Power steering failed. It became extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel.
2006 Saturn Ion steering complaints
Page 6 of 19: complaints 131 to 160 of 544, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The pwr str message appears and then the steering goes out. Turn the car off and wait 10 minutes, and the power steering works again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 136,000.
I have had repeated instances of having my steering column locking while parked with the engine off. Upon inserting the ignition key, the key would not turn without repeated attempts to rock the steering wheel back and forth. Beginning on the incident date, I parked my car and the ignition key would not turn from the on position. I verified the car was in park and attempted to turn the key again. At one point, I was actually able to pull the key out of the ignition lock assembly while the car was still running. After reinserting the key into the lock assembly and pushing in on it, I was finally able to turn the key to the off position. All subsequent incidents within the last 24 hours (approximately 4 different times) have required me to jiggle the key until it would finally turn to the off position. I drove it to a gm repair facility and at that point, was unable to remove the key or turn off the engine. It now appears that I will have to have the entire ignition lock and housing assembly replaced at a cost of $600. Further online investigation into this problem has turned up hundreds of saturn owners experiencing this same problem, and many of them have repeat issues with their new lock/housing assemblies. To date, it does not appear that gm has issued any recall/repair notices for this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the power steering unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 71,500 and the current mileage was 72,000.
My husband and I were driving through indiana on an interstate when a notification sounded that the power steering had gone out. The steering wheel seemed to lock up and made it very difficult to turn and maneuver. We changed the fuse in the car's electrical box, but this did not correct the problem. Since then, the problem has persisted and the power steering disables while driving.
Without warning my power steering went out on the thruway. I stopped at the next rest area and turned the car off. The power steering came back on when I restarted the car. This happened twice more on my trip down and three times on my way back home, for a total of six times. Steering was very hard at low speeds and I almost hit the wall to a parking garage when I stopped at a rest area.
Power steering light flashed and steering became heavy. I had to use lot of force to pull over. I called for help they restarted the car and problem disappeared. It came back again the next day and the day after. Its consistently comes and goes.
My saturn ion has had to have the ignition and or the steering column replaced on four separate occasions since 29,000 miles .it currently has 143,000 miles and has issues once again. Each time either the key would click back only one notch and could not be removed, the car could not be turned off at all due to the key being "frozen" in the cylinder or the key would not spring back from the starting position to the run position thus making a grinding noise after car started. The last dealership said they were going to report the incident to gm as they have done for other car owners before, but with no result. Each time it has cost me anywhere from $350. To $700.00 not including towing and renting of an alternate vehicle. I understand that it technically not a safety issue but I feel this should be looked at and recalled so it does not become one when a little kid climbs into a car that can not be turned off or the key removed from the ignition and gets seriously hurt or worse.
As I was driving the power steering light came on and I lost power steering. If the car is turned off it will return. It has become more frequent and intermittent.
While driving my car the power steering light came on and the power steering went out. After I turned the car off and back on it worked fine. Since then it has been getting progressively worse/more frequent. I can hear a click when the power steering goes out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 144,000.
My daughter had just gotten off the freeway, she called me hysterical. She couldn't steer the car. Someone helped her push it to the side. I called aaa to have the car towed and was told what happened was ver rare and dangerous. My maintenace personel who has worked for bmw for 17 years says he's only seen this once in his life. A couple of days later I had my car towed to fh dailey in san leandro, and the total cost was $965.00 a few days later my air bag light came on and my horn wouldn't blow nor would my cruise control work. Again I had to have the car towed I wasn't going to take the chance and drive it with the airbag light on. The cost for that repair was $172.57 I was told that it was going to be $240 but it was actually lower. I've googled this problem and there are a lot of complaints regarding this matter it should have been a re-call. I am asking for a full refund.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the power steering system malfunctioned. The contact received a warranty extension regarding the power steering system and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that due to the vehicle being involved in a previous crash, they would not repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 62,000.
The power steering started going out end of dec 2012, the outage over the following month increased until it happens every time the car is driven. Usually within 10 minutes.
I have a 2006 saturn ion 2.2. The first time the power steering went out on december 14th I was going about 45mph. The third time it went out I was going about 70mph on the interstate. The first time I called the dealership they stated that it would be $61.00 to run a diagnostic on the car. I didn't have the extra cash at that time so I decided to wait. On december 31st, 2012, the power steering went out again. I called the dealership and spoke with the service manager, he told me to bring the car in that day. They replaced the power steering motor. On my way to work on wednesday january 2, 2013 the power steering went out again. I called the dealership and they told me that it would cost $61.00 to have the diagnostic ran. I feel at this point I have no other action because I can not keep driving this car in this condition. I, however, do not feel that I should have to pay for a diagnostic when gm knows that there are issues with the power steering. I feel that the consumer is being taken by gm. I have always owned gm vehicles but this will probably be my last one. I realize that my car has over 70,000 mile on it but if gm knows there are issues then why should I have to pay for their problem. I have also read other posts that states this could also be electrical. If gm knows that it maybe electrical then why are they not trying to fix the problem. Within the first two years that I owned this car I had to have the ignition replaced 5 times. Any assistance you can give me in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that the power steering warning light began flashing as the power steering assist failed. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle in order for the power steering assist to initiate. The contact stated that the steering wheel then began exhibiting an abnormal grinding sound after the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure and the current mileages were 61,000.
While driving the pwr srg light came on and the steering seized. Pulled into a parking lot and had towed to garage where I found that it was the power assist motor.
This vehicle was purchased brand new and driven very little. Protected in closed in garage. Drove to colorado springs for vacation and went to visit relatives. Parked vehicle in front of relative home and the key couldn't be turned to shut off the car. Fortunately there was a neighbor of my relatives that new how to shut it off by disconnecting the battery cables. To start the car the cables had to be hooked back up. Drove to ferguson buick gmc in colorado springs and they checked it. The tumbler came apart, won't turn off , replaced ignition lock. Was charged for housing kit (15857948), code cyl, cylinder kit (20869121), labor and cost of parts totalled $614.22. With only 16, 607 miles from 2006 to 2012 this should not have happened. Today, november 30, 2012, I went to drive my vehicle and when I started the engine all the lights on the dash and message about steering off trac keeps flashing and it said something about steering fluid, brakes and the lights were going crazy. I am afraid to drive it so I drove it back into my garage. Couldn't drive it like that. Now what is wrong. This vehilce has been paid for since 2008 and only has 19, 000 miles on it. My husband bought me this vehicle as a surprise and little did he know he would get pancreatic cancer the following year. He wanted me to have a dependable extra vehicle. I cannot keep paying money to fix a vehicle that I am afraid to drive. May get stranded somewhere. I wouldn't feel in good conscious to even sell it to anyone. Not worth what he paid for it.
Synopsis: my saturn ion experienced a power steering failure four times in one day. Gm declined to replace the steering motor because the vehicle mileage exceeded its "special coverage" limit by 9,000 miles. Event: I was driving down a mountain roadway, elevation 9,000 feet, at about 35 m.p.h. When an alarm sounded in my 2006 saturn ion. The dashboard noted a "power steering failure," which I had never seen before. The steering wheel froze, and I was only able to turn it less than a centimeter in either direction. There was no shoulder so I parked the car in the lane, turned off the engine, waited and restarted. The failure warning went away. I had no choice but to continue driving because of where I was. The same failure happened four times within 25 minutes during my drive before I was off the mountain. I believe it should be noted I was in constant fear of another failure as I drove the winding downhill road where quick steering was required. In june 2012, gm mailed me notification that this problem could occur. The problem happened exactly as described in "special coverage" bulletin 10187-2, but that bulletin states: "do not take your vehicle to your gm dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described." I immediately contacted my local dealership, o'rielly chevrolet, and took the car in the moment the dealer opened. Gm assigned me case number [xxx], and ultimately declined to replace the motor or offer cost assistance because I exceed the "special coverage" limit by 9,000 miles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning lamp illuminated as the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 42,900.
Power steering repeatedly shows up on the dash and the power steering does seem tight and its a loud clunk when you turn the wheel back and fourth slowly. Its common and there has been a recall in some states a lot of people got this paid for and its 1200 to fix.
Daughter driving for experience of a license. While driving heard a sound then the pwr strng sign appeared on the dash board. The steering locked up. Was very difficult to turn. Husband had to take over the driving. Would shut the car off. Start it again, a minute later it would reoccur. Not safe for a just learning driver or my mother (78) if it were to happen with either one while turning. Called saturn, they are accepting the responsibility. Referred us to gm dealer to diagnose. If diagnose is confirmed with prior incidents reported they will cover the new parts, labor and diagnostic tests. Saturn gets credit for stepping up.
Driving down street and pwr str message came on, power steering went out while turning!! 1 hour later, power steering is back on and working fine!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the power steering warning light illuminated as the power steering system malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to seize. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and shut the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle with the power steering warning light still illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,532.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 37 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became difficult to control. After the vehicle was turned off, the vehicle drove normally however the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnosis. The failure and current mileages was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and then the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was turned off and on as the steering reset independently. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Car began to make excessive rattling and clunking in front end and the steering felt very loose. Took to gm dealer and they found the entire front end pretty much shot. Control arm bushings, sway bar links, and struts all replaced. The dealer said the steering column was fractured and near failure. Steering I shaft and column were replaced. Around $3000 in parts and labor at 71000, not my idea of a quality built vehicle. Major safety hazard for something with this kind of mileage.
Twice in 3 wks. The power steering light has come on, resulting in difficulty in steering. Had to turn car off, and then it would re-set itself. Was on the freeway, and luckily, was able to exit without any problem. I see this has been reported and should be on a recall list, due to its potential danger.
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