RoadVitals

2006 Saturn Vue Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Aug 19, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 300 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Saturn Vue submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Aug 19, 2019

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN ADDITION TO THE 284 HOWEVER, THIS CONCERNS UNIBODY RUST TO THE FRONT K MEMBER CAUSING SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILING INSPECTION. THE CAR WAS UNDER COATED. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND BODY SHOP, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATES EXCEED $10K. WHAT CAN NHTSA DO TO CORRECT TO CORRECT THIS MFR DEFECT. THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH VERY LITTLE USE.

NHTSA ID
11244919
Incident
Aug 5, 2019
Mileage
71,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 30, 2019

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT I NEEDED MOTOR MOUNTS. IT TURNS OUT THAT MY WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED. I'M LUCKY THE ENGINE DIDN'T FALL OUT. EVERYTHING IS ELSE IS WORKING FINE AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
11173152
Incident
Jan 28, 2019
Mileage
106,400 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, TWO SMALL LOCK ICONS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST HILLS CHEVROLET OF FREEPORT (42 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, FREEPORT, NY 11520), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11165161
Incident
Sep 11, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 17, 2018

TAMARA RECALL. THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STOPPED LATCHING WHEN CLOSED. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOOR WILL RANDOMLY SWING OPEN. THE LATCH TO LOCK THE DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY TUNED AND THEN THE DOOR HAS TO BE HELD IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE TO LATCH.

NHTSA ID
11152154
Incident
Nov 16, 2018
Mileage
107,044 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 21, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA ID
11074059
Incident
Feb 21, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 7, 2017

ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY, AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES F, THE INTERIOR ITEMS FLASH ON AND OFF UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARMED UP. I ALSO LEARNED THAT IF THE IGNITION WAS ON FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES IT WAS THE SAME AS IF IT WAS RUNNING. I LIVE IN NASHVILLE AND FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 24 DEGREES OR BELOW. THE FLASHING ON AND OFF OF THE LIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE PROTECTING THEM WHEN THE CHARGE RATE IS TOO HIGH. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WHO CAN TROUBLESHOOT AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES? A MONTH AGO (JULY) IT STARTED ALL THE TIME, NO FLASHING, NO STEERING, NO DASH INSTRUMENTS, ETC. LONGER STORY SHORT WITH THE PLUG REMOVED FROM THE ALTERNATOR (IT CONTROLS THE FIELD VOLTAGE THROUGH THE ECM/PCM) THE ALTERNATOR WAS STILL PUTTING OUT 18.5 VOLTS. THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT OCCUR BUT SOMETHING WAS BAD WRONG INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR. IT WAS BOILING THE ACID OUT OF THE BATTERY TOO. ONCE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REMOVED (BENCH CHECKED FAILED) AND REPLACED IT ALL WENT AWAY. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BELOW 24 DEGREES AGAIN. THIS ALTERNATOR IS MANUFACTURED BY GM, IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM GM. ONLY REMANUFACTURED UNITS FROM CHINA ARE AVAILABLE AT THE AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES. THERE IS NO TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE IN THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR PLUG CAN BE DISCONNECTED WITHOUT ANY DISASSEMBLY. THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR ON THIS VUE THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 87,000 MILES. IT SEEMS THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COMPONENTS OF THIS ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA ID
11013448
Incident
Jul 3, 2017
Mileage
108,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10925711
Incident
Apr 5, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Sep 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. AFTER USING THE KEY TO OPEN THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR REMAINED LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,084.

NHTSA ID
10765226
Incident
Sep 9, 2015
Mileage
114,084 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 24, 2015

WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WERE ALL PROPERLY WORKING AND OPENING AND CLOSING JUST FINE. ONE DAY MY PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED OPENING I HAVE 2 KIDS AND IN CASE OF A EMERGENCY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUES

NHTSA ID
10758852
Incident
Jul 7, 2015
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 20, 2015

DOOR LATCH FAILURE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, DOOR STUCK CLOSED. LOCK MECHANISM FAILURE. THIS IS A HAZARD AS IT MAKES IT SO CHILDREN CAN NOT ESCAPE A VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED JUST AS THE 2008 MODEL HAS BEEN. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON SATURN PROBLEM AS STATED ON THE SATURN FANS DISCUSSION GROUPS.

NHTSA ID
10726383
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
77,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 10, 2014

ABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING. BELLS GO OFF OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SHOULD; WHEN KEY IS OUT AFTER CAR IS PARKED THE ALARM RINGS WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. PASSENGER AIRBAG READS OFF ALWAYS. PASSENGER REAR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE UNLESS USING EXTREME FORSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654082
Incident
Jan 9, 2014
Mileage
1,000,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 4, 2014

THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR LATCH DOESN'T ALWAYS KEEP DOOR SHUT. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. LITTLE UNNERVING TAMAKING A TURN AND THE DOOR FLY'S OPEN. UNTIL I GET IT TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS IT IS STRAPPED FROM THE INSIDE AND DUCT TAPED ON THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND WONDERING IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652592
Incident
Oct 31, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 26, 2014
Crash reported

HITTING 2 DEER GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEVER OPENED. THE RED LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL BEING THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALWAYS FLICKER AND THE LEFT SIDE LIGHTS AND BLINKER DO THE SAME. WE ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION BEING THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER, WE HAVE TO BE VERY PATIENT AND AFTER QUITE SOMETIME IT WILL FINALLY WORK AFTER YOU REMOVE THE KEY SEVERAL TIMES AND TRY TRY AGAIN. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE BRAKES DONE NUMEROUS TIMES AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. I SURE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650119
Incident
Nov 10, 2013
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2014

FOR NO REASON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN...POWER LOCKS ALL WORK...JUST THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES DON'T OPEN THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10610789
Incident
Jul 3, 2014
Mileage
124,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 3, 2014

THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN WITH THE FACTORY KEY TO START THE IGNITION. THE KEY HAS TO BE JIGGLED, AND/OR REMOVED AND REINSERTED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS TO START THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577183
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
46,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 2, 2013

MY REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T CLOSE WHEN IT'S COLD AND AS OF JUNE 2013, WON'T OPEN. THE LATCH MECHANISM HAS SEIZED. I CAN HEAR THE DOOR UNLOCK AND LOCK BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. I'VE HAD A TODDLER IN THE CAR WHEN IT WON'T CLOSE AND A TODDLER AND AN INFANT WHEN IT WON'T OPEN. MY RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. GM SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $250 TO FIX THE DOOR. THEY ARE PUTTING MY CHILDREN IN DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522929
Incident
Jan 12, 2011
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Mar 3, 2013

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON FOR THE DOOR GOES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE DOORS OR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED AND I CAN HEAR THE MECHANISM IN THE DOOR OPERATING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501118
Incident
Mar 2, 2013
Mileage
42,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE AS THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK HAD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD OR THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED ON HIGH, THE DOOR LOCK WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FURTHER INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK OPENS/CLOSES. WHEN IT IS COLD THE LOCK STICKS AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN. UPDATED 1/4/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10481556
Incident
Feb 15, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Oct 3, 2012

A FEW TIMES SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2003 WE WOULD TRY TO SHUT THE REAR PASSENGER CAR DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT CATCH TO CLOSE. WE PUT SOME LITHIUM GREASE THINKING IT JUST NEEDED THAT. THIS WEEKEND WHILE PUTTING THE KIDS IN THE CAR THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT. IT TOOK 30 MINUTES OF MANIPULATING THE HANDLE, DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOW TO TRY AND GET THE DOOR TO SHUT. WE CANNOT LET OUR CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE WE KNOW THE LATCH COULD FAIL AND OUR CHILDREN COULD BE PUT IN HARMS WAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478431
Incident
Oct 29, 2011
Mileage
111,450 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .