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Vehicle safety record

2005 Saturn Relay Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (41) and the electrical system (24). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2009 for the steering. For comparison, the 2006 has 19.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Relay year, for its age

#114 most complained-about 2005 vehicle

Complaints
91
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2005 Saturn Relay problems

Share of all 91 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2005 Saturn Relay recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Steering

09E005000979 vehicles affected

The problem
Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 And 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 And 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
The risk
A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The fix
Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5.

Parking brake

05V28700014,600 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'Passenger car brake systems.' To meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
The risk
When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

Seats: mid / rear assembly

05V06100018,850 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to nhtsa's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
The risk
If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
The fix
Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

What owners say

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91 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.

Electrical system

Exact same issue as described in april 2014 gm recall 14063. Sudden loss of electrical power while driving causing the engine to shut off. Unpredictable very dangerous. Seems to be the ignition switch. Other saturns are listed in the 2014 recall but mine is not. It should be listed.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11111967
Brakes

The anti-lock brake system warning light and traction control system (tcs) warning light continue to light up and stays on I have seen similar complaints on various chat sessions.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakesNHTSA 11048779
SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. While operating the vehicle, the speed sensor and traction control sensor lights illuminated and the braking distance increased when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic body control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, the sliding door chime activated even though both sliding doors were closed. Also, the steering wheel suddenly became very difficult to turn....

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The cause of the failures were not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was invalid. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 09/08/16*lj *cn

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Traction control system · Service brakesNHTSA 10885096
Electrical systemLightsVisibility & wipers

When I drive at night I have to turn my headlights off to use my turn signals. I have noticed that the turn signal on the driver's side of the 2005 saturn relay will not work unless the headlights are turned off. I have not had any accidents...Yet. This is a real safety issue.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10758510
Electrical systemDriver assistanceFuel system

The first time I was parked and the van would not start. I was told it might be the fuel pump. I had the van tow to a service center. They said it was the fuel relay. I paid to have the fuel relay replaced. A few days later same thing happened again. The van would not start. This time we thought it was the battery or spark plugs. I paid to have a new battery, new spark plugs, spark plug cables. A few days later I was leaving from work and the van would not start again. I had it tow and they said it might be the...

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fuel pump. They were going to replaced the fuel pump but then noticed the wires located on the passenger side of the van. The mechanic wiggled the wires and the van started. A few weeks later I was driving down the road doing about 50 and the van just lost power. It was as if it ran out of gas. I was able to safely pull over and had the van towed again. After this several times, while driving the van will act as if it ran out of gas. I have been very lucky I have not been in an accident...Yet. I have to get out of the van, go to the passenger side and wiggle the wires located under the glove compartment of the van.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10758509
Electrical system

Driving around 10 mph, car died. Took it to the shop and they said it was the ignition switch. Looked on gm website and there is a recall for this same problem, however not for the relay. I believe there should be a recall for all saturns! I am very lucky I was not driving on the freeway when this incident occurred. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10711799
Brakes

Repeated problems with abs & t/c warning lights, brakes seized up was unable to move van had it towed to a shop, t/c engages without any adverse weather or road conditions. I have spent over $2000 trying to repair the problems. Brake pads wear down quickly, replace brake pads twice a year since having the vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10706475
Brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. While driving approximately 40 mph, the abs warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the abs hub sensor was replaced. In addition, the brakes pulsated when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred after the repair was performed and the computerized system was updated. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10694113
Electrical systemFire

On 1/12/15, while my 2005 saturn relay was parked in my garage, started on fire. Vehicle was not started or going at the time. Last drove the vehicle approximately one hour prior. It was determined that the ceiling component that has the buttons to open the back sliding doors, onstar and garage opening, is what started the electrical fire, which burned a whole in my roof, burned the drivers side visor, which in turn burned the driver side seat and car seat behind the driver's door. Gm determined it was not there problem because the vehicle was 10 years old and no other cases were on file. A very very very scary situation. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10683638
Brakes

Abs system acting up , occurring off and on service brakes hydraulic problem . Happens everyday since I've owned it. Also previous owner had same problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10676161
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the egr valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10663346
SteeringElectrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. While driving 30 mph, the steering failed and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle also veered to the left and right. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the steering wheel knuckle and ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical systemNHTSA 10621293
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle restarted briefly but stalled immediately after. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10607574
Fuel system

Every time we fill up with fuel, the gas gauge shows empty,and the display tells us we have low fuel. After awhile the gauge will go to full, then become erratic and show us different fuel levels. It takes quite a while for the gauge to give an actual reading. I recommend that this vehicle be put on the recall list for the fuel sensor problem that other gm vehicles have had. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10595574
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that the vehicle sporadically failed to start. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The manufacture was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 05/28/14*lj

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10575874
Electrical systemLightsBrakes

After having my brakes replaced, the abs light continues to come on. The light will go off for awhile, but every time I apply the brakes it will come back on for days. I am also having issues with my brake lights, turn signals, and headlights. They keep going in and out. Sometimes the passenger side door will not open or close correctly, I check to make sure nothing is in the way but still have the problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 10567927
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that the engine stalled and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was shut off and once restarted, resumed normally for a half a mile before the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition switch was replaced but to no avail. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where the connector harness to the fuel pump was rewired and replaced. The contact indicated that the failure recurred after the second repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 91,652.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10567799
BrakesCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that while reversing from a driveway, the brakes failed with the illumination of the abs warning lights. As a result, the contact crashed into a mailbox from the driver's side. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised that the driver's side wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the brake failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10522302
Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, a loud rattling noise emitted outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer. All four wheel bearings were replaced. The failure recurred four years after the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired for most recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10521514
Driver assistanceBrakes

While driving on freeway, saturn relay 2005 slowed down and lost power intermittently. Dash warning lights flashed on and off (abs/stability/traction) - warning lights. The vehicle had no power on and off. When I applied the gas, the vehicle bogged down and continued to slow. Then all of a sudden, the vehicle accelerated when I depressed the gas pedal. I could not move over to the berm due to heavy traffic so I attempted to exit at an upcoming exit ramp. When I applied the brakes nothing happened the first few times. Then the brakes worked so I was able to slow down eventually. The brakes were pulsating when I would depress the brake pedal and intermittently, nothing would happen. *Tr

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakesNHTSA 10520704
Fuel system

Fuel read a little less than 1/4 of a tank. Driving 40 mph down the street, engine stopped. Would not start. Towed home. Put gas in it and it started. Happened again on dec 20. Driving 70mph on the interstate. Fuel gauge at 1/4 tank. Engine stopped. Put 2 gallons of gas in and it started. Fuel sensor was replaced in spring of 2010 by an authorized gm dealer[[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10489482
Electrical systemLightsBrakes

Abs warning light appears intermittently even after brakes were replaced. Seems to be electrical issue as opening the door doesn't always turn on light or turn off radio. Drained battery. Now I have to pull fuse. Steering wheel radio controls have never worked properly often performing opposite functions. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Service brakesNHTSA 10489110
Brakes

Abs system warning light comes on intermittently. Abs system shuts down while light is on. Ebcm was replaced by gm dealer, but problem persists. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10456190
BrakesElectrical systemDriver assistance

12/19/2011 Wife was driving car on 4 lane highway when brakes engaged for no reason. Foot was not even on the pedal. Van lurched, tires squealed, drastically reduced speed down to 20 mph, and car pulled to the right. She pulled off onto shoulder of road. T/c light came on. Van drove normally after that until 1/5/12 when it happened again. This time it happened at a lower speed, while slowing to turn left through an intersection. Made car skid and she almost missed the turn. It happened again on 1/6/11 while...

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turning into a parking lot. Same symptoms, this time car pulled to left. I inspected vehicle to find that right rear brake caliper was leaking brake fluid. Thought that would solve problem, however, it was an unrelated issue. Happened 5 times on 1/10/11, once again on 1/11/11 at 60 mph, and on 1/12/11 at a lower speed. Diagnosis by a gm certified mechanic determined the problem to be the ebcm. Currently the fuse has been removed from the abs and abs pump to prevent this very dangerous condition from happening again. Switch in car to deactivate traction control was not stopping it from malfunctioning. My wife and kids use this car, and I was very worried about their safety, and I had to consult 3-4 different mechanics to brainstorm and figure out what was causing this problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10443718
Brakes

When the abs and traction control sensor lights came on , it felt like the car wasn't slowing down much, at 35 mph. It was scary. I know of other people that had this same problem, there should be a recall on this. I was told is the ebcm module. *Tt

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10425974

Saturn Relay: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200712100Body, doors & structureA
200619220Body, doors & structureC
200591321BrakesF
All Relay years

2005 Saturn Relay vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2005 Saturn Relay9132F
2005 Saturn Ion573531BCompare
2005 Saturn Vue170015BCompare
2005 Saturn L-Series2601ACompare
2005 Saturn Aura500ACompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2005 Saturn Relay

Does the 2005 Saturn Relay have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Saturn Relay: steering (February 2009); parking brake (June 2005); mid / rear assembly (February 2005). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (41), electrical system (24), body, doors & structure (19).

How many complaints has the 2005 Saturn Relay had?

91 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 29, 2005 and the latest on July 17, 2018. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2005 Saturn Relay a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Saturn Relay year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Saturn Relay years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2005 Saturn Relay has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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