2006 Saturn Vue: loss of power steering

Filed Apr 12, 2022 · Steering · IA · crash

My power steering went out

Filed May 23, 2020 · Driver assistance, Lights · 281,599 miles · NC

The dashboard lights flicker off and on and it's hard to steer I lose power steering.

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 230,000 miles · OH

Purchased 2006 saturn vue redline v6 3.5 awd SUV used on february 5, 2019. Surprised days later & since to safety concern involving body control module. Without warning, leads to loss of power steering, instrument panel gauges & lights, interior & exterior lighting, dome, head and brake lights. Seems to effect all electronic systems under control of this module, uncertain of all involved. Assume this would include airbags and other safety features. Sudden and unexpected loss of power steering leads to potential loss of vehicle control at high speeds. Internet searches reveal countless encounters by owners to this same issue. During cold weather especially, initial start up of vehicle in morning or after extended (few hours) parked, leads to loss of all electrical power, 3 minutes after start up, electrical system seems possessed. All lights, interior/exterior flash for several minutes. After, check engine light on, believe code is p0685. Seems to indicate PCM. Also causes loss of power after driving for period of time. I have personally lost power steering and electrical power at 65 MPH at highway speeds. No speedometer, no anything. Nearly lost control of vehicle, narrowly avoiding head on collision with cement median divider. Cannot believe there is no recall! Cannot believe there has been no fix for owners without cost. What will this take? Death of an owner?

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 108,000 miles · TN

On the first start of the day, at or below 24 degrees f, the interior items flash on and off until the electrical system warmed up. I also learned that if the ignition was on for about 3 minutes it was the same as if it was running. I live in nashville and for the last 3 years it only occurred when the outside temp was 24 degrees or below. The flashing on and off of the lights and equipment is the body control module protecting them when the charge rate is too high. It was considered an intermittent problem and who can troubleshoot at or below 24 degrees? A month ago (july) it started all the time, no flashing, no steering, no dash instruments, etc. Longer story short with the plug removed from the alternator (it controls the field voltage through the ECM/PCM) the alternator was still putting out 18.5 volts. This definitely should not occur but something was bad wrong inside the alternator. It was boiling the acid out of the battery too. Once the alternator was removed (bench checked failed) and replaced it all went away. It will be interesting to see what happens when the weather gets below 24 degrees again. This alternator is manufactured by gm, is discontinued and no longer available from gm. Only remanufactured units from china are available at the aftermarket parts stores. There is no troubleshooting procedure in the maintenance manual for this problem. The alternator plug can be disconnected without any disassembly. This was the second failure of the alternator on this vue the first occurred at 87,000 miles. It seems there is a design flaw in the components of this alternator.

Filed Jan 9, 2017 · Electrical · FL

Upon initial startup, electrical systems do not work in the dash and light and power steering. After it warms up, it will begin to work. Sparks and burning smells have come from the dash area. This problem is particularly bad in cold weather. If you attempt to drive it before the electrical systems warm up and start to work the sparks are really bad and you have no power steering. This problem appears to be very common as I have seen several posts about this issue and other complaint boards. This problem has been occurring for at least a year and a half but it's particularly noticeable in the winter..183k miles.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Electrical · VA · fire

I was driving down the highway at about 60mph when my instrument cluster and radio/dash lights went out. I felt the car stall and lose power steering. I was able to exit the highway and stop on an off ramp. I then smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood but could not find exactly where the smoke was coming from. I had the vehicle towed and then discovered in the morning that the electrical wires under the fuse box caught fire. The fuse box was damaged pretty severely and the car is inoperable.

Filed Jul 11, 2014 · Steering · 112,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a sudden loss of power steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 15, 2014 · Steering · 113,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn vue. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the power steering failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000. The current mileage 113,005.