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Vehicle Stats/Saturn/Relay Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Aug 2026Methodology

Saturn Relay Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls โ€” NHTSA data

Below Average reliability signalOur verdict from 122 complaints and 6 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Saturn Relay options? We analyzed 3 model years (2005โ€“2007) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

122
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
6
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
4
Crash-Related
crash complaints
1
Fire-Related
fire complaints
3
Injuries Reported
across all years
3
Years Analyzed
2005โ€“2007

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Found a Saturn Relay? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns โ€” they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Saturn Relay has 122 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls across model years 2005โ€“2007. The most reported issue area is SERVICE BRAKES. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2007 drew the fewest.

Saturn Relay โ€” key reliability facts
Make
Saturn
Model
Relay
Model years analyzed
2005โ€“2007 (3 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
122
Safety recall campaigns
6
Crash-related complaints
4
Fire-related complaints
1
Worst model year (by complaints)
2005 (91 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2007 (12 complaints)
Top reported issue area
SERVICE BRAKES
Reliability signal
Below Average
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) ยท Data last refreshed Aug 13, 2026
This Relay has 6 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free โ†’

By model year

Saturn Relay: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used โ€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
200591 complaints200619 complaints200712 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
200712 complaints200619 complaints200591 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record โ€” lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2005 Saturn Relay? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year โ€” averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free โ†’

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

How to read NCAP stars
5 stars โ€” Excellent
4 stars โ€” Good
3 stars โ€” Average
2 stars โ€” Below average
1 star โ€” Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Below Average
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The SATURN RELAY has 122 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 122 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 6 federal recall campaigns
  • 4 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume โ€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2005
91
2006
19
2007
12

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

6 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#05V552000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSJuly 12, 2005
Safety recall

STEERING

#09E005000STEERING
Safety recall

STEERING

#09E005000STEERING
Safety recall

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

#05V061000SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Safety recall

STEERING

#09E005000STEERING
Safety recall

PARKING BRAKE

#05V287000PARKING BRAKE

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005โ€“2007. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 122 NHTSA complaints โ€” these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
SERVICE BRAKES46 complaints
02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29 complaints
03
HYDRAULIC29 complaints
04
STRUCTURE17 complaints
05
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES14 complaints
06
FUEL SYSTEM10 complaints
07
POWER TRAIN9 complaints
08
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

122 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESNov 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE SPEED DECREASED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE UNLOCK FOR THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. THE WIRELESS SYSTEM WOULD CLOSE AND OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. MA 10/22/2015 *CN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 2013

ON DECEMBER 17 2012 I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO A CUB SCOUTS CHRISTMAS PARTY. I WAS GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT MY 2007 7 SATURN RELAY STARTED LOOSING POWER.I CALLED MY DAD TO PULL ME IN TO HIS HOUSE. I STARTED TO ELIMINATING EVERY THING POSSIBLE TRYING. SO I DROPPED THE FUEL TANK AND PULLED THE FUEL PUMP OUT THE FUEL WAS EMPTY.WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE SAID IT STILL HAD 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. *TR

SUSPENSIONJun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY 2.2L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS CORRODED WITH RUST. THE DEALER HAD THE UNIT REPLACED.THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERJun 2011

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A NEWS STORY I SAW ON 2005-2007 GM FUEL GAUGE ISSUES. WE HAVE A GM 2007 SATURN RELAY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ERRATIC FLUCTUATIONS, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE ADDED TO THE INVESTIGATION IF POSSIBLE. *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMSep 2009

THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS GOES OUT EXCESSIVELY IN MY 2007 SATURN RELAY, AFFECTING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. THERE IS A SERVICE MESSAGE THAT APPEARS. THE ONLY CORRECTION SO FAR IS TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT BEGINS AGAIN. *TR

Read 14 more owner reports
STEERING,STRUCTUREMay 2009

ON MAY 1, 2009 THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF MY 2007 SATURN RELAY. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP AND TO THIS DAY HAS YET TO BE FIXED. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT NONE OF OUR 5 CHILDREN WERE HURT BUT THEY WERE TRAUMATIZED BY THIS INCIDENT AND ARE AFRAID TO RIDE BY ANY SLIDING VAN DOOR. NOT ONLY HAS THIS HAPPENED BUT BACK IN FEBRUARY WE HAD A INCIDENT WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE FOR NO REASON. I DO NOT FEEL THAT SATURN/GM IS TAKING THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO INSURE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE OR SAFE FOR PASSENGERS. THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY TOLD MY HUSBAND TODAY THAT WE COULD NO LONGER HAVE RENTAL AND MUST DRIVE OUR VAN EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT FIXED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY VIOLATION I HAVE A SET OF TWINS AND A SET OF TRIPLETS EVERY SEAT IN MY VAN IS OCCUPIED SO I CAN NOT JUST PUT SOMEONE IN A DIFFERENT SEAT TO AVOID A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR FALLING OFF. I REALIZE THAT GETTING PARTS IS SLOW BECAUSE OF THE CUT BACKS BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE A AUTO MAKER CAN NOT PRODUCE THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLES THEY MAKE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN, BACK IN JANUARY 2009 IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A PROBLEM WITH HE STEERING COLUMN. APPARENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A BREAK IN IT AND WE ARE LUCKY THE STEERING DID NOT GO OUT ON THE VAN. THIS VAN IS BEGINNING TO LOOK MORE AND MORE LIKE A LEMON EVERY DAY. *TR

STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESApr 2009

I OWN A 2007 SATURN RELAY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. I BOUGHT IN APRIL OF 2007. IT WAS USED. THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED OPENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING. ONE NIGHT WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS A PASSENGER GOT OUT AND THE DOOR FELL OFF. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THEY ALSO HAD TO PAINT PASSENGER SIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED OPENING UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT OPENED UP AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND THE DOOR FELL OFF WHILE I WAS TRYING TO CLOSE IT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPAIRED EVEN THOUGH NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS OPENING AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. THIS CAR SCARES ME. I HAVE 4-6 KIDS IN MY CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IS IT GOING TO TAKE ONE OF THEM FALLING OUT WHEN THIS DOOR OPENS TO GET ANYONE TO SAY HEY WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. I AM CONSULTING A LAWYER. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNov 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE ALWAYS RECURS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESSep 2008

I OWN A 2007 SATURN RELAY 3 MINIVAN. THE VAN HAS DUAL POWER ASSISTED REAR SLIDING CARGO DOORS. DURING MY FAMILY'S EVACUATION FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER ASSISTED SLIDING CARGO DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY (DID NOT LATCH). I ELECTRICALLY RE-CLOSED THE DOOR AND LOCKED THE VEHICLE. DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7TH THE SAME DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, UNLATCHED WHEN THE FORWARD DRIVER OR PASSENGER DOOR WAS CLOSED AFTER ENTERING, AND UNLATCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-10 PASSING THROUGH THE MOBILE BAY TUNNEL. AFTER EXITING TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO "RE-CLOSE" THE SLIDING DOOR I STOPPED & TRIED TO PUSH ON THE REAR EDGE TO SHUT THE DOOR. INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE DOOR OPENED COMPLETELY BY ITSELF (POWER ASSISTED). THE SLIDING DOOR HAS NOT OPENED ENTIRELY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, BUT REGULARLY UNLATCHED. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED OR CONSOLE SLIDING DOOR SWITCHES TURNED OFF. THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR HAS UNLATCHED WITH THE CAR STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, DRIVING AND HITTING A BUMP, AND DRIVING AND TURNING A CORNER. THE PROBLEM ONLY EXIST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER ASSISTED SLIDING DOOR CONTINUES TO WORK CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SATURN OF NEW ORLEANS WESTBANK WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 UNDER A WARRANTY CLAIM (I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN WITH THE VEHICLE). THE VEHICLE REMAINS THERE AFTER ONE DAY. I HAVE ALSO OPENED A COMPLAINT FILE WITH SATURN CORP, FILE NUMBER 71-663259600. SATURN HAS CALLED ME TO SAY THEY ARE WORKING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME IS LINDSEY, PHONE 866-290-5700, EXT. 21622. TO MY AMAZEMENT THE SATURN DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD MY WIFE "IT'S ONLY AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM". OUR RATHER IMPOLITE REPLY WAS THAT ANSWER IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING OUR SON OWNS A 2006 RELAY 2 WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS LATENT DEFECT AFTER THREE TRIES. *TR

STRUCTUREAug 2008

I WENT TO GET MY 2 YEAR OLD OUT OF THE VAN AND THE WHOLE DOOR FELL OFF JUST MISSING MY FEET. *TR UPDATED 09/09/08. *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMay 2008

STARTER SOMETIMES ENGAGES, SOMETIMES DOESN'T ENGAGE, SOMETIMES STAYS ENGAGED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FEW TIMES AND WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKESOct 2017

SERVICE ABS AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND HAVE REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. FURTHER MESSAGES CONTINUE FLASHING ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM OVER THE PAST YEAR AFTER ABS WHEEL SENSORS AND THE ASSOCIATED WIRING WERE REPLACED. WITH THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET - I WAS THINKING THAT SURELY A TSB OR RECALL ON THESE ISSUES HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED OR SIMPLY IGNORED BY THE MECHANICS AND SERVICE WRITERS AT THE GM DEALERSHIPS NATIONWIDE. I KNOW THAT A TECH LL SCANNER IS REQUIRED TO CHECK FOR ANY TROUBLE CODES FOR THESE VERY COMPLEX SYSTEMS, BUT WHAT IS THE KNOWN DEFINITIVE FIX FOR THESE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS ? THE LIGHTS AND MESSAGES BEGAN APPEARING AFTER MODERATE BRAKING AND WHILE VEHICLE IS/WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY WHILE TURNING OR ON A STRAIGHT AHEAD STRETCH OF ROADWAY. VARIED ROAD CONDITIONS AND WET OR DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SEEMINGLY NOT CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

POWER TRAINMar 2014

ATTEMPTED LOW/MODERATE ACCELERATION FROM STOP; TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SLIP WITH ENGINE RPM INCREASING BUT NO TRANSFER OF POWER BEYOND ABOUT INITIAL HALF-FOOT OF FORWARD MOTION, THEN HARD SHIFTED INTO GEAR (LURCHED THE VEHICLE) AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THIS EVENT WAS INITIALLY INTERMITTENT AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPRODUCED BY MECHANIC. IT HAS NOW BECOME FREQUENT AND AFFECTS SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS WELL AS FROM STOP, MAKING CONTROL OF ACCELERATION UNPREDICTABLE IS HARD SHIFTING THROUGH MOST GEARS WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING, ALTHOUGH AT OTHER TIMES IT SHIFTS VERY SMOOTHLY THROUGHOUT, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE FOR MECHANIC. *TR

POWER TRAINMar 2014

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, GEAR SELECTION LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK AND PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AS RESULT. SHUT DOWN ENGINE, RESTARTED WITH SAME RESULT. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER, IT FINALLY RELEASED FROM PARK BUT HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING DIRECTLY INTO REVERSE GEAR - IT HAD TO BE "ROWED" THRU ALL GEARS TO SETTLE TO REVERSE, AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE INITIALLY. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION "JUMPED," LURCHING THE CAR (THE PARKING BRAKE HAD DISENGAGED WHEN GEAR SELECTION LEVER FINALLY MOVED FROM PARK). THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND SEEMS TO SOMETIMES COINCIDE WITH OTHER DRIVETRAIN ISSUE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. *TR

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGMar 2014

NOTED THAT DRIVING LIGHTS FLASHED WITH WIPERS ON DELAY SETTING. AT NEXT USE, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT & WARNING SOUNDED BUT LIGHTS DID NOT FLASH WITH DELAY WIPERS. TURNING OFF ENGINE AND PULLING HOOD LATCH & CLOSING HOOD ENDED LOW PRESSURE WARNING (OIL PRESSURE/ LEVEL WERE CORRECT-FALSE ALARM). 2 DAYS LATER, LIGHTS AGAIN FLASHED WITH WIPERS ON DELAY BUT NO OIL PRESSURE WARNING. CONTINUED THIS BACK-AND-FORTH (EITHER OIL WARNING OR LIGHT FLASH WITH WIPER USE, BUT NOT CONCOMITANT) FOR 2 MONTHS, THEN LOW PRESSURE WARNINGS BECAME CONSTANT, AND THE LIGHTS NO LONGER FLASHED WITH THE WIPERS AT ALL.THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING CAN OFTEN BE STOPPED BY EITHER TURNING OFF ENGINE AND CAREFULLY RESTARTING OR PULLING HOOD LATCH AND SLAMMING HOOD. SHIFTING GEARS MAY ALSO TRIGGER THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING IF IT ISN'T ALREADY ON. *TR

CrashAIR BAGSJan 2014

MY 18 YEAR OLD SON HAD AN ACCIDENT. HE ROLLED THE VAN MULTIPLE TIMES, HIT TREES ,DAMAGED ALL SIDES, AND ROOF OF THE VAN. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WOULD EASILY OPEN WAS THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE FRONT AXLE BROKE, WINDSHIELD BROKEN. THE INSURANCE APPRAISER SAID ALL PANELS WERE DAMAGED AND COULD NOT BELIEVE NONE OF THE AIR BAGS OPENED. THE SATURN RELAY 2006 WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

1 InjuryENGINEFeb 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE DARKENED BY THREE SHADES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG METALLIC SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT HAD EVEN AFFECTED HER BREATHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FOREIGN HOSE ATTACHED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE TOXIC LEAK. THE CONTACT BECAME VERY ILL AND STRONG TRACES OF CADMIUM, LEAD AND MERCURY WERE FOUND IN HER BLOOD SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)Oct 2011

I STARTED GETTING "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE AND LIGHT WITH "SERVICE ABS SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE AND LIGHT AND "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM". ALL ARE ALWAYS AT THE SAME TIME. SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING (PER OWNERS MANUAL) TEMPORARILY CAUSES THE LIGHTS AND MESSAGES TO TURN OFF, BUT THEY ALWAYS RETURN LATER. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN SATURN FORUMS AND IS HAPPENING WITH MANY, MANY OWNERS. *TR

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESMay 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT SHUT. WHEN ACTIVATED, THE DOOR WOULD START TO CLOSE BUT WOULD NOT LATCH AND THEN WOULD REOPEN. THE CONTACT STATED IT TAKES A COUPLE OF HOURS AND ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE DOOR WOULD CLOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS PERFORMED ADJUSTMENTS TO THE DOOR BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Showing 20 of 122 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Saturn Relay

These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations โ€” hereโ€™s what each number actually tells you about a used Saturn Relay, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is โ€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Saturn Relay has 122 complaints on record across 3 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Saturn Relay has 6 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the Saturn Relay's 122 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions โ€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable โ€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Saturn Relay vehicles on the road โ€” not any specific car. Two Saturn Relay vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage โ€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Saturn Relay has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a Saturn Relay by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Saturn Relay.

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Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

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Saturn Relay reliability โ€” frequently asked questions

Is the Saturn Relay reliable?

Below Average. The Saturn Relay has 122 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SERVICE BRAKES. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Saturn Relay years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (91 complaints), 2006 (19 complaints), 2007 (12 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Saturn Relay problems?

Top reported issues: SERVICE BRAKES (46 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (29 complaints); HYDRAULIC (29 complaints).

Does the Saturn Relay have recalls?

Yes โ€” 6 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Saturn Relay. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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Saturn Relay Problems by Year, Recalls & Years to Avoid | VinSpectorAI