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2005 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Saturn Vue, most often about the electrical (42% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles). It is 6th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints.

Complaints170
Recalls0
Crashes reported15
Fires reported3
Injuries reported15

Most common 2005 Saturn Vue problems

  1. Electrical

    72 complaints · 42%

    Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.

    After initial start, the car key can be removed from the ignition switch and the motor continues to run. To switch off the motor, the key must be reinserted as usual. There is no resistance in removing the key while the motor is running.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 80,844 miles
    The key became very difficult to turn the ignition on. I used the second key and it worked better for a few years but is becoming a problem again. I do not have anything heavy hanging from the ignition key. I also discovered that the ignition key can be removed while the vehicle is running.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 80,000 miles

  2. Transmission

    30 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.

    Manual transmission on 2005 Saturn Vue 4 cyl failed at about 50,000 miles. Lost the clutch pedal and could not shift the car at all. Occurred while driving on the expressway. Got it to the dealer for repair and they knew exactly what the problem was. Slave unit failed, which also caused the clutch to be replaced. Paid…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 50,000 miles
    I was driving in 4 lanes of traffic when the transmission just stopped working.the car rolled and I was very lucky to get to the curb. The highway patrol came up behind me. And due to the traffic, choose to stay parked behind me with flares, until the tow truck arrived. I consider myself lucky that the police arrived…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 50,000 miles

  3. Steering

    20 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 100,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist system, electric power assist system.

    The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that after making a left or right turn, the vehicle would hesitate to drive forward. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing, who advised that the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 101,000 miles
    I can remove the key from the ignition while the car is still running. Also, there are times the ignition will physically not turn so that I can crank the vehicle.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 100,000 miles

  4. Engine

    17 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    While driving 45 MPH, the crankshaft pulley on front of engine partially separated from it's hub, causing a drive belt mis-allignment of the pulleys for crankshaft, alternator, and air conditioner. This caused the drive belt running of these pulleys to shred, resulting in loss of electrical power while driving. While…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 88,480 miles
    The contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while making an abrupt left turn, the vehicle lost all power. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was placed into the park position and turned off for four seconds. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operations.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 95,000 miles

  5. Air bags

    15 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    Was driving to work and we had a lite snow the night before. I hit a slick spot on highway and lost control of the car and hit a telephone poll. The car is now totaled, the front end was completely torn off, drivers seat broke, windshield shattered and was partially on the dash. The airbag did not deploy. This…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 90,000 miles
    I was driving on the freeway when my Saturn Vue's key fell out of the ignition. There is nothing on my key ring but they key and the keyless remote. I was able to re-insert the key and regain steering control. When this happened, it moved from the "run" position to the "acc" position and locked my steering column. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 105,000 miles

  6. Other or unspecified

    13 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 127,000 miles.

    I bought my 2005 Saturn Vue in december 2013 and have had nothing but problems since. When I first bought it I noticed a problem with the brakes. They have always worked poorly. I replaced the pads, then both front calipers 3 times. Then finally the hoses which helped somewhat. I recently had to replace the carrier…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 123,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 144,000 miles

  7. Brakes

    8 complaints · 5%

    At 24,000 miles this 2005 Saturn Vue needed the entire brake system replaced. Then when backing up and then putting the car in drive it would not speed up. I had to stop, put it in park, put it in drive again before it would move. This was at 28,300 miles, turns out the transmission went and had to be replaced. Now at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 35,533 miles
    I was driving on a busy highway, braking regularly with the stop and go traffic, my brakes suddenly locked up on me and I was barely able to get back up to 50 MPH. Eventually I was close to highway speeds, but the car wasn't shifting correctly. This happened a few times, and we began replacing parts on the brakes.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 145,000 miles

  8. Fuel system

    5 complaints · 3%

    Parts named most often: fuel injection system.

    Tl contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. While the vehicle was idling, the contact noticed a strong gasoline odor coming from the fuel tank. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the fuel line turbulent injector system was separating, which caused fuel to leak from the fuel lines. The vehicle has not been…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 47,985 miles
    Fuel lines are rusted out and leaking gas only at the retaining clips under the rear doors. The lines are not rusted in any other area.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 165,000 miles

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 Vue recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

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.

Questions about the 2005 Saturn Vue

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Vue?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (72 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); transmission (30 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); steering (20 complaints, typically around 100,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Saturn Vue. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2005 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
It is 6th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints, with 170 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 Vue years

Saturn Vue problems by year