RoadVitals

2005 Saturn Relay

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
91
Latest Jul 17, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Feb 17, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Saturn Relay, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 546 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING

Feb 17, 2009
979 units potentially affected
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

PARKING BRAKE

Jun 20, 2005
14,600 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.
The risk: WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05059View on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Feb 18, 2005
18,850 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE IMPACT TEST.
The risk: IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05015View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA07019ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER SLIDING DOOR

Opened Dec 11, 2007
Closed Feb 23, 2009

ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOORS NOT PROPERLY OPENING OR CLOSING AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO DOORS OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE CONDITION OF THE PSD REVERSING DIRECTION DURING THE CLOSING SEQUENCE IS CONSISTENT WITH AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DOOR, OR WITH IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE DOOR, AND THIS IS ADDRESSED IN GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 07-08-64-007 AND BULLETINS # 07-08-64-007A THROUGH D.ODI'S EVALUATION OF THE PSD SYSTEM NOTES NUMEROUS SAFEGUARDS TO PRECLUDE BOTH UNINTENTIONAL AND INTENTIONAL POWER OPENING OF THE PSD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.A SAFETY-DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.[SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.]

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PE07044ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

Opened Aug 16, 2007
Closed Dec 11, 2007

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND LATCHED BEFORE DRIVING AWAY CAUSING THE DOOR TO REVERSE (OPEN) AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS.HOWEVER, OTHER REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS INITIALLY SHUT THEN OPENED AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND/OR MILES AT VEHICLE SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH.ODI HAS UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-019) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PE05063ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE

Opened Nov 29, 2005
Closed Mar 6, 2006

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005, BASED ON ONE CONSUMER REPORT TO ODI AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS.THE BULLETIN, NO. 1613174, ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005, STATES IN PART, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A STALL AND/OR NO CRANK, NO START CONDITION AFTER THE WIPERS ARE USED.ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE DATA INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE OCCURS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.APPROXIMATELY 80% OF ALL FAILURES OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 3,000 MILES.ADDITIONALLY, 88% OF THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE BUILT IN THE FIRST HALF OF PRODUCTION.CHANGES TO THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE ISSUANCE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN, AND COMPONENT MODIFICATIONS, APPEAR TO HAVE RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2018

EXACT SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN APRIL 2014 GM RECALL 14063. SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. UNPREDICTABLE VERY DANGEROUS. SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OTHER SATURNS ARE LISTED IN THE 2014 RECALL BUT MINE IS NOT. IT SHOULD BE LISTED.

NHTSA ID
11111967
Incident
Jul 5, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11048779
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
137,500 mi
BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jul 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10885096
Incident
Jan 2, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 22, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10758510
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2015

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. THIS TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR SPARK PLUGS. I PAID TO HAVE A NEW BATTERY, NEW SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOW AND THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THEN NOTICED THE WIRES LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. THE MECHANIC WIGGLED THE WIRES AND THE VAN STARTED. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 50 AND THE VAN JUST LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND HAD THE VAN TOWED AGAIN. AFTER THIS SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE DRIVING THE VAN WILL ACT AS IF IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT...YET. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN, GO TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WIGGLE THE WIRES LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OF THE VAN.

NHTSA ID
10758509
Incident
Oct 23, 2013
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2015

DRIVING AROUND 10 MPH, CAR DIED. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. LOOKED ON GM WEBSITE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER NOT FOR THE RELAY. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL SATURNS! I AM VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711799
Incident
Apr 16, 2015
Mileage
102,515 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 19, 2015

REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH ABS & T/C WARNING LIGHTS, BRAKES SEIZED UP WAS UNABLE TO MOVE VAN HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, T/C ENGAGES WITHOUT ANY ADVERSE WEATHER OR ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN QUICKLY, REPLACE BRAKE PADS TWICE A YEAR SINCE HAVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706475
Incident
Apr 6, 2015
Mileage
93,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ABS HUB SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM WAS UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

NHTSA ID
10694113
Incident
Oct 18, 2013
Mileage
184,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT3532C

This PI directs technician to training regarding sliding door operation.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn Relay by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008000
2007121134.2
2006192254.7
2005Viewing913352.7

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.