I was driving along the highway when my car began to accelerate and shift gears strangely. The check engine light came on and then a warning about the power steering. It did feel a little bit harder to drive. Took it to a mechanic who said something about the transmission had come up instead of power steering. Took it to another place who said it was a computer control module. Once checked, engine light turned off and car drove normally. Happened again in March, lost power steering for a few miles before it came back. Engine light came on, stayed on for a day, and then turned off. Searched online for other instances of this happening and found other Saturn Ion owners complaining of same thing, only it applied to 2004 and later. My 2003 is having the same issue as their's.

- Riverside, CA, USA

Why is GM not required to include the 2003 Saturn Ion's in the recall for the power steering problem? I was advise by the GM customer service department that only the models 2004 and above are being recalled yet, I had a dealership confirm that my car has the same defective part as the 2004 models. I have lost power steering while driving on the highway multiple times at speeds over 55 mphs. This happened to my 3 times alone just yesterday. It seems like the problem is getting worse yet GM refuses to correct this problem.

- Glen Rock , NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel in either direction, a banging noise was heard and the wheel would feel bumpy. The contact also indicated that when turning, the steering assist would malfunction, become loose and cause difficulty in the contact controlling the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 7/16/14 updated 8/23/2017

- Chicago, IL, USA

I was driving on highway 395 South near edsal road exit and I lost the ability to turn the steering wheel. It became hard to turn the wheel. There was no injury to myself or the vehicle.

- Fort Washington , MD, USA

Power steering cut off and on while driving on highway...( this has happened more than once) saw there is recall on 2004 and up Saturn Ion but not on 2003" don't they use the same parts? GM will offer lifetime replacement for part...so it would seem that I have to have a crash before GM will fix"

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

At all speeds the power steering stops working. Started when making a turn. Steering did not return after turning had to manually force the steering wheel turn back to straight position. Rack and pinion could be the issue. Also makes a growling/rubbing sound.

- Morrice, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving 45 mph and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became hard to turn. The power steering light illuminated after the failure occurred. The power steering regained normal function when the vehicle was restarted. A local mechanic replaced the steering wheel column. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,333 and the current mileage was 117,000. Updated 5/27/14

- Round Lake Park, IL, USA

This is more of a question / comment than an incident. It appears that GM is recalling Saturn Ions, model years 2004-2007 for a problem with the electronic power steering assist motor. I am concerned that the 2003 Ion models do not seem to be included in the recall as, from what I can tell from replacement part sites, they are equipped with the identical part, #19207619 electronic power steering motor.

- Columbus, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the steering wheel seized and the contact she had to use extreme force to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where they stated that the power steering assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000. Updated 05/28/14

- Cuba, NY, USA

While driving at highway speeds steering would suddenly stop working display a power steering system failure on dashboard and enter manual steering mode. I would put car in neutral turn vehicle off and on to reset computer and steering to bring it back to a normal condition. As time progressed the fault would appear more frequently before getting it repaired at local Saturn authorized repair GM facility. Paid close to $1,000 for the repair and parts. Now that vehicle has lifetime warranty all pervious repairs should be refunded to consumers.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

While driving, complete electrical failure. All dash lights out. Gauges zero. Steering difficult. This continues to happen.

- Howell, MI, USA

I received a letter from GM about the ignition switch recall either last week or the week before. It stated to drive my vehicle with the ignition key only, not even with the key fob. I was also told that the part is no longer made for my vehicle. The letter also stated that there is no risk of ignition failure as long as the driver uses the key only. I have faithfully followed that since receiving my letter. I am telling you that information is false. As I was driving home tonight, I noticed the engine sounded different. The steering became difficult to control, the battery light illuminated on the dash, and my brakes only responded to very heavy pressure. Basically I had little control of my vehicle. I was less than a mile away from home. I turned into a parking lot with great difficulty, turned off my vehicle and then back on. It was as if nothing happened. I am panicked now. Thank goodness this happened after I exited the highway and it was after rush hour. I'm not sure I would have been able to turn into that parking lot without incident if there was heavier traffic. I immediately called GM when I returned home and told them the car wasn't safe to drive, even with the ignition key only. Customer service didn't seem to understand the danger. We'll see if they follow up. I hope you follow up as well.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

In early January my mother was involved in a serious car accident while driving a 2003 Saturn iron. "I had no control over the car and it all happened so fast" my mother said. She hit a telephone pool then proceeded to roll down over a small hill and flipped, coming to a rest on a concrete divider. When responders arrived her ignition was off and the air bags did not deploy. She was hanging upside down for almost an hour until they were able to cut her out of the car. I have contacted GM and they confirmed that her car is part of the recent ignition switch recall. Please take the recall serious, it could save your L life, and others!

- Yeagertown, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became inoperable. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle flipped upside down. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and left leg, and a police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

- Fayetteville, WV, USA

Power steering cuts out suddenly.

- Clinton, UT, USA

We purchased this 2003 Saturn Ion used and had the power steering assist motor fail when driving. A quick internet search revealed that this is a widespread problem. GM has acknowledged the problem and has been fixing cars with this issue (2004-2007). This car has the same defective part that is in the later models and should be included with the "special coverage adjustment" issued by GM. It is a very dangerous issue and I hope they consider the 2003 for coverage as well.

- Northville, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and attempting a right turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the steering motor would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,597.

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while traveling 10 mph, the power steering assist suddenly failed. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder of the road where it was shut down then restarted. The vehicle resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

Steering locks or becomes extremely hard to turn steering wheel when car is in reverse for parking and thereafter in drive for minutes at a time. Becoming progressively more and more worse. Have had the steering column sensor replaced, the electric motor replaced and problem becomes more noticeable. Beginning to effect driving and the ability to maneuver the car while it is in motion. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lathrup Village, MI, USA

The electric power steering went out luckily in a parking lot at a shopping center in October 2012 the motors were replaced previously before Saturn went defunct back in approximately 2006 and at approximately 40,000 miles. These are exactly the same motors that a recall was proposed on the Chevy cruz and GM says they are not covered or no covered under the Saturn program. Now over the past 6 months the ignition switch which GM knows has problems has shut the engine off while driving and now it's to the point where it locks intermittently not allowing the disengaging of the engine transmission when attempting to turn off and park. Again GM says there is no recall but they have recalls on other GM vehicles. I have spent upwards of $700 dollars for repairs and batteries and enough is enough. I've read of the many nightmare on the internet and wonder if your bureau can do anything to remedy the situations. Thanks.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA