2007 Saturn Ion: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 13, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 11,658 miles · AZ · crash · 1 injury

I hit my brakes to avoid an accident my car went to left in front of another car. I found out that struts shifted and causing the upper control arm to snap and brake off causing my car to go to the left into another car.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Steering · 115,000 miles · PA

Since having the recalls for the ignition done - when the car is placed in park I have to pull the shifter toward reverse to get the key out. Also since the recalls were done all the sudden my steering rack is making a clunking noise which my mechanic is saying will soon need replaced. It was perfectly fine before the recalls for the ignition and such were done on my car. Literally the days after is when it started and the dealership said that it is because my car is old. Not buying that answer. All of this has to be tied to a recall, I take great care of my car. I just had the control arms replaced as well and the mechanic said they were near disintegrated!

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Suspension · 10,163 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, a loud thumping noise emitted from under the vehicle on the driver's side and no warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure but decided to replaced the front control arm bushings without performing a front end alignment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,163.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Suspension · 41,000 miles · NC

Left and right lower control arm failure. Caused belt to break in tire. Towed to repair.

Filed Mar 10, 2013 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · OH

Load metal clang on bumps ? Driver side front. The button bushing is contained in a metal ring that is pressed into the arm. The ring does not separate from the control arm. The problem is the bushing is not secured well enough in that ring (the ring is not crimped around the top and bottom of the bushing as it should be) and separates allowing the whole arm to go up and bump against the frame causing a loud clang when the suspension rebounds from a bump. It is easily diagnosed by visual inspection seeing the rear area of the control arm up against the frame. I can see the bushing shredding as a wear issue but this is a defect where the busing is failing because it is not secured as it should be. I replaced it myself and made this video of it. Many others have the same issue.

Filed Jan 21, 2011 · Suspension · 57,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. While driving approximately 20 MPH the contact heard a popping noise coming on the front drivers side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the front control arm and bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Suspension · MI

2007 saturn ion. Consumer states several problems with vehicle *tgw the lower front lower control arms and front sway bar links had to be replaced on both sides. *jb the mechanic stated there were pieces of the control arm laying on the frame. Updated 11/19/10.*jb updated 11/19/10

Filed Jul 17, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 27,000 miles · MN

Unfortunately I have a 2007 saturn ion which sounds like it is going to break in half over even the slightest small bumps in the road. I have a warranty on the vehicle which expired in june 2010. Although the car only has 29000 miles on it~ saturn would not honor the warranty when I brought my car in for a check engine light~ it was the purge sensor. They wanted to charge me over $300 to repair this issue. I went online and saw many other's had reported the same problem. I also saw the part for only $26.00 ~however at the saturn dealership they charged me $51.00 for the part. I ended up fixing the repair myself to avoid being robbed by the saturn dealership!! I am very displeased with my car~ now the struts and control arm bushings are making significant rumble when driving over the slightest bumps in the road. At 29000 miles the car should not be making any noise!! I feel very unsafe and scared in my saturn!! I've seen many reports of other owner's with the same vehicle that are similar. Even the gm cobalt which has the exact same platform and steering has the same issues and for that car power steering issues have been recalled but not for the ion which ~I repeat has the same components. I bought my car when fuel costs soared and thought it would at least last me 5 years with out issues. I think gm needs to address these issues especially since so many consumers are experiencing issues at such low mileage. There are also issues with the rear defrost, power windows, steering, and transmission. I'm from mn. And it's terrible when you have a newer car that won't even take you 30,000 miles without breaking down!! I'm very disappointed and saturn needs to recall everything on these unsafe vehicles before someone gets seriously hurt ~like toyota. I'm sure you've had several complaints. The car is defective!! Please help!! Saturn won't repair unless it's completely broken even if the car is smokin they blow you off!!! ~horrible!!!

Filed Jun 10, 2010 · Brakes, Suspension · 16,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. While the vehicle was being repaired by the dealer, the contact complained of a noise underneath the vehicle. The contact was advised that the drivers side lower control arm bushing and the rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The current mileage was 22000. The failure mileage was 16000. Updated 08/11/10. *lj updated 08/18/10

Filed May 17, 2010 · Suspension · 34,000 miles · OH

Lower control arm bushings gone on both sides only have 34,000 miles on car.

Filed Apr 10, 2010 · Suspension · 52,000 miles · WI

Front lower control arm bushings completely missing with 52,000 miles on this vehicle. When applying the brake, the wheels can move up to three inches uncontrollably. There is an obvious safety concern for the defective design of these bushings. My dealer informed me they've replaced a huge amount of these bushings...and keep many in stock.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Steering · MI

I have a 2007 saturn ion and read this morning that you are issuing a recall for the chevy cobalt and pontiac pursuit/g5. What concerns me is that you are not recalling the ion because of a lack of reported issues. I have rallied ion owners from our main saturn ion club sites listed below, what can also be found on these sites is the large number of failures of the power steering on these cars, which is the same part number that has been deemed defective on the cobalt/g5/pursuit. The cobalt/g5/pursuit was based off and engineered from the saturn ion and shares the entire drivetrain, steering system and wheel/tire sizes with only very minor differences if any in weight distribution and parts. This is so much so, cobalt suspension parts are often put on ions. Please do not ignore the ions in this recall, our cars have been ignored by gm in many other cases such as the CVT transmission, lower control arm bushings, and ignition switch failures. Http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18 http://www.redlineforums.com/forums http://www.ionforums.net/phpbb3/.