2003 SATURN ION Steering Problems

After I did the recall several years ago, the problem came back. The key will not come out of the ignition. It's happened many times.

I have the power steering column issue that still needs to be fixed as advised by GMC of Port Richey, FL where I was promised my replacement vehicle even 10 or 20 yrs later if I bought another one. If on my walking tape recorders and contact lens, I pull off my brake peddle flat lining at least twice without crashing however he would grant me whatever 2 vehicles on the lots I chose as long as I had insurance. However, I do not have the money for the tow and corporates to include the police will not listen too. Please, contact me immediately for a more rapid communication please at [XXX] or [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

Mileage: 173,000

Rack and pinion is going bad, my mechanic said it's a common issue in these vehicles. When going around a corner it will want to float the opposite way, the steering will eventually get tight my mechanic said until I loose all steering. I am a single mother and have already replaced the whole front end on this vehicle pretty much. I know I've read so many others experiencing the same issues with their Saturn Ion, so I wanted to make it aware that this should be a recall and fixed before someone who knows nothing about vehicles ends up in a severe accident due to this big issue. Also the Key don't want to come out most of the time. An there is an issue with the car not wanting to come out of park sometimes. Not to mention it eats ball joints like crazy every other month I'm replacing the ball joints in this car. If I could afford another vehicle trust me I would but I can't even save for a new car due to all the repairs I've made. It's just frustrating that so many people are having this issue and no mechanic wants to do the rack and pinion job with out charging a fortune.

MY POWER STEERING KEPT CUTTING OUT. (BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW) WHILE I WAS DRIVING TODAY THE WORST SITUATION HAPPENED. I WENT TO TURN AT AN INTERSECTION AND MID TURN THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED AND MY STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED AND STRAIGHTENED BACK OUT A LITTLE BIT. I WAS TRYING TO GET INTO THE TURN LANE BUT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT I SPED UP TO MERGE WITH THE FARTHEST LANE AND UNFORTUNATELY I POPPED A TIRE AND BENT THE RIM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. TO BE HONEST IM SCARED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR AFTER TODAY.

Mileage: 223,388

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.

Mileage: 148,000

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.

Mileage: 138,000

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PADDOCK CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3232 DELAWARE AVE, KENMORE, NY 14217, (716) 941-4093) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY WHILE IN MOTION. SOMETIMES IT LASTS 5 MINUTES SOMETIMES UP TO 25-30 MINUTES. GOES OUT EVERYDAY ON MY WAY TO WORK (26 MILE COMMUTE). EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR TURN FROM A LIGHT AND I DON'T REALIZE THAT THE ASSIST IS OUT. OBVIOUSLY ON HIGHWAY NOT AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE BUT WHEN DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS IT IS DIFFICULT.

Mileage: 200,000

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.

Mileage: 152,000

2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING RECALL NOTICES ISSUES. *SMD *CN

POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT WHEN DRIVING

CAR JUST RECENTLY POPPED UP POWER STEERING ONLY HAPPENS WHEN ITS SITS OVER NIGHT AND WHEN I START IT UP IN THE MORNING IT'S VERY STIFF TO TURN BUT IF I DRIVE IT LIKE THAT FOR A LITTLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THE STEERING IS FINE. THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON AND WHEN DOING SO CAUSES HEAT OR A/C TO CUT OUT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ALITTLE BIT. THE KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I GO TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND I HAVE TO PRESS THE PLUNGER FOR IT TO RELEASE. KEEPS SAYING COOLANT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD EVEN THOUGH THE COOLANT IS WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. *TR

SEVERAL TIMES THESE LAST FEW MONTHS MY VEHICLE PWR STR LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT IN THE HOUSE AND GOT MY HUSBAND. WHEN HE TURNED IT ON AND PUT IT IN REVERSE NOTHING HAPPENED, IT WAS OK. THE NEXT TIME I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT, IT LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO TURN. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THEN IT WORKED AGAIN. THEN AGAIN IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR NOT LONG AGO ON A CITY STREET AND HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, THEN IT WAS OK. TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD (A CITY STREET) AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I FOUGHT WITH THE WHEEL TO GET OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL HARD TO TURN AND THE PWR STR LIGHT REMAINED ON. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL.THE WHEEL STAYED HARD TO TURN. I FOUGHT WITH THE WHEEL, TURNING CORNERS, PRAYING NO ONE WOULD BE IN MY WAY AS I HAD TO MAKE WIDE TURNS BECAUSE OF THE HARD STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I GOT TO MY DRIVEWAY I HAD TO TURN AND BACKUP SEVERAL TIMES TO GET INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND THE LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THIS CONDITION.

Mileage: 227,478

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAVE GONE TO TURN OFF MY CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PLACE MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE AND RUN THROUGH THE GEARS WITH MY GEAR STICK. THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS CURRENTLY IN MY CAR IS ONE THAT WAS USED TO REPLACE THE FACTORY ONE WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL WAS ISSUED. ALSO, RECENTLY MY CAR HAS BEEN SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES ON MY SON WHILE HE WAS DRIVING RESULTING IN HIM HAVING TO FIGHT THE CAR TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE AND I HEAR THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BOTH. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I DO NOT HAVE EXACT DATES.

Mileage: 69,000

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CAR TWICE SO FAR, BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME IT WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENED ONE WEEK APART AND BOTH TIMES THE POWER STEERING CAM BACK AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND THE SECOND IN THE CITY.

Mileage: 143,000

DRIVING ON STAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH MADE MY DRIVER SIDE CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR HIT THE WALL SO HARD THAT IT CRACKED MY RADIATOR, MY CAR THEN SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON

Mileage: 170,000

IN JUNE OF 2016 AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 70 MPH MY 2003 SATURN ION LOST POWER STEERING ON THE E-WAY. I HAD TO PULL OFF E-WAY. PARK AND RESTART. AFTER RESTART POWER STEERING WAS BACK BUT ONLY FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. HAS BEEN AN OFF AND ON REOCCURING PROBLEM SINCE.

Mileage: 134,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 141,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,939.

Mileage: 107,939

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WANT TO SEE IF IT IS COVERED BY A RECALL BEFORE I PAY OUT-OF-POCKET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ

Mileage: 49,500

I HAD TO REPLACE STEERING SHAFT TWICE SO FAR IN 9 YEARS. I THINK GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS FREE OF CHARGE. YOU MAKE A TURN & THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO COME BACK TO GO STRAIGHT UNTIL I TURN THE WHEEL MY SELF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION.

Mileage: 175,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE ELECTRICAL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,655.

Mileage: 182,655

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AFTER TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ, UPDATED 03/22/18*JB

Mileage: 130,000

ON 2/12/2015, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM: "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR SATURN ION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. ... IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS ON YOUR 2003 SATURN ION, THE CONDITION WILL BE REPAIRED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE." HOWEVER FOR SATURN IONS MODEL YEARS 2004-2007, GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS POWER STEERING DEFECT. WHY IS THIS DEFECT WORTHY OF A RECALL FOR ALL MODEL YEARS EXCEPT 2003? THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING IS NO LESS ALARMING AND NO LESS HAZARDOUS FOR SATURN ION 2003 CARS. SIMILARLY IN MAY 2015, FORD ANNOUNCED A RECALI OF NEARLY 423,000 CARS AND SUVS IN NORTH AMERICA FOR THE SAME DEFECT: THE POWER-ASSISTED STEERING CAN FAIL WHILE THEY'RE BEING DRIVEN. THE NHTSA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE SAFETY HAZARD THAT A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING COULD PRESENT. I AM DISABLED. IF I WAS TO EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I AM SURE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL ABILITY TO STEER MY CAR. I URGE YOU TO CALL FOR A RECALL OF THE 2003 SATURN IONS FOR THE SAME POWER STEERING DEFECT THAT HAS PRECIPITATED GM TO RECALL SATURN ION 2004-2007 MODELS AND FORD CARS AND SUVS.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING, VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. CAN TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART. POWER STEERING IS THEN OPERATIONAL FOR A FEW MILES, HOWEVER POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AGAIN.

Mileage: 145,000

I HAD THE CAR IN ON 2/18/15 FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL BUT A WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN ON 3/2/15 THINKING THAT MAYBE THE PART THEY REPLACED WAS DEFECTED. TOLD IT WAS FINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING WAS DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,870.

Mileage: 178,870

POWER STEERING FAILURE. MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING INTO PIZZA PUTT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED.THIS IS A 2004 SATURN ION, SAME PARTS AS THE 2004 THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. GM SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 102,100

COMING TO A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALARMS AND LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE CAR LOST POWERING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR FINALLY WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED IT WOULD ONLY STAY IN FIRST GEAR. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. *TR

Mileage: 136,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,603.

Mileage: 162,603

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SLIGHT SHUDDER AT A STOPLIGHT.. LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER STEERING. MADE IT TO SHOP. CODE P0420 CATCON WAS ALL THAT CAME UP, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR(NEW) TESTED FINE AND VEHICLE STARTED LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD EXHAUST TESTED AND 4 HOURS OF GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS= "THE CAR SEEMS FINE, YES THAT IS WEIRD, JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT" IT TWICE MORE, AND CONSISTENTLY FELT "ROUGH" BEFORE FEBRUARY 2014, (TWO YEARS) GOT NEW SUSPENSION, SPARK PLUGS, FUEL AND COOLANT SYSTEMS CLEANED, ETC... MY CAR FELT ALMOST NEW, A LITTLE ROUGH SO I BABIED IT. AFTER ALL, IT IS OBSESSIVELY WELL MAINTAINED...IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BY DEALER, ONE MONTH AGO, THE "REALLY ROUGH" FEELING RETURNED. SHIFTING HARD, VIBRATING, IT ALMOST STALLED AT INTERSECTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CHECKED TRANSMISSION (ALONG WITH TWO OTHER SHOPS THAT LOVE MONEY)... ALL SAY TRANSMISSION IS FINE, BUT TO ME IT FELT LIKE IT WAS FALLING APART. WHEN I HAD A DAY OFF TWO DAYS AGO, I BROUGHT IT TO THREE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, TWO EXHAUST SHOPS, AND TWO TIRE SHOPS (WHO ALSO INSPECTED MY SUSPENSION, WHEEL BALANCE AND BRAKES) ALL SAID IT WAS FINE AND THAT IS "NORMAL" TO FEEL THAT WAY AS I APPROACHED 183000 MILES. THE NEXT DAY ( LAST NIGHT) WHEN AFTER TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING, IN THE SPACE OF THIRTY SECONDS, I LOST ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING, RADIO WAS FLASHING LIGHTS, BATTERY LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT.. MY CAR COULDN'T MAKE IT OVER THE LITTLE HUMP ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND I (5'3 120 LBS) WAS FORCED TO PUSH MY RUNNING CAR ACROSS THE HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH TOWN. I MADE IT TO THE FRONTAGE ROAD, BARELY ABLE TO TURN WHICH PUT ME HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ME. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. BATTERY TESTED FINE. TOWED HOME. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

HI: MY SATURN LOSES ITS POWER STEERING ON START UP, BUT WAS TOLD IT CAN DO IT WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE RECALL STARTS WITH THE 2004, MY SATURN WAS BUILT APPROX 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL. I CANT SELL THE CAR BECAUSE OF I WONT GIVE THAT SAFETY PROBLEM.THE CAR IS KEPT LIKE NEW AND HAS THE SERVICE DONE ON IT. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL DONE BUT IT MADE MY REMOTE START NOT WORK. HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF,GM OR THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PAY. IT IS STILL MESSING UP.THE COST OF THE FIX FOR THE POWER STEERING, DEALERSHIP, ABOUT $400.00. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I LOST POWER STEERING. THE BELL STARTED SOUNDING AND THE DASH SAID PWR STEERING. I HAVE TO MAN HANDLE MY CAR TO GET PULLED OVER, KILL THE MOTOR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND START IT BACK UP. SOMETIMES IT DOES IT AGAIN RIGHT AWAY, OTHER TIMES IT WILL GO FOR A WHILE BEFORE RECURRING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING, I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM WHO ADVISED ME THERE IS NO SAFETY RECALL ON THE 2003 ION BUT THERE ARE POWER STEERING SAFETY RECALLS ON 2004-2010. *TR

Mileage: 73,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

I WAS EXITING OFF THE FREEWAY AND WHILE MERGING OFF MY POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH A RED SUV, LUCKILY THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH YET I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AS 2003 SATURN IONS ARE NOT ADDED TO THE POWER STEERING RECALL AS 2004 SATURN IONS ARE. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

Mileage: 174,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 08/28/2017*CT

Mileage: 150,000

ON MAY 21ST 2014 FIDELITY FLEET AND FINANCE IN PORTLAND OR KNOWING SOLD ME A 2003 SATURN ION WHICH IS INVOLVED IN THE GM IGNITION RECALL. WHEN ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL THE RESPONSE WAS CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS THE CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS SAFE AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP USES DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND SELLS UNSAFE VEHICLES INCLUDING THOSE LINKED TO DEATHS AND THOUSANDS OF INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO FAILED TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE IN OVER 70 DAYS SINCE THE PURCHASE. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND, WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *TR

Mileage: 118,000

I ALREADY HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT. I INADVERTENTLY GAVE THE WRONG VIN NUMBER. INSTEAD OF [XXX], IT SHOULD BE : [XXX]. MY ODI # IS 10616998. HOPE THIS DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SAFETY PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 4/15/2015 *JS

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 95,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WARNING BELL WENT OFF AND DISPLAY SHOWED PWR STRG. IT BECAME LIKE DRIVING A NON-POWER AGE VEHICLE. I HEAR THAT THIS IS THE SAME PART AS THE ONE BEING REPLACED IN RECALLED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 176,326

ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE GOING THREW A DRIVE THREW TELLER IN DANSVILLE, NY, AS A TURNED TO GO AROUND THE BUILDING THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. THERE WAS NO STEERING FUNCTION AT ALL!! IT HAD BEEN CLICKING IN THE DAYS BEFORE LIKE SOMETHING INTERNALLY WAS BINDING. THE PART WAS AVAILABLE THREW A-1 CARDONE AND ONLY TOOK ABOUT 1/2 TO CHANGE. *JUST HAPPY WE WEREN'T TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD @ 55 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED! *TR

Mileage: 180,000

POWER STEERING WENT OUT THIS MORNING AFTER CAR WAS RUNNING FOR 30 MINS. IN CITY DRIVING. LAST SUMMER THE POWER STEERING STARTED GOING OUT WHEN MAKING TURNS, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. THIS BEGAN IN THE SUMMER, AFTER THE TEMP. OUTSIDE STARTED REACHING 100+. HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THE STEERING WORKING AGAIN. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP BECAME COOLER IN THE FALL I DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL TODAY, NOW THAT IT IS GETTING HOTTER OUTSIDE. I CONTACTED GMC IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, 2014; THEY MAINTAIN IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW MY CAR HAS HAD POWER STEERING PARTS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY UNDER RECALLS AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR REPLACEMENT PARTS WENT BAD, AGAIN THEY DECLINED. THE STEERING SEEMS TO GO MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO EVEN SAFELY GET TO WHERE I CAN STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN. I OFTEN HAVE YOUNG GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME SO IT NOT JUST MY SAFETY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ME, MY PASSENGERS AND THOSE DRIVING AROUND ME. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 51,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? *TR

Mileage: 50,700

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 335,000.

Mileage: 300,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Mileage: 120,000

POWER STEERING LOST POWER WHILE DAUGHTER WAS PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING (REPEATED TURN OF STEERING WHEEL). POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON AFTER IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. HOWEVER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER A WHILE UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES (PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING). THE PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR DURING REGULAR DRIVING, BUT AGAIN IN FEBRUARY AND THEN IN MARCH WHILE PRACTICING PARALLEL PARKING. A PRESS RELEASE FROM GENERAL MOTORS SAYS ALL SATURN IONS FROM 2004 ONWARDS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND SOME 96 THOUSAND 2003 MODEL YEAR IONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I AM TOLD MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED, EVEN THOUGH IT EXHIBITS THE SAME POWER LOSS TO THE STEERING AND HAS THE SAME POWER ASSIST MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

STARTING 7 YEARS AGO, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT, USUALLY WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. IT IS NOT REPRODUCIBLE ON DEMAND, SO TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC YIELDED NOTHING. I NOW SEE THERE IS TALK OF A POWER STEERING RECALL SEPARATE FROM THE IGNITION RECALL -- BUT ONLY STARTING WITH 2004 ION! WHY NOT ALSO THE 2003? THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THIS YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT MANEUVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. MY POWER STEERING POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND BEEPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART MY CAR. ALSO MY POWER WINDOWS WILL WORK AFTER THE CAR IS OFF AND DOORS ARE OPENED. THESE ITEMS ARE ON THE RECALL LIST, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MY YEAR IT WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE. REALLY?? THANKS FOR ANY HELP. *TR

PERIODICALLY THE SATURN WILL LUNGE FWD WILL STOPPED OR EVEN DRIVING THE RPMS SPIKE WHILE DRIVING. BREAKS WILL NOT STOP THIS ISSUE. I'VE PUT MY CAR IN THE DITCH TO MISS MAJOR WRECKS ..THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YRS. ALSO THE LOSING POWER WHEN TURNING HAS HAPPENED BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. BOUGHT A NEW CAR JUST FOR MY KIDS TO BE IN THEY AREN'T ALLOWED IN THE DEATH TRAP SATURN. WISH SOMEONE WOULD INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE AS THE YRS GO BY. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW..WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO SHOW ANYONE THESE PROBLEMS IF THEY WOULD SIT IN THIS DEATH WARRANT. *JS

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WENT DOWN. *TR

Mileage: 189,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO TURN OFF AFTER BEING PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Mileage: 125,000

POWER STEERING ASSIST TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CHIME WENT OFF AND THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL OCCURRENCE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE A GM DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE PART DUE TO THE SIMILAR ISSUE ON SIMILAR MODELS. RECENTLY THE 2004 SATURN IONS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHY THE 2003 SATURN IONS WERE NOT INCLUDED. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT IS THE SAME PART AND THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AFTER THE RECALL CAME OUT AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2003 ION, THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AT NO CHARGE. BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME PART AND THE SAME ISSUE, THE 2003 SATURN IONS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. *TR

Mileage: 133,000

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT GEARS STRANGELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WARNING ABOUT THE POWER STEERING. IT DID FEEL A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME UP INSTEAD OF POWER STEERING. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE WHO SAID IT WAS A COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE. ONCE CHECKED, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND CAR DROVE NORMALLY. HAPPENED AGAIN IN MARCH, LOST POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE IT CAME BACK. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, STAYED ON FOR A DAY, AND THEN TURNED OFF. SEARCHED ONLINE FOR OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND FOUND OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SAME THING, ONLY IT APPLIED TO 2004 AND LATER. MY 2003 IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THEIR'S. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE WHEEL WOULD FEEL BUMPY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHEN TURNING, THE STEERING ASSIST WOULD MALFUNCTION, BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN THE CONTACT CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 7/16/14*CN UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

Mileage: 85,000

WHY IS GM NOT REQUIRED TO INCLUDE THE 2003 SATURN ION'S IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM? I WAS ADVISE BY THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT ONLY THE MODELS 2004 AND ABOVE ARE BEING RECALLED YET, I HAD A DEALERSHIP CONFIRM THAT MY CAR HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE 2004 MODELS. I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPHS. THIS HAPPENED TO MY 3 TIMES ALONE JUST YESTERDAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE YET GM REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 395 SOUTH NEAR EDSAL ROAD EXIT AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. THERE WAS NO INJURY TO MYSELF OR THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 135,789

POWER STEERING CUT OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY...( THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE) SAW THERE IS RECALL ON 2004 AND UP SATURN ION BUT NOT ON 2003? DON'T THEY USE THE SAME PARTS? GM WILL OFFER LIFETIME REPLACEMENT FOR PART...SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT I HAVE TO HAVE A CRASH BEFORE GM WILL FIX? *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,333 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN

Mileage: 88,333

AT ALL SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. STARTED WHEN MAKING A TURN. STEERING DID NOT RETURN AFTER TURNING HAD TO MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TURN BACK TO STRAIGHT POSITION. RACK AND PINION COULD BE THE ISSUE. ALSO MAKES A GROWLING/RUBBING SOUND. *TR

Mileage: 193,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT SHE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA

Mileage: 114,000

THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION / COMMENT THAN AN INCIDENT. IT APPEARS THAT GM IS RECALLING SATURN IONS, MODEL YEARS 2004-2007 FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE 2003 ION MODELS DO NOT SEEM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL FROM REPLACEMENT PART SITES, THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IDENTICAL PART, #19207619 ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING DISPLAY A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE ON DASHBOARD AND ENTER MANUAL STEERING MODE. I WOULD PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TURN VEHICLE OFF AND ON TO RESET COMPUTER AND STEERING TO BRING IT BACK TO A NORMAL CONDITION. AS TIME PROGRESSED THE FAULT WOULD APPEAR MORE FREQUENTLY BEFORE GETTING IT REPAIRED AT LOCAL SATURN AUTHORIZED REPAIR GM FACILITY. PAID CLOSE TO $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR AND PARTS. NOW THAT VEHICLE HAS LIFETIME WARRANTY ALL PERVIOUS REPAIRS SHOULD BE REFUNDED TO CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

WHILE DRIVING, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ALL DASH LIGHTS OUT. GAUGES ZERO. STEERING DIFFICULT. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL EITHER LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE. IT STATED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY, NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY FOB. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PART IS NO LONGER MADE FOR MY VEHICLE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RISK OF IGNITION FAILURE AS LONG AS THE DRIVER USES THE KEY ONLY. I HAVE FAITHFULLY FOLLOWED THAT SINCE RECEIVING MY LETTER. I AM TELLING YOU THAT INFORMATION IS FALSE. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME TONIGHT, I NOTICED THE ENGINE SOUNDED DIFFERENT. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AND MY BRAKES ONLY RESPONDED TO VERY HEAVY PRESSURE. BASICALLY I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM HOME. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND THEN BACK ON. IT WAS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM PANICKED NOW. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED AFTER I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AFTER RUSH HOUR. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN INTO THAT PARKING LOT WITHOUT INCIDENT IF THERE WAS HEAVIER TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED GM WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND TOLD THEM THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY. CUSTOMER SERVICE DIDN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGER. WE'LL SEE IF THEY FOLLOW UP. I HOPE YOU FOLLOW UP AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 139,293

IN EARLY JANUARY MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2003 SATURN IRON. "I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST" MY MOTHER SAID. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POOL THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN OVER A SMALL HILL AND FLIPPED, COMING TO A REST ON A CONCRETE DIVIDER. WHEN RESPONDERS ARRIVED HER IGNITION WAS OFF AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FOR ALMOST AN HOUR UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT HER OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER CAR IS PART OF THE RECENT IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. PLEASE TAKE THE RECALL SERIOUS, IT COULD SAVE YOUR L LIFE, AND OTHERS! *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND LEFT LEG, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Mileage: 136,000

POWER STEERING CUTS OUT SUDDENLY. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

WE PURCHASED THIS 2003 SATURN ION USED AND HAD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAIL WHEN DRIVING. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FIXING CARS WITH THIS ISSUE (2004-2007). THIS CAR HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS IN THE LATER MODELS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THE "SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT" ISSUED BY GM. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HOPE THEY CONSIDER THE 2003 FOR COVERAGE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 127,820

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,597. *TR

Mileage: 126,597

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS SHUT DOWN THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

STEERING LOCKS OR BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WHEN CAR IS IN REVERSE FOR PARKING AND THEREAFTER IN DRIVE FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY MORE AND MORE WORSE. HAVE HAD THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR REPLACED, THE ELECTRIC MOTOR REPLACED AND PROBLEM BECOMES MORE NOTICEABLE. BEGINNING TO EFFECT DRIVING AND THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE CAR WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 106,000

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER IN OCTOBER 2012 THE MOTORS WERE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE SATURN WENT DEFUNCT BACK IN APPROXIMATELY 2006 AND AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME MOTORS THAT A RECALL WAS PROPOSED ON THE CHEVY CRUZ AND GM SAYS THEY ARE NOT COVERED OR NO COVERED UNDER THE SATURN PROGRAM. NOW OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH GM KNOWS HAS PROBLEMS HAS SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ALLOWING THE DISENGAGING OF THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF AND PARK. AGAIN GM SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THEY HAVE RECALLS ON OTHER GM VEHICLES. I HAVE SPENT UPWARDS OF $700 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AND BATTERIES AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I'VE READ OF THE MANY NIGHTMARE ON THE INTERNET AND WONDER IF YOUR BUREAU CAN DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATIONS. THANKS.

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,987.

Mileage: 102,987

ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT AT TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN "POWER STEERING" CAME UP ON DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. STOPPED VEHICLE AND CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MEANING OF MESSAGE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, STEERING RESUMED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 MORE TIMES OVER NEXT WEEK OR SO UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS ELECTRICAL STEERING MOTOR CIRCUIT FAILURE. MOTOR REPLACED AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $300 SATURN HELP LINE ADVISED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 47,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HER RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,922.

Mileage: 69,922

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CREAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,567.

Mileage: 72,567

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND THE FRONT WINDOWS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD DECIDE IF THEY SHOULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

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?

Mileage: 108,352

- THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE BACKING THE CAR UP - THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR SHOWED A "PWR STR" MESSAGE - AFTER SEVERAL RE-STARTS THE POWER STEERING CONTINUED TO BE INOPERABLE (PWR STR MESSAGE) - THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WITH NO POWER ASSISTED STEERING - AFTER ANOTHER START UP 45 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Mileage: 200,846

THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STICK, WHILE TURNING INTO CURVY ROADS AND ON OFF RAMP REQUIRING HIGH INPUT TO CORRECT AND RESULTING IN OVER CORRECTING AND SWINGING OUT OF MY LANE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOW (<5 MPH), BUT I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES DRIVING BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH IN THE CASE OF THE OFF RAMP AND DRIVING ON ROCHESTER ROAD BETWEEN TINKEN AND 32 MILE. YOU WILL GO INTO A CURVE AND THE STEERING WILL LOCK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING AND YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO GET ANY REACTION. LAST NIGHT WAS THE CLINCHER AND I DECIDED ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THE STEERING LOCKED HARD AND WHILE TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN ONCE I GOT THE CAR STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COCKED 90 DEGREES OFF NORMAL. THIS IS DEFINATLY A PROBLEM, AS NOW THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN, UNTIL I CAN SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED AND IF IT IS WORTH THE COST TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 127,889

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SEIZE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,693.

Mileage: 63,693

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,961 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 47,961

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 61,600

SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES TOUGH TO TURN. DURING THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO COMPLETELY CUT OUT. IT HAS ALSO CUT OUT AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR RESTART FOR IT TO COME BACK ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2004-2007 IONS, BUT NOT FOR 2003. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AS IT IS THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL. *TT

Mileage: 47,000

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION-2 GOES OUT JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY, AT RANDOM, WHILE I AM DRIVING MY CAR. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS AS THE ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER ONE YEAR AND I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR THE FAULTY POWER STEERING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES/FORUMS AND HAVE OBSERVED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO HOW UNSAFE IT IS TO DRIVE AROUND AND LOSE CONTROL OVER YOUR STEERING AT RANDOM. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

STEERING LOCKS UP IN LOW SPEED TURNS. *KB

Mileage: 93,095

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TURNS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,800.

Mileage: 98,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BUT THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT TWO POWER FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IT CAUSED AN OVERALL COMPUTER FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2003 SATURN ION DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN I START THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STOP WORKING. POWER STEERING LIGHT MESSAGE DISPLAYS ON THE MESSAGE SCREEN, BUT ERROR CODE CAN BE FOUND. THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER GM MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2003 ION. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR FOR THE RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A PINGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT HER EXPENSE FOR $90. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST MAY OR MAY NOT CONFIRM OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 08/04/11

I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LAMP CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE DAYS FOLLOWING THIS, I ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL POWER STEERING FAILURES UNTIL I HAD THE POWER STEERING BOX REPLACED ON MAY 10, 2011. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER 2003 SATURN ION'S OWNERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. I CONTACTED A GM REPRESENTATIVE AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING FOR MY YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. I HAD ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I HAD DECLINED REPAIRS ON MY POWER STEERING. WINEGARDEN PONTIAC INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT FURTHER CHECK THE CAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILURE PRESENTED A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAD THE POWER STEERING BOX REPLACED AT A COST OF $537.94 MINUS THE $127.00 DIAGNOSIS FEE! I STRONGLY FEEL THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, AND ALL WHO HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED OUT OF POCKET, SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AT GM'S EXPENSE. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACCIDENT IN HOUSTON TEXAS! I WOULD NOT LIKE TO HAVE HUMAN LIFE LOST BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION! UPDATED 06/08/11 *BF

Mileage: 76,889

I WILL BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (60 MPH OR MORE) AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WILL COME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. IF YOU SWITCH OFF THE CAR IT WILL COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE 2 YEARS AGO BUT THIS WEEK (MARCH 14-MARCH 17 - SO FAR) IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, EVERY DAY. LUCKILY SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR. I HOPE THAT I WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED SATURN (SERVICE REQ # [XXX]) BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD FRACTURED DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,950.

Mileage: 83,950

I NEED HELP, I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION, THE FRONT END IS BROKE. IT SWERVES ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY RECALLED MANY AND KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MINE THEY WILL NOT FIX AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S VERY UNSAFE AND THEY RECALLED SEVERAL MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX MINE. THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AND I GET NO RESPONSE FROM ANY AGENCY. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A FEW YEARS AGO AND THEY KNOW ITS A FACTORY PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T FIX MY CAR. PLEASE HELP, I'M JUST A HARD WORKING GUY TRYING TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY. MY WIFE IS DISABLED AND I STRUGGLE TO GET BY AND I CAN'T GET ANY HELP FROM THE CAR COMPANY. UPDATED 01/28/11

Mileage: 65,000

POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. NOTIFICATION SOUND BEEPS AND POWER STEERING TURNED OFF IS NOTED ON DASH BOARD. ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED, POWER STEERING STARTS WORKING AGAIN. *TR

POWER STEERING IN 2003 SATURN ION JUST WENT! NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

2003 SATURN ION. OVER THE PAST 3 WEEKS, POWER STEERING FAILS AT LEAST ONCE DURING EACH TRIP. ONE SUCH OCCASION, IT OCCURRED WITHIN 100 YARDS OF A WIDE BEND ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH/INJURY. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,242 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,276.

Mileage: 117,242

2003 SATURN ION POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. ONE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING RESET. THE INCIDENT CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2003 SATURN ION. CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IT ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL WITH THE COBALT. IT IS UNDER RECALL FOR SAME THING BUT LATER MODELS. ALL YEAR MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *TR

Mileage: 24,350

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,907.

Mileage: 67,907

I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN ION WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE "POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE, TURNED OFF THE CAR, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 20 SECONDS. I HAD TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW AND BARELY MADE IT HOME. MY CAR IS ONLY AT 62,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. GM DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN CASE OF A RECALL. I HAVE READ THIS WILL COST ME $1000 TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 62,001

POWER STEERING FAILURE. SPORADIC LURCHING LEFT OR RIGHT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. UNSAFE CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO RESET AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES THAT WOULD COVER THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR A FEE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

2003 SATURN ION. SEPTEMBER 09. DROVE CAR. PARKED. COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WAITED 10 MINUTES. KEY CAME OUT. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT SATURN DEALER. NEXT WEEK THE SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN.(AT MY EXPENSE). KEY CONTINUES TO INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN THE IGNITION. I CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR UNTIL I GET THE KEY OUT. LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK_P5.HTML NO WONDER GM CLOSED OUT THE SATURN LINE. JUST AS BAD AS TOYOTA. THE MECHANICS AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY OFFERED NO PERMANENT FIX. THIS IS WHY I DON'T TRUST AMERICAN MADE CARS. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE DURING AND SOMETIMES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET ITSELF TO NORMAL. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,225. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ

Mileage: 42,000

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2003 SATURN ION FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. I STARTED HERE A POPPING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL A FEW WEEKS BACK AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD IT IS MOST LIKELY THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HUGE RECALL BY GENERAL MOTORS FOR THIS PART, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE COMPUTER FOR MY POWER STEERING FOR MY 2003 SATURN ION. I HAVE CALLED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY THEM THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR.I WAS TO IT WILL COST AROUND $700.00 TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY POWER STEERING WILL GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL BE ON ALL THE TIME IF IM TURNING ALOT BUT IF IM DRIVING STRAIGHT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL TURN OFF MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AROUND CORNERS IN SPEEDS EXCESS OF 65MPH. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND INCIDENTS WITH THIS MALFUNCTION BUT THE MAIN OF THAT I CAN THINK OF IS WHEN IM TAKING A CURVE ON A HIGHWAY DOING 65MPH AND THE POWER STEERING IS OFF, AND THEN WILL TURN ON HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN SENDING ME INTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE IM PUTTING FOR INTO THE TURN WHEN I SHOULD NEED TO. WHEN IT TURNS BACK ON IT WILL MAKE A CRACKING SOUND WHILE I TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN TURN ON. RIGHT AWAY THIS HAD CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND ALMOST GOT ME IN A COUPLE ACCIDENTS. IAM USE TO IT NOW AND EXPECT IT WHEN IM TAKING CURVES. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON MY CAR WHICH ISNT A SMALL AMOUNT AND ISNT A LARGE AMOUNT. I NOW HAVE ABOUT 119,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND IS GETTING MORE DANGEROUS. IT STARTED WITH A SIMPLE CRACKING NOISE EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS TEMPORARY PROBLEM BUT NOW FROM WHAT IVE READ AND EXPERIENCED, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT CAN REALLY BE IGNORED ANYMORE. THIS IS THE UNIT THAT KEEPS ME ON THE ROAD AT HIGH SPEEDS AND IT TURNS ON AND OFF. THAT IS NOT RIGHT OR SAFE.

Mileage: 110,000

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION3. THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING IN WARMER WEATHER. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS ABOVE FREEZING MY POWER STEERING STARTS ACTING UP. IT WILL GO OUT 3-4 TIMES A WEEK, WHICH IS ALL THE DRIVING I DO IN A WEEK. THE CAR HAS 88,000 KM ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 54,824

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION . WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS HIGH AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FROM NHTSA TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 15-20 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED .THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74500.

Mileage: 64,000

I WAS DRIVING TO A BASKETBALL GAME AT A SCHOOL AND AS I TURNED INTO THE SCHOOL, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT WAS UNEXPECTED. I DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE SCHOOL TO STOPPED THE CAR. I WASN'T GOING FAST BUT I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IF THERE HAD BEEN KIDS OUT THERE SOMEONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION2. THE CONTACT STATED HIS POWER STEERING AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES DID NOT OPERATE. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE BEFORE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE WOULD PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE MOTOR ON AND OFF AND IT WOULD RESETS ITSELF. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING AT A COST OF $300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000.

Mileage: 30,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION LEVEL 1. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN OR WHEN STRIKING A BUMP THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, TO RESET THE ERROR CODE. HER MECHANIC GAVE HER TSB 06-02-32-00. HE THEN ADVISED HER TO BE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BECAUSE IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AT AN EXPENSE OF $400.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 12/8/09 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR. UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB UPDATED 05/28/10.*JB

Mileage: 60,000

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN ION 1, IT HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE WITH THE "POWER STEERING" FAILURE. WITH THE CODE THAT CAME UP ON THE DASH, IT SHOWS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER $835.00 DOLLARS SPENT, IT HAS GOTTEN EVEN WORSE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS THE MOTOR IS THE ISSUE, AT ANOTHER $400.00 PLUS DOLLARS, BUT NO GUARANTEE. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT IS, WITH THE LOSS OF POWER WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT, HOWEVER, IT IS MOST OF THE TIME, NOW. IF I NEED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY TURN, AND THE POWER GOES OUT, IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. IT'S AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED LONG AGO, BUT NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE EXPENSE OF IT..... *TR

Mileage: 70,000

MY 2003 SATURN ION HAS A MAJOR STEERING PROBLEM THAT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT TURN LIKE NORMAL. IT IS SOMETIMES SLOW AND DOES NOT WANT TO TURN, OR WILL KEEP TURNING AND NOT WANT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THIS IS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY STEERING SYSTEM WHICH HAS AN ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER IONS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT, NOT JUST THE '03. I AM NOT EVEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT HOME BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO SCAN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS. MY SATURN WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE READ THAT IT COULD COST $1200 TO FIX. PLUS THE PARTS ARE NOT EVEN SOLD AT ANY PARTS STORE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET BUT THE CAR IS NO LONGER A SAFE VEHICLE AND I AM DISCONTINUING USE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN ANY GEAR, INCLUDING DRIVE OR REVERSE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE AND EACH TIME THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT FAILURE. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENGINE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE ACC POSITION UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR AT LEAST 3-5 MINUTES. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V055000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH) FOR THE SAME MAKE, BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL AND THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED FOR HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. SHE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE BEGAN WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

Mileage: 40,000

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, MAKING STEERING VERY DIFFICULT AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE. THERE ARE REPORTS ON-LINE ABOUT MOST PEOPLE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO RECENTLY CRASHED ON THE 405 FREEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 55,557

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND MAKES STEERING DIFFICULT. THE FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

POWER/ELECTRIC STEERING ON 2003 SATURN ION IS MALFUNCTIONING MAKING THE WHEEL EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD EASILY HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

I OWN A 2003 SATURN ION2. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. RECENTLY (I.E IN THE LAST 2 YEARS) WHEN IT IS PARTICULARLY COLD, THE CAR WILL NOT START. I KEEP TRYING IT THEN WAIT 10 MINUTES AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP. I HAVE SPENT $1200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND THE STEERING WHEEL LUBRICANT LEAKING ON THE SYSTEM. IN COLD WEATHER THIS SEEMS TO MAKE THE SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THINK SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STEAL THE CAR AND MAKES IT UNABLE TO START. THE PASSLOCK TIMES OUT AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN WILL START. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON ALL ION 2'S AND I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF LETTERS ON FORUMS PERTAINING TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THE 2003 SATURN ION-3 POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL WORK AGAIN, FOR A WHILE, AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RESTARTED. THIS CAR HAS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT ENCLOSED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SATURN HAS ADVISED ME THIS IS A $1000.00 REPAIR ON A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH 55,000 MILES. I SEE THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ON PONTIAC G6 AUTOS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD RECOMMEND EXPANDING THAT INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL GM CARS WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

SATURN ION 3 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. 2003. POWER STEERING-ELECTRIC: IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS PROGRAMMED TO GIVE MORE ASSIST IN A PANIC SITUATION. SENSORS DETECT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING MOVED RAPIDLY, AND IMMEDIATELY GIVE MORE ASSIST, MAKING THE WHEEL VERY EASY TO TURN. SINCE MOST PEOPLE OVER-CORRECT IN A PANIC SITUATION, THIS INCREASE IN ASSIST IS EXACTLY THE WRONG THING TO DO. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED REALLY ACCENTUATES THE EFFECT. I DO 90% OF MY DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, SO THIS IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO ME. I NOW HAVE 20,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ODD STEERING BEHAVIOR SINCE ABOUT 2000 MILES WHEN I SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL AND ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. IF THE CAR WAS STILL WITHIN THE 30 DAY, 1500 MILE BUY BACK PERIOD, IT WOULD HAVE GONE BACK. EVEN KNOWING THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS, AND OCCASIONALLY GIVING THE WHEEL A SHARP MOVEMENT SO THAT I KNOW HOW THE CAR REACTS, I ALMOST HIT THE GUARD-RAIL WHEN I WAS SURPRISED BY ANOTHER CAR DRIFTING INTO MY LANE ON THE DATE BELOW. I TELL EVERY SATURN ION OWNER THAT I MEET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A FRIEND'S SON DROVE THEIR ION OFF THE ROAD ABOUT A MONTH AGO UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. OWNERS WHO DON'T OFTEN VENTURE ON TO THE INTERSTATES ARE RELUCTANT TO BELIEVE THERE IS ANY SUCH PROBLEM WITH THEIR NEW CAR. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO. THEY SEND ME ON MY WAY, DRIVE A COUPLE OF MILES, TELL ME THEY DROVE 50 MILES AND THAT THE CAR IS PERFECTLY FINE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM, BUT I'M SURE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.*AK

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN ION 3 MARCH 17, 2003. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE CAR HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. SATURN CORP. RECALLED THE CAR. THE PURCHASE OF [XXX] WAS CANCELED 4/17/03 AND I PURCHASED A 2ND 2003 SATURN ION 3, [XXX], ON 4/17/03. THE 2ND CAR FROM THE BEGINNING HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, JERKING UP AND DOWN FROM 30 MPH TO 70 MPH, KICKS WHEN STARTED, RATTLES LOUDLY IN REVERSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE 4 TIMES (BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 1,984

WHEN TIRES SPIN TRANSMISSION DISCONNECTS. THEN. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS SNOWING. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL TURNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON ITS OWN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING , THE STEERING KNUCKLE SHEARED OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK DEALER REPAIRED AT NO COST. REPLACED RIGHT FRONT KNUCKLED AND ASSOCIATED SUSPENSION PARTS. FRONT RIGHT WHEEL,TIRE, SPOILER AND UNDER SKIRTING. SATURN'S ENGINEER'S OF DETROIT SENT THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT DAMAGED PARTS FOR INVESTIGATION. CONSUMER HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. *PH *JB

Mileage: 6,000

MARCH 22, 2003 I PURCHASED AN SATURN ION 3. WITHIN THE 1ST THE WEEK THERE WAS PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. FINALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (3RD TIME). SUPPOSEDLY THE CAR WAS FIXED. 3 DAYS LATER THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME AT SATURN CORP.'S REQUEST TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE CAR AS THE ENGINE COULD BLOW UP. THE ENGINE HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE WITH ABOUT 650 MILES. ALSO, ANOTHER SATURN ION WITH 2500 MILES WAS SITTING IN THE DEALER'S LOT WITH A CRACKED CYLINDER IN THE ENGINE. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE SALE ON APRIL 17, 2003. I TOOK A 2ND SATURN ION 3 ON APRIL 17, 2003. THIS CAR HAS JERKY STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS AND SEVER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR KICKS WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION, ENGINE GETS RACKETING WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEN CHANGING GEARS - KICKS, SLIDES, AND WILL SURGE, AND BOUNCE THROUGH GEARS BETWEEN 30 MPH TO ABOVE 70 MPH. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "ALL THE IONS DRIVE THIS WAY. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES. EACH TIME THE CAR IS RETURNED WORSE THAN THE TIME BEFORE.*AK

MARCH 22, 2003 I PURCHASED AN SATURN ION 3. WITHIN THE 1ST THE WEEK THERE WAS PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. FINALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING (3RD TIME). SUPPOSEDLY THE CAR WAS FIXED. 3 DAYS LATER THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED ME AT SATURN CORP.'S REQUEST TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE CAR AS THE ENGINE COULD BLOW UP. THE ENGINE HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE WITH ABOUT 650 MILES. ALSO, ANOTHER SATURN ION WITH 2500 MILES WAS SITTING IN THE DEALER'S LOT WITH A CRACKED CYLINDER IN THE ENGINE. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE SALE ON APRIL 17, 2003. I TOOK A 2ND SATURN ION 3 ON APRIL 17, 2003. THIS CAR HAS JERKY STEERING PROBLEMS COMING OUT OF TURNS AND SEVER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR KICKS WHEN TURNING ON THE IGNITION, ENGINE GETS RACKETING WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEN CHANGING GEARS - KICKS, SLIDES, AND WILL SURGE, AND BOUNCE THROUGH GEARS BETWEEN 30 MPH TO ABOVE 70 MPH. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "ALL THE IONS DRIVE THIS WAY. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR". THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES. EACH TIME THE CAR IS RETURNED WORSE THAN THE TIME BEFORE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT STEERING WHEEL IS NOT TURNING SMOOTHLY, IT IS HARD TO HANDLE THE WHEEL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK