2004 SATURN ION Steering Problems

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON JUST AS I WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. AT THAT VERY MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I THEN PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WAS WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS IS BECOMING A HASSLE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM NOT GOING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR SOME FAULTY CAR MOTOR. SO THIS IS TO THE CAR MANUFACTURES, COULD YOU PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT REALLY HURTS SOMEONE. *TR

FIRST INCIDENT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HEARD CHIME TO ALERT ME TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP, SAFELY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED AND DASHBOARD ALERT HAS GONE AWAY. NO FURTHER ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING UNTIL 9/15 GOING ABOUT 15 MPH ON AN INCLINE; AGAIN CHIME AND ALERT FOR NO POWER STEERING, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. POWER STEERING REGAINED UPON RESTART. SINCE 9/15 POWER STEERING LOSS OCCURRING AT VARIABLE SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS AND ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. TOOK VEHICLE TO TECHNICIAN WHO CHECKED FLUID, FLOAT, ALL CONNECTIONS AND HOSES AND RELAYED THAT A LIKELY CAUSE MIGHT BE A ELECTRIC PUMP OR ELECTRIC PUMP MODULE TO CHECK WITH THE DEALER ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS. FULL VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TUNE UP WITH NO SOLUTION....

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHEN A CHIME WENT OFF. STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT AND I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY CAREFULLY AND PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SINCE THIS INITIAL INCIDENT THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST OVER $1,000.00 TO REPLACE A POWER STEERING MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. WITH THE DANGER INVOLVED SHOULDN'T A RECALL BE IN ORDER? *TR

MY POWER STEERING HAS SHUT DOWN. *TR

ODOMETER DINGS AND DISPLAYS POWER STEERING WARNING; POWER STEERING FAILS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON CORRECTS THIS, UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN (TYPICALLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ABOUT 10 SECONDS). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND SATURN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO UNDER 100,000 MILES. MY CAR DID NOT START DOING THIS UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION II. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD HER BROTHER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,924.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE SHE DROVE AT 40MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION; THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205,485. LI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD BUT HAS RECURRED SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A WEEK AND THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,568.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,700. JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING CHIME WOULD SOUND AS THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,852. PROBLEM FIXED. UPDATED 08/22/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS VERIFIED AND FIXED. UPDATED 09/24/13

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO MY JOB, THE POWER STEERING BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. AFTER MAKING IT TO WORK WHERE THE CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UPON CRANKING THE CAR UP THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, THE STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BACK ON THE DASH. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP ON THE WAY HOME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED AND AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND CRANKED AGAIN THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING ONCE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT INVESTIGATE OR WORK ON THAT MAKE & MODEL CAR WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT BEEN...

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT WARNING OR PRIOR INCIDENT; WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON A FREEWAY ABOUT 55-60MPH, I NOTICE A "PWR STR" WARNING LIGHT COME ON MY DASH. SINCE I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD, I NOTICE NO CHANGE. AS SOON AS I ATTEMPT TO CHANGE LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, I REALIZE THAT I CAN BARELY STEER THE CAR AND THAT MY POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE IS NO SHOULDER ON THIS FREEWAY, SO IT IS SAFEST TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. MAKING THE RIGHT TURN OFF THE FREEWAY IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND TAKES ALL OF MY STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS EXTREMELY SCARY AND PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND NOBODY WAS HURT. THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, AND ONCE OFF THE FREEWAY, I...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ADD ADDITIONAL EFFORT IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL HOWEVER BECAUSE I NEVER GOT A LETTER OR HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT MILEAGE 159 RECALL IS RECALL I DISAGREE WAS I SUPPOSE TO WAIT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE NOTIFYING ME. I LOVE MY SATURN AND ITS ASHAMED THAT GM WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SATURN WAS A FANTASTIC BRAND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,552. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ENGAGED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND BECAME STIFF. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NO LONGER TURN RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE BRAKES STARTED HAVING TROUBLE AS WELL. I ALMOST GOT IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT WORKING. THEN WHEN I MADE IT TO A SPOT AND TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 30 MIN LATER IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I HAD SOME CHECK THE FLUID AND IT WAS FINE AND SO WAS THE BELT. ALSO, MY LEFT INDICATOR WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS AND IT KEEPS MELTING THE SOCKET. *TR

MY POWER ASSIST STEERING WILL GO OUT SUDDENLY WHEN DRIVING. AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH IONS FROM THAT YEAR, BUT THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HOW LOOSE THE WHEEL WAS WHEN IT WAS COMING DOWN FROM THE LIFT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE SHOP AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE LEFT TURNS AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY EASY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,400.

WHEN I WAS GOING SOUTH ON I-95 IN GEORGIA I HEARD A WARNING TONE FROM MY SATURN AND SAW A WARNING ON MY DASH THAT WAS FOR THE POWER STEERING. IMMEDIATELY I COULD TELL I HAD LOST MY POWER STEERING BECAUSE CHANGING LANES FELT SLUGGISH AND A BIT DIFFICULT. (NOT PHYSICALLY DIFFICULT BUT MORE DIFFICULT THAN USUAL) THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. THEN IT IS LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. AT SLOWER SPEEDS THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FORCE THAT IS REQUIRED TO TURN. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS NOT FOR ME BUT FOR MY WIFE WHO CANNOT PHYSICALLY CONTROL THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WE HEARD A TONE INDICATING SOMETHING WAS WRONG, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND WE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AND IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WAS UNABLE TO QUICKLY MANEUVER. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER TRAVELING A FEW MILES. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HOME AND NOW THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN EVERY FEW MINUTES. CAR IS UNSAFE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO MAKE QUICK MANEUVERS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. CHEV. & PONT. CARS WITH SAME EQUIPMENT AND COMPLAINTS WERE RECALLED. SATURNS SHOULD BE ALSO. THERE IS AN OPEN ACTION NUMBER OF EA11014. *TR ..UPDATED 12/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER...

OUT OF THE BLUE, THE CONSOLE MADE ALERT NOISES AND THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL, AS THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND NOT THE HIGHWAY, INTERSECTION OR OTHER DANGEROUS AREA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WARNING CHIME BEGAN TO SOUND. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER, EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,755. AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,756.

POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME UP. VERY HARD TO STEER NO POWER ASSIST. TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING IS BACK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING EVENT SINCE 6/2010. *TR

TODAY 8/8/12, I JUMPED INTO MY 2004 SATURN ION AT 5PM AFTER WORK & IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL AS I EXITED THE PARKING LOT, I HAD TO SWERVE HARD TO MY RIGHT TO BY AVOID A COLLISION WITH TWO CARS FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I WAS TERRIFIED! MY DISPLAY SHOWED "PWR STR" I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, I LEFT MY CAR DIAGONALLY PARKED, SINCE IT WOULD NOT MOVE WENT FOR ASSISTANCE, A PASSERBY LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD FOR A WHILE THEN TURNED MY CAR ON AND THE DISPLAY WAS BACK TO MILEAGE AND MY WHEEL WAS WORKING FINE!! I DROVE MY CAR HOME AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT IT COULD BE AND HOW I COULD FIX IT, I FIND OUT THAT THEIR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING! I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTERS AT ALL....

I WAS DRIVING IN AN ALLEY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST MY POWER STEERING (I WAS ALERTED WITH A MESSAGE). UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. SINCE THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, MY CAR HAS LOST THE POWER STEERING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, IN MULTIPLE SCENARIOS AND AT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SPEEDS. IT HAS FAILED ON THE FREEWAY MULTIPLE TIMES, FORCING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND COMPROMISE MY SAFETY. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED NO LESS THAN 20 TIMES SINCE MAY 17TH (IT IS NOW AUGUST 7TH). THIS DEFECT IS NOT ONLY UNACCEPTABLE, IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,623.

DRIVER WAS TURNING RIGHT AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN IMMEDIATELY AND RAMMED INTO THE MEDIAN. DRIVER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION AT MEDICAL FACILITY. IN 2008, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE - A WARNING WOULD SOUND AND THE PWR STR MESSAGE WOULD FLASH. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY IN USE. POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT, SAME SYMPTOMS, ON JULY 20, 2012. CURRENTLY THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MAKING THE CAR VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. PROBLEM NOW RECURS WHENEVER I DRIVE THE CAR, BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER I START DRIVING. *TT

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND "PWR STR" NOTICE WAS DISPLAYED. CHANGED FUSE BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. I FOUND THE NHTSA RQ10004 INVESTIGATION IN AN INTERNET SEARCH. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS SATURN ION REDLINE. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER FROM SATURN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS REPORTED IN VARIOUS INTERNET ARTICLES/ BLOGS. *JS

SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM. AT ANY SPEED, AT ANY TIME, "PWR STR" DIS DISPLAYED ON THE OBD DISPLAY, SIMULTANEOUSLY AS THE MOTOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING, FORCING ME TO UNEXPECTEDLY MANUALLY STEER THE CAR UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS CYCLED AND THE SYSTEM RESET. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS 1-7 TIMES A DAY. I HAVE PERSONALLY CAME CLOSE TO HAVING A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO POWER ASSIST FAILURE WHILE CURVING. THERE ARE NO OTHER PREVIOUS FAILURES OF THE STEERING EQUIPMENT LEADING UP TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THIS VEHICLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME POWER STEERING CONTROL FAILED. MANUAL STEERING WAS USED UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND UPON RESTARTING, POWER STEERING RETURNED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS WERE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. GAUGES DROP TO ZERO, THE ENGINE MAY OR MAY NOT STOP RUNNING, THEN THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ( IE OIL WARNING LIGHT, ECT ) COME ON, AND THEN DASH RETURNS TO NORMAL. IF THE CAR IS MOVING THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING AGAIN. ONE STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DURING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER INTO AND OUT OF THE CORNER. I AM WILLING TO TURN MY CAR OVER TO HAVE THE STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED OUT. SATURN HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS USED TO CHECK THIS ISSUE OUT AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE WAS RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11014 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE ON THE DATES OF WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEMS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 04 ION'S FRONT SUSPENSION, THE CHEAPLY MADE PLASTIC WIPER LINKAGES THAT BREAK EASY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN, THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SO FAR BECAUSE THE PART FAILS AND YOU CANNOT START YOUR CAR, AND MOST RECENTLY I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO ASK ABOUT A "CLUNKING" NOISE IT MAKES WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN FOR A KNOWN STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERING MOTOR (EPS) PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT ON THESE CARS THE STEERING LINKS/MOTOR HAVE TENDANCY TO BREAK! IF THAT IS TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT COULD RESULT IN DEATH! I'VE ALSO DONE SOME SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND MANY FORUMS/ARTICLES...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING ABILITIES. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11014 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.