U.S. Drops Saturn Steering System Probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed its investigation into power steering system failures in 2004-2007 model Saturn Ion small sedans after General Motors Co. included the cars in a much broader recall to fix the problem in the Ion and seven other models.

NHTSA's probe, which began in 2011, covered about 334,700 Ions. The investigation was prompted by nearly 4,800 complaints, 30,600 warranty claims and 12 crashes related to the sudden loss of power steering assist.

On March 31 GM announced it would recall those cars and 1 million other Chevrolet and Pontiac models sold during the 2004-2010 model years.

GM says four separate issues could cause the electric power steering system in affected vehicles to stop working. The company is issuing four service bulletins describing four different repairs that will:

Replace the power steering motor in 2004-2007 Ions, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR multipurpose vehicles and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt small sedans. Those cars were part of an earlier recall to fix power steering failures.

Replace torque sensor assemblies in 2004-2005 Chevrolet Malibu sedans and Malibu Maxx hatchbacks, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 sedans and certain 2008-2009 Malibu, G6 and Saturn Aura sedans.

Replace both the power steering motor and torque sensor assemblies in certain 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura cars.

Replace the power steering motor controller in 2008 Malibu, G6 and Aura cars.