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 IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. NONE ON THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE…
2005 Saturn Relay body problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,0…
ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR WILL OPEN BY ITSELF ON MY 2005 SATURN RELAY. HAVE TO DISABLE DOOR TO BE SURE IT DOES NOT OPEN WHILE DRIVING, BUT WILL ENABLE ITSELF AND START OPENING BY ITSELF AGAIN. AS SATURN IS OUT OF BUSINESS, DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN. *TR
WE PURCHASE THE VAN MARCH 2006 AS THE FIRST OWNERS. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2007 WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN BACK UP WHEN CLOSING. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DOOR JAM SWITCH. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS 11,584. FROM THAT TIME TO NOW DEC 2008, WITH 31,000 MILES, THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND ADDING IN THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING D…
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2005 Saturn Relay?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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