IllustrationCOULD NOT SHUT CAR OFF, KEY IS LOCKED IN IGNITION, COULD NOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. *TR
2006 Saturn Ion
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 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
570–25K
23825–50K
34050–75K
19275–100K
190100–150K
56150K+
1,073 reports with mileage · 162 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 544 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 392 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
44 crash reports7 fire reports23 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
392 reportsTHE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GM DEALER AND HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TWICE SINCE THAT TIME. *JS
UPON PARKING AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CAN NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT IS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. IF LEFT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL USUALLY COME OUT. BUT IF LEFT IN THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE STUCK ACCESSORY POSITION, THE BATTERY IS DRAINED DUE TO THE SYSTEMS THAT…
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UPON PARKING AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, I CAN NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT IS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. IF LEFT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL USUALLY COME OUT. BUT IF LEFT IN THE VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE STUCK ACCESSORY POSITION, THE BATTERY IS DRAINED DUE TO THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE STILL LEFT ON. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR OR DIAGNOSIS. READING THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE CONVINCES ME THAT THIS IS A GENERAL PROBLEM WITH SATURN IONS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN PART OF THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT RECALL. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN MY CONSUL READ THE PHRASE "PWR STR" MEANING THAT MY POWER STEERING WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NO LONGER WORKED UNTIL I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THAT RESET THE POWER STEERING. THIS NOW HAPPENS ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. LOCK CYLINDER BINDING SEIZED INTO HOUSING. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION-2. EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND I GO TO START IT DOESN'T START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I CALLED SATURN THE SAID IT IS MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ALL VARIETIES OF SATURN MODELS, INCLUDING ONES BEFORE 2006. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS AND …
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I HAVE A 2006 SATURN ION-2. EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND I GO TO START IT DOESN'T START AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I CALLED SATURN THE SAID IT IS MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ALL VARIETIES OF SATURN MODELS, INCLUDING ONES BEFORE 2006. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR SATURN. IF SATURN OR GM SEES THIS HAPPENING HOW COME THIS HAS NOT BEEN DECLARED AS A RECALL? I WOULD LIKE SATURN TO FIX THE ISSUE SINCE THE BAD THING IS THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND IF YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY YOU ARE PAYING FOR A PROBLEM SATURN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED, BUT INSTEAD THEY MAKE MONEY OFF THE PROBLEM. *TR
I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE KEY WAS FROZEN IN THE ON POSITION. SINCE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, I DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND CHARGED ME $650.00. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH SATURNS. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECAL…
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I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE KEY WAS FROZEN IN THE ON POSITION. SINCE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, I DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND CHARGED ME $650.00. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH SATURNS. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WAS TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WAS TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET I HEAR A CLICK AND THE CARS WARNING SOUND, THEN THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THAT MY POWER STEERING IS NO LONGER WORKING. I PULLED TO THE CURB AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND UPON TURNING IT BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORK…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET I HEAR A CLICK AND THE CARS WARNING SOUND, THEN THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THAT MY POWER STEERING IS NO LONGER WORKING. I PULLED TO THE CURB AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND UPON TURNING IT BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. THREE DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING, AGAIN I HEARD A CLICK THE WARNING SOUND, THE MESSAGE, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD TO GRIP THE WHEEL AND WORK TO GET IT TO FINISH THE TURN SAFELY. PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON. THE POWER STEERING WORKED FOR THE 10MIN DRIVE TO WORK. DURING THE DRIVE HOME THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF 4 TIMES, EACH TIME IT TOOK LESS TIME FROM THE RESTART OF THE CAR TILL THE IT FAILED AGAIN. *TR
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 SATURN ION, IT STARTED OUT WITH A START PROBLEM JUST ON COLD MORNINGS, WHEN THERE WAS DEW OR FROST OR IT RAINED ON THE CAR. TO RESLOVE THE ISSUE THE CAR WAS MOVED INTO THE GARAGE AND THEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM CONTINUED EVEN WHEN CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE. THE START PROBLEM BEGIN HAPPENING EVEN I…
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I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 SATURN ION, IT STARTED OUT WITH A START PROBLEM JUST ON COLD MORNINGS, WHEN THERE WAS DEW OR FROST OR IT RAINED ON THE CAR. TO RESLOVE THE ISSUE THE CAR WAS MOVED INTO THE GARAGE AND THEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM CONTINUED EVEN WHEN CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE. THE START PROBLEM BEGIN HAPPENING EVEN IN WARM WEATHER. IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT EVEN WHEN I WOULD PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE I COULD GET UP THE NEXT MORNING AND IT WOULD NOT START AT FIRST IT WAS FREQUENTLY THEN IT BECAME INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED AT SCHOOL, WORK AND EVEN AT HOME SITTING IN THE GARAGE. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO HAVE THE AAA SERVICE TRUCK COME TO MY HOME AND JUMP START MY CAR. ON ONE OF MY SERVICE APPOINTS TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO THE TECH AT THE GM DEALER AND WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO SIMULATE ON THE COMPUTER AND THE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I HAVE NOTED A NUMBER OF BLOGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND INSTEAD OF GM HELPING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IT HAS BEEN LEFT UP TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO GIVE EACH OTHER ADVISE AT BLOG SITES. *TT
Official recalls
414V171000 · 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.
09V419000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Oct 29, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.