NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Saturn Ion (Page 9 of 27)

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CarComplaints.com Notes: When it comes to the 2006 Ion, the biggest questions are: what big problem is going to pop up next? And how long until GM chooses to address it?

The 2006 Ion has a defective ignition switch that gave owners fits. Their keys would get stuck in the ignition, the engine wouldn’t shut off or in some cases it would shut off at the most dangerous time. The ignition was eventually recalled as part of one of the largest recalls of all-time , but it took GM 10 years to do it. Then there’s this car’s temperamental power steering which is prone to stop working randomly while driving. It too was eventually recalled, even if GM took their sweet time about it.

Lastly, it turns out a car built with plastic doors, fenders and bumpers – while fun for a game of “shopping cart bocce” – is horrible for safety.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,413 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Saturn Ion steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 9 of 27)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #363

Jul 292012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving a "pwr str" light came on and the power steering stopped working while driving. Turning off the car and cranking again fixes the problem. This creates a hazard while driving as its behavior is unpredictable. This car was left out of a previous Saturn recall with similar complaints. A google search of "Saturn Ion steering not working" will return many results of owners with similar complaints.

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #362

Jul 172012

Ion

  • 40,000 miles
Received notice from GM regarding power steering assist motor recall. Drove with no power steering 40 miles to local dealership.towed it home 4 days later. The car hasn't started since. I was aware of the pass lock problem and told the dealer the car might take a few tries to start. The steering wheel is now crooked and the key sticks in the ignition. This is a new problem. For three hundred dollars the dealer said he would fix it. He claims he did the work requested. I wouldn't know because the car hasn't started since. Drive it in and tow it out...now that's customer service for you!!! a free repair cost me the use of my car and 200 in gas and tow expenses. Wonder if I have power steering"?? hard to trust a dealer that states" I never touched the column, your pump is under the hood" pump??" even I know there is no pump or power steering fluid.

- Rogers City, MI, USA

problem #361

Jul 202012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
I was going down road, steering because hard, transmission became stuck, pwr str light came up on mileage screen and the engine light came on. I was reading that others have had problem with steering column. Please let me know. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #360

Jul 172012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact managed the vehicle to the shoulder and realized that the power steering had also failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 48,000. Updated 7/31/12 the consumer stated the vehicle suddenly lost power steering at a high speed of 65 mph. It was difficult to turn off the road, but he managed to do so. It occurred again at slower speeds, too. The consumer stated he read online that stopping the vehicle, and turning it off would re-activate the power steering for awhile. The dealer replaced the power steering motor free of charge. Updated 08/01/12

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #359

Jul 092012

Ion

  • 103,198 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the power steering system seized, causing the contact to have difficulty in steering the vehicle. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. After restarting the vehicle the power steering system worked normally. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test. The test results showed that there was a faulty power steering system that needed to be replaced. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 103,198.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #358

Jul 142012

Ion

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving 30 mph up a mountain when a warning lamp illuminated and the power steering failed. The contact mentioned that it was very difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who had not been able to determine what was causing the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #357

Jun 272012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 70,535 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Could not shut car off, key is locked in ignition, could not get key out of ignition.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #356

Jun 242012

Ion

  • 147,294 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering failed while reversing from her driveway. The power steering warning light also illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact shut the vehicle off and the vehicle resume as normal upon restart. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 147,294.

- Allenton , MI, USA

problem #355

Dec 012010

Ion

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, there was loud chime with complete loss of power steering and the warning indicator illumination. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road, where the engine was turned off. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for assistance due to the electric power steering. The failure occurred nine times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Federal Way , WA, USA

problem #354

Jun 212012

Ion 4WD 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
I was driving to work at 9pm and I got off the highway and my power-steering stopped working. There was a light on the dash that said it was my pwr str. I made it to work, but it was very difficult to steer my car and very un-safe.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #353

May 152012

Ion

  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph the power steering failed. He turned off the vehicle and once restarted, the power steering assist was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised the contact that they needed to replace the power steering motor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41,000 and the current mileage was 41,500. The VIN was not available.

- Edwardsville , PA, USA

problem #352

Jun 122012

Ion

  • 102,000 miles
There was 3 beeps and "pwr str" was displayed, and the power steering failed. Since the first occurrence, the car will start with the power steering enabled, and then after driving for anywhere from 1 to 6 minutes, it will fail again. Without the power steering, the car is almost impossible to turn.

- Morrisville, NC, USA

problem #351

Jun 052012

Ion

  • 97,600 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed while driving 65 mph. The contact had to shift into neutral, turn off and restart the vehicle for the power steering assist to reset. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,600 and the current mileage 97,984.

- Cincinnati , OH, USA

problem #350

Sep 012011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
Was driving down the highway and power steering motor went out. Power steering keeps shutting off.

- Cameron, NC, USA

problem #349

May 122012

Ion

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact also stated that the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The vehicle returned to normal operation when it was restarted after the failures. The vehicle was not taken to have the failures diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #348

May 112012

Ion

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would seize sporadically. The vehicle was turned off and on, and the steering would reset independently. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #347

May 292012

Ion

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving 50 mph when the power steering failed and the contact experienced extreme difficulties in maintaining control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the power steering warning lamp illuminated immediately after the failure. 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 120,000.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #346

Mar 012012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
I was driving my car when my consul read the phrase "pwr str" meaning that my power steering was malfunctioning and no longer worked until I pulled over and restarted the car and that reset the power steering. This now happens about two to three times every time I drive my car.

- Charlton, MA, USA

problem #345

May 062012

Ion 4-cyl

  • miles
Power steering light goes on randomly and power steering fails.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #344

Dec 142011

Ion

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving 2 mph, the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel when it became inoperable. The vehicle was taken for diagnosis by an independent mechanic where they advised that the power steering assist system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 114,000.

- Egg Harbor , NJ, USA

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