Steering. Review the 408 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 215 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports0 fire reports24 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

130 reports

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93,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

SEVERAL TIMES PER WEEK (AND SOMETIMES 2-3 TIMES PER DAY) THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE MY CAR WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT IS SO STRONG IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE, AND I HAVE SOMETIMES BECOME SICK TO MY STOMACH. MY PASSENGER IS ABLE TO SMELL IT AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534192

144,055 miles · Jun 25, 2013

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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EARLY IN 2013, WE NOTED SOME MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK OF THIS VEHICLE. IN LATE MAY, WE HUNG A "DAMP RID" DESICCANT DEVICE IN THE TRUNK AND NOTED THAT THE "DAMP RID" DEVICE RAPIDLY SATURATED WITH MOISTURE AND ALSO FORMED CLUMPS AND/OR CRYSTALS IN THE TRUNK OF THE AUTO. (THE "DAMP RID" IN THE TRUNK WAS SATURATED WITHIN TWO WEEKS, WHEREAS IT TAKES A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN HANGING INSIDE A CLOSET IN THE HOUSE 1-888-326-7743). THIS WEEK, I INSERTED A BRAND NEW 9 VOLT BATTERY INTO A KIDDE MODEL NUMBER KN-COEG-3 CARBON MONOXIDE/EXPLOSIVE GAS MONITOR AND PLACED THE MONITOR IN THE TRUNK. WITHIN 24 HOURS, THE MONITOR WAS CHIRPING. THE PEAK LEVEL OF GAS AFTER 24 HOURS IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR WAS 10. (THIS HOUSEHOLD MONITOR CAN NOT DISCRIMINATE THE PRECISE TYPE OF GAS IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE). TODAY, I OPENED THE TRUNK AND CLEANED EVERYTHING OUT. THE SOURCE OF THE MOISTURE WAS CLEARLY NOTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK BECAUSE THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK WAS ACTUALLY MUDDY CLOSE TO A ONE WAY FLAPPER VENT/VALVE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ONE WAY VALVE MEASURES AROUND 4 INCHES HIGH AND 6 INCHES LONG. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY TO THE GAS TANK FILLER CAP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, 12 VOLT AC DELCO BATTERY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE TRUNK, AND AUTO EMISSIONS FROM THIS SATURN AND OTHER CARS. INHALATION OF ANY OR ALL OF THESE FUMES OR VAPORS CAN LEAD TO HEALTH PROBLEMS INCLUDING ERRATIC BEHAVIOR, DROWSINESS, ETC. OF COURSE THE RISK OF EXPLOSION AND CORROSION OF SENSITIVE ELECTRICAL AND FUEL COMPONENTS IS ACCELERATED IN DAMP CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521650

162,000 miles · May 16, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND IT HAD TO BE THE FUEL PUMP THAT QUIT. WHEN INVESTIGATING WHY THE FUEL PUMP QUIT AFTER A NEW ONE DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM, I NOTICED THE WIRES GOT TOO HOT AND BURNED BLACK AND ACTUALLY BURNED THROUGH THE POSITIVE WIRE AT THE CONNECTOR GOING INTO THE FUEL TANK. HOT WIRES AND BURNING WIRES INSIDE A GAS TANK IS NOT A SAFE COMBINATION. TO TOP IT OFF, I HAD TO DRILL THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND WIRE IN A PIGTAIL CONNECTOR PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER SINCE THEY WOULD NOT SELL ME THE WHOLE FUEL TANK COVER TO REPLACE IT PROPERLY. ONLY AFTER HAGGLING WITH DEALERS THAT WOULD NOT GIVE ME PART NUMBER OR SELL ME THE FUEL TANK COVER THAT THEY FINALLY GAVE ME THE PART NUMBER OF 25815572 BUT IT IS UNDER RESTRICTION TO SELL SO THAT IS WHY THEY SOLD ME THE "BACKYARD MECHANIC FIX". MY WORRY IS STILL THAT I HAVE MY FAMILY TRAVEL IN THE CAR AND I DO NOT WANT THIS THING CATCHING FIRE OR EXPLODING. IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE PART IS WHY IT ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE ON ME? AND IS THERE STILL A DEFECT AND THAT IS WHY THE PART IS ON RESTRICTION? WHAT IS THE CORRECT, SAFE FIX FOR MY FAMILY? I JUST WANT A SAFE WORKING VEHICLE AND A EXPLANATION IN WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO GET THE PART I WANTED AT FIRST. IT IS RUNNING NOW BUT IT IS WITH THE DRILLING THROUGH THE CONNECTOR, SEALING IT, AND SOLDERING THE NEW WIRES IN. I WAS HOPING FOR THICKER WIRE TO MAYBE HANDLE THE CURRENT TO THE PUMP OR AN ASSURANCE THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE. SORRY, ONE LAST COMPLAINT. MY SATURN IS A CALIFORNIA EMISSION VEHICLE BUT IS CURRENTLY IN MI. WHY IS THIS NOT COVERED UNDER SOME OF THE RECALLS? IS THIS LIKE THE CA CANCER WARNINGS THAT ARE ONLY IN THAT STATE? MY CAR WILL ONLY EXPLODE IN THOSE STATES AND NOT MICHIGAN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512303

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V…

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NHTSA ODI #10510545

2,000 miles · Mar 10, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

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THE CAR, WHEN JUST WEEKS OLD, SMELLED OF GAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILLE, A STRONG ODOR 5 MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF. DEALER CHECKED SAID ALL WAS NORMAL. ALONG WITH THIS ISSUE WAS A LOSS OF VACUUM IN THE BRAKE ASSIST CANISTER WHEN IT SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY ? WHEN YOU GOT IN THE CAR THE BRAKE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK-HARD. THERE SHOULD BE 5 ? 10 PUMPS OF VACUUM IN THE CANISTER ON ANY CAR. THIS IS NOTICEABLE IN A STICK SHIFT (IT IS) OR ANY CAR YOU HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE FOR THE INTERLOCKED STARTER. DEALER CHECKED ALSO SAID WAS NORMAL. THEN ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER THE SMELL OF GAS STOPPED ALTOGETHER AND THE POWER ASSIST SEEMED NORMAL AS THE PEDDLE HAD POWER WHEN THE CAR WAS LEFT TO SIT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THE GAS SMELL STARTED COMING BACK WHEN IT WAS PARKED ? THIS TIME FOR JUST A MINUTE OR SO ? INTERMITTENT. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED GETTING WORSE ? NOT JUST WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF BUT NOW GAS ODOR WITH CLOSED WINDOWS AT THE FIRST FEW LIGHTS YOU CAME TO AFTER STARTING THE CAR, WITH WINDOWS SHUT IN COLD WEATHER. NOW THE ODOR IS STRONG, SOMETIMES NAUSEATING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE BRAKE PEDAL ISSUE ALSO RETURNED IN FEBRUARY ON VERY COLD MORNINGS. I DO NOT KNOW IF A VACUUM LEAK AND A FUEL SMELL ARE RELATED HERE. I CANNOT SEE ANY LEAKING GAS OR SPOTS ON THE PAVEMENT AND I HAVE LOOKED A FEW DOZEN TIMES OVER THE TWO TIME PERIODS THIS PROBLEM(S) HAVE OCCURRED. A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS AND NO VISIBLE LEAK. I AM FAMILIAR THAT CAR IS RECALLED IN SOUTHERN STATES ONLY FOR A FUEL PUMP THAT HAS CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC RETURN LINES ? AND ALSO HAVE READ (ALTHOUGH CANNOT BE SURE IF THIS IS TRUE LEAK FUEL IN A POOL ON TOP OF THE TANK AND NOT DRIP AND THE EVAPORATING ODOR WILL MAKE ITS WAY FORWARD TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR THE BACK WHEEL WELLS - I CAN SMELL GAS IN THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ALSO ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES NOT AS STRONG AS THE GRILLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502221

60,000 miles · Mar 5, 2013

Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION, HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHEN COMPLETING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. T…

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NHTSA ODI #10501385

76,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP LAST YEAR I AM NOW FACING A CRACKED GAS TANK. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF IT COULD BE DUE TO ME HITTING ANYTHING, I HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND I WAS ADVISED THERE WASN'T ANYTHING TO INDICATE AND OUTSIDE DAMAGE. JUST THAT THE TANK ITSELF HAS WORN AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498554

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M…

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NHTSA ODI #10496846

83,000 miles · Jan 25, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY UNIT ON MY 2007 SATURN ION HAS CRACKED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT LEAD TO THE CRACK, JUST A FAULTY PART. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE STATE IN WHICH I RESIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494696

49,927 miles · Jan 17, 2013

Fuel/propulsion System

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I HAD SMELLED A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN MY CAR AND CONTACTED GM/SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012 IN REGARDS TO THE SMELL AND TO FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN A RECENT RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP RECALL WAS ONLY INCLUDED IN CERTAIN STATES AND MY STATE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC ON 12/14/12 AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR SMELLED OF GAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAULTS WERE DUE TO BEING IN STATES THAT HIGH HEAT. I LIVE IN MARYLAND AND THE FUEL SMELL CAME ABOUT DURING THE SUMMER WHICH IS VERY HOT IN THE STATE. I CONTACTED GM BECAUSE I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR A FAULTY FUEL PUMP SINCE IT IS A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493285

Official recalls

14V171000 · 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

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

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.

12V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 19, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

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

EA11014 · 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

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

Steering