NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
265 reportsClear category filter89,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10610492
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT WAS PART OF IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER RECALLS. HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL SINCE 2006, BUT WAS "PUT OFF" BY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 6 OCCASIONS WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY RECEIVED RECENT IGNITION RECALL, AND CONTACTED CHEVY DEALER TO FIX. DEALER P…
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HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT WAS PART OF IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER RECALLS. HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL SINCE 2006, BUT WAS "PUT OFF" BY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 6 OCCASIONS WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY RECEIVED RECENT IGNITION RECALL, AND CONTACTED CHEVY DEALER TO FIX. DEALER PAID FOR RENTAL CAR UNTIL REPAIR WAS DONE (ABOUT 1 MONTH) AS INSTRUCTED BY GM CORPORATE. I ASKED DEALER ABOUT POWER STEERING RECALL AS CORPORATE HAD STATED MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL AS WELL. DEALER FOUND NO HISTORY OF RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM (CHECKED ON 2 OCCASIONS). I CALLED GM CORPORATE 3 TIMES AND WAS TOLD THE SAME STORY...MY CAR IS PART OF POWER STEERING RECALL (AS PER VIN), AND I WOULD RECEIVE MY RECALL LETTER SHORTLY. IT IS NOW JUNE, HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR POWER STEERING. IGNITION WORKING OKAY NOW, BUT OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STILL OCCURRING. ALERT CHIME FOR HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS DOES NOT WORK. UNABLE TO CHANGE RADIO STATION ON DIGITAL FACTORY RADIO WITH DIGITAL SCREEN TURNING OFF WHEN I ATTEMPT ANY STATION CHANGE OR PRESS ANY BUTTON ON THE RADIO. ALL WINDOWS BUT DRIVER'S BACK WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN. WAS TOLD BY CHEVY DEALER THAT THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE NOT RELATED TO IGNITION SWITCH, MAY BE RELATED TO DASHBOARD MALFUNCTION. WINDOWS WERE RELATED TO DOOR MOTOR (REPLACED MYSELF, 3RD TIME FOR THIS). DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AND REFUSED TO PROACTIVELY FIX THE POWER STEERING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CORPORATE RECALL CAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE PAPERWORK. DEALER WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME LARGE FEE FOR FIXING ANY OF THE OTHER ISSUES EXCEPT FOR IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER. GM HAS MADE SUBSTANDARD VEHICLES FOR YEARS AND DRAGGING THEIR FEET TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. CAN'T TRADE OR SELL MY VEHICLE TIL THIS IS FIXED. FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND A DEATH TRAP. DO SOMETHING SOME ONE PLEASE!!!!!! *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598309
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
REACHED OUT TO DEALER IN APRIL REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER, AND POWER STEERING ASSIST RECALLS. PARTS HAVE ALLEGEDLY BEEN ORDERED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER RECALLS. HOWEVER, NEVER BEEN CALLED STATING PARTS ARE IN. NEVER BEEN ASKED TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO BRING CAR IN. NEVER ANY MENTION OF THE POWER STEERI…
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REACHED OUT TO DEALER IN APRIL REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER, AND POWER STEERING ASSIST RECALLS. PARTS HAVE ALLEGEDLY BEEN ORDERED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER RECALLS. HOWEVER, NEVER BEEN CALLED STATING PARTS ARE IN. NEVER BEEN ASKED TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO BRING CAR IN. NEVER ANY MENTION OF THE POWER STEERING RECALL. DEALER I CONTACTED IS CHEVROLET OF HOMEWOOD. 18033 HALSTED ST, HOMEWOOD, IL 60430. (708) 799-2000. EVERYTIME I CALL, I AM TOLD PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED YET. HOWEVER, I DID RECEIVE A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM SATURN STATING THEIR RECORDS INDICATE I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR IN THE RECALL YET. WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO GET IN. CARD MAKES ME BELIEVE DEALER MAY BE BLOWING OFF. NEED ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597945
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2014
Steering
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING GOING OUT CONSTANTLY. *SMD THE CONSUMER COULD NOT AFFORD THE $500 REPAIR BILL, FOR THE STEERING ISSUE, AND HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10594070
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
ON MAY 29, 2014 WHEN DRIVING FROM HOME TO WORK ON MY SATURN ION 2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF, BUT THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD THAT I ACTUALLY DROVE ON THE OTHER LANE WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY OF MY DIRECTION. THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK, MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF MENTION…
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ON MAY 29, 2014 WHEN DRIVING FROM HOME TO WORK ON MY SATURN ION 2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OFF, BUT THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD THAT I ACTUALLY DROVE ON THE OTHER LANE WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC GOING THE OPPOSITE WAY OF MY DIRECTION. THE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK, MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF MENTIONING THAT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 0940 NIGHT TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595011
57,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WHEN DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND THEN THE CAR CUTS OFF. ONCE RESTARTING THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES AWAY AND DOESN'T APPEAR. HAS HAPPEN TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BEFORE. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BY GM DEALER AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER IN APRIL IT STILL OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS REPLACED AND THE SAME TIME …
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WHEN DRIVING THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL APPEAR AND THEN THE CAR CUTS OFF. ONCE RESTARTING THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES AWAY AND DOESN'T APPEAR. HAS HAPPEN TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BEFORE. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BY GM DEALER AND A FEW MONTHS AFTER IN APRIL IT STILL OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS REPLACED AND THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY WAS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592456
46,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Air BagsSteering
IN MARCH 2014 WE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN HAD STOPPED WORKING, I ASSUME THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN IONS AND THE SIR COIL NEEDED REPLACING. ON 4/10/2014 WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE SIR COIL R…
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IN MARCH 2014 WE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN HAD STOPPED WORKING, I ASSUME THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN IONS AND THE SIR COIL NEEDED REPLACING. ON 4/10/2014 WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE SIR COIL REPLACED, WE PICKED IT UP ON 4/11/2014. ON 4/12/2014 LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM OUR HOUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK HOME AND PARKED IT UNTIL WE COULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE SIR COIL. ON 4/15/2014 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT 3 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME WE WERE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT WENT OUT IN MID TURN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE WORK THEY DID REPLACING THE SIR COIL WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT IT NOW HAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586481
134,960 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Steering
I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. ALMOST WENT OFF THE CURB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584009
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
MY 2005 SATURN ION IS NOT RUNNING AND I FEEL IT IS DUE TO THE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE RECALL. IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING . I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND HE ENTERED MY VIN# AND SAID THAT ALL HE COULD TAKE CARE OF IS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. I LOOKED ON THE GM WEBSITE AND THERE I…
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MY 2005 SATURN ION IS NOT RUNNING AND I FEEL IT IS DUE TO THE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE RECALL. IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING . I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND HE ENTERED MY VIN# AND SAID THAT ALL HE COULD TAKE CARE OF IS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING. I LOOKED ON THE GM WEBSITE AND THERE IS CLEARLY A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING AS WELL FOR THE ION. THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO HONOR IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT ISN'T LISTED WITH THE VIN#. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I WANT SOMETHING DONE BECAUSE THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE WHEN IT DOES RUN. I FEEL THAT DUE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM, IT CAUSED SOMETHING ELSE TO GO WRONG AND NOW IT DOES NOT RUN AT ALL AND I WANT IT ALL TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE GM DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ALWAYS PREFERRED CHEVY PRODUCTS AND EXPECT CHEVY TO TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583876
44,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Steering
I DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 2 MILES AND PARKED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO LEAVE THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND SAT THERE ABOUT A MINUTE AND STARTED THE CAR AND THINGS WERE NORMAL AGAIN, IT HASN'T ACTED UP SINCE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET GARAGE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REP…
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I DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 2 MILES AND PARKED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO LEAVE THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND SAT THERE ABOUT A MINUTE AND STARTED THE CAR AND THINGS WERE NORMAL AGAIN, IT HASN'T ACTED UP SINCE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET GARAGE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACES AND THAT WILL COST ME $700, IT SEEMS LIKE AN EXTREME MEASURE TO TAKE TO FIX THE POWER STEERING. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583163
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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