NHTSA — Steering Problems

2004 Saturn Ion (Page 8 of 17)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: Ahh, the 2004 Saturn Ion: defective transmission, deadly ignition switch, temperamental power steering and a cheap plastic exterior that won’t protect you in a crash. What more could you want?

The 2004 Ion was part of GM’s massive ignition switch recall where it was revealed they waited 10 years – and let 13 people die – before doing anything about it. It also features GM’s now infamous VTi continuously variable transmission. Let me tell you, the only thing the VTi did continuously was fail on its owners. GM scrapped it after only two model years.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
15 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,964 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.

2004 Saturn Ion steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 8 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #182

Feb 152011

Ion

  • 75,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving 70 mph when the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering wheel seized. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the electronic power assist was failing. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

- Rapid City, SD, USA

problem #181

Apr 282012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Power steering warning light came on in this vehicle while at the same time power steering control failed. Manual steering was used until the vehicle came to a stop and upon restarting, power steering returned.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #180

Apr 202012

Ion

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 30 mph, a warning chime sounded inside of the vehicle as the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of power. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. The engine was restarted and the vehicle was driven cautiously because of the difficulty in maneuvering the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #179

Apr 092012

Ion

  • 73,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering assist would fail sporadically and without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer and no repairs were been made to the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 73,000.

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #178

Dec 142011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 85,487 miles
Multiple failures of electrical system. Gauges drop to zero, the engine may or may not stop running, then the dash warning lights ( ie oil warning light, ect ) come on, and then dash returns to normal. If the car is moving the engine starts running again. One steering warning message during a left hand turn. The car was difficult to steer into and out of the corner. I am willing to turn my car over to have the steering and electrical system checked out. Saturn has been unable to repair the electrical system since the car was new. The factory extended warranty was used to check this issue out as well.

- Plain City, OH, USA

problem #177

Apr 072012

Ion

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that when traveling at any speed, the power steering light would illuminate. Moments later, the vehicle would become extremely difficult to steer. However after restarting the vehicle, the failure was reset. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.the current and failure mileages were 87,000.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #176

Mar 292012

Ion

  • 80,000 miles

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

I am not exactly sure on the dates of when we noticed the problems. So far I have had serious problems with my 04 Ion's front suspension, the cheaply made plastic wiper linkages that break easy while driving down the road making it difficult and dangerous while driving in rain, the ignition lock cylinder has been replaced 3 times so far because the part fails and you cannot start your car, and most recently I went to my local dealer to ask about a "clunking" noise it makes when going over any bumps to find out that there is a bulletin for a known steering linkage or steering motor (eps) problem. I was told that on these cars the steering links/motor have tendancy to break! if that is to happen while driving down the road it could result in death! I've also done some searching online and found many forums/articles with others having the same problems with this specific make/model. One comment I read the person said "this car is a death trap!" mine and many other's 04 Saturn Ion's have alot of known yet serious issues but Saturn still has no recalls for this car!! somebody please help fix this problem! -concerned/frusturated Saturn owner.

- Ottawa, IL, USA

problem #175

Jun 012011

Ion

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 70 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact shut off and restart the vehicle as the steering wheel reset independently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: EA11014 (steering:electric power assist system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Cleburne, TX, USA

problem #174

Sep 012011

Ion

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact shut the vehicle off and after restarting, the vehicle regained power steering abilities. The failure recurred intermittently. The power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated to the contact that the failure was electrical but did not provide a complete diagnostic. The contact referenced a technical service bulletin under NHTSA action number: EA11014 (steering:electric power assist system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #173

Jan 222012

Ion

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering seized while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was turned off and once restarted, the steering would resets independently. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the power steering was automatic and he was unable to repair the failure. The contact was then referred to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #172

Jan 252012

Ion 4-cyl

  • 136,000 miles

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

Power steering failure occurred on 1/25/12. I felt steering become difficult and saw message on instrument panel. It is incredibly difficult to drive vehicle without power steering. Afraid of what would have happened if this occurred while driving 65mph on highway. Because of my mileage, Saturn will not cover the costs under the "extended warranty". a recall should occur in order to save lives.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #171

Feb 102010

Ion 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
While we were driving down the interstate at 75 mph, the power steering in our 2004 Saturn Ion suddenly failed. As we were lucky enough to have been driving down a straight stretch of road, we were able to avoid an accident that likely could have occured if we had been turning. Upon returning home, I proceeded to check the 3 fuses associated with the power steering system only to discover that all were fine. It apperas to be the electronic motor itself that failed. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. At the time our steering failed, my 3 month old daughter was in the car. Does someone need to die before GM is held accountable? please issue a recall so this serious problem can be fixed. It may be a "numbers" game to some, but to the rest of us it is our safety!

- Ft. Collins, CO, USA

problem #170

Dec 092011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 140,838 miles
I was on the highway at 65 mph when the indicator light for the steering lit up and my power steering went out. I stopped and restarted my car and the power steering worked for about 5 minutes. The indicator light came on again and the steering failed. The following day my vehicle was checked out by a mechanic who diagnosed the issue as a failed eps (electronic power steering). The estimated cost of just the part is $1200. I did not ask about the cost of labor. I have started the vehicle several times since the initial incident and sometimes the indicator light is not on and the power steering works for a few minutes. Ultimately the light comes on and the steering fails again within 5 minutes. At other times I have started the vehicle and the indicator light is on and there is no power steering.as I am the original owner of this vehicle, this is very upsetting.

- Jarrell, TX, USA

problem #169

Jul 092010

Ion

  • 91,000 miles
Power steering failed on its own while traveling 75 miles per hour on the freeway. Since the steering has failed ever time the vehicle is used. I have had near miss accidents on several occasions due to this problem. This problem is well known to the manufacturer, including the safety risk, yet no recall has been issued.

- San Jacinto, CA, USA

problem #168

Nov 152011

Ion

  • 113,926 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that as the vehicle was started, the steering wheel had become extremely difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted who advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,926.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #167

Nov 072011

Ion 4-cyl

  • 90,654 miles
Was riding down the highway at 70mph and all the sudden I had no power steering. I am no terrified to drive the car due to the fact if it keeps going out I don't want to wreck. I have called many mechanics and they have been telling me that there may have been a recall on this car. Please help me find out what is wrong. Today it happened twice to me. When I pull over and restart the car it will work for awhile. I have seen many articles about this I for me this is a safety concern. Now that Saturn is no longer in business what am I to do?

- Kingsland, GA, USA

problem #166

Nov 102011

Ion

  • 101,314 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the vehicle began pulling hard to the right with the illumination of the power steering warning light. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 101,314.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #165

Aug 012011

Ion

  • miles
The power steering is failing nearly every time the car is used. It fails within minutes after the car is started. Making turns requires a lot of effort in turning the steering wheel. The car can still be driven without the power steering, but one would hardly call it safe.

- Middletown, NJ, USA

problem #164

Jun 012011

Ion

  • 160,343 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred intermittently when driving at various speeds but would happen more often when driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a concurrent investigation under NHTSA action number: EA11014 (steering:electric power assist system) that could have been related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,343.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #163

Oct 152011

Ion

  • 95,354 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion 3. the contact was driving 30 mph when the power steering failure warning light illuminated. The failure light went off when the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 95,354.

- Bartlett , TN, USA

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