Thread: When notorious problems that you didn't know about...

... finally start happening to your car. Apparently Saturn Ion's are notorious for the power steering going out while driving. I've had this car for over six years, put about 65,000 miles on it myself, and yesterday this problem finally starts happening.

I got about 50 yards away from my work's parking lot and the power steering goes out. I get to a red light, put the car in park, turn the car off, and turn it back on. Power steering comes back on and I'm good to go. However, after getting from E Hardy St/Rankin to I-45 at the 2920 exit, the power steering goes out again. Yes, it goes out while I'm doing 65 on I-45. Scared the hell out of me. Luckily all I needed to do was go straight and change maybe one or two lanes.

I get to a light on Woodlands Parkways in The Woodlands and turn it off and on again. Works fine and I'm good to go. Had a buddy come over and look at it, since it's apparently an electrical issue, and he thinks that the heat may have something to do with it. It's been the hottest two days of the year the past two days.

Drove to work this morning and it was fine. However, if it acts up on the drive home, I'm taking the day off tomorrow to take it to Firestone. I've read that it can be as simple as getting a new fuse or two to being as complex as getting a whole new power steering motor which runs in the range of $800-$1000 since my factory warranty is expired. If that's the case, I'll be getting a new car. I'm not dropping that much money on a six year-old car that's paid off.

Originally Posted by Alundil

That sucks - no recall to address that?

I think there was/is a recall on them but I don't think I apply since it's a 2004 model.

I would just buy the parts from your local Autozone etc and spend a day to do it. Should be to hard on that car.

Originally Posted by Alundil

If there was a recall on that part/failure issue - the recall would apply to all model years that use the affected part, regardless of warranty status.

Hmmm...

I'll have to look into it then. This problem hasn't come up since Tuesday but I would like to prevent it from happening.

EDIT: Just looked it up and apparently only the Cobalt, which has the exact same steering unit, was recalled.