I was driving with my young daughter in the car and as I was turning onto another road, the powering steering failed and I was nearly in an accident. I read that gm thought there wasn't enough evidence to warrant a recall for this problem! It's electronically control and has failed on thousands of people. Do we have to wait until people are fatally injured before they fix this?! We have enough to worry about while we're driving and if this senseless issue cause my little girl to get hurt, I would personally go to the gm headquarters and kick them in their multi billion dollar [xxx]! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2007 Saturn Ion steering complaints
Page 8 of 15: complaints 191 to 220 of 408, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We have had three occasions in which the power steering has failed while in motion on the 2007 saturn ion. This is a notorious problem, over 5000 complaints for the same issue, with this vehicle and yet you have not issued a recall. Power steering going out while driving is a massive safety issue. Luckily the first time it went out I was driving and not my wife, b/c at 50+ MPH she would not have been able to handle the car. The steering wheel on the car is quite small and driving without power steering is very difficult even for a reasonably experienced individual driving without power steering. You are failing to do your job and putting people's lives at risk as this is an issue that you supposedly investigated in 2009. This is completely inexcusable and an immediate recall should be issued before you get people killed.
The power steering goes out as the car is driving until stopped and started again.
My power steering light came on and I noticed that I had lost the power steering ability. With difficulty, I steered the car to the side of the road and turned the car off and then back on and the power steering was working again. This has happened multiple times and with the research I have done, I feel it needs to be recalled for my specific saturn. I bought the car used 1.5 years ago and did not know of any problems until now. I have over 100xxx miles on it but that should not exclude me from any recalls that may be issued in the future. I drive my car over 200 miles a day and no longer feel safe in it. This is my 3rd saturn and I have always loved them but I am very disappointed that this has not been recalled on my car when it is a very specific problem that is happening and being recalled in other vehicles. I got an estimate of over $1000 to fix the problem but I do not have that kind of money laying around. I just hope that I do not get in an accident because of this. If that does happen, gm will be hearing from my attorney.
I was driving on 95 north 12-15-2011 and the power steering warning light came on and automatically my powersteering shut off completely to where I was unable to turn the wheel at all. I turned the car off and on and low and behold the wheel as fine. Thought everything was fine untilthe next day 12-16-2011 I was driving on 95 north again and it did it a second time this time my two year old son was in the car with me (not safe at all) and it was rush hour luckily I was able to turn the car ff and on again and it worked so I could get home, this needs to be fixed and recalled as I have done my research and it seems that this is a major issue with this car.
The power steering stopped working while driving. A warning light saying pwr steering appeared when this happened. The car was drivable but hard to maneuver due to lack of power steering. Once I restart the car it resets and the power steering is normal until the problem recurs which is often. There is could happen on a short or long drive. I could drive a block the light appears I shut the car off it resets and I could drive for miles and it not happen again or go another block only for the problem to happen all over again. From my understanding this is a recognized issue with this make and model of saturn and it will be fixed under warranty. How do I go about getting this fixed without it costing me since this is a known problem . I am reporting in hoping it will help to have this problem be officially called a recall by gm and saturn and fixed once and for all.
The power steering failure light comes on and I will have no power steering. I can cut car off and wait a few minutes and then the light is out and the power steering working. Very sporadic. Sometimes happens 3 or 4 times in 40 mile trip. Sometimes does not happen at all. If very dangerous when it happens and I am turning a corner.
I want to add my vehicle to the list of complainants that are having trouble with the faulty power steering issue on the 2004-2007 saturn ions. I have had this trouble since the beginning of august this year almost right at 100,000 miles. That makes my car ineligible for the reimbursement offer gm has. It is only good for 10 years and 100,000 miles I was just past that. However, if you are forcing them to issue a recall I don't see why they should not have to fix my car as well. The incidents, thankfully, have only occurred while I was driving, and I have been able to control the vehicle. I have been fortunate enough to not have it go out in mid turn yet, and I have not had it go out at low speeds in high traffic yet. These are the most dangerous times, I believe, for the loss of power steering. Fortunately the unit has never failed while my wife was driving. In addition to being a touch physically weaker than I am she is terrified of driving anyway, and I fear if it happened to her she would absolutely have an accident as a result. I have also had problems with the cruise control not working since I purchased the vehicle on august 28, 2006. I took it in once under warranty to have it repaired and they said it was a well known loose wiring issue. It wasn't more than a month or so later that I was having the same issue. When I took it in for repair this time, they told me it was no longer covered under warranty and they wanted $600 to repair a "known loose wiring issue" I was understandably upset about that and chose to just have a finicky cruise control since then.
I would be on my way to work or to the store and then all of the sudden my car lost all power, and would shut its self down. Therefore causing me to have to coast off to the side somewhere with my power steering locked up. Once my car would start running again any where from 10- 20 mins my power steering wouldn't function for the first 2 mins causing me to sit and wait till it kicks in. Not only does this happen, but when I get low on gas and go to fill up, after putting gas in my car it wont start!!!! I have to sit there about 10 mins cranking trying to get it to start up once I do I cant release my foot off the gas for about 3 min or my car dies.
Intermittent failure of the electric power steering system. I read that other gm products with the same problem were being recalled, but not the saturn. I was told that because I had a salvage title my vehicle would not be repaired under special coverage adjustment, eventhough it is listed as eligible by year, mileage, and VIN number. I feel that this defect should be corrected and would be under a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. While driving approximately 10 MPH, a loss of power steering occurred with the illumination of the warning indicator. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and turned the engine off. Upon restarting, the steering began to operate normally without the warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 62,110.
At any rate of speed, the electric assist steering motor will shut off leaving the driver to use brute force to steer the car right. The steering wheel "locks" to the left and the car will naturally drift that direction, requiring additional force to hold the car within the driving lane.
The electronic power steering continually fails resulting in dangerous driving conditions. This should have been included in the earlier recall for cobalts as the parts are identical.
The gm dealer advised that the steering column needed to be replaced. I contacted general motors because they had sent an earlier letter saying there could be a problem with the power steering element. The district representative subsequently advised that they do not know why my steering column needs to be replaced (e.g. Cracked, leaking, corroded, whatever) but they do know it is not the power steering element. The representative did say that gm would pay for the parts but I would have to pay for the labor. I asked him to send me this in writing so I'd have it to take to the dealer but have not been able to get this despite follow-up messages left for the rep. It does seem there is an issue with the steering columns of this particular saturn model but I guess I'll just have to wait until the power steering fails to get gm to do the right thing.
I was on my way home when I turned on my street at about 15 MPH, the warning light came on and the power steering went out. I had a hard time turning into my drive. I worry about what would happen if I were on a busy highway and this happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the power steering warning light flashed illuminated with a failure of the power steering assist. The steering became extremely difficult and the contact shut the vehicle off. The power steering assist resumed normal operation once the vehicle was restarted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 27,300.
Power steering goes out approximately 10 to 15 minutes into driving with warning bell and error "pwr str" on the dash indicator. When I restart the car, power steering returns for another 10 to 15 minutes and fails again. This will continue as long as I drive the car.
Driving 2007 saturn ion recently, on interstate 25 and the steering power light came on, I was traveling at about 70 miles an hour and the steering wheel stiffened rapidly. I was able to guide the car to the shoulder of the interstate and look in the manual for help. I did what the manual instructed, by turning the steering wheel both directions several times to loosen the grip. On a four hour road trip I had to stop several times to "loosen the steering wheel". Nearly caused on accident once I was back in my hometown, driving 25 miles an hour and the steering wheel tightened again and it was quite hard to redirect the car.
Turn on car and within 2 minutes the power steering goes out while driving. The power steering light comes on. There is a "special warranty" that cover those with less than 100,000 miles. With the number of complaints on the power steering and the dangers associated with the power steering going out while driving, this should be a recall. My car is currently being fixed and I don't feel that I should have to pay to fix something defective when the gm should fix it. I need to know who I need to talk to for a resolution!
While driving on the expressway a warning light came on informing loss of power steering. Was able to get to the next exit and called for assistance. Problem still occurs on a daily basis. Lack of power steering has caused moderate cosmetic damage to the vehicle. Quite concerned about upcoming winter months and navigating treacherous conditions without the assistance of power steering. Price of labor and part for a known and well documented faulty part is unreasonable for average saturn ion owner.
Approximatley 3 weeks ago the power steering in our 07 saturn ion just went out while my wife was driving. The power steering light also came on. She was traveling at approximately 45 MPH and was fortunately able to maintain control. Upon doing some research we found the complaints in regards to the system. Since that initial occurence the car is now constantly losing the power steering. It obviously appears electrical as the power steering is this model is electric. I have checked all fuses and connections and all are intact. It goes out constantly now while driving. The car was primarily for our college age daughter who now is uncomfortable driving it and I am uncomfortable allowing her to drive as well.. Based on the number of complaints filed and the obvious problem with the sister models I believe this warrants a recall. I also own an 05 saturn ion and have not had issues but am concerned about it. Thanks for your consideration.
I was driving through the neighborhood at approx. 15 MPH when the alert chime, pwr steering display and the actual power steering went out. The car jolted as if I had been rear ended and I had to pull over. Luckily no one was on the road; steering was difficult. I managed to turn around, headed home and turned off the engine. When I restarted the engine, power steering was fully functional. I drove to the store as originally intended and it went out again as I was turning into the parking lot. Same issue - fully functional when I turn the car off then back on then goes out as I am driving. I researched this online and have read multiple complaints regarding the same issue. Is this mechanical failure being recalled? It doesn't sound like it is a vehicle maintenance issue. Someone needs to issue a recall on the power steering.
Power steering warning light and alarm sounded followed by an immediate loss of poser steering. Restarting the car reset the power steering but only for a couple minutes. At low speeds the vehicle is "extremely" difficult to steer.
Power steering failed without notice while driving. Upon restarting car, power steering restored, but this happens every couple of days.
Power steering goes out approximately 10 to 15 minutes into driving with warning bell and error pwr stg on the dash indicator. When I restart the car, power steering returns for another 10 to 15 minutes and fails again. This will continue as long as I drive the car.
Driving down the highway and the power steering light came on, all of sudden, could not steer car at all. Had to pull over in traffic. When I turned car off and waited a minute and then turned it back on it seemed to work fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a beeping followed by the power steering failed. The contact stated that the wheel was almost impossible to turn. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted several times before the steering returned. The vehicle was not inspected. The failure and current mileages were 50,000. The steering has gone out 5 more times since the september incident. Updated 11/03/2011 *ln
The key stuck in the ignition switch, in the run position. I could not shut the car off. I had to disconnect the battery from the computer assembly to shut the car off. Fortunately, at the time, the car was under warranty. If I would have had to pay for the repair through the dealer, the cost would have been in excess of $500.00. I am filing this complaint because, now, a year later and after the car is out of warranty, it is displaying the same symptoms (difficulty removing key from ignition after shutting engine off) as were experienced before the ignition lock assembly failed last time. This problem, after much on-line research, is an issue with saturns from 2005-2007. As most individuals noted that they experienced the same problem, six months or more after replacing the ignition lock cylinder, through their dealership. Mechanics are noting that the assembly is faulty, in that each time the key is turned small bits of metal from the key are flaking off into the assembly, causing it to lock up, typically in the on position. Thankfully, for me, this incident occurred close to home. This vehicle is no longer under warranty and the repair I am again anticipating will take replacement of the ignition lock assembly. This is something I will be doing myself or seeking the services of a 'shade tree' mechanic, as I do not have the funds to take the vehicle to a gm dealership for repair. Given the number of complaints listed on-line through edmonds and other consumer complaint sites, I feel that gm should be taking responsibility for the faulty parts and a recall should be issued. This poor engineering should not be an out of pocket expense for any consumer. *tr the consumer also stated the power steering failed. The dealer informed the consumer, the steering column needed to be replaced. The consumer learned a recall had been issued. However, gm informed him, the vehicles with electric power steering was covered. The consumer disputed that, saying his vehicle did have electric power steering. Updated 09/29/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact was attempting to exit a parking space but the steering wheel would not budge. The power steering warning light was illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The current failure was 116,000.
My wife was driving the car through town approx. 25-30mph when the dash dinged and showed that there was a problem with the power steering on dash. Car became very hard to turn putting her in potential danger. Once car is turned off and on the problem seems to get reset fro a brief moment.
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