2004 Saturn Ion Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 345about this part
- Share
- 38%of 898 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 345 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Saturn Ion, 38% of the 898 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering wheel just stopped. It stiffened up as if the car was turned off while I was driving nearly causing me to crash. I took the car to the dealership to ask them to consider repairing the problem based upon the fact that there are so many (400,000 Saturn ions on the road) complaining of the same problem. Gmc told me that since the vehicle has no recall; they could not repair my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11182157, filed 2019-02, 163,000 miles“I purchase this car on 04/12/2018 from a local dealer, everything worked fine, until 2 days later. I was driving on the highway when suddenly the steering became hard to turn. I then parked the car for a few day when I started it up steering worked alright for about a half minute, the stopped working again.”
NHTSA complaint #11088776, filed 2018-04, 153,000 miles“While driving the car the power steering light came on and I had difficulty turning the steering wheel. It happened again on june 24, 2014. After turning off the ignition after each incident the power steering returned. Both incidents were very scary. I bought the car and I've had the car for 10-1/2 years. This is the first time the power steering has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10606905, filed 2014-06, 108,000 miles“I was driving on dry roads during the daytime below the speed limit, when the power steering light came on. The wheel locked, and I was unable to steer the car. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off and back on. It restarted without incident. 3 years later, the same event occurred without causing an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10584592, filed 2014-04, 65,000 miles“While driving my car on multiple occasions I have lost the ability to control the steering wheel. Also, I have experienced my car turning off while driving which thankfully has a recall on it but I want the power steering to be recalled as well because it has caused an accident and multiple near misses.”
NHTSA complaint #10577593, filed 2014-04, 46,780 milesRelated recalls
- 14V153000Mar 31, 2014General 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…Covers: Saturn Ion 2004–2007, Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2006, 2008–2009, Pontiac G6 2005–2006, 2008–2009 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Saturn Ion
331 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsAir bags
52 complaintsFuel system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsExterior lighting
25 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Saturn Ion
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology