IllustrationI HAVE A SATURN ION 05 AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING ONCE ALREADY AND NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ONLY WORKS WHEN MY HAZARDS OR HEAD LAMPS ARE ON HAVE TESTED ALL FUSES AND REPLACED BULB TWICE THIS IS A COMMOM COMPLAINT WHY ISNT IT BEING FIXED? *KB
2005 Saturn Ion
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Ion do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 816.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ion years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
10425–50K
11450–75K
7875–100K
75100–150K
31150K+
466 reports with mileage · 107 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 265 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
227 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. TWO YEARS AGO THE IGNITION WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECCURRED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. TWO YEARS AGO THE IGNITION WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECCURRED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
KEY CAN GET STUCK IN IGNITION OF SATURN ION CARS. ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN BUT KEY WILL NOT EJECT FROM IGNITION. TO RELEASE KEY IT IS REQUIRED TO POP OPEN IGNITION COLUMN AND PRESS COMPRESSION SWITCH TO RELEASE KEY. THIS ALSO CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO TURN ON, EVEN IF CAR IS OFF. TRIGGERING THE ANTI-LEFT SYSTEM. THE THEFT SYSTEM U…
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KEY CAN GET STUCK IN IGNITION OF SATURN ION CARS. ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN BUT KEY WILL NOT EJECT FROM IGNITION. TO RELEASE KEY IT IS REQUIRED TO POP OPEN IGNITION COLUMN AND PRESS COMPRESSION SWITCH TO RELEASE KEY. THIS ALSO CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO TURN ON, EVEN IF CAR IS OFF. TRIGGERING THE ANTI-LEFT SYSTEM. THE THEFT SYSTEM USING THE LIGHTING TO DETERMINE IF THE DOORS HAVE OPENED. SATURN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON IONS FROM 2003-2007. BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE 2008. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF; THE KEY HAS TO BE SHAKEN SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF; THE KEY HAS TO BE SHAKEN SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 46,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT COMPLETELY TURN OFF, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM REMOVING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT COMPLETELY TURN OFF, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM REMOVING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,159.
JUNE 12-MY CAR RECEIVED COMPLIMENTARY MAINTENANCE. AT WHICH POINT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE BODY CONTROL WAS REPLACED. AFTER MOVING OVER 1800 MILES, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. JUNE 16-HAD IT SERVICED AGAIN AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CAR HAD BEEN DAMAGED DURING SERVICING AT DEALERSHIP ( DROPPED OFF FOOT JACK AND DAMAGED RADIATOR …
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JUNE 12-MY CAR RECEIVED COMPLIMENTARY MAINTENANCE. AT WHICH POINT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE BODY CONTROL WAS REPLACED. AFTER MOVING OVER 1800 MILES, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. JUNE 16-HAD IT SERVICED AGAIN AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CAR HAD BEEN DAMAGED DURING SERVICING AT DEALERSHIP ( DROPPED OFF FOOT JACK AND DAMAGED RADIATOR AND AC CONDENSER). JUNE 17-AFTER COMMUTING 80 MILES AND THE PASSING OF 9 HOURS, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THEN AFTER 3 HOURS, IT STARTED ( AS I WAS IN AN UNFAMILIAR LOCATION). JUNE 21-ITS 8 AM AND I AM ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT STARTED 3 HOURS LATER, RIDING IN ANTI-THEFT MODE. LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND HAD TO GET A RENTAL. JUNE 24- PICKED UP THE CAR AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ISSUE AND ASSUMED THAT IT HAD BEEN ABSOLVED. JUNE 30- 7 AM. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN FOR 4 HOURS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ISSUE. MY CAR HAS YET TO BE FIXED AND I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A NUMBER OF UNFAMILIAR PLACES. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THE IGNITION BECAUSE THE POWER OF THE CAR COMES ON, BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT COMMUNICATE TO COME ON. *TR
ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME I STOP MY CAR AND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY, IT STAYS LOCKED IN THE ACC POSITION. SOMETIMES I CAN NOT EVEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN FF THE ENGINE AND REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE SWITCH. *TR
APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO GO BACK TO THE 'LOCK' POSITION WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY IT WOULD EVENTUALLY COME OUT - UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY WHEN THE KEY REFUSED TO TURN AT ALL AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE …
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APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO GO BACK TO THE 'LOCK' POSITION WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY IT WOULD EVENTUALLY COME OUT - UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY WHEN THE KEY REFUSED TO TURN AT ALL AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TO REMOVE THE IGNITION FUSE TO SHUT OFF THE CAR. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY MORNING AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $390 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME HOW IT WOULD BE FIXED BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY IGNITIONS DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. BASED ON THAT INFORMATION, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A WEB-SITE (HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/SATURN_IGNITION_LOCK.HTML) WITH 88 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SATURN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. GENERAL MOTORS HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR OVER 5 YEARS (AT LEAST) AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RE-CALL NOTICE. HOW MANY CONSUMERS DOES IT TAKE TO GET THEM TO BE A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY? I CONTACTED GM AND VOICED MY CONCERN. THE TWO INDIVIDUALS I SPOKE TO WERE RATHER SNIPPY. THEY WERE ALSO LESS THAN CORDIAL WHEN THEY SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP - WANTING TO KNOW WHY I WAS GIVEN THEIR PHONE NUMBER. I TOLD GM THAT I HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THIS HAS BEEN AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN LINE AND THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT SO MY QUESTION TO THEM WAS WHY HAVEN'T YOU ISSUED A RE-CALL. THEIR RESPONSE WAS 'WE CAN'T ACCEPT THIRD PARTY DOCUMENTATION AS PROOF OF ANY PROBLEM'. IT ENDED UP THAT I ONLY HAD TO PAY $100, WHICH I AM VERY GRATEFUL ABOUT BUT I WOULD STILL LIKE THE CORPORATION OF GENERAL MOTORS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD RESULT IN A VERY DEADLY OUTCOME IF SOMEONE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THEIR CAR OFF IN AN EMERGENCY.
IT WAS ABOUT 25 F AT ABOUT 8 AM VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR CRANK. THE PASS LOCK LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH WHEN I RESEARCHED SAID THAT I WAS STARTING WITH THE WRONG KEY. UPON MUCH MORE RESEARCH I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 2003-2006 ION. AFTER MANY IGNITION SWITCHES WERE REPLACED AND EVEN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, THE…
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IT WAS ABOUT 25 F AT ABOUT 8 AM VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR CRANK. THE PASS LOCK LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH WHEN I RESEARCHED SAID THAT I WAS STARTING WITH THE WRONG KEY. UPON MUCH MORE RESEARCH I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 2003-2006 ION. AFTER MANY IGNITION SWITCHES WERE REPLACED AND EVEN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD RECUR. THE BEST SOLUTION I FOUND CAME FROM AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC. BE SURE THE IGNITION IS OFF. HE SAID TO SPRAY LPS ELECTRO CONTACT CLEANER (ANY PURE ALCOHOL CONTACT CLEANER WILL WORK) INTO THE IGNITION. SATURATE IT. WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO DRY THEN SPRAY SEA FOAM DEEP CREEP PENETRANT AND LUBRICANT INTO IGNITION SWITCH. THIS WORKED FOR 2 YEARS FOR ME. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS PAST MARCH OF 2011. I REPEATED THIS PROCESS AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM SINCE. THIS WORKS BY CLEANING OUT THE OLD STIFF LUBRICANT GM USED DURING MANUFACTURE AND PUTTING IN A LIGHTER LUBRICANT. TOTAL COST FOR BOTH SPRAYS WAS UNDER $20.
2005 SATURN ION, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY I NEED TO PUSH A BUTTON UNDERNEATH AND INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, IT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING AND DRAINS THE BATTERY, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN ONE YEAR.…
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2005 SATURN ION, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE KEY I NEED TO PUSH A BUTTON UNDERNEATH AND INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, IT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING AND DRAINS THE BATTERY, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN ONE YEAR. *TR
Official recalls
314V171000 · 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
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: 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
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: 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.
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
2EA11014 · 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
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.
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.
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
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.
Steering
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.