NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
227 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 14, 2010
Electrical System
I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 SATURN ION. AND WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP IT STARTED LIKE A DREAM. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 34 DEGREES F OR SO. AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS FIFTEEN MINUTES LATE TO WORK BECAUSE THIS SO CALLED "RELIABLE" CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE IT THOUGHT I WAS BREAKING INTO IT. IF I CO…
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I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 SATURN ION. AND WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP IT STARTED LIKE A DREAM. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 34 DEGREES F OR SO. AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS FIFTEEN MINUTES LATE TO WORK BECAUSE THIS SO CALLED "RELIABLE" CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE IT THOUGHT I WAS BREAKING INTO IT. IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN, I WOULD'VE PURCHASED THE CHEVY, THIS IS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM AS I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET. WE'RE PAYING A LOT OF MONEY FOR SOME PIECE OF CRAP CAR THAT DOESN'T START WHEN IT'S TOO COLD/DAMP OUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SOON!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325779
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2010
Electrical System
I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURN THE KEY TO START, AND THE ON BOARD SECURITY SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) DISABLES THE CAR. I HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT AFTER A FEW MONT…
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I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURN THE KEY TO START, AND THE ON BOARD SECURITY SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) DISABLES THE CAR. I HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS IT STARTS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE IGNITION TURNS, IT'S THAT THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM SEES RANDOM KEY TURNS AS ATTEMPTS TO STEAL THE CAR AND DISABLES THE STARTER. VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT STRANDS YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316182
44,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical System
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 SATURN ION-2. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT HAD 12 MILES ON IT. IN 2007 MY CAR DID NOT START ONE MORNING AND SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STARTER. STARTING LAST YEAR THIS PROBLEM RETURNED. WHEN I TURN THE STARTER ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON BUT THE STARTER WON'…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 SATURN ION-2. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT HAD 12 MILES ON IT. IN 2007 MY CAR DID NOT START ONE MORNING AND SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STARTER. STARTING LAST YEAR THIS PROBLEM RETURNED. WHEN I TURN THE STARTER ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON BUT THE STARTER WON'T EVEN TRY TO START. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IT'S COLD, BUT NOT NECESSARILY. IT HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, AND IS VERY RANDOM. I MISSED WORK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND EVEN MISSED A JOB INTERVIEW BECAUSE OF IT. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ONLINE SAYS YOU HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A 'SAFETY ISSUE' BUT LAST WEEKEND AT 1AM, WHEN IS WAS 10 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE MY CAR WOULDN'T START. NOT ONLY IS IT UNSAFE FOR A SINGLE FEMALE BUT THAT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING AND IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE, BECAUSE I COULD FREEZE TO DEATH WHILE WAITING IN MY CAR FOR IT TO START. I PURCHASED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND INSTALLED IT IN THE WAY THE DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL AFTER I DID THAT AND I HAD TO RE-INSTALL THE OLD ONE. THIS WAS $30 I CAN'T GET BACK AND MY CAR STILL WON'T START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315701
42,000 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Electrical System
2005 SATURN ION - CAR EXPERIENCES DAILY INTERMITTENT FAILURES TO START AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IN MOST INSTANCES YOU EXIT THE CAR, INSERT KEY 5-10 MINUTES LATER AND THE CAR WILL GENERALLY. EVENTUALLY IT DOES. PROBLEMS POINTS TO SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SATURNS WITH THI…
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2005 SATURN ION - CAR EXPERIENCES DAILY INTERMITTENT FAILURES TO START AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IN MOST INSTANCES YOU EXIT THE CAR, INSERT KEY 5-10 MINUTES LATER AND THE CAR WILL GENERALLY. EVENTUALLY IT DOES. PROBLEMS POINTS TO SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SATURNS WITH THIS IGNITION ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303513
20,000 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Electrical System
WE HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT REFUSES TO START. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE DURATION OF OUR OWNERSHIP. THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS A POSSIBLE CULPRIT. IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS. TURNS OUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THE MANY OF US TO GET GM TO FIX THIS. IT MAKES OUR LIVES HARDER B…
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WE HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT REFUSES TO START. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE DURATION OF OUR OWNERSHIP. THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS A POSSIBLE CULPRIT. IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS. TURNS OUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP THE MANY OF US TO GET GM TO FIX THIS. IT MAKES OUR LIVES HARDER BY THE DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298901
41,200 miles · Jan 4, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION AND KEY WANT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SATURN AND IGNITION SOLENOID, GEAR SHIFT HOUSING UNIT, ANOTHER KEY WAS MADE, SECURITY SYSTEM WAS RESET AND CAR WAS RECALIBRATED. SATURN TOLD ME THIS WAS WHAT WAS NEEDED TO FIX PROBLEM AND PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE …
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I HAVE A 2005 SATURN ION AND KEY WANT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SATURN AND IGNITION SOLENOID, GEAR SHIFT HOUSING UNIT, ANOTHER KEY WAS MADE, SECURITY SYSTEM WAS RESET AND CAR WAS RECALIBRATED. SATURN TOLD ME THIS WAS WHAT WAS NEEDED TO FIX PROBLEM AND PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT ION OWNERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM UPSET AND FRUSTRATED I HAVE TWO KIDS AND HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PARTS THAT OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I NEED HELP THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL. AS FAR AS PROBLEM WITH CAR NOT STARTING, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. SATURN TESTED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND CHECKED STARTER EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. HOPEFULLY CAR NOT STARTING IS FIXED BUT IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND I KNOW I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE COLD A FEW TIMES WITH MY CHILDREN TILL THE CAR DECIDED TOO START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298024
59,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Electrical System
KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM MY IGNITION. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT READ THAT THE STICK SHIFT IS ENGAGED IN PARK AND DOES NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING JUST AS MY CAR REACHED 60,000 MILES (MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 84,000). THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM, JUST RANDOM A…
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KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM MY IGNITION. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT READ THAT THE STICK SHIFT IS ENGAGED IN PARK AND DOES NOT RELEASE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING JUST AS MY CAR REACHED 60,000 MILES (MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 84,000). THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM, JUST RANDOM AND IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION. SOMETIMES I JUST HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE. THE KEY IS STILL IN ACCESSORY MODE AND DOES DRAIN THE BATTERY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AT MY FIRST INCIDENCE AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AT THE TIME, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST AFTER.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10297260
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2009
Electrical System
CAR WILL NOT START WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUT! KEY WILL TURN, RADIO ETC. WILL WORK, BUT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CUTS OFF FUEL. MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM, ON SATURN ION 2, NUMEROUS YEARS! THE OIL/GREASE USED IN IGNITION FREEZES! SATURN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IS TURNING A BLIND EYE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296913
45,360 miles · Dec 11, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering
I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON IT. I LOVE MY LITTLE CAR AND HAD HOPES OF OWNING IT FOR YEARS TO COME. HOWEVER, MY HOPES OF BEING A HAPPY SATURN OWNER IS QUICKLY FADING AS I CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING COLUMN. FIRST IT WAS THE IGNITION, WHICH I HAVE REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING …
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I OWN A 2005 SATURN ION WITH ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON IT. I LOVE MY LITTLE CAR AND HAD HOPES OF OWNING IT FOR YEARS TO COME. HOWEVER, MY HOPES OF BEING A HAPPY SATURN OWNER IS QUICKLY FADING AS I CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING COLUMN. FIRST IT WAS THE IGNITION, WHICH I HAVE REPLACED TWICE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING IS TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT ALSO NOT UNCOMMON AS I'VE FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET ON THIS VERY PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295418
59,000 miles · Dec 4, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT THE FAILURE HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59000. UPDATED 01/12/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED EVERY WINTER THE DOESN'T START. UPDATED 01/13/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10294484
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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.
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