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.
170
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
0
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.
0
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.
18
15 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 170 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue, most frequently naming the electrical, steering and powertrain (other) categories. 536 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 12 in Aug 2014. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Oct 2009
1
37
May 2010
1
38
Jun 2010
1
39
Jul 2010
1
40
Aug 2010
2
42
Sep 2010
1
43
Jan 2011
2
45
Apr 2011
1
46
Jul 2011
1
47
Aug 2011
3
50
Sep 2011
3
53
Dec 2011
1
54
Apr 2012
2
56
Apr 2013
1
57
Mar 2014
4
61
Apr 2014
7
68
May 2014
4
72
Jun 2014
9
81
Jul 2014
7
88
Aug 2014
12
100
Sep 2014
7
107
Oct 2014
7
114
Nov 2014
1
115
Dec 2014
3
118
Jan 2015
7
125
Feb 2015
1
126
Mar 2015
4
130
Apr 2015
1
131
May 2015
2
133
Jun 2015
3
136
Oct 2015
2
138
Nov 2015
1
139
Dec 2015
2
141
Mar 2016
2
143
Apr 2016
1
144
Aug 2016
1
145
Dec 2016
1
146
Jan 2017
1
147
Jul 2017
1
148
Sep 2017
1
149
Oct 2017
1
150
Nov 2017
1
151
Jan 2018
1
152
Mar 2018
1
153
Apr 2018
1
154
Jul 2018
1
155
Sep 2018
1
156
Oct 2018
1
157
Nov 2018
1
158
Mar 2019
2
160
Jun 2019
1
161
Aug 2019
1
162
Sep 2019
1
163
Apr 2020
1
164
May 2020
1
165
Jul 2020
1
166
Dec 2020
1
167
Mar 2021
1
168
May 2023
1
169
Jul 2026
1
170
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
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition key fell out of the ignition switch and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the key failed to fit back in the ignition switch. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
NHTSA ID
11751633
Incident
Jul 15, 2026
Mileage
116,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 8, 2023
Crash reported3 injuries reported
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, a vehicle began doing donuts in the intersection, causing a multi-car accident and crashing into her vehicle. The air bags had failed to deploy. The contact sustained back and knee injuries, and both her son and grandson had body pain. A police report was available. The vehicle had not been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ID
11521041
Incident
May 5, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2021
THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE SATURN VIEWS IT IS WHERE THE ENGINE CARRIAGE BOLT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME THE WATER FROM THE ROAD IN EVERYTHING SHOOTS RIGHT UP ON IT AND RUST THIS AREA WHERE I HAD TO WORK ON THIS AREA AND REMOVE THE BOLTS IN THE FRONT THERE WAS SO MUCH RUST THAT NOW THE BOLT CANNOT BE REATTACHED THIS WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD IF IN A WRECK IT WOULD FOLD UP NOW I'M TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO FIX IT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OF THE CARS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON. THE FRAME OF A CAR SHOULD NOT RUST OUT LIKE THIS. SHOULD B THE LAST THING TO RUST OUT.THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME WAS REPLACING SWAY BAR COMPONENTS.
NHTSA ID
11405745
Incident
Jan 10, 2020
Mileage
20,000 mi
Filed Dec 28, 2020
THE FRAME TO SUBFRAME AREAS THAT HOLDS UP MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION RUSTED AND BROKE LOOSE. AS I WENT OVER A LARGE BUMP ON A CITY STREET THE WHOLE SUBFRAME SEPARATED. I WAS ON A BUY HERE PAY HERE LOAN FROM TNT MOTORS IN OREGON ILLINOIS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THEM AND I'M WORRIED THEY WILL TRY TO PUT IT BACK ON THE ROAD
NHTSA ID
11385259
Incident
Dec 28, 2020
Mileage
144,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMROCK AUTO BROKERS, LLC (322 B NH-104, NEW HAMPTON, NH 03256, (603) 548-3165) TO GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE PERFORATIONS ON THE SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. GREENWOOD AUTO (6 FARRARVILLE RD, BELMONT, NH 03220, (603) 528-0158) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,540.
NHTSA ID
11341601
Incident
Mar 17, 2020
Mileage
169,540 mi
Steering
Filed May 7, 2020
I WAS SITTING IN DRIVER SEAT AND I OUT MY KEY IN IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO 1 PAST THE ACC AND I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IT STILL BEING TURN TO 1. WHILE IN PARK. I CAN ALSO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF IGNITION WHILE IT'S RUNNING WHILE IN DRIVE OR PARK ON THE 1 MARK AFTER ACC. *TR
NHTSA ID
11323779
Incident
May 7, 2020
Mileage
150,319 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2020
WHEN TRAVELING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHETHER IT'S IN TRAFFIC OR GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH AND CLUNKING SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS SLIPPING THE CAR WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST DIED AND STOP RUNNING.BY PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR WILL COME TO A STOP THE JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION RELEASING THE GEARS
NHTSA ID
11322715
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
255,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 10, 2019
Crash reported3 injuries reported
TAKATA RECALL MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 20TH 2019 OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT IMPACT. WE WERE IN MOTION GOING 60MPH ON COURNTY ROAD 799 GOING TOWARDS GEORGE WEST TX WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS HEADED TOWARDS A COVERT AND JERKED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO AVOID THE DITCH BUT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED BACK TO THE RIGHT SENDING US ON THE 2 SIDE PASSENGER WHEELS AND THEN ROLLING OVER 3 TIMES I BLACKED OUT AND WHEN WE STOPPED THE AIR BAGS STILL DIDNT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ID
11254532
Incident
Aug 20, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
PIP5358D
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
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
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.