Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System Problems of Saturn ION

Just recently bought the car 3/18/2011, used and when driving car, I heard 3 rings and then where the odometer is it lite up pwr str. Pulled over the side of the road (turnpike), shut the car off and restarted and power steering was back. Only to drive 10 miles and it happened again. Feel that this is very dangerous since car is manual and I am woman who is 5'0 and weighs 135lbs, to steer and shift this car when the pwr str goes out so suddenly.

See all problems of the 2005 Saturn ION 🔎.

While traveling at city speeds (approx 35mph), the vehicle's information center sounded a "ding" and displayed a message reading "pwr str". This occurred suddenly and without warning. According to the owner's manual, the message "pwr str" indicates a power steering failure, an indication confirmed by the fact that turning the steering wheel suddenly became extremely difficult, requiring a significant amount of effort to turn the steering wheel beyond 1-2 degrees from its present location. I estimate this effort would exceed the abilities of some drivers, given the sudden onset and difference in effort required to turn the wheel before and after this problem occurs. This has happened to me on multiple occasions, including while driving at highway speeds (55-65mph) and while traveling in a parking lot (5-15mph). Turning the engine off and restarting it shortly thereafter seems to correct the problem; the message is no longer displayed and the steering works as expected. However, I have noticed with the recent incidents that turning the engine off and on again only fixes the problem for approximately one mile of travel before the problem occurs again. To date, I have managed to avoid getting into a collision as a result of this sudden loss of power steering, however I feel that this is a serious safety problem that could result in injuries or deaths if the problem were to occur while the driver is actively turning the steering wheel (e. G. Turning, changing lanes, navigating a parking structure) or if the driver lacks the strength necessary to turn the wheel without functional power steering. It would seem this problem is already under investigation (NHTSA action number: rq10004), and I would urge you to have this component recalled as it is a serious safety concern.

See all problems of the 2006 Saturn ION 🔎.

2006 Saturn Ion. Consumer states power steering issues the consumer stated the power steering light illuminated while driving. When the consumer attempted to get off the highway, she had a difficult time turning the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the power assist steering motor.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph when a chime sounded inside of the vehicle, followed by the "power steering" warning light illuminating. Immediately, there was a loss of power steering. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the failure was contributed to the power steering assist motor. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 36,431. Updated 10/15/10 bf updated 10/19/jb.

The driver owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the power steering light came on and the vehicle lost power steering. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and turned it off. Upon restart, the vehicle functioned properly. The contact called the dealership and was informed that the electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were 88,300. Updated 10/13/bf the consumer received a recall notice and the power steering module was replaced. Updated 10/14/jb.

See all problems of the 2004 Saturn ION 🔎.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed that the power steering suddenly stopped functioning. She experienced extreme difficulty when she tried to control the steering wheel. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the power steering light illuminated. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who replaced the power steering motor at the owners expense. The failure has not recurred since the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there were no recalls on his vehicle and that they would not offer any assistance with the repairs. The current mileage was approximately 28,000. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500. Updated 09/29/10 updated 10/01/jb.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. As she was driving 35 mph the power steering light illuminated and then the power steering shut off. The vehicle was very difficult to control and maneuver to the side of the road. When the vehicle was turned on and off it reset and performed normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnostic test showed that there was no failure on the vehicle. The contact will take the vehicle to the dealer again on tomorrow so that they can perform another diagnostic test. The manufacturer was contacted stating that there was nothing that could be done unless the diagnostic test indicated that there was a failure. The warranty expired and there are no recalls. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 03/30/10. The consumer stated the dealer replaced the power steering unit at not cost. The consumer stated there have been no more problems since. Updated 06/14/10.

Multiple power steering failure.

See all problems of the 2007 Saturn ION 🔎.

The power steering unit on my 2005 Saturn Ion has failed twice while driving the vehicle causing a dangerous condition. I brought the vehicle to the dealer, Saturn of ellicott city and was told there is a "service bulletin" about the issue and there is nothing they can do to repair the vehicle at this time. My vehicle is a 2005 with less than 32k miles. The steering failed while entering a highway and again while entering a parking lot. Saturn admitted they know about the problem but refused to repair it. It is on many Saturn vehicles, not just mine. *.

Friday there was a snowfall. Saturday morning, I drove my car on the highway and encountered severe difficulty handling the steering of the car. As I approached 40 miles per hour on the highway, the steering wheel began to shake violently. I could not get off the highway, so I tried to cope by speeding up and slowing down. Three times, I almost crashed - twice into other cars, once into the highway barrier. The faster I went, the more violent the shaking. I was travelling from the university avenue entrance to 280 to 94 west to the 35w south. I got off at the first exit I could on 35w. The problem continued as I drove on the city streets. On Tuesday I called Saturn to have them fix my car. They informed me there were approximately 100 calls of this kind this weekend and that this was a result of snow getting into where the tire-wheel is. It was suggested I go to a car wash and thaw out the snow and was told they'd be happy to do that for me. Part of why I chose this car is because they informed me that it has computerized handling that would facilitate my driving. Obviously, I am dissatisfied. When the snow melted off, the car drove well. However, I live in mn, where there is snow half of the year. I was not informed that my car would have this happen. I cannot handle the car when the steering wheel shakes violently. I feel unsafe driving this car. I don't want it anymore.

While driving motor failed. This made it hard for the consumer to steer the vehicle. Dealership was aware of the problem, but did not resolve the problem.