NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Saturn Ion. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I DRIVE A 2006 SATURN ION. FIVE NIGHTS AGO, I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN A "POWER STEERING" ALERT CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD, AND THEN ALL POWER STEERING WENT FROM THE CAR, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I STOPPED TO BUY SOME POWER STEERING FLUID, ASSUMING THAT WAS ALL IT NEEDED, BUT WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I TRIED TO FIND WHERE TO PUT THE FLUID UNDER THE HOOD, WE COULD NOT FIND IT. I STARTED THE CAR TO TRY TO GET HOME, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING FINE, THE ALERT FROM THE DASHBOARD GONE. THE NEXT MORNING, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND WHERE TO PUT THE FLUID AND HE COULD NOT. WE FOUND OUT THAT APPARENTLY SATURN CARS' STEERING ARE RUN ELECTRICALLY, SO THEY DO NOT REQUIRE FLUID. SINCE THAT FIRST NIGHT, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT WORKS AGAIN. SINCE IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE A CAR IN THIS CONDITION, I AM PLANNING TO TAKE MY ION TO A MECHANIC TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE COSTS. I NO LONGER HAVE A WARRANTY, AND I AM VERY WORRIED THAT IT WILL BE A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, SHE OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,750.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIMED AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF AND THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. GENERAL MOTORS WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD REPAIR THE ISSUE ONLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW IF AND WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ UPDATED 01/03/11.*JB
2006 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN, TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION 2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,432.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000. FUEL LEAKAGE. I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 SATURN ION BUT YET IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO IT BEING REGISTERED IN COLORADO. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART MYSELF AT $400. I SAVED THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP JUST IN CASE YOU DECIDE TO ADD COLORADO TO THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS. WHY WOULD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT IS LISTED IN THE RECALL NOT BE COVERED DUE TO A DIFFERENT STATE. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR. *TR
A WEEK AGO I STARTED TO GET THE SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE. CAR. I GOT SO BAD AFTER A WEEK THAT YOU CAN SMELL IT AS YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED TO MISS AND JERK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. MY MECHANIC IS CHARGING ME $310.00 FOR THE PUMP, AND $120.00 FOR LABOR. *TR
2006 SATURN ION. THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF. COULD NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE! HAD TO TAKE IT TO A GARAGE TO TURN OFF AND FIX THE IGNITION FOR OVER $300. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE AND MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND MY CAR WONT TURN OFF. THE KEY DOES NOT TURN AND THE "SHIFT LOCK" INSTRUCTIONS IN THE SATURN USER MANUAL DO NOT WORK. I TOOK MY CAR TO 3 GM DEALERS AND 2 OF THEM COULD NOT FIX IT AND SAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED IT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH MY KEY OR IGNITION BEFORE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR AT A GM DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE ALREADY CLOSED SO ONE OF THE GUYS PULLED THE FUSE THAT TURNS THE IGNITION OFF, HOWEVER THE KEY IS STILL INSIDE SO THE CAR IS STILL ON, THE DOORS WONT LOCK AND THE GM DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE GATES TO PROTECT MY CAR. IN OTHER WORDS MY BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY DIE AND THERE IS A RISK THAT MY CAR WILL GET STOLEN. *TR
I OWN A 2006 SATURN ION. IGNITION KEY WILL GET STUCK FROM A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES, WHILE I CAN HEAR THE IGNITION LOCK CLICKING INSIDE. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR
YES A FEW MONTHS AFO I FINANCED A 2006 SATURN ION LEVEL 3 SINCE THE FIRST WEEK HAVING IT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS INCLUDING A MAJOR GAS LEAK AND SEVERE GAS FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAB WHEN RUNNING AND NOT. THE DEALER HAD GIVIN ME NOTHING BUT LIES AND THE FUN AROUND AND ATTITUDE. HAD BEEN DOCUMENTED BY AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC THE CAR IN UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROADS AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED INSPECTION WHICH THE DEALER DID. I REALLY NEED HELP. I KNOW IT'S A GOOD CHANCE IT'S A FLOOD CAR THEY SOLD ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SATURN 2006 ION. KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 4 TIMES TO BE FIXED. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS KIND OF CARE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR RUNNING IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND IT COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41000.
AUTO ACCIDENT ON 8/11/10 . ACCIDENT TOTALED FRONT END OF CAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ON STAR DID NOT WORK COULD NOT CALL FOR HELP, ELECTRIC SYSTEM FAILED AND COULD NOT OPEN DOORS, WINDOWS. EMT HAD TO BREAK REAR WINDOW GLASS TO GET TO ME TO HELP. SEAT BELT HAD MADE SEVERE PAIN IN CHEST. WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR HELP WITH THE PAIN.AM STILL SUFFERING SEVERE PAIN. AUTO IS A 2006 SATURN ION. INSURANCE CO IS EVALUATING THE DAMAGE TO AUTO. AS A SENIOR ELDERLY WOMAN AND CANNOT DEPEND ON AUTO TO GET HELP WHEN NEEDED, THAT IS VERY SCARY. THAT IS WHAT I PAY MONTHLY FEES TO ON STAR FOR. I WANT TO FEEL SAFE IN MY AUTO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO REMOVED A FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NOT A NHTSA RECALL RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,166.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR BEEPED AS IF WARNING ME AND THE WORDS POWER STEERING CAME ACROSS MY CAGES. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK OUT CAR AND TURNED OFF CAR, I COULDN'T TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP AND HAD POWER STEERING, BUT NO MORE THAN A MINUTE WENT BY AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I REPEATED MY SAME PROCESS, I WAS ABLE TO CRIPPLE THE CAR HOME. AFTER FURTHER CHECKING INTO THIS I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE SO MANY MORE OF THE SAME CAR WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE PART AND WHEN IT CAN GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. IF YOU ARE IN A MAJOR TURN AND IT GOES OUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POWER LOSS AND WILL MOST DEFINITELY CAUSE A WRECK OR EVEN SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. THAT BEING SAID WITH SO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A RECALL ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. AT THIS TIME IM LOOKING INTO PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE TO, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
ON AUGUST 10, 2010, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION OF MY 2006 SATURN ION. THE CARE WOULD ALSO NOT TURN OFF. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED SATURN SERVICE PROVIDER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM BY CLEANING AND REPAIRING THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AT A COST OF OVER $180 TO ME. ON AUGUST 18, 2010, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME SERVICE PROVIDER AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE REALLY WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNLESS I WANTED THEM TO REPLACE THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER, WHICH WOULD COST ANOTHER $160+. I OPTED TO NOT SPEND THE ADDITIONAL MONEY SINCE I HAD ALREADY SPENT MONEY TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE. INSTEAD I DECIDED TO CALL THE SATURN CUSTOMER CARE LINE PROVIDED BY GM TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME SINCE THE CAR IS OVER WARRANTY AT 82,000 MILES. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND FROM EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD, NO OTHER TYPE OF CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER SATURN ION OWNERS THAT HAVE LESS MILES ON THEIR CARS THAN I DO. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE IS A DANGER OF SOMEONE NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THEIR CAR OFF AND POSSIBLY RUNNING OUT OF GAS OR NOT BEING ABLE TO GET HELP BECAUSE AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDER MIGHT NOT BE OPEN AT THE TIME. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION, THAT I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT. I TOOK IT TO MIDAS AND CARX AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS WHERE THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE FROM DEKALB TO GLENVIEW BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY PLACE WITH THE PART. THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND KEY ASM-D. I NOTICED THE OTHER DAY ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM THAT 50 PAGES WORTH OF PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 AND 2004 SATURN ION. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 ION WITH 65,000 MILES IT ISN'T PAID FOR YET. THE POWER STEERING IS GONE OUT. I AM A WIDOW. I DO NOT HAVE 500 DOLLARS TO PUT INTO THIS CAR. I WENT ON LINE AND MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE. IS GM DOING A RECALL ON THIS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR POWER STEERING IS GONE.. I NEED HELP! *TR
2006 SATURN ION POWER STEERING FAILURE - 4 TIMES DURING DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AND ONCE WHEN DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA TODAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN WILL BRING POWER STEERING BACK UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THAT THE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
FUEL PUMP CRACKED, LEAKING FUEL- IN MISSOURI. *TR
LEAVING A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING SIGNAL CHIMED ON. INSTANTLY AFTER I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CREATING DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTINUED THE SHORT DISTANCE TO MY HOUSE, NOT WANTING TO BE STRANDED. THE NEXT DAY WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING ALERT WAS GONE. HOWEVER IN JUST DRIVING LESS THAN A 1/2 MILE DOWN MY STREET THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ONCE AGAIN. I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL I DROVE IT INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THIS TRIP AS WELL. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTO MECHANIC AND I AM WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE. I WAS TOLD IT WILL MOST LIKELY BE PRICEY BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I REALIZE THAT THIS IS HAPPENS TO OCCUR OFTEN, POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. MY CAR HAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. ADDITIONALLY, THIS HAPPENED ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I EXPERIENCED THE IGNITION FREEZE-UP THAT MANY HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED. TWO VERY COSTLY REPAIRS IN ONE SUMMER IS UNFORTUNATE. *TR
LOSS OF POWER STEERING 2006 SATURN ION 2. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68000.
THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND THE CAR REMAINS RUNNING -- REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, REMOVE A FUSE OR LETTING THE CAR RUN OUT. THE DRIVER IS STRANDED AND VULNERABLE. *TR
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING MY 2006 SATURN ION II, NOT EVEN FIVE MINUTES, HEADING STRAIGHT. THE CAR DINGED THREE TIMES AND I GLANCED AT THE INFORMATION CLUSTER (WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS, ETC) AND THE WORDS "PWR STR" WHERE ON. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANT UNTIL I HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. UPON MAKING IT HOME, I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON TO REALIZE THE PROBLEM HAD SEEMED TO FIX IT SELF. THE "PWR STR" MESSAGE WAS GONE, AND THE CAR TURNED LIKE IT NORMALLY DID. I THEN WENT BACK OUT, AND ON MY WAY HOME AGAIN, HEADING STRAIGHT UNDER 30 MPH, THE CAR MADE A DINGING SOUNDS THREE TIMES AND THE MESSAGE REAPPEARED. I HAVE VISITED A LOCAL MECHANIC CHAIN STORE, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SLEW OF THINGS. I SEARCHED THE INCIDENT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SYSTEM AND THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NEGLECTED TO INCLUDE SATURN IN THE RECALL. FOR THIS, I AM RELUCTANT TO SHELL OUT LARGE SUMS OF MONEY ON A PART THAT WAS PROVEN FAULTY AND RECALLED. *TR
POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR SHORTED OUT, LUCKILY NOT IN THE ACT OF DRIVING BUT IS A SAFETY CONCERN NONETHELESS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.
ON JULY 21, 2010, WE WERE OPERATING A 2006 SATURN ION DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE SIMPLY DIED AS WE WERE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND ANGLED DOWN TOWARD RAILROAD TRACKS. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE TURN LANE AND RESTART THE CAR AND AVOIDED ANY INCIDENT. WE WENT TO DINNER AND, AFTER DINNER, STOPPED TO FILL THE GAS TANK. UPON RETURNING HOME, WE PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND SCARILY, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN SO THAT WE COULD KILL THE ENGINE! AFTER VARIOUS MANEUVERS AND READING ONLINE ABOUT OVER 400 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING, I FINALLY REMOVED FUSE #16 AND REMOVED THE NEGATIVE CABLE OFF THE BATTTERY.AFTER READING FURTHER, I NOTED THAT THE ENGINE DYING AT RANDOM COULD EASILY BE RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I CONTACTED A LOCKSMITH THIS MORNING WHO WORKED AND WORKED ON TRYING TO REMOVE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND HE COULD NOT. NOW I AM WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK TO COME GET THE CAR AND REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER AND POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAD THIS BEEN MY MOTHER OR ANYONE ELSE'S MOTHER FOR THAT FACT, THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE SAT IN THE GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY UNTIL THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS. THIS IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS THAT THERE ARE OVER 400 COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND GM IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING CARS FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE TURN LANE AND GET STOPPED AND RESTARTED WITHOUT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE AND VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE INTERNET TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR'S ENGINE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 SATURN ION 3. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON AND THERE IS A FAILURE FOR THE POWER STEERING, AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. I KNOW THAT GM HAS RECALLED THE SAME THING IN THE CHEVY COBALTS. AND THE COBALT ALSO HAD THE ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP CRACKING THAT THE 2006 SATURN ION 3 HAD. I THINK THAT THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE TWO AND THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED IN THE SATURNS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEERING WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,922.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ALARM ACTIVATED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME INOPERABLE. WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO BE MORE PRONOUNCED IN THE EVENING THAN ANY OTHER TIME. SATURN WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY 2006 SATURN ION TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ON THIS AS OF NOW, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE BESIDES MYSELF. I HOPE THIS GETS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF THAT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED. THE POWER STEERING RESETS WHEN THE CAR GETS TURNED OFF. *TR
STEERING ASSIST SHUT DOWN WHILE IN A TURN CAUSING CAR TO MOMENTARILY ENTER LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, MY 2006 SATURN ION2'S POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF. THIS CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC ASSIST STEERING MOTOR VS. A POWER STEERING PUMP. DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING WILL SHUT DOWN MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON, THE MOTOR WILL RESET ITSELF FOR A WHILE BEFORE SHUTTING DOWN AGAIN. THIS SAME MOTOR HAS BEEN RECALLED BY GM ON DIFFERENT GM CARS, BUT NOT THE SATURNS AS OF YET. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS WEEK TO LOOK AT IT. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THREE WEEKS NOW. MOSTLY DRIVING STRAIGHT HAS POSED LIMITED DANGER, HOWEVER, THE OTHER DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CURVE WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON ME WHICH CAUSED ME TO DRIFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT'S VERY SCARY AND I HAVE LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN MY CAR AT THE MOMENT, BUT I HAVE TO GET TO WORK. *TR
HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION, IT HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD 2 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS 2 YEARS AGO AND I COULD NOT GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF, TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED THE SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THERE ARE OTHER RECALLS CONCERNING THIS CAR, BUT NOT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN I AM DRIVING, AT ANY TIME, MY ODOMETER AREA CHIMES A FEW TIMES AND READS POWER STEERING AND I AM BARELY ABLE TO STEER MY CAR. THIS IS SO UNSAFE, I CAN BARELY DRIVE IT ANYWHERE NOW! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY CAR AND WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR THE COBALTS AND G5S BUT NOT OUR SATURN IONS!! IT HAPPENS TWICE A DAY AND I'M REALLY GETTING SCARED. I LOOKED TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE AT MY LOCAL GM PLACE AND THEY QUOTED ME AT LEAST 1,000 DOLLARS BUT THE COBALTS AND G5S HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME POWER STEERING SET UP AND THEY GET IT FOR FREE?? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICE BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD PREVIOUSLY SMELLED GASOLINE INTERMITTENTLY FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT INSPECT FURTHER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR POTENTIALLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,445 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,465.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AT ANY GIVEN SPEED; AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL YEAR SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
POWER STEERING FAILURE IN 2006 SATURN ION 3 WITH 56000 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,103 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,216.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAPABILITIES. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT I SENT TO A CONSUMER REPAIRS OFFICE AND THE FTC: DATE = COMPANY NAME = SATURN/GMC COMPANY CONTACT = CUSTOMER SERVICE/ROADSIDE SERVICE INCIDENT = I GOT HOME FROM SHOPPING WITH MY SATURN 2006 ION II, AND TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I TRIED TO GET THE PANEL UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL OFF AND HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT OFF, SO I COULD GET TO THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, AND COULDN'T FIND THE PLUNGER AT FIRST, AND THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE EITHER LIKE IT SAID IT WOULD TO GET THE KEY OUT. THE KEY CAME OUT, BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. I TRIED THREE TIMES TO TALK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ROADSIDE SERVICE THROUGH ON STAR AND SATURN AND GOT VERY LITTLE INFORMATION OF HOW TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING. FINALLY, THE LAST PERSON AT ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR SATURN HELPED ME TO REMOVE THE FUSE 16 FOR THE FUEL INJECTORS WHICH CUT THE ENGINE, BUT THEN DIDN'T TELL ME HOW TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE AND IT WAS STILL POWERED ON. THANK GOD FOR A FRIEND WHO CAME OVER TO HELP ME GET THE MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY CABLE UNSCREWED, NOT UN-BOLTED, LIKE IN OLDER CARS, TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE, SO THAT THE POWER WOULD NOT BE DRAINED BY ALL THE REMAINING POWER THAT WAS ON. WHAT IS BAD IS THAT THE SO-CALLED AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER FOR SATURN IN MY TOWN IS NOT OPEN ON SATURDAYS. SATURN, AT LEAST USE TO HAVE SATURDAY HOURS FOR SERVICE. WHY ISN'T THE GOVERNMENT FORCING GMC AND SATURN TO RECALL THIS DEFECT. THEY GET TOYOTA TO DO THINGS, BUT FOR AMERICANS THEY DO LITTLE!!! HELP GOVERNMENT REGULATORS! I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR ON TUESDAY AND TAKE OFF WORK. THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN REFERRING TO THIS WHICH IS 04-08-45-005D, I BELIEVE. *TR
2006 SATURN ION. PROBLEM: COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE CAR IS RUNNING AND TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (INCLUDING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED). ONCE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED POWER STEERING WORKS. IN THE LAST THREE DAYS THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TO 8 TIMES. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS FINE. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND ALSO SAW NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. MOST RECENT DATE OF INCIDENT IS LISTED BELOW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE POWER STEERING IN MY SATURN 2006 ION LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER THE LIGHT COMES ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND I NEED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED ON JUNE 30TH 3 TIMES, JULY 1ST 1-2 TIMES AND JULY 3RD 1-2 TIMES. I HAD TO GET THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN CARS FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT THE SAME PARTS IN THE CARS THEY ARE RECALLING IS IN THE SATURN. THE SATURN ION'S SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL IN MY 2006 SATURN ION WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAVE A LOT OF CURVES ON MY WAY HOME AND TAKE A U TURN TO GET HOME. IT TOOK A LOT OF STRENGTH TO DO BUT I MANAGED TO GET HOME. WHEN I WAS HOME I ASKED A FRIEND TO GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY FIGURED THAT IT JUST NEEDED SOME POWER STEERING FLUID. WHEN WE WENT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR WE COULDN'T FIND ANY PLACE TO PUT IN SOME POWER STEERING FLUID. THEN HE TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE DASH BOARD DIDN'T SAY THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. WE WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID. IT IS CONTROLLED BY A MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS UPSETTING TO LEARN BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BEFORE WHEN MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN THEN, BUT THAT WAS UNDER A RECALL. NOW MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT ABOUT EVERY DAY TO EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN SO THAT I CAN HAVE POWER STEERING. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026