NHTSA Complaint #10405028 — 2003 SATURN ION

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