2005 Saturn VUE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
170 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,674 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 136 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 55 of 170 complaints (32.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 15.3% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 15.3% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 55 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 11 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
Electrical System: 55; Power Train: 17; Steering: 17; Air Bags: 13; Unknown Or Other: 13; Electrical System:Ignition: 11; Engine: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 15
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 7; 2006: 10; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 10; 2010: 6; 2011: 11; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 61; 2015: 23; 2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 5; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10107993 · 2005-01-26 (January 26, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 42 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114349 · 2005-03-19 (March 19, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114377 · 2005-03-20 (March 20, 2005)
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 BA…
Owner-reported narrative. 825 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129940 · 2005-07-25 (July 25, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10129940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130229 · 2005-07-13 (July 13, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138492 · 2005-10-04 (October 4, 2005)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10138492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142630 · 2005-11-14 (November 14, 2005)
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 TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10142630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147985 · 2006-01-18 (January 18, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147985 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.