Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. While driving out of a parking space at a low speed, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn in any direction. After the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (maritime chevrolet, 985 post road, fairfield, ct 06824) and the technician stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 207,000.
2005 Saturn Ion: steering wheel locks up
11 of the 573 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Ion describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 15 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
My son was driving and the truck in front of him stopped suddenly. He hit the brakes and felt the steering lock up, brakes locked and he couldn't stop. Hit the truck hard enough to crack the core support in the saturn but the air bag do not expand. He was not injured but this is definitely a safety issue if you can hit another car enough to crack the steel frame but no airbag was deployed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle suddenly stalled as the power steering seized and caused the contact to crash into a concrete street divider. The contact sustained back injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact indicated that during the crash, the radiator and condenser were damaged and both were replaced by the mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified in reference to the defect. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that the ignition failed. When the key was inserted into the ignition, the steering wheel seized and the engine failed to start. The failure was experienced numerous times. The dealer replaced the key code however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000. Kmj
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic test and the technician stated that the power steering motor would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. There was an open investigation under the federal safety agency action number: ea11014 (steering:electric power assist system), that may be related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
I was driving home and all of a sudden my steering wheel locked up. My car kept blinking "pwr str" on the dash board. It has happened 3 time in the past 2 days. Luckily, when this has happened so far I was close to the side of the road so I didn't cause an accident or anything. There is nothing I can do to repair this, except to spend thousands of dollars to replace the entire engine and parts.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when the power steering locked. The vehicle began to steer in one direction towards a concrete wall. The contact came to a complete stop with out a crash. The engine was turned off. The vehicle was restarted after a 30 second waiting period. The vehicle resumed to normal operation. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. There was not a safety recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer recommended the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic testing. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage and current mileages were 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH when changing lanes ,the power steering light illuminated and the power steering locked up. He pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off and then on. The vehicle then drove normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he purchased it, and they stated that it was the steering mechanism that over heats and shuts off. There were no repairs done to the vehicle. The contact stated that this occurs every time he drives the vehicle. The failure mileage was 35000 and current mileage was 36000. Updated 04/01/10. *lj the consumer stated the power steering failed when the vehicle was driven for a long period of time. Updated 06/10/10
Two days after moving to nj from fl as I was pulling into my driveway the power steering light came on and the steering locked up. I found that if I turn the car off and on again the steering is good for maybe 20 minutes. I have checked the fuse and took it to a shop. The mechanic suggested I do some research because a car this young should not have these kinds of problems. I have seen similar complaints on the internet about the same model. My car is a saturn, ion 2005.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. While driving 50 MPH on an incline the vehicle lost power, the steering locked, and all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact placed the vehicle in park, and was able to restart the vehicle. On four occasions the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was 54, and the current mileage was 10,087. *ak updated 06/08/07
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 2005 Saturn Ion steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2005 Saturn Ion?
11 of 573 owner complaints about the 2005 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 2005 Saturn Ion?
There is 1 recall and 15 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 Saturn Ion
Power steering loss 99Won't start 60Stalling 39Loss of power 33Check engine light 17No deployment 13Headlights 12Fuel leak 10Engine failure 9Adaptive cruise 7Battery drain 6ABS 5Airbag light 5Fuel smell 5
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