Saturn Relay problems
0 safety recalls. 19 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.