NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
265 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Steering
TL*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 …
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TL*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.
NHTSA ODI #10316663
35,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering
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 PO…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315920
40,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering
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? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315789
53,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering
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 S…
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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 $1200.00. I STILL DRIVE THE SATURN OCCASIONALLY ON SHORT DISTANCE ONLY. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315616
52,250 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering
TL*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 STEE…
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TL*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.
NHTSA ODI #10315367
61,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Steering
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 FA…
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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 $296.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312136
40,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Steering
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310051
55,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
2005 SATURN ION POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHY NO RECALL? MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. IT INVOLVES THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING EVERYDAY AND THIS POWER STEERING FAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305652
67,897 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 ION 2 SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TURNING AT A CORNER. I BLEW IT OFF UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 7 DAYS LATER. I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING IN A TURN, VERY DIFFICULT, I FOUND OUT. I COULD STOP & RESTART AND STEERING WOULD BE OKAY FOR A WHILE. IT HAS SINCE BEEN CONTINUOUS AND …
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WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 ION 2 SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TURNING AT A CORNER. I BLEW IT OFF UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 7 DAYS LATER. I HAD TO FIGHT THE STEERING IN A TURN, VERY DIFFICULT, I FOUND OUT. I COULD STOP & RESTART AND STEERING WOULD BE OKAY FOR A WHILE. IT HAS SINCE BEEN CONTINUOUS AND NOT WORTH THE EFFORT FOR A RESTART SINCE IT WILL ONLY LAST FOR A FEW MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS EPS UNIT SHORTING OUT. THEY DID NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PART AND ARE WELL AWARE OF CONDITION FROM OTHER OWNERS. IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND STILL NO PART. WHEN THE DASH ALARM GOES OFF (DING,DING,DING) IT MEANS GRAB WHEEL TIGHT! IT WILL ALSO SHOW (PWR STEER) IN CLUSTER. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS AS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COMPLIMENT THE OTHER DRIVERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT FOR KEEPING THEIR VEHICLES UNDER CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304375
35,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN CHANGING LANES ,THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON. THE VEHICLE THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN CHANGING LANES ,THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON. THE VEHICLE THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED IT, AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE STEERING MECHANISM THAT OVER HEATS AND SHUTS OFF. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36000. UPDATED 04/01/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 06/10/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10304323
Official recalls
3Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA11014 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Sep 29, 2011 · Closed Apr 15, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On March 31, 2014, General Motors Company (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 1,340,447 model year (MY) 2004 through 2010 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), including 334,728 MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles that are the subject of EA11-014.GM has assigned the recall number N140115.The NHTSA recall number is 14V-153.According to the DIR, if power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver.GM indicated that steering control can be maintained in manual (unassisted) steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe operation mode, removing power from the EPS motor.GM?s DIR identifies three basic conditions that may result in loss of power steering assist in the recalled vehicles:power steering motor faults, torque sensor assembly faults, and power steering motor controller unit faults.GM will issue four service bulletins providing different repair procedures for recalled vehicles.Bulletin 14115 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor in MY 2004-2007 Saturn ION, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and vehicles repaired in recall 10V-073 that received repairs prior to May 31, 2010.Bulletin 14116 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly in MY 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura vehicles built from March 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.Bulletin 14117 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly and power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from February 1, 2008 through February 28, 2008.Bulletin 14118 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 4,787 complaints and 30,560 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 14.3 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 9.1 percent.ODI?s analysis of alleged steering related crashes identified 12 with evidence indicating the incident was related to a loss of power steering assist. Two of the crash allegations involved low-speed curb impacts and are excluded from the resume crash count.Three incidents occurred in parking lots, six occurred while turning at street intersections, and one occurred on a highway exit ramp.The crashes in parking lots or intersections all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph.The crash on the highway exit ramp involved impact into a guard rail at approximately 35 mph.Two of the crashes resulted in injuries to the drivers.This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the attachment pages.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On March 31, 2014, General Motors Company (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 1,340,447 model year (MY) 2004 through 2010 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), including 334,728 MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles that are the subject of EA11-014.GM has assigned the recall number N140115.The NHTSA recall number is 14V-153.According to the DIR, if power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver.GM indicated that steering control can be maintained in manual (unassisted) steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe operation mode, removing power from the EPS motor.GM?s DIR identifies three basic conditions that may result in loss of power steering assist in the recalled vehicles:power steering motor faults, torque sensor assembly faults, and power steering motor controller unit faults.GM will issue four service bulletins providing different repair procedures for recalled vehicles.Bulletin 14115 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor in MY 2004-2007 Saturn ION, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and vehicles repaired in recall 10V-073 that received repairs prior to May 31, 2010.Bulletin 14116 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly in MY 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura vehicles built from March 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.Bulletin 14117 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly and power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from February 1, 2008 through February 28, 2008.Bulletin 14118 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 4,787 complaints and 30,560 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 14.3 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 9.1 percent.ODI?s analysis of alleged steering related crashes identified 12 with evidence indicating the incident was related to a loss of power steering assist. Two of the crash allegations involved low-speed curb impacts and are excluded from the resume crash count.Three incidents occurred in parking lots, six occurred while turning at street intersections, and one occurred on a highway exit ramp.The crashes in parking lots or intersections all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph.The crash on the highway exit ramp involved impact into a guard rail at approximately 35 mph.Two of the crashes resulted in injuries to the drivers.This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the attachment pages.
Steering:electric Power Assist System
On March 31, 2014, General Motors Company (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist in approximately 1,340,447 model year (MY) 2004 through 2010 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS), including 334,728 MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles that are the subject of EA11-014.GM has assigned the recall number N140115.The NHTSA recall number is 14V-153.According to the DIR, if power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver.GM indicated that steering control can be maintained in manual (unassisted) steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.Sudden loss of power steering assist can occur in the subject vehicles if the system loses electrical power or whenever the system detects a fault that requires it to enter fail-safe operation mode, removing power from the EPS motor.GM?s DIR identifies three basic conditions that may result in loss of power steering assist in the recalled vehicles:power steering motor faults, torque sensor assembly faults, and power steering motor controller unit faults.GM will issue four service bulletins providing different repair procedures for recalled vehicles.Bulletin 14115 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor in MY 2004-2007 Saturn ION, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and vehicles repaired in recall 10V-073 that received repairs prior to May 31, 2010.Bulletin 14116 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly in MY 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura vehicles built from March 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.Bulletin 14117 will provide repair instructions for replacing the torque sensor assembly and power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from February 1, 2008 through February 28, 2008.Bulletin 14118 will provide repair instructions for replacing the power steering motor controller unit in MY 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura vehicles built from October 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.Analysis of information from all sources identified a total of 4,787 complaints and 30,560 warranty claims related to loss of power steering assist while driving in the MY 2004 through 2007 Saturn ION vehicles, resulting in a complaint rate of 14.3 incidents per thousand vehicles and a warranty claim rate of 9.1 percent.ODI?s analysis of alleged steering related crashes identified 12 with evidence indicating the incident was related to a loss of power steering assist. Two of the crash allegations involved low-speed curb impacts and are excluded from the resume crash count.Three incidents occurred in parking lots, six occurred while turning at street intersections, and one occurred on a highway exit ramp.The crashes in parking lots or intersections all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph.The crash on the highway exit ramp involved impact into a guard rail at approximately 35 mph.Two of the crashes resulted in injuries to the drivers.This investigation is closed.All ODI complaints associated with this closing resume are listed in the attachment pages.
RQ10004 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Dec 15, 2010 · Closed Oct 5, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has received 846 complaints and GM identified 3,489 reports alleging sudden loss of steering power assist in model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Saturn Ion vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).Sixteen of these complaints alleged that the EPS warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of steering assist and the increased steering effort contributed to a crash. Two of the GM crash claims indicated that the driver was injured in the crash. In a previous Preliminary Evaluation PE10-005, ODI investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in MY 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles. In May 2011, in response to an ODI information request letter for RQ10-004, GM provided ODI with complaint, warranty and EPS system information related to EPS loss of assist for the Saturn ION and Peer vehicles Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu. In that response, GM indicated that the EPS system used in the subject vehicles was the same as that used in the MY2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5. In March 2010, GM recalled approximately 1.05 million Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles (NHTSA recall no. 10V-073) to correct a defect with the EPS assist motor. The defect identified was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material on the EPS electric motor armature which causes the motor to stop functioning; the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles.ODI has duplicated this failure in both a Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion previously tested at the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC). In the defect notification letter for the previously recalled Cobalt and G5 vehicles, GM stated that the vehicles may experience a sudden loss of assist that could occur at any time while driving and that if power steering was lost the vehicle would revert to manual steering mode and would require increased steering effort from the driver.ODI believes that, depending on driving circumstances this increase in steering effort could result in some loss of control and a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (EA11-014) to further assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of a sudden loss of steering assist in the subject vehicles.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has received 846 complaints and GM identified 3,489 reports alleging sudden loss of steering power assist in model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Saturn Ion vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).Sixteen of these complaints alleged that the EPS warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of steering assist and the increased steering effort contributed to a crash. Two of the GM crash claims indicated that the driver was injured in the crash. In a previous Preliminary Evaluation PE10-005, ODI investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in MY 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles. In May 2011, in response to an ODI information request letter for RQ10-004, GM provided ODI with complaint, warranty and EPS system information related to EPS loss of assist for the Saturn ION and Peer vehicles Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu. In that response, GM indicated that the EPS system used in the subject vehicles was the same as that used in the MY2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5. In March 2010, GM recalled approximately 1.05 million Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles (NHTSA recall no. 10V-073) to correct a defect with the EPS assist motor. The defect identified was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material on the EPS electric motor armature which causes the motor to stop functioning; the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles.ODI has duplicated this failure in both a Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion previously tested at the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC). In the defect notification letter for the previously recalled Cobalt and G5 vehicles, GM stated that the vehicles may experience a sudden loss of assist that could occur at any time while driving and that if power steering was lost the vehicle would revert to manual steering mode and would require increased steering effort from the driver.ODI believes that, depending on driving circumstances this increase in steering effort could result in some loss of control and a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (EA11-014) to further assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of a sudden loss of steering assist in the subject vehicles.
Steering
ODI has received 846 complaints and GM identified 3,489 reports alleging sudden loss of steering power assist in model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Saturn Ion vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).Sixteen of these complaints alleged that the EPS warning lamp had illuminated before or during the loss of steering assist and the increased steering effort contributed to a crash. Two of the GM crash claims indicated that the driver was injured in the crash. In a previous Preliminary Evaluation PE10-005, ODI investigated the sudden loss of power steering assist in MY 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles. In May 2011, in response to an ODI information request letter for RQ10-004, GM provided ODI with complaint, warranty and EPS system information related to EPS loss of assist for the Saturn ION and Peer vehicles Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu. In that response, GM indicated that the EPS system used in the subject vehicles was the same as that used in the MY2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5. In March 2010, GM recalled approximately 1.05 million Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles (NHTSA recall no. 10V-073) to correct a defect with the EPS assist motor. The defect identified was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material on the EPS electric motor armature which causes the motor to stop functioning; the same problem identified in the current subject vehicles.ODI has duplicated this failure in both a Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion previously tested at the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC). In the defect notification letter for the previously recalled Cobalt and G5 vehicles, GM stated that the vehicles may experience a sudden loss of assist that could occur at any time while driving and that if power steering was lost the vehicle would revert to manual steering mode and would require increased steering effort from the driver.ODI believes that, depending on driving circumstances this increase in steering effort could result in some loss of control and a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (EA11-014) to further assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of a sudden loss of steering assist in the subject vehicles.
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