Saturn Relay problems
91 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Brakes: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 17,700–73,548 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Saturn Relay? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 32 owner reports · tends to show around 48,208 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 87,632 mi · ~$850 to fix
- body — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 35,645 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- fuel system — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 61,920 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 48,208 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2005 Saturn Relay
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2005 Saturn Relay
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~32,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~39,500 mibrakes~$450
- ~91,652 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn relay. While driving the rear sliding door opened without warning. He pulled over and it took 10 minutes to close the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the censors and motor were replaced. After the repair he experienced an…
Headlights flicker even after 5 repair attempts. Heater intermittently inoperative after 5 repair attempts. Power sliding doors do not close properly after 4 repair attempts. Difficult starting after 3 repair attempts. Fuel gauge erratic below quarter tank. *jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Saturn relay. While driving 35 MPH, the door alarm sounds and indicates that both rear passenger doors are open. The contact must pull the vehicle over and close the doors. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle did not have any recalls;…
Purchased s 2005 Saturn relay in april 06. Since day one things have been wrong, brake rotors warped, axel broken, interior parts needing replacement and now it is in the shop for weeks for transmission problems. I have a file open with Saturn and they are not helpful. I have…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Saturn Relay reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Saturn Relay is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Saturn Relay?
The 2005 Saturn Relay is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 17,700–73,548 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Saturn Relay?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 32 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 48,208 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Saturn Relay a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 91 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 48,208 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Saturn Relay?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 32 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 48,208 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 48,208 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Saturn Relay has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Saturn Relay?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.