Problems · by component

2006 Saturn Ion steering problems

544 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Saturn Ion cite steering, 44% of all 1,235 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
544
44% of all complaints
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio were intermittently inoperable. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to turn to the OFF position as needed intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right to make a right turn, the steering was significantly wobbly. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14V153000 (Steering). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the Subaru dealer, where it was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown Chevrolet dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that unknown recalls were previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11649410
“The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Ion. The contact stated while exiting a driveway and making a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the power steering fluid reservoir and there was power steering fluid in the reservoir. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2023SteeringODI 11502837
“We purchased this vehicle recently. 1 week later we discovered loss of power steering assist while attempting to parallel park. We spoke with the seller (repair shop) and they discovered the Recall Notice 14V153000: Loss of Power Steering Assist. When I attempted to schedule a recall service at a GM dealership it was shown that this vehicle already had this particular recall service performed on the vehicle. 1. Power steering Assist 2. Loss of control of steering. 3. No (issue is intermittent) 4. No (original recall was performed though; it is happening again) 5. No warnings.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2021SteeringODI 11424752
“STILL HAVING IGN. KEY PROBLEMS NOT TURNING AND CAN NOT REMOVE, AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON WHEN STARTING AND HARD TO STEER. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CAN'T REPAIR UNLESS THEY SEE IT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2020Steering, Electrical systemODI 11343887
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN ION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2019SteeringODI 11290183
“I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS IN 5 P.M. TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK IN THE DASH AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER FOR 2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN 2014 WHEN THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE AND FIXED FOR FREE IN 2014”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11209397

Showing 6 of 544 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: electric power assist system

Remedy pending

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.

SteeringReported Mar 31, 2014NHTSA 14V153000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.