Rack and pinion is going bad, my mechanic said it's a common issue in these vehicles. When going around a corner it will want to float the opposite way, the steering will eventually get tight my mechanic said until I loose all steering. I am a single mother and have already replaced the whole front end on this vehicle pretty much. I know I've read so many others experiencing the same issues with their Saturn Ion, so I wanted to make it aware that this should be a recall and fixed before someone who knows nothing about vehicles ends up in a severe accident due to this big issue. Also the Key don't want to come out most of the time. An there is an issue with the car not wanting to come out of park sometimes. Not to mention it eats ball joints like crazy every other month I'm replacing the ball joints in this car. If I could afford another vehicle trust me I would but I can't even save for a new car due to all the repairs I've made. It's just frustrating that so many people are having this issue and no mechanic wants to do the rack and pinion job with out charging a fortune.
Saturn Ion ball joint problems
28 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 52,000
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 4Steering noise 2Stalling 2Headlights 2Check engine light 2Grinding brakes 2Won't start 1Seat belt 1
What owners say
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.
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. While driving 25 MPH, the front passenger side wheel became lodged into the wheel well. Upon further investigation, the contact noticed the front lower control arm failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not available.
At approximately 3:50 p.m. Friday january 23 2015 I was slowing down from 35 MPH to turn into a parking lot. Before I turned the passenger side of the car dropped and at first I thought I blew a tire. After limping the car into the parking lot I got out and the tire was still fully inflated. I noticed the lower control arm was broken into two pieces. The car was towed home and the tow truck driver even mentioned he had never seen that happen on such a new vehicle.
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.
Highway bouncing? Unbalanced feeling under vehicle? Replace struts asap!! Okay for the past 30,000 miles I have been experiencing what I could describe as a constant bounce. The bounce has now become so violent that crossing a bridge on a highway the bump will increase the aggression of the bounce to the point that you bounce right off of the road. I have slowly been trying to figure out what causes this bouncing wobble. After new rims,cv-half shafts, lugnuts, tires, stabilizer end-links, tie-rod ends, inner tie-rod ends, and ball joints. The bounce got more controllable for a short period. Not long after the new parts started to break down again. Finally during the purchase of all of these things over again. I find an instance where this exact thing happened to another individual. Driving down the highway with the constant bounce as always (4 mechanics ---- I am pretty mechanically inclined, but could not diagnose the problem) this other individual goes up on a bridge (highway speeds) and bounces straight across and right off of the highway into the ditch. Luckily in both of our cases we were able to stop the vehicle before hitting anything other than some tall grass and sliding around in the dirt a bit on the side of the highway. He takes his family and car to the nearest mechanic (they were going on vacation) and this mechanic knew exactly what the problem was. Relieved this person was that he had finally found a mechanic that solved this wretched, annoying, and odd problem I have never experienced before. The struts were completely shot. The car was not sagging according to measurements. Bumps weren't violent. After replacement of the old struts I could literally push them down with one finger. Let go and watch as they just relax in place. Anyone experiencing a highway bouncing wobble like something is unbalanced then replace your struts!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled while traveling various speeds. The contact also stated that upon inspection, it was found that the control arms and bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The stalling issue was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 06/10/14*lj the consumer stated the vehicle shut off multiple times in 2006. In 2007, the ignition cylinder binded up, engine light illuminated, headlights dimmed,and front end issues. In 2008, all 4 fuel injectors were replaced, noise came from the front end, and front passenger window would not roll up. Replaced both front end sway bushings, insulator and/or front stabilizer shaft a. In 2010, again there was noise coming from the front end. Both left and right hub assemblies, lower control arms and bushings were replaced. In 2013, there was a gas leak. Updated 06/17/2014
My ion has had continuous steering and suspension problems since 2009. I have experienced the problems with the steering motor (warning light comes on - loss of power steering) and had the steering motor replaced. I have replaced the sway bar, control arms, link, and much more. And, I still have difficulties steering - have a constant cluncking noise from the front end and now have been told I need the rack & pinion replaced - estimated cost $550. The vehicle currently has 82,000 miles. The steering & suspension problems began immediately after the vehicle hit 50,000 miles.
Left and right lower control arm failure. Caused belt to break in tire. Towed to repair.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saturn Ion ball joint
Which Saturn Ion years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (13 complaints), 2006 (8 complaints) and 2003 (3 complaints).
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