no report yet
Parking brake
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…
2005 Saturn RelayProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 91 owner complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 17, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Saturn Relay has problems
91 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
26Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
24Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
10Structure
9Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
9Latches/locks/linkages
7Exterior lighting
5Service brakes, electric
5Traction control system
4Suspension
3216 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 26 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 1 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 |
| Service brakes, electric | 5 | 0 |
| Traction control system | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| 16 other systems | 32 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2005 Saturn Relay recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Seats: mid/rear assembly
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
23kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 23 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 91% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles21under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Relay year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Relay median. How we score
'05'06'07
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Saturn Relay safety ratings
2005 Saturn Relay (Later Release) in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Saturn Relay, and the recalls they led to.
- POWER SLIDING DOORNo recall
- ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGENo recall
- POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Relay owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. ABS SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN WHILE LIGHT IS ON. EBCM WAS REPLACED BY GM DEALER, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
12/19/2011 WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN BRAKES ENGAGED FOR NO REASON. FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDAL. VAN LURCHED, TIRES SQUEALED, DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED DOWN TO 20 MPH, AND CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SHE PULLED OFF ONTO SHOULDER OF ROAD. T/C LIGHT CAME ON. VAN DROVE NORMALLY AFTER…
WHEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN MUCH, AT 35 MPH. IT WAS SCARY. I KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I WAS TOLD IS THE EBCM MODULE. *TT
Own a 2005 Relay?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.