Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Saturn Saturn LS. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel began smoking, the headlights flickered, and the check engine light illuminated. In addition, the engine was smoking and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.
Vehicle was in motion at 30 MPH on city street, engine completely stopped working with loss of power steering and power brakes. Coasted vehicle to a side street & stopped. Had car towed to a mechanic. We were quoted $1700 bill to repair due to broken timing chain. Researched recalls and found that NHTSA had a recall #07V519000 for 2001 Saturn l100. This seems grossly shortsighted on the part of NHTSA, as there have been dozens of duplicate complaints. This prompted the state of north carolina consumers council to issue a defect petition for 2000-2003 Saturn l series with the 2.2l engine with the NHTSA. It is surprising how little effort the NHTSA has made in light of the scope of this problem.
My daughter [redacted] was the passenger and [redacted] was driver. The kids went for drive and were found the next early morning around 6 am. The car was so burned and destroyed the kids could not be identified, and all who were there questioned the straight tire tracks without any correction or over correction in the steering of tire tracks, no braking in the county road tracks, and with fracture and damage of the skull area we later were told that the air bags never deployed! The tracks were approx 150 yrds long and went at an angle of perfection gradually pointing towards a ravine that would end both of the kids lives. We sent a forensic specialist to look at car 2 months later and was told to save our money on full report because the specialist said the car was so destroyed he couldn't make heads or tails as to a case against GM. …
Driving down in congested morning traffic on highway when engine shut off. With engine off, brakes hard to push and steering very difficult. Vehicle coasted to stop. Engine would not restart. It just turned over. Shop said timing chain snapped and engine had to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Saturn LS. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal noise from both the front passenger and driver sides of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was corrosion around all of the wheel wells and the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving approximately 50 MPH on a curvy road, the power steering suddenly failed. This was very disconcerting due to the fact that the car was in a fast left hand curve at the time beginning transition to a right curve. The sudden loss of power steering input caused an uncommanded lane change to the right lane which nearly caused a collision with the vehicle that was in the right lane just after our rear bumper. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and inspected for a loose or broken power steering belt. Upon further inspection it was discovered that the snap ring which retains the power steering pump vane and valve body assembly had partially unseated. We were able to push the valve body back into the pump and press the snap ring back into the retainer boss (Land). …
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn LS years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (35), 2001 (29) and 2002 (12) model years. Steering complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Saturn LS steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Saturn LS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn LS steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist › pump (15 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (7).
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.