outside temperatures get above 55-60 degrees f, and happens at least every 3rd time auto is driven. No repairs made at this time.
While driving my power steering alarm on my dash came on and my power steering stopped working. I had to pull over and turn off the car. Upon restarting the car the power steering was working. This happened three times within 30 minutes. It happened again several hours later and again two days later. I have not done anything about it because I am waiting to take it to a mechanic.
I was driving at a low speed, and the power steering suddenly went out on my 2004 saturn ion. I was able to turn the wheel into a parking lot. Suprisingly, when I turned the car back on, the power steering system came on as well. I was able to drive it home, but I almost crashed. No warning. I have been researching online, and have found that other 2004 ion users have had similar problems, and while gm recalled this issue on cobalts, it's ignoring the saturn 2004 same issue.
I am sending this as a worried son of a 2004 saturn ion 2 owner. My mother has called me several times asking about the steering on her car. She will be just driving down the highway and she hears a chime and sees a light on her dash indicating loss of power steering. When she restarts the car the issue goes away. Also on march 31st 2010, this happened on her drive to work in city driving conditions, once again having to shut off her car to reset the steering twice in 5 miles. The part causing this is the same part that is being recalled in 1.3 million gm cars currently but the saturn ion is not on the list. I urgently ask you to include these cars on the recall. With very little trouble I have found many people on many message boards with the same issue my mother is having with her car. Put your self in my place, imagine your mother who loves to go visit her family over 100mi from home as often as she can, driving on I-35 in minnesota to the minneapolis -st. Paul at 65-70mph and having to pull over on an interstate several times per trip so she can turn off her car only to reset the power steering system. Then having to safely merge back onto that interstate. I would hope you would be as worried as I am. If not your mother then what about you son/daughter, wife/husband or any one you know having to do the same thing, all because of a part that is already being recalled in other cars. God forbid she get into an accident and gets hurt or worse having to deal with this issue. I do know that my children will not be in that car until the problem is fixed. I understand an accident can happen to anyone at anytime but it should not be caused by a known faulty part. Too many people have already been effected with toyota's issues, lets not let this issue to cause the loss of any or any more injuries or deaths.
1. Driving car normally - drove about 1/2 mile 2. Power steering went out -- received message pwr str similar to recall chevy cobalt recall id#10v073000 3. The failure did not correct
While driving on the freeway at 60 MPH, my 2004 saturn ion iii lost its power steering. The car chimed at me and displayed a "pwr str" message. The car instantly became much more difficult to control, especially in turns and at lower speeds. I was able to make it to work. When I restarted my car later in the day, the power steering was working again. Based on a brief online search, this problem appears to be common with the saturn ions. It is my understanding that the ion has the same power steering motor/module as the chevy cobalt. A recall has recently been announced for the cobalt's power steering issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering failed sporadically. The power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel immediately following the failure. The steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact stated that she had to shut the vehicle off and restart it in order to reset the power steering assist. Prior to the recent failure, a year ago; the power steering column was replaced. There were no further repairs made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 84,000. Updated 05/11/10. *lj updated 6/1/10 *cn the consumer stated when she put the gear in drive, the power steering light illuminated and the steering column would become stiff as if it was locked. The vehicle has electric power steering. The steering motor was replaced. Updated 06/24/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, immediately followed by a loss of power steering control. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off of the road. The engine was shut off and restated. The power steering resumed normal operation. The driver stated that the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 68,000.
Power steering becomes intermittent with no warning stops working at anytime. I got to doing some reading and found out that it is very common with this car and upon further research found that the power steering motor is the same onsaturn ion as on the colbolt and g5 that gm has already recalled
Power steering on 2004 saturn ion goes out 2-3 times per week while driving since dec 09. I must pull the car off to the side of the road, stop, and restart the engine in order for the power steering to reset. I have verified that the fuzes controlling the electric power steering motor are serviceable - they have never blown or needed to be replaced. I am concerned an accident will occur while driving due to loss of power steering.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering light illuminated and then the vehicle lost power steering. She was able to drive the vehicle home and notified a local repair facility. The next morning, when she tried to drive the vehicle to the repair shop, the power steering functioned normally and the mechanic could not find anything wrong with the vehicle after inspecting it. A few months later, the same failure occurred and the power steering light illuminated and she lost power steering and control of the steering wheel. When she turned the vehicle off and restarted it the problem seemed to correct itself. She took the vehicle to a dealer who stated that she needed a power steering motor. The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. She had not called the manufacturer to-date. The current mileage was 19,318. The failure mileage was approximately 19,250.
At any speed the power steering goes out making it hard to steer at low speeds. My car is a 2004 saturn ion 2. This is a gm car and has the same problem as the recently recalled chevy's and pontiacs. The problem started a year ago. The car has not been driven since august 2009. I have found numerous complaints online about this same problem an would like to have my car included in the recall. Gm does know about this problem and in an email to its service agents said saturn ions were not included. Why? This could have and may have already caused accidents. I would like some answers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving 5 MPH out of a parking space, he noticed that the power steering warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Moments later, the contact noticed that the vehicle no longer had operable power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 43,000.
My 2004 saturn ion has been loosing its power steering for the past 2 years. Recently it has been happening more often during the times of extreme heat or when I try to do a 3 point turn. I have brought it 2 to different mechanics and they are not able to explain to me what and why its happening. I have been online and noticed a large amount of people with a similar issues. It happens at random times and at random speeds not usually the same time at any time.
Power steering intermittently fails and steering becomes very difficult or impossible at low speeds.
Car does not start when below 35 degrees. I have to wait exactly 10 minutes then it will usually start. Power steering would occasionally turn off while driving around 50,000 to 60,000 miles and gradually worsens over time. My power steering is now completely not working and has almost caused me several minor to major accidents when it shuts off while driving either by myself or with my children. I replaced the electric power steering fuses first to see if that solved the problem only to realize its the power steering column will have to be replaced costing me $1100. I can no longer drive my car because I am not strong enough to turn the wheel with the constant failing of the power steering.
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