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 …
2006 Saturn Vue steering problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 REPLACE…
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 t…
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?
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 $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.
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.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.