This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it’ll stay off for an hour sometimes it’ll stay off for weeks and I can’t figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.
Saturn Ion power steering loss problems
615 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 615
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 156Stalling 23Steering lock-up 12Won't start 9Check engine light 9Adaptive cruise 5Engine failure 4No deployment 4
Trouble codes mentioned
C0550 2P0502 1
What owners say
Power steering went out. I was driving and I was on the freeway and the steering wouldn't move like it should. It became very hard to steer so I exited off the highway and pulled in to a store barely missing the sign. I call a friend and had the car towed home and looked at. I was told the eps went out. The next time I started the car it said power steering on the odometer. The dealership said the recall was closed out already. But I still have no ability to steer the car. It sits unrepaired and I undrivable.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for additional diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the loss motive power without warning. The contact stated that steering assist and gauges were in operable. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that several of the electrical functions returned however, the electrical functions failed intermittently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated intermittently when the power steering assist was inoperable. Ocean crest chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (855 alternate hwy 101, warrenton, or 97146, (866)607-2902) was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer suggested that the vehicle be taken in to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
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 the power steering assist failed to function as designed intermittently which caused difficulty while attempting to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to vera cadillac located at (300 s university dr, pembroke pines, fl 33025, (954) 417-8998) to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 244,000.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn Ion power steering loss
Which Saturn Ion years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (206 complaints), 2007 (148 complaints) and 2004 (116 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the Saturn Ion?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 68 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Saturn Ion?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history