Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Saturn Ion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car doesn't always want to release the key. I have to stick my finger up in the column to push the little button to release it which is not convenient at all. It seems to do it if the wheels aren't completely straight. But still even with the steering wheel straight, sometimes it wont come out if its on a slight hill. Ive had a new key made and it makes no difference, no check engine light and auto technician said the ignition looks fine. Ive read tons of reports like this on the 2004 saturn ion 2-why isn't this being addressed?
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to maneuver the steering wheel on several occasions. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he replaced the electric power steering motor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic for additional diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While the contact's vehicle was attempting to make a turn, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. The passenger side air bag deployed. The steering ability was lost and the vehicle shut down. There was no warning indicator illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was damaged, but was not totaled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called all star Chevrolet of olive branch at [phone] (located at 7240 craft-goodman rd, olive branch, ms 38654) and was informed to bring the vehicle to the shop. The contact asked the technician to assist with towing, but the technician did not help. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
About three years ago is when I had my first problem with speed acceleration with my Saturn. I left work and turned on my car and started to drive an hour to go home all the sudden my car began to accelerate and I wasn't pressing the gas. My vehicle continued to accelerate and I had to keep my foot on the brake to slow the vehicle down and it was still accelerating. I had to pull over on the side of the road and pop my car into neutral going approximately 70mph. I somehow managed to get home but my car continued to accelerate without me pressing on the gas. When I would turn the vehicle on while it was still in park the RPM's would go crazy as if I had my foot on the gas pedal. I immediately contacted my auto shop who indicated that they could not find anything wrong with my vehicle. I have had several incidents since then and ended up crashing earlier this year. …
I bought this car as a first car for my daughter that is a new driver. I has been off the road more than on the road for recalls. The first ignition recall could have injured or killed my daughter..as we were awaiting parts, we were following directions of no weight on key ring and only key in ignition. The incident still happened causing loss of power steering and loss of speed. As a new driver this incident scarred her and she did not feel comfortable driving the car. I put the car up for sale. Then another recall, the EPS which also causes the car to lose power steering and causes speed loss. So, back to garber and we just drove the car back home on January 2, 2015. Seemed to start out fine, then loss of speed and the car only drove at 35 MPH with a lot of effort. …
After stopping at an intersection and preparing to turn left, the car could not steer to the left. As he car drifted forward the steering became easier and the car was able to negotiate the turn. As the car picked up speed, the steering appeared to be normal until approaching another 90 degree right hand turn (1/2 mile away from the stop in which it was hard to turn). Not knowing what was happening with the vehicle, he slowed down to negotiate the right hand turn and the car failed to steer right leading him straight thru and into an oncoming vehicle. This vehicle was in the shop one week after we purchased it to have the ignition switch replaced. After having the ignition switch replaced the problem with the steering occurred. There was much damage done to the car and our insurance picked up the cost of the other drivers damages. This was our sons first car and a terrible experience. …
Was on way home car started going to the right and when tried to correct it car wouldn't turn left kept going into a tree and car is now damaged. Over two months ago GM sent out somebody to look at car this was around October 15 and have not heard a word back from anybody. Which isn't a surprise because the accident happened September 13 and we were given the run around from the beginning. Appointments made and not kept, phone calls transferred from one person to another all with different answers and responses. My question to you is when is somebody going to contact us and give us some answers? …
In parking lot on leaving a store there was no power steering making it very hard to drive. Next I went to a gas station and filled my tank. When I left the steering was okay....the dash symbol for power steering was not longer showing. I lost power steering once before and the dealer fixed it. (invoice included) the first incident was repaired at mileage 83,868. The current on happened at mileage 99,199. There was no accident involved either time. I hope this will not happen on a curvy road which is near our home. Had the steering gone out on that at 35 to 40 MPH I'm not sure I could have successfully coped with the situation. Surely once the dash light power steering comes on once it means that the vehicle should be serviced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Ion. While driving, the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was driven without power steering ability to the contact's residence. The contact called schumacher Chevrolet of denville (located at 281 us-46 e, denville, nj 07834, [phone]) to schedule an appointment and was informed that the part was not available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,800.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Electric Power Steering Failure
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.
Electric Power Steering Failure
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…
Steering complaints in other Ion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 345 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 38% of the model year's 898 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Saturn Ion steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-153 (electric power assist system, Mar 31, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Saturn Ion steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.