Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2325–50K
2950–75K
2375–100K
33100–150K
16150K+
137 reports with mileage · 33 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
170 reports
20,000 miles · Apr 11, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS THE POINT OF IMPACT IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE, BOTH WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN TO KEEP CONTACT AND PASSENG…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS THE POINT OF IMPACT IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE, BOTH WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN TO KEEP CONTACT AND PASSENGER FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL OR DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK,BACK, CHEST AND TOOTH INJURIES. PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM B URNS FROM MATERIAL THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS, AND SUSTAINED CHEST, BACK AND LEG AND BACK INJURIES FROM HITTING DASHBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10155066
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2006
Power Train
WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 SATURN VUE IN APRIL OF 2005. WE HAD NO PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS FOR THE FIRST 10-12000 MILES. THEN WE STARTED TO GET A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT PREVENTED ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW DISCONCERTING I…
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WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 SATURN VUE IN APRIL OF 2005. WE HAD NO PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS FOR THE FIRST 10-12000 MILES. THEN WE STARTED TO GET A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT PREVENTED ACCELERATION. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW DISCONCERTING IT IS TO BE ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC WITH YOUR TWO KIDS IN THE CAR, AND THAN YOUR ENGINE REVS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND YOU CANNOT MOVE! WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SATURN DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THAN ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2006, MY HUSBAND WAS LEAVING HIS WORK, AND COULD NOT GET OUT OF HIS PARKING SPACE, AS HIS CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT WOULD GO FORWARD, BUT ONLY WHEN IN PARK. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LIBERTYVILLE SATURN DEALER, AND, OF COURSE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. THEY SAID IF THE CAR IS COLD, THE COMPUTER WILL PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING ENGAGED, TO AVOID TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS "NORMAL OPERATION" FOR THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WELL, I DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE HAPPEN WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR, AND FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS AFTER. I DO NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR SO AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A BLATANT PERFORMANCE PROBLEM WITH THE CVT (CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) CONTINUOUS IMPLIES THAT THE TRANSMISSION VARIES "CONTINUOUSLY" I CAN ASSURE YOU, IF MY CAR HAD DONE THIS WHILE I WAS TEST DRIVING IT, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND MAKES ME EXTREMELY ANXIOUS WHEN I AM DRIVING, AS THERE IS NO WAY TO ANTICIPATE WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. SATURN HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THAT THIS "SLIPPING" IS NORMAL. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL WEB SITES ON THE WEB WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150308
100 miles · Jan 18, 2006
Seat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR WIND NOISE...YOU CAN NOT EVEN HEAR THE RADIO OR CONVERSATIONS IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS NOISE. THE CAR ALSO HAS A RATTLING COMING FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, WE CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLS BACK ON A HILL WHEN IN DRIVE. THE BRAKES ALSO SQUEAL AND THE DEALERSHIP SAY…
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THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR WIND NOISE...YOU CAN NOT EVEN HEAR THE RADIO OR CONVERSATIONS IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS NOISE. THE CAR ALSO HAS A RATTLING COMING FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, WE CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLS BACK ON A HILL WHEN IN DRIVE. THE BRAKES ALSO SQUEAL AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE FINE, BUT WE DO NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE MAY 2005 AND TILL NOW (1/18/06) SATURN HAS NOT FIXED ANY OF THEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147985
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2005
EquipmentSteering
LAST JAN. 2004 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2004 SATURN VUE AWD V6. FROM DAY ONE IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, DRIVE TRAIN, FRONT END ETC.( WE HAVE A COPY OF ALL RECORDS) THE LAST REPAIR WAS A STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AROUND JUNE 04. IN JULY 04 SATURN TOOK THIS VEHICLE BACK AND REPLACED IT WITH A 04 VUE. THIS PAST OCTOBER 05 I…
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LAST JAN. 2004 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2004 SATURN VUE AWD V6. FROM DAY ONE IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, DRIVE TRAIN, FRONT END ETC.( WE HAVE A COPY OF ALL RECORDS) THE LAST REPAIR WAS A STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AROUND JUNE 04. IN JULY 04 SATURN TOOK THIS VEHICLE BACK AND REPLACED IT WITH A 04 VUE. THIS PAST OCTOBER 05 IT DEVELOPED A RATTLE IN THE FRONT END AND SATURN REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER REPAIR THE RATTLE IS STILL THERE AND I HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP CHECK THE VEHICLE AND ONCE IT WAS ON THE LIFT THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THEIR HAND. SATURN HAS SAID THIS VEHICLE AND THE LAST ONE ARE SAFE TO DRIVE BUT MY CONCERN IS TWO VUE'S AND BOTH HAVING THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AND TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS REPAIR OR PROBLEM AND I FEEL SATURN IS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142630
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2005
SteeringSuspension
LAST JAN. 2004 WE PURCHASED A 04 SATURN VUE, THE VEHICLE ENDED UP BEING IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS SUCH AS SUSPENSION, DRIVE TRAIN, WHEEL BEARINGS ETC. THE LAST REPAIR WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND SATURN AGREED TO REPLACE THE M/V. IN JULY 04 WERE RECEIVED OUR NEW 04 VUE. ON SATURDAY WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND TO…
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LAST JAN. 2004 WE PURCHASED A 04 SATURN VUE, THE VEHICLE ENDED UP BEING IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS SUCH AS SUSPENSION, DRIVE TRAIN, WHEEL BEARINGS ETC. THE LAST REPAIR WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AND SATURN AGREED TO REPLACE THE M/V. IN JULY 04 WERE RECEIVED OUR NEW 04 VUE. ON SATURDAY WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND TO CHECK A RATTLE IN THE FRONT END. WE ARE NEW SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACE IN THIS M/V. SATURN STATED THAT THE M/V IS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT MY CONCERN IS TWO (2) 04 VUE'S WITH STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENTS AND SATURN NOT TELLING ME IF THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE M/V'S. WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO US NOT ONCE BUT TWICE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10138492
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2005
Equipment
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DOOR AJAR FEATURE. SHE STATED SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER FRONT PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS JUST AS SHOCKED AS SHE WAS BECAUSE THIS FEATURE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON HER VEHICLE. 8JB
NHTSA ODI #10129940
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2005
Suspension
2005 SATURN VUE DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING STRAIGHT.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER WHILE DRIVING. IF THE CONSUMER WERE TO TAKE HIS EYE OFF THE ROAD FOR A SECOND TO CHECK THE MIRRORS THE VEHICLE WOULD WANDER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130229
825 miles · Mar 20, 2005
SeatsCrashInjury
I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN MY BRAND NEW 2005 SATURN VUE AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A MEDIUM-SIZED TRANSIT BUS AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH. THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE AND RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE BACK OF THE SEAT COLLAPSE…
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I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN MY BRAND NEW 2005 SATURN VUE AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A MEDIUM-SIZED TRANSIT BUS AT APPROX. 35-40 MPH. THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE AND RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE BACK OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED AND FELL BACK INTO THE BACK SEAT. THE SEAT ALMOST TOTALLY BROKE UNDERNEATH AND TWISTED TO THE LEFT. I WAS THE LONE OCCUPANT IN THE CAR AND SUFFERED NUMEROUS ABRASIONS, BRUISES, CUTS, BUMPS, AND SPRAINS, AS WELL AS BACK AND NECK PAIN. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND STILL HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING ME TO GET CUTS ON MY LIPS AND FACE. THE MAJORITY OF THE INJURIES TO MY BODY WERE ON THE LEFT SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114377
300 miles · Mar 19, 2005
Power Train
MANY INCIDENCES OF SATURN VUE ROLLING BACKWARDS NON-STOP IN DRIVE (GEAR). TOLD UPON EACH OF 5 REPORTS THAT ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ROLL BACKWARDS IN DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS ALSO ROLLED (NOT SLID)4 TIMES FORWARDS IN PARK DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE ROAD WITH ALL WHEELS ROLLING. IT HAS ROLLED BACKWARDS ONCE WITH ALL WHEELS ROLLIN…
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MANY INCIDENCES OF SATURN VUE ROLLING BACKWARDS NON-STOP IN DRIVE (GEAR). TOLD UPON EACH OF 5 REPORTS THAT ALL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ROLL BACKWARDS IN DRIVE. VEHICLE HAS ALSO ROLLED (NOT SLID)4 TIMES FORWARDS IN PARK DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE ROAD WITH ALL WHEELS ROLLING. IT HAS ROLLED BACKWARDS ONCE WITH ALL WHEELS ROLLING. VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE ENTERED AN EMERGENCY BRAKE PULLED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114349
42 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
1) PURCHASED 2005 SATURN RELAY VAN; 2) ALL LIGHTS ON VEHICLE ARE VARIABLE. THIS IS AT ALL TIMES. IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AT DARK PERIODS. LIGHTS VARY LIGHT OUTPUT, NOT MAINTAINING STEADY OUTPUT. SATURN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALL RELAYS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND STATED TO MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR MUST BE REPLACED. SUPPO…
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1) PURCHASED 2005 SATURN RELAY VAN; 2) ALL LIGHTS ON VEHICLE ARE VARIABLE. THIS IS AT ALL TIMES. IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AT DARK PERIODS. LIGHTS VARY LIGHT OUTPUT, NOT MAINTAINING STEADY OUTPUT. SATURN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALL RELAYS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND STATED TO MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR MUST BE REPLACED. SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE 1-14,2005. 3) DEALER CONTINUES TO ANTICIPATE REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR, BUT SINCE 1-3-05, WE ARE STILL WAITING, WITH NO RESOLVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10107993
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year