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2006 Saturn RelayProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 2006 Saturn Relay, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2006 Saturn Relay
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints194 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage129kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 1, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Saturn Relay has problems

19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train40
Fuel system, gasoline30
Latches/locks/linkages30
Structure30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Air bags22
Electrical system20
Electronic stability control (ESC)20
Steering20
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2006 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

Other: labels

Recall 05V-552 · Dec 7, 2005 · 32,068 vehicles

Risk. A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2006 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

2006 Saturn Relay safety ratings

2006 Saturn Relay in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Saturn Relay side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Saturn Relay, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER SLIDING DOOREA07019 · closed Feb 23, 2009
    No recall
  2. POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENINGPE07044 · closed Dec 11, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What Relay owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, GEAR SELECTION LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK AND PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AS RESULT. SHUT DOWN ENGINE, RESTARTED WITH SAME RESULT. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER, IT FINALLY RELEASED FROM PARK BUT HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING…
Complaint 10568801 · Mar 12, 2014 · 128,800 miles
ATTEMPTED LOW/MODERATE ACCELERATION FROM STOP; TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SLIP WITH ENGINE RPM INCREASING BUT NO TRANSFER OF POWER BEYOND ABOUT INITIAL HALF-FOOT OF FORWARD MOTION, THEN HARD SHIFTED INTO GEAR (LURCHED THE VEHICLE) AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THIS EVENT WAS INITIALLY INTERMITTENT AND NOT…
Complaint 10568789 · Mar 12, 2014 · 129,100 miles
NOTED THAT DRIVING LIGHTS FLASHED WITH WIPERS ON DELAY SETTING. AT NEXT USE, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT & WARNING SOUNDED BUT LIGHTS DID NOT FLASH WITH DELAY WIPERS. TURNING OFF ENGINE AND PULLING HOOD LATCH & CLOSING HOOD ENDED LOW PRESSURE WARNING (OIL PRESSURE/ LEVEL WERE CORRECT-FALSE ALARM). 2…
Complaint 10568780 · Mar 12, 2014 · 128,500 miles

Own a 2006 Relay?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.