2005 SATURN ION Steering Problems

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION AT 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM SOUNDED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED POWER STEERING FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND RAISED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE FUSES. THE FUSES WERE GOOD, SO I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING DISPLAY WAS CLEAR. I DROVE A FEW MORE MILES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON SATURN ION AND OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR MANY DRIVERS WHEN THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING! IT IS HARDER TO STEER THE SLOWER YOU DRIVE. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PWR STR MESSAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND AT A STAND STILL, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED A MECHANIC WHO REFERRED HER TO NHTSA BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SURE OF WHAT THE FAILURE WAS. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,484.

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CREATED DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING. *TR

LOST OF POWER STEERING STARTED SOME TIME IN 2009,I HAVE NO RECORD OF THE DATE,BUT IN ONE OF THE INCIDENTS 06/10/2011 I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE DASHBOARD SHOWING THE DATE AND MESSAGE ON THE SPEEDOMETER. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE EVERY TIME THIS HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK TO POWER STEERING .THEN I HAD A SITUATION WHEN I LOST SPEED AS I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY AVENUE. THE CAR LOST SPEED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 35 MPH,IT MADE A ALARM OR WARNING SOUND AND DROP DOWN TO 10MPH AND I COULD NOT GET BACK TO 35MPH,I STOP THE CAR AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE,THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD RECOVER THE POWER ON THE ENGINE. IT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH. *TR

MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND I LOOSE POWERSTEERING. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND I HAVE STEERING AGAIN. IT USED TO ONLY HAPPEN LIKE ONCE A WEEK, NOW IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE DAY. *TR

MY 2005 ION LOST POWER STEERING AT 45MPH. PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF THEN IT CAME BACK. BEEN HEARING REPORTS THAT HIS HAPPENS TO A LOT OF THESE CARS. REALLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT AS IT SEEM TO BE EXPENSIVE. IF I HAD KNOWN, I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR. HOPE A RECALL IS ON IT, CAUSE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN A CORNER THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING DID NOT RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING THE CORNER. THIS RESULTED IN STRIKING THE MEDIAN AND A TREE LEAVING ME FACING ON COMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC.

SATURN 2005 ION 3 WITH INTERMITTENT LOW POWER LIGHT AND FUNCTION AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING.AFTER TURNING CAR OFF TURN BACK ON AND LIGHT FOR LOW POWER OFF AND POWER STEERING LIGHT OFF RESUMES NORMALLY...HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE, CONTACTED SATURN AND TO GO TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH HAVE HAD IN PAST WITH NO CODES??/SHOULDN'T BE MY EXPENSE AND RECALL FOR MY MODEL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DEACTIVATE AT ANY TIME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

ALERT SOUNDS ALONG WITH "PWR STR" MESSAGE. POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS OCCURRED DURING BOTH CITY AND INTERSTATE DRIVING. SEEMS MORE FREQUENT IN WARMER WEATHER. POWER STEERING RESETS AND WORKS FINE WHEN CAR IS SWITCHED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. MECHANIC CHECKED ON THE ISSUE AND FOUND THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM TO BE FAULTY, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,060 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. .UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGED.UPDATED 09/26/11

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE POWERSTEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE IS BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY. CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE POWER STEERING AND THE DEALER STATED THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. HAVE APPT WITH DEALER ON THURSDAY FOR REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE TWICE AN ON REGULAR ROADWAYS TWICE IN LAST MONTH. HAVE APPROX. 70,000 ON CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE CONTACT HAS TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE POWER STEERING AND THE DEALER STATED THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. APPROXIMATELY ONE DAY LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,227.

POWER STEERING STOPS DURING DRIVING. WARNING CHIMES COME ON AND PWR STRNG MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED IN ODOMETER WINDOW. IT FIRST OCCURRED 5/20/11 AND HAS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. OFTEN SEVERAL TIMES ON THE DAYS IT HAPPENS (5 X YESTERDAY 5/29/11ALONE) BUT SO FAR NOT EVERY DAY . IT HAPPENS UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS (NEVER THE SAME) (CITY, HWY, HOT, WARM, COLD ETC.) *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO TURN BACK AND FORTH. CAR GOT DOES THIS ONCE IN A WHILE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHIN A 5 TO 10 MINUTE TIMEFRAME, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY WITH AN ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON AND CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER. IF I STOP AND RESTART THE CAR THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK. AT FIRST THIS HAPPENED ONCE EVERY FEW WEEKS. NOW IT IS BECOMING A DAILY OCCURRENCE; EVEN MORE THAN ONCE PER DAY. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SATURN IONS. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT INHERITED SATURNS TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO BE SERVICED YET. *TR

2005 SATURN ION .88 K MILES.SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. FUSES REPLACED. RESETS ITSELF WITH RESTART BUT RECURS FREQUENTLY. VERY HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS WHEN OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED BUT THEY DENY A GENERAL RECALL. NOT HELPFUL. THE VIN IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2005 SATURN ION I POWER STEERING RECALL I HAD THE RECALL NOTICE - CALLED SATURN OF COOL SPRINGS - AND THEY POINT BLANK ASKED "IS IT DOING IT NOW" I SAID "NO" AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT". ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, A LIGHT (A WARNING LIGHT) CAME ON MY DASH, THEY NEXT THING I KNOW THE STEERING JERKED AND I CROSSED OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL HEAD ON. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING AS IT WAS LOCKED. GM STATES THE RECALL IS FOR ONLY GOING AT LOW RATES OF SPEED - I THINK THAT IS A COP OUT FROM GM. *TR

THE POWER STEERING ON OUR 2005 SATURN ION JUST SHUT OFF ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. IT NOW SHUTS OFF AT LEAST ONCE PER TRIP. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WE HAVE ALREADY TRIED REPLACING THE FUSE AND IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH INSTRUMENT PANEL *DINGED* THE PWR STR* CAME UPON THE PANEL. AT THAT TIME I LOST POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING FULL SPEED AND HAD A HARD TIME PULLING OFF THE EXIT. ONCE OFF THE EXIT CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN 2 HOURS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR KIT AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2005 SATURN ION POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES UP ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 3-- I WAS DRIVING AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT-- I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK AND NOW THEY TELL ME I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE POWER STEERING COLUMN- GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST -WELL I HAVE 5 YEARS WITH MY COMPANY AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND I HAVE OBVIOUSLY GONE HIGHER THAN THE 100,000 MILES AND NOW GM WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES.. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE POWERSTEERING ISSUE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 SATURN ION THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER I STOPPED AND CHECKED THINGS UNDER THE HOOD I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. *TR

2005 SATURN ION 2 COUPE, POWER STEERING GOES OUT ACCOMPANIED WITH A CHIME AND A PWR STR WARNING ON DASH. RESETS AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM RECURS SHORTLY AFTER RESET. DTC CODE C0475 .THERE IS A RECALL ON CHEVY COBALT FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ON THIS CAR, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE ACCENTUALLY THE SAME CAR. PART # ON THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IS 995-10800 WHICH IS THE PART # FOR A COBALT POWER STEERING MOTOR. GM SAYS THERE IS SPECIAL COVERAGE ON THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY IF IT FAILS. NO RECALL ? I WILL BE INSTALLING A NEW MOTOR PART # 19257875 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION WHICH IS NOW OVER 100,00K MILES. THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING SIGNALS ON DASHBOARD. THERE IS NO FLUID RESERVOIR TO PUT THE FLUID AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. I TRIED TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND STILL NO LUCK. AFTER READING UP ON THE SATURN ISSUE, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH DIFFERENT MAKES AND YEAR OF THE SAME MODEL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE NO MONEY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SATURN (GM) IS GOING TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IT COST OVER $900.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED CONTACTING SATURN DEALERS BUT OF COURSE THE COMPANY HAS BEEN SOLD. I HAVE CONTACTED A GM DEALERS REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY JUST TRY TO REPAIR THE ISSUE THEY...

NO FAILURE YET. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 SATURN ION. *TR

I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT 7/5/2010, IN A 2005 SATURN ION, WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. NOW, IT HAPPENS ALMOST CONSTANTLY, THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT, IT HAPPENED 10 TIMES JUST TODAY 7/7/2010. EVERY TIME, I HAVE PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, BEFORE RESTARTING CAR AND CONTINUING, JUST AS THE TSB FROM GM ADVISES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES, AND YET THE POWER STEERING IS OUT ON IT. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR CHEVROLET COBALTS, PONTIAC G5, ETC, FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, YET HAVE NOT FOR SATURN IONS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NEARLY THE SAME VEHICLE, AND HAVE THE SAME PARTS AND PROBLEMS. *TR

MY POWER STEERING UNIT ON MY 2005 SATURN ION 3 (WITH ONLY 37,345 MILES ON IT) WENT OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE SOUNDING OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE USING EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT'S KEYS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS AFTER VEHICLE IS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON RESETS IT. FUSE IS INTACT (POWER STEERING IN THIS CAR IS ELECTRICAL, NOT HYDRAULIC). *TR

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT TWICE TODAY ON MY 2005 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS WILL BE TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP IN THE MORNING. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL NOTICE THAT GM FOR THE PONTIAC G5 AND THE CHEVY COBALT. WHAT GIVES? THE SATURN IONS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL IMMEDIATELY!!!!! *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON. SUDDENLY I WAS STRUGGLING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE CAR TURN TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS REALLY HARD UP UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF. I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT WORKED. LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE GOING TO WORK, THEN COMING BACK TO WORK. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY OTHER DAY NOW FOR THE PAST WEEK. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO PARTS THAT I CAN CHANGE FOR IT. AND BECAUSE SATURN IONS USE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ADD STEERING FLUID SINCE THERE IS NO RESERVOIR. IT SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS ELECTRONIC DEFECT A LOT OF SATURN ION OWNERS ARE HAVING. *TR

I WAS JUST DRIVING AND I HEARD A CLICK AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MINUTES AFTER I START DRIVING EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. HEARD IT COSTS ANY WHERE FROM $500- $1000 TO FIX. HAVE ALSO FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION AND THE POWER STEERING ONE DAY JUST CUT OFF WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IT WAS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR. I TRIED CHANGING FUSES BUT NOTHING WORKED. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT HAS THE SAME CAR, AND I HEARD ITS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF ION'S. NOW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL AND THIS IS A HAZARD TO MY DRIVING ABILITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING THEN FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BECOME ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTART IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESET ITSELF AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,520 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING. IT WAS ONCE A MONTH OR SO BUT NOW IT IS EVERY TIME. HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND SHE PICKS UP OUR TWO CHILDREN. WE DRIVE IN TOWN AND ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL. VERY UNSAFE! THE SATURN DEALERSHIP CLOSED DOWN LAST YEAR AND THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 1 HOUR AWAY VIA INTERSTATE. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF TO RESET THE STEERING. IT WORKS WELL FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. *TR

A WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE STATING "POWER STEERING OUT" IN CENTER OF DASHBOARD GOES ON, A LOAD BEEP SOUNDS AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A DAY IN MY 16 MILES ROUND TRIP COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE AS OF TODAY. I TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN AND POWER STEERING RE-ENGAGES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE HAD REGAINED POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AND RESUMED THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIRS FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED DURING THE CONTACT'S TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,400.

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION. MY WARRANTY RAN UP ON JUNE 11TH. JULY 1ST MY POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING QUIT. TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS AGAIN. NOW IT TURNS OFF AFTER 5 SECONDS SO BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR WEEKS NOW. I FEEL IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. TRIED REACHING SATURN DEALER KEPT GETTING TRANSFERRED TO VOICE MAIL FOR 2 WEEKS TO A JOHN. NO RESPONSE FROM THEM AFTER 2 WEEKS. WENT TO MY MECHANIC DID DIAGNOSTIC THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT BAD AT 42000 MILES. HE TOLD ME THAT ON LINE HE SAW THAT SATURN WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTOR. TOLD ME TO GOTO SATURN. GOT HORRIBLE SERVICE THERE SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WORK WITH ME. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT WHILE I WAS THERE AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESP ON BACK ROADS. I...

THERE IS CURRENTLY AN ACTIVE RECALL OUT FOR THE 2005 ' 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE CHEVY COBALT AND THE SATURN ION ARE EXTREMELY SIMILAR VEHICLES AND HAVE THE SAME MOTOR. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MINE REPLACED AT MY OWN COST. I APPROACHED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT SINCE SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT BE DOING A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM IS PROLIFIC THAT MY MECHANIC HAD TO HAVE A MOTOR SENT BY FEDERAL EXPRESS FROM DALLAS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MOTORS IN HOUSTON DUE TO THE RECALL OF THE CHEVY COBALT. *TR

DURING MY NORMAL COMMUTE 18 MILES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EACH DRIVE. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN OR ANYTHING-- THE CAR JUST LOSES POWER WHILE IN MOTION. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS, I AM NOT PREPARED AND I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN MY WHEEL. ONCE, I NEARLY HIT A CAR IN OPPOSING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE A SHARP TURN. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE MANY ION OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT THE HEFTY PRICE OF ABOUT $1000. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SUCH AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.