Vehicle Data Hub

2006 Saturn Ion steering problems

Owners reported steering problems in 551 complaints for the 2006 Saturn Ion, 36% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
551 36% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
65,000 miles 512 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
17 and 1
Injuries and deaths
6 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When steering problems show up

Steering complaints by mileage, 2006 Saturn Ion Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 65,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 14 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 57 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 141 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 122 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 68 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 47 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 30 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 16 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 5 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 4 complaints 200k+ miles: 8 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 65,000 miles
Based on 512 complaints that include mileage. 41% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles14
20k to 40k miles57
40k to 60k miles141
60k to 80k miles122
80k to 100k miles68
100k to 120k miles47
120k to 140k miles30
140k to 160k miles16
160k to 180k miles5
180k to 200k miles4
200k+ miles8

What the data shows

Of the 512 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles, and 41% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 17 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries.

What owners wrote

I purchased a 2006 saturn ion in may of 2009 from rockenbach chevrolet in grayslake illinois. The vehicle was inspected three times for this power steering problem prior to the accident by rockenback mechanics. The mechanics said that they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle, and the sales manager said I was not to bring the vehicle in for any more checks because I had purchased the vehicle without a warranty.

January 2014 CrashInjury

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn ion. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH with a sudden loss of power steering. The power steering warning light indicator illuminated. There was extreme difficulty steering the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The power steering motor and steering column would need to be replaced. In addition, the front passenger door would stick unless body pressure was applied to the door.

Reported at 30,000 miles, November 2008

Other problems reported for the 2006 Saturn Ion

Steering problems in other years

Steering problems across all Saturn models