CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Ion still had power steering issues and a defective ignition switch leftover from previous model years, but hey – at least Saturn improved some of its safety rating to marginal, right? Baby steps.

If you had to buy a Saturn Ion – and I would question why anyone would even consider it – I suppose the 2005 could be considered the best of a bad bunch? I mean, GM did finally get rid of that awful VTi transmission, and both the power steering problems and ignition switch defect that plagued owners were recalled. The problem is they waited 10 years to recall the ignition and let over 30,000 warranty claims get filed before they bothered to fix the power steering. So you kind of have to wonder, is GM making these fixes to keep owners safe or just to keep government lawyers from taking all their money? You be the judge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,715 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.

2005 Saturn Ion steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Saturn Ion:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Saturn Ion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #254

Dec 052022

Ion

  • miles

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

Power steering intermittently fails at random and steering wheel suddenly becomes immovable nearly causing serious accidents and endangerment to myself, my family, and others drivers on the roads.

- Duluth , MN, USA

problem #253

Sep 242021

Ion

  • miles
It says I have 0 I repaired recalls. I have had the powers steering fail 2x. More importantly, the ignition cylinder locks up and I can-??t get my keys out. I have to wait most times after turning the car off - for 3-5 minutes through a series of clicking noises in the ignition before the key will release. It is concerning because sometimes I have to get out immediately and the keys don-??t release. The car automatically locks itself and if I don-??t roll the window down- I become locked out. It yesterday had a issue with ignition all together and I wonder if it-??s related. I was made aware again there were many recalls on this issue and hoped to get it repaired. However it now states there are none unrepaired. I-??m wondering if it is a ongoing problem with the vehicle, it-??s repair parts etc and if it-??s just not been addressed because it-??s so old that so few are left on the road. Thank you. This is a increasing problem and a daily or every time I drive it issue now. I worry too the power steering will just go out in the interstate.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #252

Jul 122021

Ion

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering message was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (Steering) but the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 167,000.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #251

Nov 012020

Ion

  • 110,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the loss motive power without warning. The contact stated that steering assist and gauges were in operable. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that several of the electrical functions returned however, the electrical functions failed intermittently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated intermittently when the power steering assist was inoperable. Ocean crest Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (855 alternate hwy 101, warrenton, or 97146, (866)607-2902) was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer suggested that the vehicle be taken in to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Warrenton, OR, USA

problem #250

Oct 282019

Ion

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the steering wheel would move uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (glenn H. wright, bs 1517 w garvey ave N, West covina, ca 91706 (626) 962-6061) by roadside assistance and left at the dealer for 6 days. There was no diagnostic testing performed and the vehicle was not repaired. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance was taken the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #249

Dec 182018

Ion

  • 129,469 miles
12-13-2018. Took my daughter to school. Shut the car off went into the school and came out and started the car from parked position turned the car around was on a side street to cross highway 13 was ready to turn onto highway 13 and no power steering, this was part of a recall that GM issued and this new part didn't even last 38,000 miles. T

- Spencer, WI, USA

problem #248

Nov 172018

Ion

  • 120,000 miles

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

"takata recall" I put my key in the ignition. The car stalled for a quick second then came on gully. As I reversed out of my driveway and went to make a slight left I noticed my steering wheel had locked up. I was able to slow turn the wheel as I had to manually steer. I pulled over and parked. This is not safe.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

problem #247

Nov 142018

Ion

  • 175,000 miles
I had the recall fixed in 2015. The same issues that I had before have returned. When driving and the tank is full, I will get a service engine light and the tank gauge will read empty. It was fine when I began driving. Upon restarting the car the error goes away. When I put my car in park and try to turn off my ignition I have to put he shiftier in park several times before I can remove my key. Today car ran great when trying to move my car after starting my car my power steering was gone. Again upon turning off my car and restarting it, the power steering returned. I called the GM recall number and a case was created but I was told that there were not any current recalls on my car. The service number is 8-4833918801. But was told that all repairs are my responseability.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

problem #246

Jul 162018

Ion

  • miles
I was almost involved in an accident due to the steering wheel going very hard while I was trying to make a turn. A mechanic looked at the car and said that it does not have a power steering fluid compartment to add power steering fluid.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #245

Nov 012017

Ion

  • 207,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving out of a parking space at a low speed, the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn in any direction. After the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the contact was able to maneuver the steering wheel normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (maritime Chevrolet, 985 post road, fairfield, ct 06824) and the technician stated that there was no recall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 207,000.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #244

Mar 012018

Ion

  • 139,000 miles

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

Driving home from work suddenly I had experienced sudden loss of power steering. Research online indicates this make model and year has a known issue with this problem. However using VIN search I find no recall information. What are my options if I believe it's a manufacturer issue?

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #243

May 052017

Ion

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. After starting the engine and switching the shifter to reverse, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. During the incident, the power steering failure message was displayed. After turning the engine off and back on, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #242

Oct 232016

Ion

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed became hard to turn while driving in reverse. The power steering indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the engine and resume normal steering function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Palos, IL, USA

problem #241

Apr 202016

Ion

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Takoma, WA, USA

problem #240

Apr 102016

Ion

  • 97,200 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The power steering and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, but the failure occurred once more. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,200.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

problem #239

Jan 142016

Ion

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. When the vehicle was started, the power steering light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #238

Dec 172015

Ion

  • 135,000 miles
Absolutely abysmal customer service experience with orange Buick GMC orlando. I had them do two recalls on my '05 Saturn: The ignition switch (which was giving me problems due to the passlock system), and the electric steering assist (which I'd had _zero_ problems with prior, it was done as a precaution). After the steering motor was replaced, I started having intermittent power steering codes on startup with no assist (turning the car off then on clears it). They replaced the motor again. Problem still occurs. Now they're saying the steering column is suspect, it's not covered under the recall, and they won't do anything about it. How funny that the column would have been touched by their techs for both the motor and ignition replacements.

- Gotha, FL, USA

problem #237

Nov 052015

Ion

  • 177,482 miles
The car was driven to Chevrolet and repairs were done but car would not start, we were told it had a bad computor and was given the option to purchase a 1600 dollar unit from Chevrolet, we did not have the funds. We got a computor after the told us this was not a related issue. Then towed it back for a third to to be to its not under warranty. We dont have money for an attorney and Chevrolet and Saturn refuses to correct there srew up. We drove the vehical in and they want us to to pull it out we dont know what to do.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #236

Oct 252015

Ion

  • 116,000 miles
The car was fueled up, when it was being started it had great difficulty. Once it was running, it was driven and a right turn was made, then all gauges died. The check engine light, the airbag light and the "pwr str" massage remained on. The car was pulled over to the side of the road and turned the ignition switch to the off position the three indicators remained on and the car refused for about two minutes before turning off.

- Cleveland, WI, USA

problem #235

Sep 022015

Ion

  • 170,000 miles
Case # 8-1587665159 - 2005 Saturn Ion... I cannot get any help with this vehicle and I have gone through all the channels. The car dealership stated the ignition and power steering motor was replaced, yet, I have received no paperwork stating this was done. Ignition was replaced. If the power steering motor was replaced, it went out again while I was out of town, had a garage replace it along with the module but it also went out. Took it back to the dealership as paperwork from GM stated I should do but they wouldn't honor it because it was a used part. Previously, the gas lines had to be replaced as one could smell gas everywhere around the vehicle. I have been told by a GM rep that the car is older with a lot of mileage and problems will happen but GM officials knew about some of these issues when the car first came out... they did nothing for 10 years. The power steering constantly goes out, sometimes without a warning or sometimes with chimes. I am a 68-year-old heart patient that has to drive a vehicle knowing at any moment the power steering will go out and I could crash, yet, GM states pull the car off the road, turn it off and back on and it should be okay. This is not true. I am not able to steer this vehicle with manual transmission even though GM states, steering control can be maintained, as the vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could result in an increased risk of a crash. " I purchased this vehicle last year and had no clue about the recalls. Or perhaps GM had not admitted to them yet. I have no choice but to drive this vehicle as is as it is the only mode of transportation that I have.

- Coats, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?