KnownCarProblems2005 Saturn Relay Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Saturn Relay, most often about the brakes (40% of complaints, typically around 41,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Relay model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2005 Saturn Relay problems
Brakes
36 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
2005 Saturn Relay. Wheel speed sensor jumper wiring required replacement (indicated by warning light). Issue is the anti-lock brakes will not function based on malfunctioning sensor. Gm was aware of the issue, and had a procedure in place for dealer to implement. This should be a recall issue, as the remedy requires a…
On sunday, november 9, 2008 I was backing up in my driveway when the traction control engaged briefly, stopped and the service light for both the tc and the ABS remained on. I have not been able to get rid of the service lights. On monday I brought the van into the local garage. In june 2008, I had the same problem…
Electrical
24 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
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 that until 1/5/12…
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Relay. While operating the vehicle, the speed sensor and traction control sensor lights illuminated and the braking distance increased when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic body control module was faulty and…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Right side automatic sliding door will not stay shut. The door has never opened during driving, but we had to shut the door probably 6 times before it would finally stay close. This has happened at least 3 or 4 times.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Relay. While driving the rear sliding door opened without warning. He pulled over and it took 10 minutes to close the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the censors and motor were replaced. After the repair he experienced an identical failure. The vehicle was taken back to…
Doors and locks
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 13,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
: the contact stated, while driving at 30 MPH., the right sliding door opened without warning. In a two-week period, the sliding door opened twice without incident. The door was serviced at the dealer, but still does not completely latch. Updated 09/15/06.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Saturn Relay. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door will not open when she pulls the handle. The locking mechanism is not releasing. She stated that the door has previously been repaired two times for motor failure. The failure began intermittently two weeks after the vehicle was…
Lights
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Dt: the contact states there was an ongoing problem with exterior and interior lighting. While driving, the headlights and the dashboard panel lights flickered from bright to dim. Also, the idle was very loud and rough. She took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer replaced the alternator. This did not correct the…
: the contact stated the exterior and interior lights became dim and brightened while driving. The problem worsened while the cruise control was on. The dealership was made aware of the problem, but there were no repairs performed.
Fuel system
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: delivery.
: the contact stated when the vehicle was facing down hill moving or parked, with 1/4 of a tank of gas or less, the fuel gauge indicator needle would move toward empty and fuel would not flow to the engine causing a problem starting the vehicle. Also, this caused the vehicle to stall while the vehicle moved down hill.…
Fuel read a little less than 1/4 of a tank. Driving 40 MPH down the street, engine stopped. Would not start. Towed home. Put gas in it and it started. Happened again on dec 20. Driving 70mph on the interstate. Fuel gauge at 1/4 tank. Engine stopped. Put 2 gallons of gas in and it started. Fuel sensor was replaced in…
Traction Control System
5 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Relay. While operating the vehicle, the speed sensor and traction control sensor lights illuminated and the braking distance increased when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic body control module was faulty and…
I have a problem with the ABS/traction control light coming on and the braking system will not opererate properly. There has been a few times where the brakes will not stop the vehicle properly or have locked up a couple of times. We also had to replace the EGR valve do to a code 0414/0414. We also had to replace the…
Service Brakes, Electric
5 complaints · 6%2005 Relay. The ABS lights will come on randomly. Turning off the car and back on fixes it for a while, but recently the lights is almost steady and we are not able to reset it.
Abs system light comes on. We bought the 2005 Saturn Relay used from a Saturn dealer. Day after we got it, the ABS and brake lights came on. Dealer corrected it. One year later, brakes are all good but service ABS system light comes on. Turn the van off and back on, it disappears. Then next time it is on. This has…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Saturn Relay recalls
Brakes: 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 the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper and replace the caliper if lever slippage is identified. The recall began on november 14, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (n). Some of these vehicles failed this test.
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 occupant of the seat.
Fix: Dealers will remove the seat latch release handle and install a black plastic cap over the exposed metal stud to eliminate the side impact safety concern free of charge. The recall began on april 5, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by gm, under conditions similar to NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) side impact test.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power sliding door
Summary
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
Power sliding door opening
Summary
Odi has received reports that the power sliding doors opened without command while the vehicle was in motion on model year 2005 and 2006 general motors minivans (chevrolet uplander/venture, pontiac montana sv6/montana, buick terraza, and saturn relay).some reports indicate that the door may not have been closed and latched before driving away causing the door to reverse (open) at low vehicle speeds.however, other reports indicate that the door was initially shut then opened after driving for several minutes and/or miles at vehicle speeds between 20 and 70 MPH.odi has upgraded this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis (ea07-019) to further assess this issue.
Electrical harness damage
Summary
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on november 29, 2005, based on one consumer report to odi and a technical service bulletin issued by general motors.the bulletin, no. 1613174, issued on february 21, 2005, states in part, some customers may report a stall and/or no crank, no start condition after the wipers are used.analysis of the available data indicates that the problem experience occurs early in the life of the vehicle.approximately 80% of all failures occurred within the first 3,000 miles.additionally, 88% of the complaint vehicles were built in the first half of production.changes to the production process, the issuance of the service bulletin, and component
Questions about the 2005 Saturn Relay
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (36 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles); electrical (24 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); body and structure (10 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Relay have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 20, 2005 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Saturn Relay?
- It is the most complained-about Relay model year since 2000, with 91 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Saturn Relay years
- 2005