The power steering on my 2004 saturn ion went out while driving.
2004 Saturn Ion steering complaints
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Power steering on 2004 saturn ion is defective and gm won't pay for it.
Escondido, ca. -- I am a longtime owner of saturns -- I own a 2009 vue now and have owned four other sedans -- and have always thought they were reliable and safe cars. My daughter drove an sl for years. Now I am not so sure. I just purchased (july 5) a 2004 saturn ion redline, 73,000 miles on the odometer, for my son, the first day he drove it, the power steering went out while he was making a turn. He nearly had an accident. There was a chime, the letters pwr str appeared on the dashboard readout, and the power steering went out immediately, making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer. Turning off the car and starting it again restored the power steering. But within 24 hours, the same thing happened twice more without any warning, once while I was driving the car. I have since done a web search and found hundreds of complaints about the ion for this exact problem. This is not just a simple issue of a part wearing out. It is a widespread and extraordinarily dangerous situation that is going to result in injuries or death, if it hasn't already. I am also outraged that gm has issued a recall for the chevy cobalt ss, which has the same steering system as the ion redline, but not for the ion. I have contacted gm, and a spokewoman (merissa) acknowledged the cobalt recall, but said it did not apply to the ion for reasons she could not explain. Are the safety and lives of saturn ion owners somehow less valuable than owners of chevy cobalts? Gm has directed me to a chevy dealer (now that saturn is gone) to have the problem assessed. It says it cannot promise anything because the car is out of warranty. But this is clearly a problem due to a defective steering system. I implore the federal safety agency to require a recall for saturn ions with electric steering. Just do a google search for "saturn ion power steering fails" to see all the identical complaints and harrowing reports of accidents and near accidents. Do your job, please, before someone is seriously injured or killed.
Intermittent power steering failure on 2004 saturn ion. Restarting engine "resets" power steering. May occur multiple times in one week. Same problematic power steering units used in other gm vehicles that were recalled (cobalts and g5) but no recall for saturn ions having same problem with same parts.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH the power steering light came on and the steering failed. The steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact was able to drive safely to his residence. The following day, the power steering began to function normally. The vehicle had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage and current mileages were 63918.
Electric power steering system failure in my 2004 saturn ion. Power steering system stops working and steering becomes very hard and heavy. It occurs daily since 6-19-10. Called dealer who informed me that no recall has been made by saturn even though same problem has caused a recall of chevy cobalt, which uses the same electric part (motor) and has experienced same problems.
I drive a 2004 saturn ion-2 and my power steering goes out at random times. This is the first time I have had an issue with my power steering. I feel it is a major safety concern because this issue happens at random and the car becomes incredibly hard to steer. I have done some research on this matter and many other saturn drivers have the exact same problem as myself and I have also found that the chevy cobalt has the exact same steering column as the saturn ion and there has been a recall on the cobalt but not on the ion. This baffles me because if the same mechanism is on both cars the both cars should be recalled not just one. I feel extremely unsafe on the road driving my car now because I have no indication if and when my power steering will fail. The are no events leading up to this happening and I replaced the electrical power steering fuses in hopes that the fuses were blown but this did not solve the problem. From some internet research the next step would be having the entire steering column replaced but I do not feel saturn ion drivers should be responsible for replacing a defect on a car that should have been recalled years ago.
2004 saturn ion coupe steering just went out with no warning car would not steer. The dash light just goes on and steering is gone hard to control car .
I have a 2004 saturn ion that has power steering issues. What happens is a tone will sound and a power steering warning will appear on the message window and then I lose the power steering. It then becomes very hard to control the car. This has happened on the freeway, in town and at stop lights. It is building in frequency going from once every few months to every few days. I have had to put my four ways on and block traffic because the only way to get the power steering back is to turn the car off and then wait at least 30 seconds and turn the car back on.
2004 saturn ion with intermittent power steering failure. Happens randomly several times a week. Car becomes very difficult to maneuver.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated when driving at 10 MPH exiting a ramp or attempting a turn, the steering would become extremely stiff and difficult to steer. The contact stated the failure became progressively worse and would occur on a daily basis. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. On a later date, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was advised that there was an electric base and in order to make repairs, the entire steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was serviced yet the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer nor were there any further repairs. The failure mileage was 30, 000 and the current mileage was 40,500.
Power steering fails when driving my saturn ion 2.
2004 ion bought 2 months ago, power steering goes out almost every day. I have to stop on the side of the road and turn the car off and re-start it. To correct the failure would be a 1000 dollar cost. Which I shouldn't have to replace when it's a new car to me..
Power steering has went on my 2004 saturn ion. Upon looking on the internet, I was flooded with similar problems. This is a major problem where people's lives are at risk. The chevy cobalt has been recalled for this same problem, and contains the same electric steering column. I don't understand how this has not yet been recalled and peoples live are at risk every day. I cannot afford to fix something like this that should never be a problem because of its health risks.
Have a 2004 saturn ion electric power steering go out as you are driving hard to control car.
Wife was driving home from work, and the power steering in her saturn ion just quit working making the car very difficult to steer. No one was hurt, but nearly caused an accident. My understanding from the dealer is that the electric motor on the steering column over heats and just stops working. Very expensive to fix, and I also understand this is a common problem. Shutting car off and re-starting makes it work again, but it has happened four other times since then.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving at approximate speeds of 65mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering failed. The failure continued and became progressively worse. The dealer and advised the steering column would need to be replaced at the owner's expense. The manufacturer would not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000 and the current mileage was approximately 94,000.
2004 saturn ion - power steering goes out while driving! Has been happening for over a year. If the car is restarted it comes back on for a short time then goes out again. Unable to identify anything specifically causing the issue, happens at random.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became very hard to turn. She was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and turned off and restarted the engine. The steering resumed normal operation. The contact stated the failure would occur intermittently and the failure became progressively worse. The dealer advised having diagnostic testing before the vehicle could be repaired. There were no recalls for the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 65,232.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving at 25 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost all power steering . The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000. The current mileage was approximately 130,000.
Electric power steering in 2004 saturn ion 2 stops working intermittently. This situation has happened to my daughter several times for no apparent/specific reason.
While driving on the highway at 70 MPH the power steering warning light came on and the electrical power steering quit working and the steering became extremely stiff. Fortunately the vehicle was going straight and not on a turn since we were driving through the mountains. When the vehicle was shut off the power steering apparently reset itself and the vehicle worked fine for the next 20 miles where it happened again. It's becomes manual steering. It is the only vehicle we have and it is used to drive 17 miles one way to work six times a week. It happens at least twice a day. The dealer wants a fortune to fix something that should be on a recall.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving various speeds, the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact stated the failure occurred multiple times in one week. The contact spoke with the dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileages were 83,433.
Tl*the driver owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the power steering light came on and the vehicle lost power steering. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and turned it off. Upon restart, the vehicle functioned properly. The contact called the dealership and was informed that the electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were 88,300. Updated 10/13/10*bf the consumer received a recall notice and the power steering module was replaced. Updated 10/14/10
Power steering will suddenly lock up and light will flash power string on dash. This occurs at 5 miles per hour up to 70 plus miles per hour on the interstate. Extremely extremely hard to get off to side of road. Then if you put in park and turn the car off and back on, the power steering will work for another 5 to 10 miles or so.
Power steering fails while driving down the highway/road in my 2004 saturn ion 3. Power steering indicator goes off when I loose the power steering. Pull over and shut of car and restart everything seems fine for a few miles then the problem starts over again. Severe safety issue- especially when my wife is driving with the kids. After researching, finding out this is becoming a common problem- why no recall?
2004 saturn ion 4 cylinder straight drive transmission-mileage 20,800. Power steering message keeps coming on. In daily 62 mile drive, comes on a min of 6 times. Have to pull off road, turn car off, wait for electronic steering to reset and turn car back on. When message flashes, steering is extremely hard to turn. If you are in a curve or turn can lead to an accident. Has been happening since nov 2009. Call saturn of concord, talked to service manager. Said there was recall but my VIN # was not included in recall. Cost to repair - $50 diagnostic test - $800 for part. Called gm cust service was basically told there was a recall but it was for chev. Cobalt, not saturn ion. Googled and found hundreds of customers who have had the same problem with saturn ion 2003, 2004, etc. Gm cust service would not acknowledge that any complaints had been filed with gm using hippa law to justify not telling me if complaints have been filed. Want gm to repair my car problem at no charge. Obviously manuf defect in this model of saturn.
Quite often, without warning, the power steering fails on my wife's 2004 saturn ion. Surprised at first by this failure, she has learned not to panic and to keep control of the car. Internet research has told us that gm is aware of the problem and issued recalls on other models with the same system. It is apparently an expensive fix.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned. The power steering light illuminated before the failure occurred. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it; after restart, the power steering reset to normal. The contact planned to take the vehicle to an authorized dealership for diagnosis. The current and failure mileages were approximately 88,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH into a parking lot. A chime sounded inside of the vehicle and the power steering warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The engine was turned off. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally for a period of ten minutes. The vehicle failure occurred repeatedly; and whenever in operation during warm weather temperatures. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunction and stated there was not a recall for the defect. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 07/19/10. *lj the consumer stated the steering goes out 4-5 times a day in a 45 minute to hour time frame. It was almost impossible to steer the vehicle. Updated 09/22/10
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