This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Saturn Ion steering problems
moderate 543 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
543
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
17crashes
1fire
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 543 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Saturn Ion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 44% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 543 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Electric Power Steering Assist
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Saturn Ion has a well-documented electric power steering system that fails without warning. Owners report the "PWR STR" alert appearing on the dash, usually accompanied by three warning chimes, after which the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Some failures occur within minutes of each other; others happen hours or days apart. The failure typically strikes between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, though a few cases show failures much earlier or later.
Restarting the engine temporarily restores power steering for anywhere from one mile to 20 minutes before failure recurs. Owners describe having to pull over repeatedly during long drives—one reported losing power steering seven times on an 80-mile trip. The problem is most dangerous because it strikes randomly: while merging on highways at 65 mph, making turns in parking lots, or navigating curves where quick steering response is critical.
Multiple owners cite dealership diagnostics pointing to a faulty electric power steering motor or control module, with repair costs ranging from $300 to $1,500 depending on whether just the motor or the entire steering column assembly must be replaced. Despite widespread complaints (543 total in this cluster, with NHTSA noting 4,150+ complaints across the 2004–2007 model years), GM offered only limited "special coverage" bulletins rather than a full recall for Saturn Ions, while recalling the same steering system in Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s.
Some owners report intermittent hardness and clicking sounds in the steering column before complete failure. A few narratives mention temperature-related patterns or connections to jump-starting other vehicles, though causation is unclear. Owners unaware of the electric system sometimes bought power steering fluid, only to discover Saturn Ions have no fluid reservoir.
Separately, many of these same vehicles exhibit an ignition switch that sticks in the on position, preventing the key from being removed or the engine from shutting off—a defect subject to its own recall effort.
Same Saturn Ion steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Electric power steering motor or control module failure
The electric power steering motor or control module intermittently fails or stops working entirely, causing sudden loss of power assist. Owners report the 'PWR STR' warning light illuminating and three chimes sounding just before the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn.
When: Typically 30,000–70,000 miles; one case as early as ~16,000 miles. Failures often more frequent in warm weather or after prolonged driving. One owner noted pattern related to temperature above 60°F.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn, requiring significant force; 'PWR STR' warning light illuminates on instrument cluster; Three-chime warning sound; Loss of power assist happens suddenly and without warning; Failure can occur at any speed: highway, city, parking lot; Some cases show intermittent clicking or grinding noise in steering column before full failure; Restarting engine temporarily restores power steering for 1–20 minutes before failure recurs
Codes mentioned: PWR STR, CO429 (intermittent short in power steering assist motor), TRAC OFF (reported alongside PWR STR in some failures)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair involves replacing electric power steering motor or entire steering column assembly. Costs cited: $300–$1,500 depending on scope. Some owners report motor replacement followed by identical failure days later. One owner paid ~$429 for motor replacement after $70 diagnostic. Some cases covered under warranty; many out-of-warranty repairs denied unless owner qualified for GM 'special coverage' with mileage/time limits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued 'special coverage' bulletins (e.g., 10187-2) covering certain mileage limits but declined full recall for Saturn Ion despite recalling the same system in 2005–2010 Chevy Cobalt, 2007–2010 Pontiac G5, and other GM models. Many owners report GM customer service claimed no open recalls or denied coverage due to excess mileage. One dealer fraudulently claimed recall repair was completed when it was not.
Steering column/ignition lock freezing or sticking
Ignition key becomes stuck or difficult to turn in the ignition switch; key may not turn to off position or may not be removable from the cylinder. Steering wheel may also lock when parked, requiring repeated attempts to rock the wheel to free it before the key will turn.
When: Reported across a wide mileage range: as early as 16,607 miles to 143,000+ miles. Can recur even after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn from on to off position; Key stuck in ignition cylinder and cannot be removed; Steering wheel locks when parked with engine off; Key requires repeated rocking or jiggling to turn or remove; Clicking noise when attempting to turn key; Engine will not shut off even when key is turned off; Some cases: key can be pulled out while engine still running
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of ignition lock cylinder and/or housing assembly. Costs cited: $500–$700 or more. Multiple owners report replacing the lock assembly only to have the same failure recur within days or weeks. Some owners disconnected battery as temporary workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued an ignition switch recall (effective March 2014 and later) covering sticking key issues in 2005–2007 Saturn Ions, though some owners reported not receiving recall notices. One dealer committed fraud by claiming recall work was completed when parts had not yet arrived. Some owners report difficulty obtaining recall repairs due to parts backlog.
Engine stalling or cutting out while driving, especially during turns
Engine shuts off abruptly while car is in motion, often while making turns, merging, or in other maneuvers. Loss of engine power eliminates both power steering assist and normal braking function at that moment.
When: Incidents reported across various mileages. Pattern noted: sometimes occurs on cold mornings, sometimes during turns or after activating cruise control.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or shuts off without warning while driving; Simultaneous loss of power steering when engine stops; Simultaneous loss of power brakes; Car becomes difficult or impossible to steer and brake; Message 'PWR STR' may appear on dash; Engine will not restart immediately; may require waiting 1–2 minutes before restart possible; Sometimes happens on cold mornings; sometimes after cruise control deactivated
Codes mentioned: TRAC OFF (reported in conjunction with engine cutout)
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause unclear from narratives; may be ignition switch/column electrical issue or separate fuel system problem. One case involved fuel pump replacement before issue appeared. Owners at dealerships report technicians cannot diagnose if engine restarts before inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to find fault when tested. GM customer service offered no explanation. Some owners suspect electrical or computer malfunction.
Steering column electrical short or wiring fault
Intermittent electrical shorts or faulty wiring in the steering column assembly causing power steering failures, ignition lock problems, or simultaneous dashboard warning lights.
When: Variable; can manifest as early as 40,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminate and blink at once; Speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and RPM indicator all drop to zero; Message center displays multiple warnings ('TRAC OFF', 'PWR STR', 'STEERING OFF TRAC'); Vehicle may stall when electrical fault occurs; Clicking noise in steering column before power steering failure
Codes mentioned: PWR STR, TRAC OFF, STEERING OFF TRAC
Repairs/costs cited: One case confirmed by dealer as 'steering column shorting out' requiring steering column replacement. Another owner, an electronics technician, noted dealer claimed bad fuse and pinched wire but found neither upon inspection; pinched wire repair claimed by shop could not be verified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suggested replacement of entire steering column. GM acknowledged problem under 'special coverage' in some instances but denies full recall responsibility.
Steering assembly bouncing/oscillation at highway speeds
Vehicle experiences constant bouncing or violent oscillation, especially over bumps or bridge expansion joints at highway speeds. Suspension system components wear prematurely or fail in rapid succession.
When: Reported over 30,000+ miles of cumulative wear.
Symptoms owners cite: Constant bouncing sensation, worsening over time; Violent oscillation when crossing bridges or hitting bumps on highway; Bouncing can become so severe vehicle feels as though it will leave the road; Unbalanced feeling under vehicle; Bouncing persists even after replacement of multiple suspension components
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced CV half-shafts, lugnuts, tires, stabilizer end-links, tie-rod ends, inner tie-rod ends, and ball joints multiple times without sustained improvement. Strut replacement was eventually identified as the root cause; upon inspection, old struts could be compressed by hand pressure alone, indicating complete failure despite vehicle not sagging noticeably. Cost of strut replacement not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in these narratives.
Steering wheel squealing or rubbing noise when turning
Squealing or rubbing sound emanates from steering wheel or steering column when turning the wheel, suggesting friction or wear in intermediate steering shaft or gear assembly.
When: Early in vehicle ownership: one case at ~5,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing noise when turning steering wheel; Rubbing sound when turning; Noise persists across multiple service visits
Repairs/costs cited: One case: lubrication of intermediate steering shaft boot temporarily addressed squealing but did not resolve underlying issue. Subsequent service replaced power steering gear assembly/motor. Cost not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 543 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Saturn ion level 2. While driving at any speed, the contact stated that the power steering light illuminated intermittently and then she lost the ability to control the vehicle. The failure began six weeks ago. The contact did not inform the dealer due to diagnostic testing and repair cost. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there were no…
2006 Saturn ion power steering failure. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Saturn ion. The contact stated that after a year of the vehicle being repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000 (steering), the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering column assembly and steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made…
Tl* the contact owns 2006 Saturn ion ii. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the power steering would fail sporadically. The contact would shut off the engine and the power steering assist would resent momentarily before the failure recurred. The contact stated that when the failure would occur, it was extremely difficult for him to maintain control of the vehicle. The…
Apparently either the "new ignitions" are also faulty or the dealership lied about having replaced it as they did about having completed the 3rd recall repairs (I'd receive a letter from gm some weeks later saying the parts were now in and to take the car to the dealership to have the work done). This evening at about 5:35pm pacific time I came home and yet one more time the key would not come…
Luckily my brother in law was driving his mothers car at the time. They were coming back from the grocery store when the steering turned into a 1955 mack truck as he described it. When they returned we looked it up in the manual as being electric. When I restarted the car it was working ok, then I took it around the block and it went out again. I restarted the car again and it was ok again for…
Electric power assist steering failure. Every startup within 5 minutes of starting automobile electric power assist fails and car becomes very difficult to steer. Vehicle has not been fixed because of expense of dealership replacement of over 900 dollars. *tr
I am writing to report fraud by roseville Chevrolet. This is in regards to the Saturn recall of the electric power steering #14115. Evidently the dealership, roseville Chevrolet has submitted a claim that they have repaired this defect. They have not. I had taken my car in for the first two recalls. The parts for the third were not in yet. I told the service manager to keep my car until they…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Saturn ion. While driving approximately 20 MPH and veering right, a warning indicator illuminated and "power steering" illuminated on the message board. The power steering failed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and the power steering unit was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 48,297.
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Saturn Ion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Saturn Ion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 543 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 502 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 48,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 65,750. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Saturn/Ion.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.