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.
Saturn Ion steering noise problems
12 of the 4,344 owner complaints about the Saturn Ion describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 82,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20075
- 20062
- 20041
- 20034
Often reported together
Power steering loss 2Loss of power 2Harsh shifting 2Ball joint 2Steering lock-up 1
What owners say
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!
2003 saturn ion. Consumer writes in regards to steering column and ignition switch issues. *smd the consumer stated in the fall of 2011, she experienced a clicking sound in steering column. The consumer stated she would have to wait a few minutes, before she was able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where replaced the shift control assembly. The consumer continued to experience problems, so the vehicle was returned to the dealer. They determined the ignition switch was faulty and replaced it, the consumer received a recall notice in march 2014. The consumer only received reimbursement for the ignition switch and not the shift control assembly. On july 23, 2015, the clicking noise started again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. It was determined, the ignition switch needed to be replaced again. The dealer stated they were not going to replace the ignition again, but were willing to replaced the shifter interlock, instead.
For years, and with increasing frequency, when I turn my car off, the key is stuck in the ignition for a while as if the car still thinks it's in drive. (you will see the same behavior if the shifter button is blocked from extending by a bottle in the cupholder after you put the car in park.) nevertheless, even when the shifter is in park properly, often there is a long pause and clicking in the steering column before the key will release. Sometimes you have to turn the key on & back off before the car registers this. Now at 71,000 miles it happens more often than not. I hope the ignition recall corrects this problem, but see from your existing complaints that it hasn't for some, so here's documentation of this happening in another car.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that after having the electronic steering column replaced, the steering system started clicking as the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH the power steering system malfunctioned. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The test results showed a defect in the steering column. The contact did not have the steering column replaced. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 129,744.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn ion. The contact stated that the steering wheel exhibited a clunking sound when completing a right or left turn. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.
Power steering failure - clicking from around the steering column followed by immediate loss of power steering assist and 3 beeps from the info center. Message "pwr str" displayed in info window.
Own a 2003 saturn ion. Approx 2 weeks ago the steering column insode the car started making a clicking noise when turning left or right. It sounds like something came loose and catching on something inside the column. It seems to be worse in colder weather but does not go away in warmer weather either. Since there is no more "saturn" who fixes recalls or factory issues?
The power steering in my 2006 saturn ion would fail intermittently beginning in august of 2009. There would be a clicking noise in my steering column, the power steering alert indicator would flash and then the power steering would fail. The problem persisted with the failures occurring more frequently and longer in length of failure time. They occurred at random speeds and during different times of a drive, (I.e. In the middle of a turn, on a straight path, when I start the car, longer into the drive, etc..) as of april of 2010, the power steering is more or less gone. I don't have power steering more than I do have power steering. I took it into the dealer to find out what the problem was and they said it was a faulty control module. It is an $800 repair. I am wondering why the exact same part was recalled in the chevy cobalt and not the saturn ion. This car, and others like it with this part in installed, are not safe to drive with the power steering constantly failing.
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 noise
Which Saturn Ion years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (5 complaints), 2003 (4 complaints) and 2006 (2 complaints).
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