RoadVitals

2007 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.
12
Latest Nov 6, 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.
1
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Saturn Relay, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 773 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

  • Body & structure420.0%
  • Electrical315.0%
  • Fuel system315.0%
  • Interior & seats210.0%
  • Brakes210.0%
  • Driver assistance210.0%
  • Other / unspecified15.0%
  • Powertrain (other)15.0%

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

1 campaign 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
09E005000

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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2018

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 VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11149773
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE UNLOCK FOR THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. THE WIRELESS SYSTEM WOULD CLOSE AND OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. MA 10/22/2015 *CN

NHTSA ID
10760358
Incident
Aug 28, 2015
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2013

ON DECEMBER 17 2012 I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO A CUB SCOUTS CHRISTMAS PARTY. I WAS GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT MY 2007 7 SATURN RELAY STARTED LOOSING POWER.I CALLED MY DAD TO PULL ME IN TO HIS HOUSE. I STARTED TO ELIMINATING EVERY THING POSSIBLE TRYING. SO I DROPPED THE FUEL TANK AND PULLED THE FUEL PUMP OUT THE FUEL WAS EMPTY.WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE SAID IT STILL HAD 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490903
Incident
Dec 17, 2012
Mileage
129,630 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN RELAY 2.2L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS CORRODED WITH RUST. THE DEALER HAD THE UNIT REPLACED.THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10461704
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 8, 2011

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A NEWS STORY I SAW ON 2005-2007 GM FUEL GAUGE ISSUES. WE HAVE A GM 2007 SATURN RELAY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ERRATIC FLUCTUATIONS, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE ADDED TO THE INVESTIGATION IF POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10405612
Incident
Jun 7, 2011
Mileage
59,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 12, 2009

THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS GOES OUT EXCESSIVELY IN MY 2007 SATURN RELAY, AFFECTING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. THERE IS A SERVICE MESSAGE THAT APPEARS. THE ONLY CORRECTION SO FAR IS TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT BEGINS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283736
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed May 19, 2009

ON MAY 1, 2009 THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF MY 2007 SATURN RELAY. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP AND TO THIS DAY HAS YET TO BE FIXED. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT NONE OF OUR 5 CHILDREN WERE HURT BUT THEY WERE TRAUMATIZED BY THIS INCIDENT AND ARE AFRAID TO RIDE BY ANY SLIDING VAN DOOR. NOT ONLY HAS THIS HAPPENED BUT BACK IN FEBRUARY WE HAD A INCIDENT WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE FOR NO REASON. I DO NOT FEEL THAT SATURN/GM IS TAKING THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO INSURE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE OR SAFE FOR PASSENGERS. THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY TOLD MY HUSBAND TODAY THAT WE COULD NO LONGER HAVE RENTAL AND MUST DRIVE OUR VAN EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT FIXED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY VIOLATION I HAVE A SET OF TWINS AND A SET OF TRIPLETS EVERY SEAT IN MY VAN IS OCCUPIED SO I CAN NOT JUST PUT SOMEONE IN A DIFFERENT SEAT TO AVOID A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR FALLING OFF. I REALIZE THAT GETTING PARTS IS SLOW BECAUSE OF THE CUT BACKS BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE A AUTO MAKER CAN NOT PRODUCE THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLES THEY MAKE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN, BACK IN JANUARY 2009 IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A PROBLEM WITH HE STEERING COLUMN. APPARENTLY THE STEERING COLUMN HAD A BREAK IN IT AND WE ARE LUCKY THE STEERING DID NOT GO OUT ON THE VAN. THIS VAN IS BEGINNING TO LOOK MORE AND MORE LIKE A LEMON EVERY DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269400
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Apr 16, 2009

I OWN A 2007 SATURN RELAY. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. I BOUGHT IN APRIL OF 2007. IT WAS USED. THE PASSENGER DOOR STARTED OPENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING. ONE NIGHT WHEN I STOPPED TO GET GAS A PASSENGER GOT OUT AND THE DOOR FELL OFF. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THEY ALSO HAD TO PAINT PASSENGER SIDE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED OPENING UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT OPENED UP AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND THE DOOR FELL OFF WHILE I WAS TRYING TO CLOSE IT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPAIRED EVEN THOUGH NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MILEAGE. NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS OPENING AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING AGAIN AT NO CHARGE. THIS CAR SCARES ME. I HAVE 4-6 KIDS IN MY CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IS IT GOING TO TAKE ONE OF THEM FALLING OUT WHEN THIS DOOR OPENS TO GET ANYONE TO SAY HEY WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. I AM CONSULTING A LAWYER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265686
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
26,000 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.

PIC5650M

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

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.

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—
2007Viewing121134.2
2006192254.7
2005913352.7

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.