FaultScore

2006 Saturn ION steering problems

551 of the 1,537 complaints about the 2006 Saturn ION are about the steering — 36% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 65,000 miles.

F

551

Complaints

17

Crashes

1

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 524 95.1%
Electric Power Assist System 13 2.4%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 6 1.1%
Column 5 0.9%
Rack AND Pinion 1 0.2%
Pump 1 0.2%
Anti-Theft Device 1 0.2%

Steering across every Saturn ION year

2003 140 8.1%
2004 350 20.3%
2005 270 15.7%
2006 551 32.0%
2007 413 24.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 85,200 miles Berkeley, CA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.

NHTSA complaint #11649410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Exeter, NH

STEERING

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while exiting a driveway and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir and there was power steering fluid in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11502837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dundas, MN

STEERING

We purchased this vehicle recently. 1 week later we discovered loss of power steering assist while attempting to parallel park. We spoke with the seller (repair shop) and they discovered the Recall Notice 14V153000: Loss of Power Steering Assist. When I attempted to schedule a recall service at a GM dealership it was shown that this vehicle already had this particular recall service performed on the vehicle. 1. Power steering Assist 2. Loss of control of steering. 3. No (issue is intermittent) 4. No (original recall was performed though; it is happening again) 5. No warnings.

NHTSA complaint #11424752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles West Orange, NJ

STEERING

DIFFICULT TO STEER OR TURN STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #11363309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Frederick, MD

STEERING

STILL HAVING IGN. KEY PROBLEMS NOT TURNING AND CAN NOT REMOVE, AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON WHEN STARTING AND HARD TO STEER. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CAN'T REPAIR UNLESS THEY SEE IT

NHTSA complaint #11343887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Grapevine, TX

STEERING

STEERING ERRORS

NHTSA complaint #11296616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Olympia, WA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #11290183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 244,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

STEERING

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS IN 5 P.M. TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK IN THE DASH AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER FOR 2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND FIXED FOR FREE IN 2014

NHTSA complaint #11209397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Chicago, IL

STEERING

THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE STEERING CREATING THE 2014 RECALL HAS OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND IS NOT DRIVEN THAT MUCH. SO THE FACT THAT THE RECALLED PART THAT WAS REPLACED BY GM IS ONCE AGAIN HAVING ISSUES IS DISTRESSING. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT DURING A LOCAL DRIVE, LESS THAN 5 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2014. RECALL NUMBER: 14V153000. RECALL DATE: 03/31/2014. COMPONENT: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD BE MONITORED TO DETERMINE IF THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ALSO DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11196722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles O'fallon, IL

STEERING

MY VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO VEHICLES AROUND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO MANUAL STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER. THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I CONTACTED SATURN WHO LOOKED UP THE VIN # ON MY VEHICLE. SATURN SAID THERE IS NO OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON 2004-2007 SATURN ION'S AND I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION. I MENTIONED THIS TO SATURN AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT IT'S VIN # SPECIFIC. I SAID HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN MY CAR (WHICH FALLS UNDER THE SAME MODEL AND YEARS RECALLED) IS HAVING THE SAME FAILURE? THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY QUESTION AND SIMPLY SAID IT'S NOT COVERED AND I CAN TAKE IT UP WITH THE NHTSA. THE FAILURE IS THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR. THEY USE THE SAME ELECTRIC MOTOR (EXACT SAME OEM PART NUMBER) IN ALL THE SATURN ION MODELS AND THE CHEVY COBALT. IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER ME? I REALLY DO NOT HAVE $1000 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND I ALREADY HAVE PUT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING IT. NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT.

NHTSA complaint #11184652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 204,678 miles Austin, MN

STEERING

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WENT TO TURN THE CORNER ON TO I90 WEST FROM HIGHWAY 56 SOUTH AND IT WAS VARY HARD TO PULL OIT OF THE TURN LIKE IT LOCKED UP ALMOST PUT ME INTO THE DITCH

NHTSA complaint #11164828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Ogden, UT

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #11155632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

STEERING

2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11119214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Edna, TX

STEERING

POWER STEERING GOES OUT THEN WHEN SITTING FOR A PERIOD, IT WILL RESET AND START WORKING THEN THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF AND I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, HARD TO PULL OFF ROAD. FIRST TIME IT WAS STATIONARY WITH "POWER STR" ON DASHBOARD, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS IN MOTION DOWN THE STREET OR ROADWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11118391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Beaverton, OR

STEERING

ON JULY 21,2018, I STARTED MY SATURN ION 2006 IN THE MORNING , I SAW THERE IS A MESSAGE "PWR STR", AND THEN I FOUND THE CAR LOST THE POWER STEERING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE CAR ON THE ROAD, WHEN I FINNALLY DRIVE IT INTO A CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY SAID THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED IN A 2004 RECALL AND THEY DECLINE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FOR FREE.

NHTSA complaint #11113391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Kingsport, TN

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR IT WILL NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11100116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Moncks Corner, SC

STEERING

I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO PULLED FORWARD AND THE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAITED ABOUT 20 MIN'S AND STARTED MY CAR BACK UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK ON. WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. MY CAR WAS PART OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL IN 2014. THAT RECALL NUMBER WAS N140115.

NHTSA complaint #11099870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 176,000 miles Warwick, RI

STEERING

POWER STEERING LOST WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. VERY HARD TO STEER. IT CAME BACK THEN 5 MINUTES LATER I LOST IT AGAIN. SCARY. NO INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. SATURN SAID IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE. SATURN SAID THERE IS NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11098331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Archbald, PA

STEERING

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING GETS VERY HARD AND THEN CANT STEER WE HAVE TO TRY TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN RESTART IT TO GO.

NHTSA complaint #11097962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,778 miles Austin, MN

STEERING

I WAS HIGHWAY 56 TURNING ONTO INTERSTATE 90 AND THE CAR WAS VARY HARD TO CORRECT BACK FROM THE TURN IT WANTED TO STAY IN THE TUUN AND ALMOST OUT ME IN THE DITCH IN MINNESOTA

NHTSA complaint #11090386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

STEERING

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE AUTO PARTS STORE TOLD US NOT TO BUY AN IGNITION SWITCH. THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO CHECK ON THE RECALL FOR THIS SATURN. HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF ALL RECALLS FOR THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPAIRED?

NHTSA complaint #11048390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Edwardsburg, MI

STEERING

WE HAVE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND LATER IT WILL REST BUT ITS HAPPENING ALOT ALSO EMULSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER REPLACE FUEL LINES

NHTSA complaint #11045691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Shiremanstown, PA

STEERING

I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONE OF THE TIMES GM PAID FOR IT DUE TO A RECALL WITHIN MONTHS THE CAR WAS BACK INTO PASSLOCK LIGHT COMING ON CAR STALLING WHILE IN MOVEMENT KEY STUCK IN IGNITION HAVE TO WIGGLE IT TO GET IT BACK INTO THE TURN OFF POSITION. THIS LAST TIME AS OF TODAY THE CAR WILL NOT RUN YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT OF A LOCK THE PASSLOCK IS SHOWING ON THE CAR DASHBOARD.

NHTSA complaint #11010114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,000 miles Lanham, MD

STEERING

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING TO SHOPING CENTER.WHEN RESTARTING POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME.BUT DANGEROUS SINCE POWER STEERING INTERMITTED COMES ON.IT HAPPENED WHILE GETTING BACK INTO CAR AFTER TURNING ON IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10970696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,141 miles Roosevelt, NY

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,141.

NHTSA complaint #10955214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,297 miles Gregory, MI

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND VEERING RIGHT, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND "POWER STEERING" ILLUMINATED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,297.

NHTSA complaint #10937030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Lancaster, TN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10934955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Jackson, NJ

STEERING

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. I HAD THE REPLACEMENT PART DONE. 2 YEARS LATER THE POWER STEERING REPLACEMENT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND I CALLED GM. THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. THEY NEED TO RECALL THE RECALL. DO I HAVE TO REPLACE MY POWER STEERING EVERY 2 YEARS. VERY UPSETTING

NHTSA complaint #10925464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Sevierville, TN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGES FLUCTUATED, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10913681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,400 miles Greenville, SC

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,400. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LOCKED UP. SHE HAD TO REDUCE HER SPEED INTO ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THE STEERING RESET IT SELF. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/03/16.

NHTSA complaint #10904834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Saturn ION problems

← Full 2006 Saturn ION report