2004 Saturn Ion Steering Problems

The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes no difference, no check engine light and auto technician said the ignition looks fine. Ive read tons of reports like this on the 2004 saturn ion 2-why isn't this being addressed?

NHTSA ID

11696981

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for additional diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11497233

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING, GM REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN ISN'T ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR SAYS IT HAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM AND PUMP.

NHTSA ID

11390624

Incident

Dec 29, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

POWER STEERING STICKS. I TAKE A 55MPH CURVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T COME BACK TO CENTER. IT WANTS TO TAKE ME OFF THE ROADWAY.

NHTSA ID

11377365

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

Mileage

138,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,639.

NHTSA ID

11325424

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

172,639 mi

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THE PAST FEW DAYS. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED THEN MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AND DOES NOT TURN THE WHEELS. I WAS IN MOTION IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

11322453

Incident

Apr 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC LOCATED AT (300 S UNIVERSITY DR, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 417-8998) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,000.

NHTSA ID

11318552

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

244,000 mi

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN ION 1 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THE ELECRTIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DEALER IN MY AREA SAYS THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR MAY 2019 USED EVERY DOLLAR I HAD TO BUY IT. IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN THERE IS NOTHING FOR JOBS HERE. I WORK PART TIME AT A FAST FOOD RESTURANT AND CAN BARLEY AFFORD TO FEED MY FAMILY. I JUST SPENT 2000.00 ON THIS CAR AND CANT RISK DRIVING IT NOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. I HAVE KIDS TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND A JOB TO REPORT TO EVERYDAY I NEED MY CAR FIXED ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11255013

Incident

Sep 5, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITHOUT POWER STEERING ABILITY TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF DENVILLE (LOCATED AT 281 US-46 E, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973) 644-7584) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800.

NHTSA ID

11221011

Incident

Jun 14, 2019

Mileage

17,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). WHILE REVERSING, THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID

11207896

Incident

Apr 17, 2019

Mileage

147,000 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STOPPED. IT STIFFENED UP AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK THEM TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE PROBLEM BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY (400,000 SATURN IONS ON THE ROAD) COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. GMC TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS NO RECALL; THEY COULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11182157

Incident

Feb 16, 2019

Mileage

163,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING WITHOUT NOTICE .WHEN YOU ARE TRUNING IT IS HARD,ALSO THE BEARING AND STRUTS ARE ALSO VERY RUFF.ALMOST HAD A WRECK WHEN TURING

NHTSA ID

11176627

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

117,525 mi

WHILE ON A NEIGHBOR HOOD DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH I STEERING WHILE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THEN LOCKED ITSELF IN STRAIGHT POSITION. IT IS PARKED NEXT TO HOME ON CITY CURB SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11165466

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, "POWER STEERING" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11141056

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

111,000 mi

2004 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR

NHTSA ID

11131268

Incident

Aug 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE STEERING ABILITY WAS LOST AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ALL STAR CHEVROLET OF OLIVE BRANCH AT 678-829-0246 (LOCATED AT 7240 CRAFT-GOODMAN RD, OLIVE BRANCH, MS 38654) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THE CONTACT ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO ASSIST WITH TOWING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT HELP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11131545

Incident

Jun 21, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

I PURCHASE THIS CAR ON 04/12/2018 FROM A LOCAL DEALER, EVERYTHING WORKED FINE, UNTIL 2 DAYS LATER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. I THEN PARKED THE CAR FOR A FEW DAY WHEN I STARTED IT UP STEERING WORKED ALRIGHT FOR ABOUT A HALF MINUTE, THE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11088776

Incident

Apr 14, 2018

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER (PELLAGRINO CHEVROLET IN WESTVILLE, NJ) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2011 PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11056103

Incident

Dec 17, 2017

Mileage

98,000 mi

IN PARKING LOT ON LEAVING A STORE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE. NEXT I WENT TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED MY TANK. WHEN I LEFT THE STEERING WAS OKAY....THE DASH SYMBOL FOR POWER STEERING WAS NOT LONGER SHOWING. I LOST POWER STEERING ONCE BEFORE AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. (INVOICE INCLUDED) THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPAIRED AT MILEAGE 83,868. THE CURRENT ON HAPPENED AT MILEAGE 99,199. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED EITHER TIME. I HOPE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN ON A CURVY ROAD WHICH IS NEAR OUR HOME. HAD THE STEERING GONE OUT ON THAT AT 35 TO 40 MPH I'M NOT SURE I COULD HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COPED WITH THE SITUATION. SURELY ONCE THE DASH LIGHT POWER STEERING COMES ON ONCE IT MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SERVICED.

NHTSA ID

11023724

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

99,034 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 AT THE PAT O'BRIEN DEALER. AFTER THE REPAIR AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11010459

Incident

Jul 24, 2017

VIN: [XXX] , SALESPERSON:[XXX] DATE OF PURCHASE: MARCH 27, 2017 , DEALERS NUMBER: 47243...$2000 IN REPAIRS PAID IN CASH.PURCHASE VEHICLE IN CASH FOR $3000.FALSE ADVERTISEMENT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION@TIME OF PURCHASE&SEVERAL DEFECTIVE& MALFUNCTIONING PARTS&I WAS SOLD A LEMON CAR THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK.WIND SHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKE@ TIME OF PURCHASE. MUFFLER PROBLEMS, RATTLES TOO..EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NO GOOD&FIXED.BRAKE FAULTY,I PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS.TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY.CAR CONTINUOUSLY SHAKES.IT'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF SHOP SINCE I PURCHASED IT. TRANSMISSION ACCELERATION&GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY OR SHIFT IN TIME. WINDOW IS OFF THE TRAP&WILL BRAKE IF I PUT IT ALL THE WAY DOWN..GAS LEAK. GAS LEAK=$30 A DAY SINCE PURCHASE. IGNITION LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL&WON'T TURN WHILE DRIVING. KEY WILL NOT TURN.CAR WILL NOT START&NEEDS A NEW IGNITION. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH/IN 2WEEKS OF BUYING IT. I WAS ON THE ROAD&THE WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. I HAD TO REPLACE IT& IT'S AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHEEL. BRAKE FLUID WAS SOLD DIRTY. OVERHEATING CONSTANTLY. FAN OVER RUNNING.TIMING BELT NEEDS CHECKED. BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING& SQUEALING&WHEN PUMPED SHOOT AIR, BRAKE PADS WERE CHANGED& BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED& IS CLEAR INSTEAD OF BLACK. ALL THESE PROBLEMS EXISTED@TIME OF PURCHASE.IT WAS SOLD AS IS.I'VE LOST TIME FROM WORK. I DID NOT KNOW IT'S BEEN RECALLED SEVERAL TIMES. GM &DEALER IS@FAULT. IT IS A LEMON. PUTS MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THE ROAD.DEALER GAVE ME A DUMMY KEY. THAT'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE RIGHTS UNDER THE SONG-BEVERLY WARRANTY RIGHTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10985885

Incident

Mar 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA ID

10887599

Incident

Aug 21, 2014

Mileage

94,000 mi

MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2004 SATURN ION. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. THERE HAS BEEN MANY RECALLS INCLUDING POWER STEERING RECALL THAT WE HAD REPAIRED 08/28/2014 1.5 YRS AGO AND 15,000MILES. THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BACK FOR A WHILE. I GOT HOLD OF GM DEALER AND GM THEMSELVES AND THEY TOLD US THEY DID RECALL NOW ITS OUR PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND MY DAUGHTER IS THE ONE THAT DRIVES THE CAR AND SHE IS ONLY 100 LBS AND WHEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER STEERING SHE CAN NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I NEED HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE FILED COMPLAINT WITH MANY DEPARTMENTS PLEASE SOMEONE HELP. THE DEALER IS ST JAY AUTO BUICK GMC 500 MEMORIAL DRIVE ST JAOHNSBURY, VT 05819 802-748-1355 MY INFO IS [XXX] AND [XXX] [XXX], VT 05855 [XXX] OR [XXX] VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ID

10860761

Incident

Aug 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 266,000.

NHTSA ID

10860747

Incident

Apr 8, 2015

Mileage

266,000 mi

NO POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEED OR AFTER MORE THAN 5 MINUTES DRIVING. VERY HARD TO STEER. NO CONTROL OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10850490

Incident

Mar 17, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi