AI DamageSaturn Relay: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn Relay across 3 model years: 122 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 46 complaints (38% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 29 complaints (24% of all).
- Structure: 17 complaints (14% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 14 complaints (11% of all).
- Fuel system: 9 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2005–2006
- 3.9 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2006–2007
- automatic, 4-speed 2005–2007
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 122 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 46 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My 18 year old son had an accident. He rolled the van multiple times, hit trees ,damaged all sides, and roof of the van. The only door that would easily open was the drivers door. The front axle broke, windshield broken.
The contact stated that while reversing from a driveway, the brakes failed with the illumination of the abs warning lights. As a result, the contact crashed into a mailbox from the driver's side. The contact did not sustain any injuries.
However, the steering or brakes failed and actually caused my car to accelerate. I was in a church parking lot, getting ready to park my vehicle and when I applied the brakes, the car accelerated and I was headed for a tree,when I ran over a piece of playground equipment that stopped my wild ride.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a collision and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was stopped in the center lane, when another vehicle attempted to get into the same lane.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn relay. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle accelerated to 80 mph. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not decelerate. The contact placed the vehicle into neutral and the speed decreased to 40 mph. The contact then shifted into park and the vehicle stopped.
The anti-lock brake system warning light and traction control system (tcs) warning light continue to light up and stays on I have seen similar complaints on various chat sessions.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.