While driving the car has issues with power steering when turning the wheel either direction the steering will lose power steering and jerk the opposite direction turning. I have almost been in numerous accidents now the worst going 75 on highway passing semi around a corner and it jerked and almost sent me right not the semi. This has happened numerous times as I was passing vehicles. Its not a steady no power steering it will do it out of the blue and anymore it's more times than not and again only when turning the wheel. It's scary. Our vin # isn't specified with the recall but has serious power steering issue. No warning lamps or anything like that. We have not had this vehicle inspected yet by a dealership. As far as the incident date it's not one specific date. It does this every day the car is driven.
Saturn Ion loss of power problems
223 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 223
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $950
- typical mileage
- 76,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 156Stalling 20Check engine light 12Won't start 9Steering lock-up 6Jerking 3Fuel smell 3No deployment 3
Trouble codes mentioned
C0550 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that less than a minute after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the power steering failure message was displayed. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), the contact would wiggle the key around in the ignition before being able to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,350.
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The contact restarted the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.
We purchased this vehicle recently. 1 week later we discovered loss of power steering assist while attempting to parallel park. We spoke with the seller (repair shop) and they discovered the Recall Notice 14V153000: Loss of Power Steering Assist. When I attempted to schedule a recall service at a GM dealership it was shown that this vehicle already had this particular recall service performed on the vehicle. 1. Power steering Assist 2. Loss of control of steering. 3. No (issue is intermittent) 4. No (original recall was performed though; it is happening again) 5. No warnings.
Intermittent electric power steering loss during driving, causing major safety issue as well as damage to steering column. Vehicle lost power steering while I was driving and the steering shaft snapped causing complete loss of control.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss power steering without warning. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. Additionally, the windows rolled up and down independently. The contact also stated there was an abnormal fuel outside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted however, the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was referred to the local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,639.
I was driving on interstate 10 in san antonio texas in 5 p.m. Traffic when my car lost power steering control lights blink in the dash and I had to pull over to the side of the road I was on the left side shoulder for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck same problem happened in 2014 when the car was recalled for the power steering issue and fixed for free in 2014
Throttle body position sensor again and again causes major loss of power and sometimes results in stalling out in seconds
I was driving home on a city street when I noticed my key popped out of the ignition half way, I felt my vehicle losing power, I couldn't accelerate, there was a bus coming up behind, I tried to push the key back in but was unable to move it, I couldn't accelerate and was losing power, my only option was to pull over the side of the road, it was very difficult to steer, I put my hazard lights on because I didn't know if I was going to get hit from behind, I continued to pull off the road, I had to stop the vehicle and put in park, I was very confused as to how this happened, I had to compose myself, called my mom and told her what happened, she immediately looked online for any recall issues and came across the gm ignition switch recall for saturn ion 2003-2007. My mom called the gm customer service, p# 800‑222‑1020 and informed them about the issue related recall. They show the recall was addressed on this vehicle in 2014 and said nothing they can do. She also called the dealer boucher chevrolet of waukesha, p# 262‑347‑4107, where we purchased the vehicle and they would have to look at it and see if same issue otherwise we will get charged for fixing it. I took the vehicle to bergstrom chevrolet in madison, wi where they wanted to charge me $100.00 for fixing it even it recall related issue. I am afraid to drive my vehicle for fear of getting killed on the road when I have no control over my vehicle at high speeds. I have to commute to work on the freeway every week. If the recall has been done then why is this issue continuing to happen. Manufacturers should be made responsible to repair this issue regardless of how many times it continues. Consumers shouldn't have to pay with their life like other have done so unwillingly.
Driving home from work suddenly I had experienced sudden loss of power steering. Research online indicates this make model and year has a known issue with this problem. However using VIN search I find no recall information. What are my options if I believe it's a manufacturer issue?
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saturn Ion loss of power
Which Saturn Ion years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (78 complaints), 2007 (47 complaints) and 2004 (39 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Saturn Ion?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $950 (median of 22 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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