AI Damage2005 Saturn Relay: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Saturn Relay filed 91 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 91
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 4 Latches, locks, linkages 10% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 40 complaints (44% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 24 complaints (26% of all).
- Structure: 10 complaints (11% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 9 complaints (10% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 7 complaints (8% 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
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 91 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 | 40 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
The first time I was parked and the van would not start. I was told it might be the fuel pump. I had the van tow to a service center. They said it was the fuel relay. I paid to have the fuel relay replaced. A few days later same thing happened again. The van would not start.
When I drive at night I have to turn my headlights off to use my turn signals. I have noticed that the turn signal on the driver's side of the 2005 saturn relay will not work unless the headlights are turned off. I have not had any accidents...yet. This is a real safety issue.
On 1/12/15, while my 2005 saturn relay was parked in my garage, started on fire. Vehicle was not started or going at the time. Last drove the vehicle approximately one hour prior.
The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the egr valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
Every time we fill up with fuel, the gas gauge shows empty,and the display tells us we have low fuel. After awhile the gauge will go to full, then become erratic and show us different fuel levels. It takes quite a while for the gauge to give an actual reading.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,786 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Relay has 41 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 91, above average.
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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 91. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), headlights and tail lights (10%), vibration (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Saturn Relay?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2005 Saturn Relay from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2005 models
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.