IllustrationMY CAR CONSTANTLY DOES NOT START. ALSO, WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS OR HIT POT HOLES MY CAR WILL TURN OFF. *JS
2005 Saturn Ion
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Ion do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 816.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ion years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
10425–50K
11450–75K
7875–100K
75100–150K
31150K+
466 reports with mileage · 107 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 265 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
573 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SCREWS WOULD BECOME LOSE. AS A RESULT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SCREWS WOULD BECOME LOSE. AS A RESULT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/21/14 *BF UPDATED 06/3/2014 *JS
I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN DEC.2004. I HAD THE CAR @ 2 YEARS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT GO TO THE OFF POSITION NOR WOULD IT RELEASE THE KEY. I HAD TO TURN IT ON AND OFF MANY TIMES OR PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO PARK TO GET…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN DEC.2004. I HAD THE CAR @ 2 YEARS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT GO TO THE OFF POSITION NOR WOULD IT RELEASE THE KEY. I HAD TO TURN IT ON AND OFF MANY TIMES OR PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND BACK INTO PARK TO GET THE CAR TO OFF AND THE KEY RELEASED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD THE KEY AND THE CAR LOCK/ALARM FOB ON THE SAME RING. THIS EXPLANATION SEEMED SILLY AND EVEN WHEN I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE RING THAT THE LOCK/ALARM, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THEY DID REPLACE SOMETHING BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING AND STRESSFUL TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT W/O THE SYSTEM GOING OFF AND RELEASING THE KEY. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RECALL CAR DUE TO THE IGNITION DEFECT. I HAVE GONE TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE ORDERED THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR BUT NO WORD ON THE FACT THAT THE KEY WILL NOT RELEASE. I HAVE ONGOING FEARS AND CONCERNS THAT UNLESS THIS KEY RELEASE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED, THE SAFETY ISSUE WILL STILL BE THERE. MAYBE COVERED UP OR MASKED BY THE SWITCH REPLACEMENT BUT NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. A SIDE NOTE TO THIS IS THAT I HAD TO HAVE A NEW STARTER PUT IN BECAUSE THE STARTER HAD DEVELOPED A 'DEAD SPOT' IN IT, PREVENTING IT FROM STARTING. I BELIEVE THERE MIGHT BE A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE 'DEAD SPOT' IN THE STARTER. THIS WOULD BE FROM ME HAVING TO START AND RESTART MANY MANY TIMES TO GET THE IGNITION TO 'OFF' AND THE KEY RELEASED. I NEED THIS TO BE FIXED COMPLETELY AND CORRECTLY FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. I SHOULD NOT BE FEARFUL WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I SHOULD NOT BE FEARFUL WHEN I AM SHUTTING THE CAR OFF. I NEED TO WHAT THE PLAN IS TO REPAIR THIS CAR COMPLETELY. THANK YOU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PULLING OUT THE NOZZLE, THE FILLER NECK CAME COMPLETELY OUT WITH IT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND PULLING OUT THE NOZZLE, THE FILLER NECK CAME COMPLETELY OUT WITH IT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,184.
OKAY WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR BACK IN 2005 THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN BACK IN 2009 WHEN I LIVED IN COLORADO WHEN IT WOULD GET REALLY COLD THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AND TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME AT ALL LIKE I WAS CRAP OUT OF LUCK. I …
Read full complaint
OKAY WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR BACK IN 2005 THEY HAD A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACED IT. SINCE THEN BACK IN 2009 WHEN I LIVED IN COLORADO WHEN IT WOULD GET REALLY COLD THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AND TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WOULDN'T HELP ME AT ALL LIKE I WAS CRAP OUT OF LUCK. I CANT REMEMBER IF I COMPLAINED TO YOU GUYS OR NOT. TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION MY HUSBAND AND I ENDED UP DISCONNECTING THE ALARM AND HAVEN'T HAD THAT PROBLEM SINCE. NOW FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS MY CAR HAS DECIDED IT WANTED TO KEEP THE KEY WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AND I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH IT JUST TO GET THE KEY OUT. MY CAR STALLED AT TWO STOP LIGHTS BEFORE, I WAS THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT NOW WITH THE RECALLS I AM THINKING ITS MORE THAN JUST THE BATTERY. *TR
I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. ALMOST WENT OFF THE CURB. *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
WE BOUGHT THIS USED SATURN ON 12/ 28/13 AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT. THE WARRANTY AUTO MECHANIC SAID THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE AUTO SALE DEALER CHECKED IT WAS OXYGEN SENSOR ISSUE. REFERRED US TO GET FREE FIX AT THE EL MONTE SMOG AUTO MECHANIC BUT FAILED TO FIX IT DESPITE MANY TIMES. WE WENT TO THE MEC…
Read full complaint
WE BOUGHT THIS USED SATURN ON 12/ 28/13 AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT. THE WARRANTY AUTO MECHANIC SAID THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE AUTO SALE DEALER CHECKED IT WAS OXYGEN SENSOR ISSUE. REFERRED US TO GET FREE FIX AT THE EL MONTE SMOG AUTO MECHANIC BUT FAILED TO FIX IT DESPITE MANY TIMES. WE WENT TO THE MECHANIC NEAR OUR HOUSE. WE PAID SEVERAL HUNDREDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FEW WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT THE KEY COULD NOT TAKE OUT FROM THE SWITCH AND IT ALWAYS STUCK INSIDE THE SWITCH SOON AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE KEY. WE NEED TO WAIT A LONG TIME TO PULL THE KEY FROM THE SWITCH. WE IGNORED THE ISSUE BUT WENT TO MAKE A COPY FROM A LOCKSMITH IN ALHAMBRA. WE USED THE DUPLICATED KEY TO DRIVE IT BUT IT WAS STUCK AND COULDN'T TAKE OUT. WE WENT BACK THE LOCKSMITH WHO HELPED US TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE SWITCH. SINCE THEN, THE ISSUE WAS SOLVED .ON 4/5/2014 WE GOT OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE MANY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE FIXED. IT COST US ABOUT $1200- . FEW DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT AGAIN, WE SCARED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE AS EVERYDAY WE NEED TO DRIVE CARPOOL FROM HOME (CHINO HILLS) TO OUR WORKPLACE . WE WERE TOLD IT WAS OXYGEN SENSOR AGAIN. ON 4/14/14, THE WINDOW SCREEN WIPER SUDDENLY MOVED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. IT COULD NOT STOP AT ALL EVEN AFTER WE TURNED OFF AND TURNED OUT THE KEY. THE NEXT DAY, IT HAD RUN OUT THE BATTERY AND TRIPLE A SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. WE WENT TO ANOTHER AUTO MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE COMPUTER ISSUE AS THE GE HAD INSTALLED THEIR COMPUTER TO ATTACHED MOST OF THE PARTS INCLUDING THE WIPER. 2 DAYS AGO, WE HEARD A STRANGE SOUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY. I SLOWED DOWN THE SPEED. WE WERE SO WORRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR . WE REGRET TO BUY AMERICAN CAR AS WE USED TO BUY JAPANESE CARS. PLEASE ADVISE . VICTIM OF SATURN CAR [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND REPAIRS. *SMD IN SEPTEMBER 2008, THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. IN JUNE 2011, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. IN MAY 2012, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS STICKING, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE K…
Read full complaint
2005 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND REPAIRS. *SMD IN SEPTEMBER 2008, THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. IN JUNE 2011, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. IN MAY 2012, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS STICKING, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TUMBLER WERE REPLACED. *JB
Official recalls
314V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 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.
14V153000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
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.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
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.