Saturn Vue problems
0 safety recalls. 169 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
OVERALL FOR LAST SEVERAL YEARS, IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE LOCK CYLINDER WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ALSO WILL SOMETIMES JAM AND NOT ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF THE KEY WITHOUT RESETTING THE LOCK CYLINDER TO THE LOCK POSITION. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT GM HAS ISSUED…
IGNITION CYLINDER - KEY CAN COME OUT WHEN NOT IN "OFF" POSITION. FOR NOW, IT'S JUST HAPPENING WHEN PARKED AND DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT IT'S UNSAFE
ON JULY 23, 2005, I HAD THE OIL SEAL REPLACED. THE VUE HAD BEEN LEAKING OIL IN MY GARAGE AND OTHER PLACES WHEN I PARKED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS AND WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO GET THE KEY TO TURN. SOMETIMES TOOK UP TO 20 MINUTES OR SO. ON JULY 22, 2006…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Saturn Vue reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Saturn Vue 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 Vue?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 60 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Saturn Vue 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 Vue?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 169 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.