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 2005 Saturn Ion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering message was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (Steering) but the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 167,000.
It says I have 0 I repaired recalls. I have had the powers steering fail 2x. More importantly, the ignition cylinder locks up and I can't get my keys out. I have to wait most times after turning the car off - for 3-5 minutes through a series of clicking noises in the ignition before the key will release. It is concerning because sometimes I have to get out immediately and the keys don't release. The car automatically locks itself and if I don't roll the window down- I become locked out. It yesterday had a issue with ignition all together and I wonder if it's related. I was made aware again there were many recalls on this issue and hoped to get it repaired. However it now states there are none unrepaired. I'm wondering if it is a ongoing problem with the vehicle, it's repair parts etc and if it's just not been addressed because it's so old that so few are left on the road. Thank you. …
This vehicle has an electrical issue from time to time seemingly out of nowhere. There is no power steering it just shuts off sometimes it'll stay off for an hour sometimes it'll stay off for weeks and I can't figure out how to fix it. It randomly fixes itself same can be said for the air conditioning And the driver side, headlight all of these electrical functions, seemingly turn themselves up or down for no apparent reason.
I was driving my car and a deer ran out in front of me, I was able to miss that one but another one came out and I hit it. It hit so hard and my steering was hard like a car without power steering and the brakes were like that too. The airbags did not deploy nor did the safety belts catch me and my granddaughter. It did $3500.00 worth of damage to my car and my head slammed up against the driver window, my granddaughter was in her carseat but I had it in the front seat so it released the carseat. She had bruises and a black eye, and now 3 years later, that same eye is causing her problems seeing. Everyday I feel so bad because she was in my Saturn that night. People asked me over and over what about your airbags, etc. I never knew what to say until I started getting the recalls and realized what GM had known all along about my ignition. …
I was attempting to change lines on md I-97 north bound from the slow right lane to the fast lane left lane. When a car in the fast lane speed up which never allowed me to change lanes, I continued to travel in the same slow right lane. Within 1 minute after that action of the attempted lane change, I experienced the steering wheel shaking erratically and trying to pull to the right. Although the car was going straight, the steering wheel kept pulling to the right. Eventually, the car started fishing tailing or swerving. When I tried to slow the car down, the sensitivity of the steering wheel over compensated for the minor turning of the steering wheel and basically took over the steering from me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the loss motive power without warning. The contact stated that steering assist and gauges were in operable. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that several of the electrical functions returned however, the electrical functions failed intermittently. The power steering assist warning light illuminated intermittently when the power steering assist was inoperable. Ocean crest Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (855 alternate hwy 101, warrenton, or 97146, [phone]) was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer suggested that the vehicle be taken in to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
GM sent a recall notice for the power steering motor failing so I took the car in for service. ( 2005 Saturn Ion 2 ) up until replacing the motor we hadn't had any problems. Within three days of replacing the motor the power steering went out while driving through a parking lot. Now the GM dealer wants $900 to replace the module in the steering column. This is a dangerous problem. If the power steering goes out while changing lanes or turning around a corner and you unexpectedly lose the power steering you could very easily wreck. I've looked through the NHTSA complaints and this isn't an isolated issue. Other power steering motor replacements have power steering module failures soon after the motor replacement. It's time for NHTSA to demand GM issue a recall for this obvious dangerous condition.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon turning the key in the ignition and an abnormal noise was present. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and reset the computer by restarting the vehicle each time the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a manufacturer recall and they repaired the vehicle for the ignition switch failure. The contact also noticed strong fumes emitting from outside and inside the vehicle and it idled roughly. The dealer did not diagnose the fuel system failure. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) months ago and was unable to determine when the recall repair would be performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
I had the recall fixed in 2015. The same issues that I had before have returned. When driving and the tank is full, I will get a service engine light and the tank gauge will read empty. It was fine when I began driving . Upon restarting the car the error goes away. When I put my car in park and try to turn off my ignition I have to put he shiftier in park several times before I can remove my key. Today car ran great when trying to move my car after starting my car my power steering was gone. Again upon turning off my car and restarting it , the power steering returned. I called the GM recall number and a case was created but I was told that there were not any current recalls on my car. The service number is 8-4833918801. But was told that all repairs are my responseability.
Absolutely abysmal customer service experience with orange Buick GMC orlando. I had them do two recalls on my '05 Saturn: the ignition switch (which was giving me problems due to the passlock system), and the electric steering assist (which I'd had _zero_ problems with prior, it was done as a precaution). After the steering motor was replaced, I started having intermittent power steering codes on startup with no assist (turning the car off then on clears it). They replaced the motor again. Problem still occurs. Now they're saying the steering column is suspect, it's not covered under the recall, and they won't do anything about it. How funny that the column would have been touched by their techs for both the motor and ignition replacements.
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 2005 Saturn Ion?
NHTSA has 265 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Saturn Ion, 46% of the model year's 573 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 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 2005 Saturn Ion steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.