Saturn Relay problems
0 safety recalls. 91 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.