2006 Saturn VUE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
300 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 237 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 85 of 300 complaints (28.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 41 | 13.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 30 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 25 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.7% |
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 | 85 |
| Air Bags | 76 |
| Steering | 29 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 15 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 |
| Seats | 14 |
| Structure:Body | 13 |
Electrical System: 85; Air Bags: 76; Steering: 29; Power Train: 17; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 15; Air Bags:Frontal: 14; Seats: 14; Structure:Body: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 46 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 43 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 66 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 46; 75,000 to 99,999: 43; 100,000 to 149,999: 66; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (66). 63 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 21 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 85 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 7; 2007: 7; 2008: 22; 2009: 16; 2010: 23; 2011: 21; 2012: 15; 2013: 9; 2014: 85; 2015: 23; 2016: 20; 2017: 14; 2018: 16; 2019: 10; 2020: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 30 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 25 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 10153044 · 2006-03-10 (March 10, 2006)
2006 VUE REAR TIRES WERE CUPPED, TIRES WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL STEERING CONDITIONS. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE GOING TO SWAPPED THE RACK FROM ANOTHER VUE AND CHANGED SOME SENSORS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER NEVER MADE THE REPAIRS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10153044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156783 · 2006-05-04 (May 4, 2006)
2006 SATURN VUE, VEHICLE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN,ENGINE MISS FIRED,THEN SHUT OFF. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER STATED BAD BATTERY......SECOND TIME VEHICLE SAME THING JUST SHUT OFF.... ALSO IGNITION KEY ENTRY STICKS WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE, DEALER SAID TO HAVE REPLACED BUT STILL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO TURN TO START..... *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158385 · 2006-05-15 (May 15, 2006)
CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEACTIVATION OF 2006 SATURN VUE AIR BAG. *TS ***TRANSFERRED TO TIS*** THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT AN AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH BE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS 4' 10-1/2 INCHES, 88 POUNDS AND HAS TO SIT CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO REACH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161912 · 2006-07-09 (July 9, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 SATURN VUE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM IS TO BE IN OFF POSITION UNLESS A PERSON WEIGHING 100 LBS IS ON THE SEAT THEN IT GOES TO THE ON POSITION. MY CAR IS 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 3000 MILES AND WHILE MY 11 YEAR OLD DTR WEIGHING 65 LBS WAS IN THE SEAT FOR OVER 30 MINUTES THE AIR BAG WENT TO THE ON POSITION. I AM UNSURE WHETHER IT REALLY TURNED ON OR NOT AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE WITH ANYONE IN THE FRONT SEAT IT IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AND I AM NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM IS WITH IT. BUT, I AM EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166115 · 2006-08-21 (August 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF GRAY SMOKE, BUT NO ACTUAL FLAMES WERE SEEN. THE SMOKE STOPPED AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE LIGHTING FUSE HAD BLOWN. AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168405 · 2006-09-15 (September 15, 2006)
STRANGE NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR. IT IS CONSTANT. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176750 · 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)
WHILE DRIVING THE ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE FURTHER I DROVE THE LESS POWER I HAD UNTIL THE VEHICLE STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES BUT WHEN I STEPPED DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER ON SATURDAY EVENING. THE DEALER CONTACTED ME ON MONDAY AND SAID THAT THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER ONE FROM THE FACTORY. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON TUESDAY EVENING AND IT APPEARED TO BE RUNNING FINE FOR THE MOMMENT. I MADE THEE QUARTERS OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,434 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181943 · 2007-02-08 (February 8, 2007)
#1. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH,CAUSING THE KEY TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE TURNED OR TO BE REMOVED. #2. STEERING IS VAGUE AND HARD TO KEEP POINTED IN ONE DIRECTION, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC STEERING. ALSO; THE CAR SWAYS PROFOUNDLY OVER UNEVEN SURFACES,DUE TO THE SUSPENSION DESIGN. THIS LACK OF SUSPENSION DESIGN INTEGRITY, COUPLED WITH THE USE OF ELECTRONIC STEERING CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE IN AN UNSAFE MANNER,(CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MEANDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE,OFTEN INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC,UNLESS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181943 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.