NHTSA — Steering: Column Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

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.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,880 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

problem #5

Jan 052015

Ion

  • 129,000 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 at 55 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #4

Jun 172010

Ion

  • 47,841 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving at 15 mph, the power steering light illuminated. The steering wheel then became extremely stiff and locked. The contact was able to park the vehicle using extreme bodily force. The dealer advised that the steering column would need to be replaced without performing a diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 47,841.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #3

Dec 152009

Ion

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving at approximately 30-40 mph, the power steering light illuminated. The contact pulled over, parked and turned off the vehicle. After restarting, the vehicle behaved normally. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint and the failure became an everyday occurrence. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The current mileage was 66,414.

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

May 202010

Ion

  • 83,561 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated on the dashboard and the steering wheel immediately became stiff. The contact shut off the vehicle and when restarting, the steering functioned as normal. The failure occurred 8 additional times and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised replacing the entire steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 83,561.

- Tafton, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 212009

Ion

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. While driving 55 mph the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then there was a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the steering column was replaced at an expense of $950 the vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 96,000.

- Berryville, VA, USA

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