The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact heard a chime accompanied with an illuminated power steering service light which resulted in power steering failure. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home; upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering functioned correctly and the service light shut off. The failure continued to occur on an intermittent basis. The vehicle had not been taken to an authorized dealership when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 99,800. The current mileage was approximately 100,500.

- Markesan, WI, USA

We have a 2005 Saturn Ion that we purchase new. It has been losing it's power steering for a while now. We have found that when this happens, we can turn the car off and restart it, and this seens to take care of the problem. The power steering seems to last for shorter periods of time, and we are not sure what to do. I found this site and decided that we also need to report the problem. Have heard different prices to have it fixed, but I think it should be covered in the GM recall (as it seems to be the same part/problem that other GM cars are experiencing). Very hard to control and not sure when it will be working from one moment to the next.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

The power steering fails and the vehicle becomes very difficult to turn.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. A chime sounded inside of the vehicle. There was difficulty steering. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. Also, two weeks prior to the failures the engine stalled without warning. The technician was unable to locate the problem. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure and current mileages were 30,000.

- Honollu, HI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. While driving at a speed of 30 mph the contact noticed that the power steering light had appeared on the dashboard moments later the vehicles power steering had stopped functioning, however after restarting the vehicle the power steering corrected itself and began working properly. The contact called the dealership and was informed that her vehicle was not affected by any recalls. The failure mileage was at 75649 and the current mileage is 77000.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph. A sudden loss of power steering occurred without warning. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle has not been diagnosed for the malfunction. The current and failure mileages were 79,000.

- Kemp, TX, USA

Power steering failing, very hard to turn.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

Power steering has been going out on my 2005 Saturn Ion. After searching on the internet for causes, I realized many people are having the same problem. It was said that the system used has been recalled in other GM models, but not the Saturn Ion line. It was suggested by the other owners that we submit this problem in an effort for a recall. It is a safety issue when you lose your power steering without notice. Luckily at his point I have not had a situation causing any damage or injury. Just inconvenience and worry about when it will go out again. Thank you

- Plymouth, MN, USA

I purchased my 2005 Saturn Ion in may of 2009. Shortly after I began experiencing problems with my power steering failing. Recently GM has recalled many Chevy and Pontiac models with the same problem. My 2005 Saturn Ion redline uses the same power steering unit as the other models recalled, but has not been covered in the recall.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

Every so often when driving, I hear three dings and a "pwr str" message is displayed. The electric power steering has failed, but comes back after stopping and restarting the car. This has occurred 3 times in the past month. I have not attempted to repair yet, as the cost of repair is very high, about $1000.

- Elgin, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving approximately between 55-60 mph on normal road conditions. A chime sounded inside of the vehicle. The power steering warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Immediately, there was a loss of power steering. The driver experienced difficulty in steering. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle continued which required greater pressure applied to the steering wheel. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunction. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

My 2005 Saturn Ion has the same power steering problems as is being discussed for the Chevrolet cobalt recall -- please include the Saturn Ion in the recall as they share the same "platform" as I understand. In the last year, my Ion would have no power steering after starting the car (this has occurred about four times). There would be a chime sound and the display would say "power steering". I would turn off the car and restart it and the problem would be gone.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. Whenever he was driving the power steering light came on prior to the power steering failure. The vehicle became uncontrollable while driving approximately 20 mph before the vehicle was moved to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that there were no recalls or warranties related to the failure and that the vehicle could be repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer was called and confirmed what the dealer stated. The failure mileage was 34,000. Updated 11/16/10. Updated 12/01/10. The consumer received reimbursement. Updated 12/09/10

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the power steering locked. The vehicle began to steer in one direction towards a concrete wall. The contact came to a complete stop with out a crash. The engine was turned off. The vehicle was restarted after a 30 second waiting period. The vehicle resumed to normal operation. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. There was not a safety recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer recommended the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic testing. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage and current mileages were 60,000.

- Crowley, TX, USA

I was advised after calling Saturn a third time that I file a complaint on this website to go toward a recall of my electric power steering motor on my Saturn Ion 2. 1. one night in November 2009, while making a long drive on the highway, my power steering went out without warning. When I turned the car off and back on, the power steering came back on. 2. however, since then, the power steering started to go out more and more frequently. For the past two months, the power steering goes out as soon as I start driving the car and I drive without it 99% of the time. I have no idea whether I am causing any further damage to the car driving it like this. There is no warning of it happening other than the beep that occurs after it goes out. Sometimes the beep will be so delayed that I will go to turn and it is extremely hard and unexpected. This back and forth of having or not having power steering is obviously a safety issue. I cannot rely on skill or muscle memory alone to know the force I need to steer the car. I have not yet had a crash but I worry about it more and more. Parking is a huge problem. 3. I was told by Saturn that if I went to one of the (few remaining) Saturn dealers to have a diagnostic done, it would then contribute to a recall. I did go have this done, and the dealer told me it was "only a matter of time till a recall, since we see this problem every day now". they even started carrying just the motor since it was so expensive for thousands of people to have to replace the whole steering column. They quoted me a price for repair and I've been waiting for the recall. It is very hard to scrape up $600 to repair a part that they all know is defective. Do people have to crash and get seriously injured or die before it will be recalled? now to see other GM cars get recalled for the exact same power steering motor, but not mine, is unbelievably frustrating. There is no "Saturn electric power steering motor"...they use the exact same part.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

My mother's 2005 Saturn Ion looses power steering all the time. If you stop the car, turn it off, and restart the car then the power steering works again for a while. This is the same problem reported in the 1.3 million cars GM just recalled but they did not include the Saturn Ion. Why?

- Centreville, MD, USA

On Oct. 2009 to present my Saturn Ion (2005) power steering failure. This happens everytime when I drive the car. In order for the problem to go away, I have to pull over and turn off engine and power steering is ok for few miles, then power steering failure again and again. The steering wheel gets really hard and it's hard to steer. Also I noticed my mileage from 60,000 now reads 711,300. I called the dealer and explain the situation and they are going to charge me over $1200. I still drive the Saturn occasionally on short distance only. Please help.

- San Diego, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The electrical power steering failed as he was driving various speeds. He had to drive onto the side of the road, turn the engine on and off so that the vehicle would reset. The failure has occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they will replace the power steering motor for $500. The manufacturer was not called. The failure mileage was 52,250.

- Rochester, NY, USA

On Jan 16 2010 my 18 year old son was driving our 2005 Saturn Ion and he called me on my cell to tell me the power steering suddenly stopped working. I told him to pull over, (he already did) turn the car off, and wait a few minutes. He did that and called me back about 15 minutes later to say he did make it home and the ps failed again right before he got home. He then told me he noticed the power steering light on the dash would come on if the radio was on so he did not have that on for the rest of the way home. It did not make any sense at the time until I was told T the car has electric steering. The next day (Sunday), I drove the car to sears to have the battery tested thinking that was the problem as I have never changed out the battery since the purchase of the car. Sears said the battery was fine and they said my problem with the power steering was probably not related to the battery and they recommend I take it to the dealer. During the drive that day to sears the power steering was fine because I did not turn on the radio or headlights (the ps light also came on when the lights were turned on). However, on the way home the ps again failed anyway right before we got home. The car was not driven the rest of the day. The next day, Monday the 18th, I drove the car to the Saturn dealer (Saturn of tucson) and the steering was fine the whole way over. The dealer replaced the power steering motor and their explanation was it shorted out. I asked if this was something I caused and they said no. They also had no explanation as to why this happened given the car had only 61,000 (approx) miles and it was only 4.5 years old. The repair cost was $296.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Powersteering went out while driving causing the ability almost impossible to maneuver the car off the road, it happened at 60 miles an hour on the freeway, I pulled over and turned car off and started engine and it reset, it does it on occasion 3 or 4 times a month.

- Long Beach, CA, USA