Pwr str warning on dash. Power steering assist turns off. After restart power steering assist returns. Started off as once a month for 2 months then once a week then several times a day. Now it happens about 2 minutes after each time I start it. Total of three month to get to this stage.

- Brooklyn Park, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering would sporadically become inoperable. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 106,000...updated 09/29/11 the power steering motor failed on the vehicle. Updated 01/03/12

- Dexter, MO, USA

While traveling at city speeds (approx 35mph), the vehicle's information center sounded a "ding" and displayed a message reading "pwr str". this occurred suddenly and without warning. According to the owner's manual, the message "pwr str" indicates a power steering failure, an indication confirmed by the fact that turning the steering wheel suddenly became extremely difficult, requiring a significant amount of effort to turn the steering wheel beyond 1-2 degrees from its present location. I estimate this effort would exceed the abilities of some drivers, given the sudden onset and difference in effort required to turn the wheel before and after this problem occurs. This has happened to me on multiple occasions, including while driving at highway speeds (55-65mph) and while traveling in a parking lot (5-15mph). Turning the engine off and restarting it shortly thereafter seems to correct the problem; the message is no longer displayed and the steering works as expected. However, I have noticed with the recent incidents that turning the engine off and on again only fixes the problem for approximately one mile of travel before the problem occurs again. To date, I have managed to avoid getting into a collision as a result of this sudden loss of power steering, however I feel that this is a serious safety problem that could result in injuries or deaths if the problem were to occur while the driver is actively turning the steering wheel (e.g. turning, changing lanes, navigating a parking structure) or if the driver lacks the strength necessary to turn the wheel without functional power steering. It would seem this problem is already under investigation (NHTSA action number: RQ10004), and I would urge you to have this component recalled as it is a serious safety concern.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

We lost our power steering, going around a curve @ 45 mph, almost lost control. We shut the car off and it reset on starting. It kept going off and on for 100 miles, requiring us to pull over and stop and start the car every time, until we got home now.

- Elk River, MN, USA

Driving with traffic, the car dies and the steering gets very hard to turn then battery light comes on. Car will restart with no further problems. This will happen at least once a week. Took to the dealer they fixed the gas tank leak and other recall parts. This continues to happen almost caused several accidents. Do not know if it is the steering or electrical. It doesn't matter what speed your going or if your going straight or turning. Please look into this problem. I have had the battery checked the thermostat, checked the fuse box checked. The dealer checked and fixed the other 3 things from recall as stated. The ignition sometimes gets stuck when the steering goes out you can not get the key to do anything until you turn the steering wheel that has no power then you can restart the car. Also the car heat gauge never goes above half way so car is not over heating.

- Metairie, LA, USA

Driving on highway in my 2006 Saturn Ion. Her a "beep" notification from the dash and simultaneously, I lost all power steering. Warning on dash stated "pwr strng".

- Newtown, CO, USA

In May 2009, my power steering went out on my 2006 Saturn Ion in the middle of steering. When I turned my car off and would start back up the car it would work. Every time it would turn off, my car would be difficult to drive and if I was in the middle of a turn, almost was hit because I was unable to turn fast enough. I had an extended warranty on my car, had to pay $100 to have it fixed. Now 2 years later, 40,0000 miles here is it doing it again. It cost almost $800 to get this repaired. Why should this be failing every couple of years. When it started again today, I was coming down a mountain and almost went off the edge.

- Littleton, CO, USA

The power steering goes out intermittently.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and shut off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, who stated that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.

- Amboy, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving 30 mph when the power steering unit malfunctioned, causing extreme difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer advised that the entire power steering unit would need to be replaced. The failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Valley Park, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that power steering would fail sporadically. There was an unusual chime that sounded as the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 78,864.

- Benton, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving 30 mph the power steering light would flash on the radio and the power steering system would also malfunction. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the entire power steering system needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the power steering system replaced. The contact stated when the power steering system malfunctioned the steering wheel became difficult to turn and could cause a crash. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Arlington, TN, USA

Power steering indicator would come on and steering ability will disappear. Restarting car made the steering come back for about a few seconds, but then power steering indicator would come back on again. Car taken to dealership to be serviced under special warranty. This part should definitely be recalled.

- Md, MD, USA

Power steering has failed. I have seen several other people of line stating the same thing on their Saturn Ion 2006. We need help getting gmac to pay for this. I can not drive this. It is too difficulty for a female to use.

- Temple, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering became very difficult to maneuver to the left or right. He then coasted to the side of the road once the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was able to continue driving but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer nor repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 64,000. Updated 08/31/11 the power steering control module was replaced. Updated 09/12/11

- Amherst, MA, USA

2006 Saturn Ion power steering went out and GM say that there is no recall on it but everyone is having the same problem, they fixed some cars but never sent out a recall letter. And I was told to take care of it the best I no how and also the gas get stuck I was driving and hit the brake but the car kept going lucky no one was hurt my sister was in front of me I was trailing her just bump her a little. Please help im out of work and now no car witch I still paying on if I had known I would have never purchased a GM car. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Eustis, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering would fail when traveling at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic January 2009 where they replaced the power steering motor however, the repair did not correct the failure. The dealer offered the contact a discount on the repairs and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 113,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Granite Falls, NC, USA

Driving on 295 highway going 65 mpr, car had power steering error, could not turn the steering. There were two children in back. The car was all over the road. The car is a Saturn Ion- I feel this would of been a car accident if I was unable to get it slowed down. I took the Saturn to GM dealer advising this should be a recall and they refused to fix at no charge despite me giving them bulletin 10187. After researching this I found this was a huge problem with Saturn Ions 2004-2007.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

Driving on the freeway when the power steering warning came on and steering became very stiff and difficult. Powered my Ion off then on and power steering worked. Took it in to be checked and mechanic said there was no problem he could find with the power steering.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering lamp illuminated and the steering failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 56,200.

- Cross River , NY, USA