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.
2004 Saturn Ion: steering wheel locks up
17 of the 898 complaints about the 2004 Saturn Ion describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 91,568
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 saturn ion. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that there was also a smell of fuel coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering shaft and fuel lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
While parking power steering locked up.
Approaching curve in road when steering wheel would not turn to the right. It felt completely locked, not just loss of power steering, to me. I was able to stop on the shoulder on the other side of the road (facing the wrong way) and after a few minutes, the steering worked normally again. Since that time, it has come and gone a few times, sometimes when I start the car, it feels like the mechanical steering lock is still engaged, but after shaking and wiggling for a few minutes, it usually begins to work. Sometimes I can turn one way, but not the other. It seems to be random whether it fails to the left or right. There is possible correlation to low temperatures, but I do not have enough data to be certain of this yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. After restarting, the vehicle was able to operate normally. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur sporadically. The vehicle was not taken to dealer for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.
I was driving approximately 10mph on a residential street when suddenly my power steering light came on just as I was attempting a turn. At that very moment the steering wheel locked up and made it impossible to turn. I then pulled over and turned the car off. I waited for about 5 minutes and then restarted the car, it was working again but then 10 minutes later the light came on again. This is becoming a hassle. I have two small children and I am not going to risk their lives for some faulty car motor. So this is to the car manufactures, could you please fix this problem before it really hurts someone.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the electric steering motor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering column was defective. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred within a week and the dealer then replaced the electric steering motor but to no avail. The vehicle had not been further repaired. The failure and current mileage was 91,568.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that she had to stop and restart the vehicle in order for it to operate as normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 126,623.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering wheel seized. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the electronic power assist was failing. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering seized while driving 35 MPH. The vehicle was turned off and once restarted, the steering would resets independently. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the power steering was automatic and he was unable to repair the failure. The contact was then referred to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving various speeds, a warning bell would sound and the steering wheel seized. He turned the vehicle off, restarted it and the steering wheel began to function normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,383.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- Steering
- Electric Power Steering Assist
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Saturn service campaign: special coverage adjustment-power steering assist
- Special Coverage Adjustment ? Power Steering Assist
- Normal operating characteristics of electric power steering (EPS) system during extended lock-to-lock...
- Diagnostic tips for power steering inoperative/steering wheel hard to turn, power steering message...
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
Questions about the 2004 Saturn Ion steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2004 Saturn Ion?
17 of 898 owner complaints about the 2004 Saturn Ion (2%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Saturn Ion?
There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Saturn Ion
Won't start 168Power steering loss 116Stalling 41Loss of power 39No deployment 25Wipers 19Fuel leak 18Engine failure 15Fuel smell 15Check engine light 14Fuel pump 9Jerking 9Warning lights 9Grinding brakes 8Transmission failure 8Door locks 7Tire blowout 7Headlights 6Adaptive cruise 5Brake failure 5Fire or smoke 5Hesitation 5Slipping 5
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