Saturn Relay problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 19 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2006 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
- powertrain — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 131,350 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 25,867 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 52,667 mi · ~$450 to fix
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: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 2006 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 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
AWD disabled when needed in snow. It seems to be caused by icy slush. I confirmed with the dealer that the hub assembly's AWD sensor can get covered up with mud or slush and the AWD system will disable. Any AWD system that gets disabled by slush is ludicrously designed, and…
I started getting "service traction control system" warning message and light with "service ABS system" warning message and light and "service stability system". All are always at the same time. Shutting off the engine and restarting (per owners manual) temporarily causes the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Saturn relay. The contact stated that the driver's side door repeatedly opens and closes. She has taken the vehicle to the dealer more than four times within two months to have the door repaired. The dealer has seen many of the same vehicles with…
2006 Saturn van is designed with the characteristic of running out of fuel when operating on an incline (nose up or nose down), with a 1/4 tank of fuel remaining. After this occurred the 2nd time I complained to the dealership and asked them to repair. They stated they were…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Saturn Relay reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 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 2006 Saturn Relay?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Saturn Relay does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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 2006 Saturn Relay?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 131,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2006 Saturn Relay a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 19 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 131,350 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 2006 Saturn Relay?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 131,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 131,350 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 2006 Saturn Relay?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 19 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.