The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving 30 mph, the letters "pwr str" illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was turned off and then restarted normally. The failure recurred later that day. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that it would cost $1,300 to repair. The vehicle is currently still at the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 68,000. Updated 05/08/09 the consumer stated the repairs have been made. The entire steering column was replaced. Updated 05/12/09. Updated 06/09/09.

- Gary, IN, USA

Electric power steering failure in 2005 Saturn Ion in less than 16000 miles but 8 months out of warranty. Power steering became operational after each restart, but failed again within 3-5 minutes of driving. Very difficult to steer posing a safety hazard for my wife. Dealer repair required replacement of complete steering column approaching $1000 in repair cost. Ignition switch has also failed to permit car from starting on two occasions. Dealer also replaced at the same time. Dealer returned both parts to me. I have learned that both are common failures with this car and other GM compacts. Several incidents of repeated failures of the electric power steering. There should have been recalls or reimbursement for these premature failures. No wonder GM is going bust with a product of such low reliability and poor design.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist failed without warning. It required great force for the contact to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were less than 98,000.

- Eminence, KY, USA

Power steering on my Saturn keeps turning off while car is moving. Intermittent problem.

- Pearl City, HI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion 3. the contact stated that she has been experiencing failures with the ignition in her vehicle. During cold temperatures in the winter seasons, the key would fail to start the engine. All of the interior lighting in the vehicle would illuminate; however, the vehicle would not start at all. Through online research, the contact discovered that numerous consumers were experiencing the same failure. She read information concerning warming up the steering column in order to restart the vehicle. The information stated that she must somehow heat up the steering column. The contact stated that shortly after she followed this advice, the engine started in her vehicle. She has not taken the vehicle to the dealer because the vehicle is out of warranty. She does not believe that she should pay for something that she feels is a manufacturer defect. The failure did not occur in previous winters because the vehicle was parked in an indoor garage. The vehicle is currently being parked in an outside parking lot. The failure and current mileages were 18,000. Updated 2/23/09 the consumer also stated the key would get stuck in the ignition when trying to turn the vehicle off. Also the anit-theft light illuminated as well. Updated 02/26/09.

- Milwuakee, WI, USA

I was driving my 2005 Saturn Ion, it was snowing here in seattle. The power steering without any warning gave out. I could not maneuver my car and the car ended up hitting the sidewalk with alot of force and causing front damage. When I contacted Saturn they stated they were aware of the problem but they were not issuing a recall.

- Renton, WA, USA

I have a 2005 Saturn Ion-3 with 87,639 miles on it. Last week on the freeway out of now where my power steering stopped working. This problem caused me to swerve almost causing an accident. I then pulled off to the side of the road to re-group and try to figure out what went wrong. After a few minutes I started the car and started driving, it was as if nothing ever happened. This happens almost every time I drive it now. It occasionally trips the power steering light, so I took it to my local Saturn dealer. They scanned the car to check the problem and said that I need to replace the entire steering column due to a failed power steering module. They want $955 plus tax to address this issue. I do not feel safe driving my car. However I have no choice but to deal with it for I have no other means of transportation and I have to be able to make it back and forth to work to support the family.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. A month after purchasing the vehicle, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact attempted to turn the steering column, but was unsuccessful. She turned off and then restarted the vehicle and the steering column resumed working. She stated that the steering column locked on three occasions while driving. The dealer stated that the cause of the failure was an electrical issue and then repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they would not reimburse her for the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 12/10/08 the fog lamp was craxked. Updated 12/16/08.

- Hazel, TX, USA

When I shut off my 2005 Saturn Ion, the key does not always come out of the ignition as it should. I have to wait a few minutes before the key will come out. This is a recurring problem and has been going on for over a year. I am also having problems with my power steering. The pwr str comes on all the time. When I shut the car off, it resets, but after a few minutes it comes back on again. This has been happening for the past two months. I took my car to Saturn of fayetteville (nc) when the power steering first started acting up, and the mechanic said he could not find the problem, but if it kept happening I would have to have the steering console replaced. The estimated cost of fixing it? over $900.

- Autryville, NC, USA

I have 2005 Saturn Ion and when I go to turn the car off the key gets stuck. This problem caused more problems with the car so far. Saturn is not willing to fix it.

- Brackenridge, PA, USA

2005 Saturn Ion 2 - two problems 1. most recent - key stuck in ignition and the car will not shut off! turned key many times, tried pliers and the key still stuck. Battery now disconnected and relay disconnected. Have seen other complaints of this problem with Ions. 2. steering column - fault code "pwr str" comes up and car loses power steering. Will reset if car is turned off, but will do it again within a couple of minutes.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

2005 Saturn Ion purchased 3,20,2005. Front-end makes noise when rolling over bumps and/or turning.

- Jennings, OK, USA

I sent a letter to GM it was passed to Saturn Corp. Ongoing problems never fixed.started at 19000 miles and continue with mileage at 31000. 2 different service depts. Still have the problems. Blown off by Saturn Corp. By rude customer service. First service visit after specifically making an appointment for this lemon resulted in a car wash. The noise tech was not in. I drove 40 miles for a car wash? never went back. Saturn sent a customer satisfaction survey and I replied; "call me". they instructed me to go to another dealer. I did and the service advisor told me it was my rotors making the noise. He then tried to charge me for the repair!!! the vehicle is under warranty. He then said that they will do it at no charge after I protested. I received the car back, said thank you and left. When I got about a mile from the dealership, the problems were still there (noise and vibration from the front passenger side of the vehicle). I called him from my cell phone and told him and he said ;"ok, we will get you in sometime during the week so we can spend more time with it". could you imagine how I would have felt if I had actually agreed to pay? I was very upset. Saturn Corp. Called me after about 2 weeks and asked me how it went and I told them it did not go well. They contacted the service manager and after a while, he called me. I told him that I would come back in after the holidays. I called him to set an appointment just after the new year. We set one up on a Saturday morning at the dealership. I showed up, he did not. I was taken care of by a service advisor. After checking the car out, he said that they needed to change the "rack". so, I had to come back again. I picked it up the next day. Here is the bottom line; now the car drifts, to the right to be exact, oh, and my vibration is still there along with the noise in the front end. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. I believe it is a lemon or there is something else someone is not telling me!

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

I was attempting to change lines on md I-97 North bound from the slow right lane to the fast lane left lane. When a car in the fast lane speed up which never allowed me to change lanes, I continued to travel in the same slow right lane. Within 1 minute after that action of the attempted lane change, I experienced the steering wheel shaking erratically and trying to pull to the right. Although the car was going straight, the steering wheel kept pulling to the right. Eventually, the car started fishing tailing or swerving. When I tried to slow the car down, the sensitivity of the steering wheel over compensated for the minor turning of the steering wheel and basically took over the steering from me. This action of the car placed me into a position in which I could not fully recover on my own and made the car spin out of control facing the opposite direction and subsequently Y causing an head-on collision.

- Baltimore, MD, USA