I've had plenty of Saturn in the bay over the years, and the body and structural complaints on these don't surprise me. 119 on the NHTSA record across 17 model-year entries (2005–2009) is not a fluke. The 2006 Saturn Ion leads the list but the pattern shows up across multiple years and models. Not a one-off. 5 injury reports on the record — not a category to wave off. Repair exposure averages $1,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Across the 74 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 85,845 miles. For trucks especially, get under it with a flashlight. Frame rust on rust-belt vehicles tells you everything you need to know about how it was kept.
ProblemsByVin SATURN / BODY
17 model-year entries · 2005–2009
Saturn body problems
119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Saturn vehicles for body issues. 3 active recall campaigns. See body across all makes →
Complaints
119
Recalls
3
Year-models
17
Avg fix
$1,500
2crashes
1fire
5injuries
Worst-affected Saturn model-years for body Top 17 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
2006 Saturn Ion
15 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2008 Saturn Outlook
13 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2006 Saturn Vue
13 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2008 Saturn Vue
12 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2007 Saturn Outlook
12 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 moderate
2008 Saturn Aura
11 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Saturn Relay
9 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2007 Saturn Vue
5 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2009 Saturn Vue
4 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2005 Saturn Ion
4 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2009 Saturn Outlook
3 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,500 severe
2008 Saturn Astra
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2007 Saturn Aura
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2007 Saturn Ion
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2007 Saturn Relay
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2006 Saturn Relay
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Saturn Vue
3 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
Common questions
How many Saturn body complaints are on file with NHTSA?
119 complaints across 17 model-year entries from 2005 to 2009. 3 active recall campaigns cover body issues across the Saturn lineup.
Which Saturn model has the most body complaints?
The 2006 Saturn Ion leads with 15 complaints in this category. Next: 2008 Outlook (13) and 2006 Vue (13).
What does it cost to fix Saturn body problems?
Independent shops average $1,500 for body repairs across the Saturn lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Saturn body recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover body issues on Saturn vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Saturn.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.