Steering. Review the 345 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 331 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

51 crash reports4 fire reports29 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

52 reports

Clear category filter

63,793 miles · Oct 22, 2006

Air BagsCrash

DRIVING CAR IN FRONT STOPS FAST. I TURN TO MISS BUT NOT ENOUGH, SO WE CRASHED. NO AIR BAG COME ON, NO MOTOR KILL, NO FUEL KILL. AND WE WHERE GOING 35 AT THE MAX. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171522

15,450 miles · Oct 5, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

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DEAR NHTSA ASSOCIATE, I HAD A 100% PARALLEL, FULL FRONTAL IMPACT, NO ANGLE, AS MY NEW CAR TRAVELING 35 MPH HIT A LARGE DELIVERY VAN TWICE THE WEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE WITH A SQUARE AND STEEL BUMPER THAT WAS STOPPED ( 1 MPH ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORT ). THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY NECK AND HEAD WERE IMPACTED ON TO THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN THOUGH I WAS USING MY SEATBELT PROPERLY. THE FORCE WAS SUFFICIENT TO STRAIN THE BELT AND INJURE MY HEAD. I HAD A CUT ON THE TOP OF MY FOREHEAD IN THE MIDDLE, A CONCUSSION, AND I AM CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR MIGRAINE TYPE HEADACHES BY A DOCTOR THAT HAVE OCCURRED DAILY SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I PLACED THE CAR INTO THE CARE OF A SATURN OWNED BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR AND ASKED THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM BE TESTED FOR FUNCTIONALITY. INSTEAD, I WAS GIVEN A 1-800 NUMBER FOR SATURN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO CALL. THEY SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS TO SEND ME THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURING INFORMATION BOOKLET AND TO CALL BACK AFTER READING IT. I DID SO AND ASKED THAT THE AIRBAGS BE TESTED WHILE IN THE CARE OF THE SATURN BODY SHOP, AS THE TYPE OF IMPACT AND MILES PER HOUR EXCEEDED THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CONTAINED IN THE MANUAL THEY SENT TO ME. INSTEAD OF GRANTING CLEARANCE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TEST THE AIRBAGS, IN LIGHT OF MY VALID ARGUMENT OF THEIR DOCUMENTATION CONTRADICTIONS, SATURN CORPORATE INSTEAD ISSUED ME AN INTERNAL "CASE NUMBER" 1-17876541 AND TOLD ME SOMEONE IN THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 6 TO 8 WEEKS. I MENTIONED I WOULD HAVE THE CAR BACK BEFORE THEN AND WOULD BE AFRAID AND NERVOUS DRIVING IT AS I AM SURE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE FRONT IS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL. THEY ACTUALLY SAID THEY COULD DENY TESTING THE SYSTEM AT ALL. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUE, THE BODY DAMAGE WAS FIXED, AT A COST OF ALMOST 7 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE FRONT END, INCLUDING CUTTING OUT A PIECE OF THE FRAME AND WELDING A NEW SECTION IN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10138724

21,000 miles · Sep 13, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH - AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136367

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

3 VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INCORRECTLY. RATHER THEN ONE LARGE AIR BAG, IT CAME OUT IN TWO PIECES DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE STEERING WHEEL "OPENING" COMPLETELY TO RELEASE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG. THIS LEFT THE TOP PORTION OF THE STEERING WH…

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NHTSA ODI #10131710

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005

Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN ION. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON JUNE 10 2005 THE VEHICLE MOVED ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS HIT BY TWO OTHERS TRUCKS. THESE WERE MORE OF A SIDE IMPACT. IT WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A SEMI TRUCK THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED. HE HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THERE SEAT BELTS. DAUGHTER FLEW OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT BELT OF THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS THE DRIVING. THEY WERE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT, AND THE ROADWAY WAS WET. ON THE POLICE REPORT THEY LISTED IT AS HYDROPLANE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST IN THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THERE ARE PICTURES, POLICE REPORT AND REPAIR INVOICES AVAILABLE FOR THE ODI OFFICE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT SHE HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128913

816 miles · Apr 12, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

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ON JULY 21, 2004, I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SATURN ION QUAD COUPE AND ON AUGUST 3, 2004, I EXPERIENCED TREAD AND BELT SEPARATION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND DISCOVERED I HAD NO BRAKES EITHER, (THE TIRE HAD RIPPED THE BRAKE LINES). I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER HITTING A ROAD SIGN. THE TIRE IN QUESTION, CAME STANDARD ON THE VEHICLE (WHICH HAD 816 MILES ON IT) AND WAS A FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 03, (P205/55R16). I SUFFERED A FRACTURE TO MY RIGHT FOREARM, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS, APPROXIMATELY $6000 WORTH OF VEHICLE DAMAGE, (NOT INCLUDING THE IMMEDIATE DEPRECIATION OF A BRAND NEW VEHICLE), AND ULTIMATELY LOSS OF MY EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO NO TRANSPORTATION. I CALLED THE SATURN CUSTOMER SVC. CENTER AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE THERE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS, WHEN THEY HAD A SATURN REPRESENTATIVE FLY DOWN FROM TN TO TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH NOT ONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE, HOWEVER IN THE MEANTIME I MUST IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THEIR PREMISES!! I FILED AN INCIDENT REPORT AND SHIPPED THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE, PER THEIR REQUEST, ONLY TO BE TOLD 28 DAYS LATER THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF A "360 DEGREE SPIN CUT THROUGH THE TREAD". MY INSURANCE TOLD ME THAT IF I FILED THE CLAIM THROUGH THEM THAT I WOULD BE "HEAVILY PENALIZED" SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT. SO, I LOST MY JOB, SPENT ALL OF MY SAVINGS, GOT BEHIND ON ALL OF MY BILLS AND ALL I HAVE TO SHOW FOR IT IS A NEW CAR THAT IS NOT DRIVABLE! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098369

24,800 miles · Jan 27, 2005

Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109004

8,600 miles · Nov 26, 2004

Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

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PROBLEMS: A. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY . B. DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSE AND DENT REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A RAILROAD CROSSING. UPON IMPACT SEAT FLEW BACK, HIT BACK SEAT AND DENTED. OUR STOPPED CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. OUR CAR WAS SMASHED AT FRONT AND BACK AND NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO SKID MARKS REPORTED AND NO BRAKES APPLIED BY OFFENDING CAR SO OUR 2004 SATURN ION TOOK THE FULL IMPACT AND WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN A CAMRY FROM BEHIND AND A GMC JIMMY IN FRONT. WOMAN IN JIMMY TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL SINCE SHE WAS PREGNANT. MY SON DRIVING THE SATURN HAD HIS WIFE PICK HIM UP AND PROCEEDED TO E/R WHERE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CERVICAL STRAIN. DRIVER OF CAMRY HAD HER HUSBAND PICK HER UP. ALL 3 VEHICLES WERE TOWED. OUR SATURN WILL MOST LIKELY BE TOTALED. WE TOOK PICTURES AS DID THE POLICE IN SPOKANE, WA.. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100559

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2004

Air Bags

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PICKED UP MY BRAND NEW SATURN ION-2 ON 11 AUG 04 AT 6:30 P.M. FROM THE SATURN OF FAYETTEVILLE, NC DEALERSHIP. ROVE THE VEHICLE TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ON 12 AUG O4. 12 AUG 04, MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 56 MILES HILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON. IT REMAINED ON FOR 10-15 SECONDS. AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES PER HOUR, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND REMAIND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS. 3 AUG 04. VEHICLE MILAGE AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT: 87 MILES THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FOR A SERVICE CHECK, THE AIR BAG READY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND REMAINED ON FRO APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS.. VEHICLE MILAGE :102 AT TIME OF SERVICE THE SATURN SERVICE DEPATEMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NO INDICATION THAT THE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, BUT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN BRING IT BACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086834

8,900 miles · Aug 10, 2004

Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHTS WERE ON. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE IS CALLED. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE WITHOUT AIR BAGS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087585

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.

04V547000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Nov 16, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) ON EITHER FRONT SIDE CAN STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMP IS INOPERATIVE, OTHERS MAY REACT MORE SLOWLY TO A TURNING VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL/TURN SIGNAL BULB ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE AND INSPECT FOR AND ADD A DRL JUMPER KIT IF NOT PRESENT. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

04V281000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

Jun 8, 2004

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUPERCHARGED 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (LSJ) ENGINE WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FEED PIPE THAT COULD CRACK AND LEAK FUEL NEAR THE FUEL RAIL. IF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL FEED PIPE, THERE WOULD BE A NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED PIPE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

04V002000 · Structure:body:bumpers

Jan 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME WELDS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTOR RAIL AND THE FRONT BUMPER BRACKET DO NOT MEET ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LONG TERM DURABILITY OF THE JOINT MAY BE REDUCED AND SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MAY RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: ALL VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER'S POSSESSIONS.

04V003000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Jan 5, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILTER THAT COULD CORRODE PREMATURELY ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER PROGRESSES TO THE POINT OF CREATING A HOLE IN THE SHELL, FUEL DROPLETS COULD FORM AND DROP TO THE GROUND. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

04V004000 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

Jan 5, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS AND/OR SUNROOF MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN ARE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE VEHICLE AND OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS OR SUNROOF, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

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

EA04035 · Front Turn Signal/drl Failure

Opened Dec 22, 2004 · Closed Oct 20, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

THE COMBINATION FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL IN MY 2003 SATURN ION COUPES EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT EARLY-LIFE FAILURES DUE TO VARIOUS BULB QUALITY ISSUES DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE.THIS PROBLEM TREND APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED AFTER THE FALL OF 2003.THE CHANGE OF LEAD WIRE MATERIAL NEAR THE START OF MY 2004 VEHICLE PRODUCTION APPEARS TO HAVE REDUCED THE FAILURE RATE FOR MY 2004 SATURN ION COUPES.ALTHOUGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' LAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE BELOW THE SOCKET MATERIAL MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE SPECIFICATION, THEY ARE ONLY SLIGHTLY BELOW THE SPECIFICATION.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM REDUCED THE VOLTAGE TO THE LAMP ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT INDICATE AN INCREASING TREND OVER TIME.WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF SUBJECT VEHICLES (EXCLUDING EARLY MY 2003 CLAIMS) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN OTHER GM VEHICLES THAT USE COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL/DRLS.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.

PE04061 · Front Turn Signal/drl Failure

Opened Aug 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

ON NOVEMBER 16, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 178,798 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 AND 2004 SATURN ION SEDAN VEHICLES FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL BULBS.GM STATED THAT TEMPERATURES IN THE LAMP ASSEMBLY EXCEED THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATION FOR THE BULB SOCKETS AND BULB BASE SLEEVES, WHICH CAUSE DEFORMATION.THE DEFORMED SOCKETS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BULB AND SOCKET CONTACT.THE DEFORMED SLEEVES CAN CAUSE STRESS CRACKS TO FORM ON THE BULB THAT CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE BULB FAILURE.THE RECALL REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL BULBS AND INSPECT FOR VOLTAGE-REDUCING JUMPER (WHICH REDUCES TEMPERATURE IN LAMP ASSEMBLY) AND ADD IF NOT PRESENT.SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V547 FOR DETAILS.THE BULBS FOR THE TURN SIGNAL/DRL IN THE SATURN ION SEDAN AND ION COUPE ARE IDENTICAL IN DESIGN AND MADE BY THE SAME SUPPLIER.BUT THE TURN SIGNAL/DRL SOCKETS, WIRING AND HOUSING ARE DIFFERENT IN DESIGN FOR THE SEDAN AND COUPE, AND WERE MADE BY DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS.GM'S DATA SHOWS A LOWER OPERATING TEMPERATURE FOR THE COUPE'S LAMP ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATION FOR THE BULB SOCKET AND THE BULB BASE SLEEVE.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATE IS ALSO LOWER FOR THE COUPE.HOWEVER, GM'S WARRANTY DATA SHOWS A CONTINUING TREND FOR THE COUPE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-035) FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE MY 2003 AND 2004 SATURN ION COUPE VEHICLES.