This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Saturn Vue steering problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 29 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Saturn Vue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a revision for 12-02-32-002 to add the 2013-2014 model years, add noise as a possible condition and add a Note in the Instructions section.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2006 Saturn Vue describe a pattern of ignition-locking problems where the key binds in the switch and the steering wheel locks simultaneously. Jiggling the steering wheel temporarily frees the mechanism, but the problem recurs repeatedly. The ignition casing cracks, keys wear down prematurely, and one owner found the vehicle starts and drives without the key inserted—a safety defect. Battery drain happens because the ignition doesn't shut off fully after key removal.
Power steering fails or becomes rock-hard at low speeds (parking, reverse, under 20 mph) and during cold starts. One owner reports the electronic steering feels vague and forces constant correction to keep the vehicle from drifting between lanes. Rear tires cup excessively, and a dealer planned a steering rack swap and sensor work that never got completed.
Electrical gremlins include dashboard lights flashing on and off (especially below freezing), an alternator that overcharges to 18.5 volts with the field control disconnected, and one case of burning smoke from the steering column near the wiper and signal switches. One owner experienced the engine stalling mid-turn with the steering wheel locking. Throughout, owners report difficulty finding recalls or support for these issues on the 2006 model year.
Same Saturn Vue steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition switch and key binding/locking
Key sticks or won't turn in ignition; steering wheel locks simultaneously. Jiggling the steering wheel and key temporarily frees the mechanism. Ignition casing can crack, wearing down keys or preventing full insertion.
When: Intermittent; can occur at cold start or any time
Symptoms owners cite: Key won't turn in ignition; Steering wheel locks up; Key gets stuck and cannot be removed or must stay in while car is running; Requires jiggling steering wheel to free key; Multiple keys wear down prematurely; Ignition casing cracks
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch replacement ($250–$500 or owner cost); tumbler replacement (failed after a while and recurred). Key replacement due to wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls noted for 2006 model year; some owners reference recalls on other Saturn model years (e.g., 2009 Vue) but not this generation.
Power steering loss or stiffness
Power steering fails or becomes extremely hard during low-speed maneuvers (parking, reverse, under 20 mph) or at highway speeds. Loss can be sudden or intermittent. Electronic steering system blamed by one owner for vague, hard-to-control feel that causes vehicle to meander between lanes.
When: During low-speed maneuvers (under 20 mph, parking, reverse); also reported at higher speeds and during cold starts
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes extremely hard or tight; Sudden loss of power steering assist; Vague steering response, hard to maintain direction; Vehicle sways or meanders between lanes; Steering wheel shakes between 60–70 mph; Loss of power steering during cold start (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure in one case; no repairs made. One owner reports steering rack swap and sensor replacement were planned but never performed. Steering wheel bearing/knuckle part replacement needed in one case.
Ignition remains active after key removal
Vehicle can be started and driven without the key being inserted into the ignition switch, or key can be removed while vehicle is running. Ignition does not click off fully when parked and key removed, causing battery drain.
When: After start and during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Key can be removed while driving; Vehicle starts and operates without key in ignition; Ignition doesn't click fully off after key removal; Battery drains because ignition stays live
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Several recalls exist for this issue on other Saturn models, but not confirmed for 2006 Vue model year.
Steering column/electrical fire hazard
Burning smoke and odor emitted from steering wheel and steering column area near wiper and signal light/headbeam switch connections. Smoke triggered by signal use or headlight activation. Headlights remain illuminated after being switched off, continuing to draw power until battery disconnected.
When: Upon operation of turn signals or headlights
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smoke from steering column; Burning odor from steering wheel area; Headlights remain on after being shut off; Battery drain due to continuous light draw
Engine stalls during turns with steering wheel locked
Vehicle shuts off and steering wheel locks simultaneously during turning maneuvers on city streets or highways while in motion. Occurs when making any turn direction or moving the steering wheel.
When: During turning maneuvers at various speeds (city and highway)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while turning; Steering wheel locks during turn; Occurs while vehicle is in motion
Electrical system instability and alternator overcharging
Interior and exterior lights, radio, and gauges flash on and off intermittently in cold weather (below 24°F). When problem becomes continuous, there is loss of steering and dash instruments. Root cause: alternator outputting excessive voltage (18.5V with field control disconnected) even with ignition off. Second alternator failure on same vehicle. GM-manufactured alternator is discontinued; only remanufactured units available.
When: At or below 24°F initially (first 3 years); then continuously year-round
Symptoms owners cite: Interior and exterior lights flashing on and off; Radio comes on and shuts off; Loss of power steering; Dash instruments go dark; All lights and equipment malfunction during cold start; Locks engage and disengage repeatedly while driving; Battery acid boils out
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement (second failure on this vehicle; first at 87,000 miles). Battery replaced twice in 6 months. Transmission and ignition switch also replaced as part of troubleshooting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No troubleshooting procedure in maintenance manual for this issue. Alternator is GM-manufactured and discontinued; only Chinese remanufactured units available at aftermarket stores.
Suspension and tire wear issues related to steering control
Rear tires cup prematurely. Unusual steering conditions and vehicle sway over uneven surfaces. Suspension design deficiency coupled with electronic steering causes vehicle to meander and require constant driver correction.
When: During highway driving and over uneven road surfaces
Symptoms owners cite: Cupped rear tires; Unusual steering conditions; Vehicle sways over uneven surfaces; Meanders between lanes; Requires constant steering correction
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement (tires were cupped). Dealer unable to determine cause of unusual steering; planned rack swap and sensor changes were never performed.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Vehicle experienced burning smoke emissions and a burning odor from the steering wheel / steering column area where the wipers and signal light/highbeam headlight switches are connected. The smoke emissions and the burning odor appeared to be triggered by the turning signals or from activation of the headlights. For safety purposes, the vehicle was turned off and parked; however, the headlights…
When you try to start the car when it's cold, all of the interior and exterior lights come on, radio comes on, and then the lights and radio go off and the power steering stops working. After a few attempts and about 5 minutes pass, it works properly. Some times, unexpectedly, all the lights in the car start flashing, the locks on the doors lock and unlock repeatedly while driving. We've…
My car is very rusted out,underneath the body and no one will work on my car because they feel it's a hazard to drive and work on. I went to an iron works shop and mechanic said it's a common problem with Saturn Vue's,I took it back to where I bought it because they knew it before I bought it . All they wanted to do was put me ina sports car,my car is a hazard to drive it plus I have 1 more year…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Saturn Vue?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Saturn Vue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 73,000 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 102,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,000; a quarter make it past 121,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Saturn/Vue.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.