KnownCarProblems2006 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 300 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Saturn Vue, most often about the electrical (34% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Vue model year since 2000.
Complaints300
Recalls0
Crashes reported18
Fires reported6
Injuries reported10
Most common 2006 Saturn Vue problems
Electrical
103 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
2006 Saturn Vue. Front passenger air bag indicator light will not come on even with a heavy person. I was informed it was the seat warmer. Bad design! Will cost $900.00 to fix.
Airbag warning light says non-functional on both sides but intermittent. 69 of 129 problems reported with 2006 Saturn Vue are airbag or electrical and many talk about this problem which may relate to heater in passenger seat. This passenger seat heater does not function in my vehicle. Serious safety issue if bags are…
Air bags
93 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
When an adult is seated on the front passenger side, the passenger side airbag sensor flicker on and off. I have received an onstar diagnostic indicating an air bag failure. It does not matter if there is anyone in the seat, the air bag warning lights continue to come on and off. This occurs every time vehicle is…
2006 Saturn Vue. Front passenger air bag indicator light will not come on even with a heavy person. I was informed it was the seat warmer. Bad design! Will cost $900.00 to fix.
Steering
29 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
I had to replace the ignition switch a couple of years after purchasing the 2006 Saturn Vue. When removing the key on numerous occasions it would twist my key and eventually wear down the key which required replacement. Eventually the key got stuck in the ignition and I had to have the car towed and ignition replaced…
When I try to start my vehicle I cannot turn the key in the ignition...I have to push up the gear shifter and then keep turning the steering wheel until the key can turn. I thought there was a recall for this but cannot find the information updated 11/06/2017
Transmission
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue with manual transmission. He stated that when he goes to move from one shift to the next. The shift gear became stiff and broke. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic twice for the failure to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but this is the third failure. The failure mileage is…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the manual transmission became stuck in the park position, which prevented him from shifting into drive. When he attempted to place the vehicle into gear, the gear shifter became limp and fell off in his hand. The contact purchased the link parts and installed…
Body and structure
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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…
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.
Doors and locks
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
1) leading events - purchased the car in 2009 used from a certified dealer, was provided with 2 separate sets of keys. Within the first 6 months of driving I noticed increased difficulty in starting the car with the keys provided. Alerted dealer and was given another set of keys. 2) failure - key to ignition…
The door latches are failing intermittently and the doors will not close. We have had to tie the back doors closed with rope to prevent them from opening while driving. I've seen a recall for this on the 2008 models, what about the 2006 models?
Seats
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
We rarely have put the rear seat in the folded down position but did so this past weekend to bring home some baby gear from a friend's house. When I tried to lift the seat back to the upright position it wouldn't raise. It appears that the middle seat belt locked and will not release. We have three (3) children and…
I would like to file a complaint about my 2006 Saturn Vue. There have been many instances when the air bag warning lights have illuminated on my dashboard, especially the last 2 months. This warning light appears intermittently and I also lost the illumination of my dashboard one evening. After taking the car to my…
Engine
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system.
2006 Saturn Vue, owned since new; started vehicle 3 days ago, engine sounded loud. When vehicle was driven, a broken, rusty bolt/stud with a nut on it was found on the garage floor with a fair amount of rusty debris. I began inspecting the exhaust system, and found the stud had broken off at a collection point for the…
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a sudden loss of engine power with out warning. The contact mentioned the failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 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 2006 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (103 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (93 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); steering (29 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn Vue have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Saturn Vue. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Vue model year since 2000, with 300 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.