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2005 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Steering

MY 2005 SATURN VUE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AFTER PARKING AND TURNING IT OFF, SUCH THAT IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF "JIGGLING" OF THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE ON. I HAD NOT THOUGHT TO SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, …

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MY 2005 SATURN VUE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AFTER PARKING AND TURNING IT OFF, SUCH THAT IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF "JIGGLING" OF THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE ON. I HAD NOT THOUGHT TO SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, BUT WAS TOLD THAT MY FATHER'S 2003 SATURN VUE DID HAVE THE STEERING/IGNITION COLUMN RECALLED AND REPLACED FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES AS I AM EXPERIENCING.

NHTSA ODI #10808465

188,000 miles · Nov 25, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS IT'S SELF VERY OFTEN. I THROTTLES THE SPEED RANDOMLY AND WHEN YOU FINALLY GET STATIONARY IT LOCKS UP THE FUEL SO THERE IS NO WAY TO START THE CAR UNTILL YOU DO THE RELEARN PROCESS WHICH TAKES 30 MIN OR LONGER AND YOUR LUCKY IF THAT WORKS. YES THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED TO ME. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS N…

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THE SECURITY SYSTEM RESETS IT'S SELF VERY OFTEN. I THROTTLES THE SPEED RANDOMLY AND WHEN YOU FINALLY GET STATIONARY IT LOCKS UP THE FUEL SO THERE IS NO WAY TO START THE CAR UNTILL YOU DO THE RELEARN PROCESS WHICH TAKES 30 MIN OR LONGER AND YOUR LUCKY IF THAT WORKS. YES THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED TO ME. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND LAST TIME IT WAS DRIVING WAS THE DAY I BROUGHT IT HOME AFTER BUYING IT.

NHTSA ODI #10806820

160,000 miles · Oct 30, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE IGNITION KEY WAS ABLE TO BE EJECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURN TO THE OFF POSITION, THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN ON, EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE IGNITION KEY WAS ABLE TO BE EJECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURN TO THE OFF POSITION, THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN ON, EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10787363

97,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Unknown Or Other

IGNITION KEYS SLIP OUT WHEN CAR IS RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #10779693

97,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10726734

50,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION INDEPENDENTLY BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION INDEPENDENTLY BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10725788

123,000 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I BOUGHT MY 2005 SATURN VUE IN DECEMBER 2013 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED POORLY. I REPLACED THE PADS, THEN BOTH FRONT CALIPERS 3 TIMES. THEN FINALLY THE HOSES WHICH HELPED SOMEWHAT. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE CARRIER BEARING WHICH…

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I BOUGHT MY 2005 SATURN VUE IN DECEMBER 2013 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED POORLY. I REPLACED THE PADS, THEN BOTH FRONT CALIPERS 3 TIMES. THEN FINALLY THE HOSES WHICH HELPED SOMEWHAT. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE CARRIER BEARING WHICH HELPED THE SHAKING AND CLUNKING I HAVE READ ABOUT IN OTHER POSTS. JUST LAST MONTH THOUGH RIGHT AFTER I HAD SPENT THE MONEY ON THE CARRIER BEARING I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT IT HESITATED THEN ONCE IT DID START MOVING THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND JERKING. MY TRANSMISSION NOW NEEDS REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALLS AND HAVE FOUND NONE THAT WILL HELP ME WITH THIS. I REGRET EVER BUYING THIS VUE AND NOW I STILL OWE 2000 TO THE BANK FOR A VEHICLE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10724535

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesUnknown Or Other

(1) AIR BAGS-I WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BLACK ICE IN DEC, 2005 AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS WAS CONCERNING. (2) BRAKES-FROM DAY ONE, WHEN IT RAINS, MY BRAKES SOUND LIKE AN OLD PERSON TRYING TO MOVE. (3) IGNITION-TOO MANY TIMES TO MENTION. WHEN I WOULD PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION A…

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(1) AIR BAGS-I WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BLACK ICE IN DEC, 2005 AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS WAS CONCERNING. (2) BRAKES-FROM DAY ONE, WHEN IT RAINS, MY BRAKES SOUND LIKE AN OLD PERSON TRYING TO MOVE. (3) IGNITION-TOO MANY TIMES TO MENTION. WHEN I WOULD PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TRY TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T MOVE AND I'D HAVE TO JOLT THE "FROZEN" STEERING WHEEL TO FINALLY GET THE KEY TO TURN/CAR TO START. (4) I'VE SEEN BOTH THE BRAKES & IGNITION ISSUES IN OTHER PEOPLE'S POSTS. JUST WANTED TO PUT THIS OUT THERE FOR INFORMATION'S SAKE. OTHERWISE, THE CAR'S BEEN GREAT TO ME. 10 YEARS OLD, ONLY 47K MILES ON IT AND I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

NHTSA ODI #10721015

48,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Electrical System

STIFF IGNITION SWITCH RIGHT FROM DAY 1 WHEN CAR WAS NEW,KEY DOES NOT FALL OUT BUT JAMS,ALSO FRONT STRUT SQEEK AND CREEK,SOUNDS LIKE A 100 YEAR OLD WAGON,SUPPOSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR STRUT TOWER BUSHING,I WAS CHARGED $410 FOR THE REPAIR IN 2005,IF ANYTHING MADE IT WORSE,I HARDLY DROVE THIS CAR IT HAS 81000 KM,APPROX 48000 MILES…

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STIFF IGNITION SWITCH RIGHT FROM DAY 1 WHEN CAR WAS NEW,KEY DOES NOT FALL OUT BUT JAMS,ALSO FRONT STRUT SQEEK AND CREEK,SOUNDS LIKE A 100 YEAR OLD WAGON,SUPPOSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR STRUT TOWER BUSHING,I WAS CHARGED $410 FOR THE REPAIR IN 2005,IF ANYTHING MADE IT WORSE,I HARDLY DROVE THIS CAR IT HAS 81000 KM,APPROX 48000 MILES,CURIOUS THE HATCH LOCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN STIFF AS WELL AND THE KEY GETS STUCK,SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A LOCK PROBLEM FROM THE START,DID GM OUTSOURCE THE LOCKS LIKE TOYOTA DID WITH THE GAS PEDALS?

NHTSA ODI #10717708

130,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. TOWED TO GARAGE WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711931

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.