GM being investigated for a steering recall for the cobalt that wasn't for the ion

[kaviation]

Originally Posted by kevin.st56

i like how there isnt much concern about 2003 ions. in a lot of the information about the recalls, they always state 04-07...what about the 03s?

Just thought id throw that out lol

Yeah, I've ben saying the same thing! When I call my local Chevy dealer I'm gonna ask them what the difference is between the power steering motor in the 03's and after. The only thing I can of is they know the serial number of the units the failure began at and maybe none of those were used in 03. Dunno! Other than that I think the 03's are pretty close to 04 an above.

[col_dude190]

Originally Posted by Citation84

Hi Col_Dude, thanks.It;s an automatic. The BTSI has been replaced twice, This last time 4000 miles ago with the ignition switch repair.

Most times I can diddle the little button under the steering wheel and get the key out. Other times, though it's rare, it will go all the way to off like it's supposed to and release the key.

The no turn ignition switch thing happened once before when the car was new on a trip to Oregon.

It's frustrating because the engine and trans will be good for at least 200,000 miles, and it's fuel economy is great. But this has been going on so long, I,ve been looking at alternatives.

Ugh...well it was worth a shot. The ignition switch and the BTSI are the two big failure points in the ignition, I was hoping that maybe you had never had it replaced.

Considering the number of replacements of both parts that you have been through, it makes me wonder if there is something else going on there. The hard to turn key might be due to a bad ignition housing and/or lock cylinder. The actual column/ignition lock in the housing may be faulty, causing intermittent issues with the key being hard to turn. I can't say that I've seen this on an ION, but I have seen on other models where bad ignition housings are misdiagnosed as ignition lock cylinder/switch issues. The ignition switch or lock cylinder gets replaced, temporarily solving the issue with a new part, only to reappear after a failure short period of time due to excessive wear on the new part. That might explain the frequent ignition switch replacements due to increased wear, although it would be a stretch to blame the bad BTSI's on a bad housing. Might be worth a shot to take a look at the housing.

I agree though, this is one of the things that is really disappointing about the ION's and the Vues. The engines and transmissions (with the exception of the CVTs) will generally last 200K+ miles. The Ecotecs are hands down one of the finest 4 cylinders ever made. Everything else in the vehicles though was clearly designed by committees and bean counters that were more concerned about saving a few pennies on part sourcing than building an entire vehicle that would last 200K+. In many cases (sway bar bushings come to mind), they seldom lasted through the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranties. GM got so focused on saving those pennies, they forgot what it meant to build a quality vehicle.

[Citation84]

Originally Posted by kevin.st56

i like how there isnt much concern about 2003 ions. in a lot of the information about the recalls, they always state 04-07...what about the 03s?

Just thought id throw that out lol

Think how much money GM could save if they could avoid one model year of ignition replacements.

[Citation84]

Originally Posted by col_dude190

Ugh...well it was worth a shot. The ignition switch and the BTSI are the two big failure points in the ignition, I was hoping that maybe you had never had it replaced.

Considering the number of replacements of both parts that you have been through, it makes me wonder if there is something else going on there. The hard to turn key might be due to a bad ignition housing and/or lock cylinder. The actual column/ignition lock in the housing may be faulty, causing intermittent issues with the key being hard to turn. I can't say that I've seen this on an ION, but I have seen on other models where bad ignition housings are misdiagnosed as ignition lock cylinder/switch issues. The ignition switch or lock cylinder gets replaced, temporarily solving the issue with a new part, only to reappear after a failure short period of time due to excessive wear on the new part. That might explain the frequent ignition switch replacements due to increased wear, although it would be a stretch to blame the bad BTSI's on a bad housing. Might be worth a shot to take a look at the housing.

I agree though, this is one of the things that is really disappointing about the ION's and the Vues. The engines and transmissions (with the exception of the CVTs) will generally last 200K+ miles. The Ecotecs are hands down one of the finest 4 cylinders ever made. Everything else in the vehicles though was clearly designed by committees and bean counters that were more concerned about saving a few pennies on part sourcing than building an entire vehicle that would last 200K+. In many cases (sway bar bushings come to mind), they seldom lasted through the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranties. GM got so focused on saving those pennies, they forgot what it meant to build a quality vehicle.

I couldn't have said it better. Thanks. Sorry it took so long to respond

[briansnoopy]

Been a long time since I've been on here. But here we are, and I recognize some of these usernames still. I've received recall notices not only for the switch replacement, but the cylinder, too. I've already had the cylinder redone once at 35K by the dealer juuuust under the warranty on the day the car wouldn't shut off at all. Had to call a Chevy dealer to order the recall parts and am awaiting their arrival to take in for an appt; the local 'saturn authorized' dealer rep (Caddy) acted like they didn't know how to schedule it so I just moooved on. I figure I'll let them replace both parts at once since it's part of the recall and they can just do it on GM's dime (well, our 11 billion dollars.) I am starting to notice clunking in the steering but have not gotten PWR STR message ever (at 118,000 mi now). I suspect that may have something to do with having the 2.4 package with a special 'recalibrated' steering that may have forced them to use a newer part at assembly. I 'may' have experienced the ignition issue once, during a fender bender at a stoplight, as I recall that I had to restart my car after I smacked into the guy's bumper, but I can't say for sure. No GMs from here on out; looking at Mazda, Subaru, or Honda.

[ddemier7]

Hi guys,

I am seeing alot of posts about a power steering motor recall? I have a 04 ion (1) with 187,000 miles. I recently got a recall letter about my ignition switch (cylinder) being recalled when parts are available. I would like to get this recall fixed along with this steering motor issue repaired at the same time. I have never experienced a steering problem, so will GM still recall this for my saturn ion? Does anyone know when the ignition and steering motor will be available? I have not recieved a recall letter on this steering motor issue yet

[kevin.st56]

all 04-07 ions will get the recall for the power steering. 03s just get lifetime warentees, which not all GM dealerships will follow.

[Dutchman1954]

Now we have a PR dept's nightmare really getting bad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uquQWZ3Nsb0

[ddemier7]

Load that video please! That will be fun to watch!

[Dutchman1954]

The program hasn't aired yet, it's scheduled for the 18th of May on CNBC. This is just the promo that they are showing now.

[ddemier7]

Ya I know its a promo, post the video or link after it airs so everyone van view it.

[snakes]

Anyone receive any letters regarding the power steering motor yet?