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.
Saturn Ion steering lock-up problems
104 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 104
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 86,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 48Power steering loss 12Stalling 8No deployment 7Loss of power 6Won't start 4Wipers 2Warning lights 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering column became inoperable, and the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated restarted the vehicle and was able to safely drive to her destination. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice within six months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
We have been having trouble removing the key from the ignition the past few days. As I was making a left turn the steering wheel locked then made a loud popping sound. Now the steering wheel just spins in a complete circle and does not turn the wheels. I was in motion in a parking lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving at low speeds and parking the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The contact also mentioned that the key would not eject out of the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall and the recalled part would not be repaired again. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering seized and the power steering indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to call the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
In january 2016 while driving on highway to work I had bear to the right at an intersection from 1-90 to 1-76, wheels/steering locked or something and I ended up spinning off roadway. Hit division embankment crashing front end and my air bags never deployed. Traction in the car I later found out was not engaging when it should have been. Now car's traction does not work if it ever really did. I have been in touch with gm complaints department and now I have been assigned a case number but this is about recalls on y vehicle that I do not know they really are because saturn wants me to pay to get this information. I asked why but did not get an answer. Only was told that recalls are VIN specific and I needed to go to https://www.vincheckpro.com/VIN-register. Now my vehicle has a control board that is going haywire literally. Guages blinking on and off, speedometer acting like a windshield wiper, oil light, brake light, airbag symbol, battery symbol, radio blinking in and out randomly. Fuel and temp guages not moving at all. Key sticks and car won't turn completely off at times. Chimes wont stop and more.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn ion. While driving 65 MPH, the steering seized and the steering wheel could not be turned at all. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited for awhile. Afterward, the steering returned to normal. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted, but could not repair the vehicle because they did not have the equipment to repair electric vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. While driving 45 MPH, the steering seized. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. In october of 2016, while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was suddenly depressed. However, the contact crashed into the rear of a vehicle and, in turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted to diagnose and repair the air bag failure. The failure mileage was unknown. In december of 2017, while driving at unknown speeds, a pick-up truck crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the right knee, which required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent auto body mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 43,000. Additionally, while driving, the steering seized and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local gmc dealer in bakersfield, california where it was diagnosed that the locking system and ignition key needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn ion. While driving out of a parking space at a low speed, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn in any direction. After the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (maritime chevrolet, 985 post road, fairfield, ct 06824) and the technician stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 207,000.
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 steering lock-up
Which Saturn Ion years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (31 complaints), 2006 (29 complaints) and 2004 (17 complaints).
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