2005 Saturn Relay problems & reliability
91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Saturn Relay, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2005 Saturn Relay vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 26 | 29% |
| Electrical System → | 24 | 26% |
| Structure → | 10 | 11% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 10% |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 10% |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 5 | 5% |
| Traction Control System | 5 | 5% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 42,000 miles (middle 50% between 16,350 and 84,175 miles), based on 79 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Exact same issue as described in april 2014 gm recall 14063. Sudden loss of electrical power while driving causing the engine to shut off. Unpredictable very dangerous. Seems to be the ignition switch. Other saturns are listed in the 2014 recall but mine is not. It should be listed.”
Electrical System · filed Jul 17, 2018
“The anti-lock brake system warning light and traction control system (tcs) warning light continue to light up and stays on I have seen similar complaints on various chat sessions.”
Service Brakes · filed Nov 27, 2017
“Tl* 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…”
Steering · filed Jul 15, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- POWER SLIDING DOOR
Engineering Analysis EA07019 · opened Dec 11, 2007 · closed Feb 23, 2009
- POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Preliminary Evaluation PE07044 · opened Aug 16, 2007 · closed Dec 11, 2007
- ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE05063 · opened Nov 29, 2005 · closed Mar 6, 2006
Technical service bulletins
545 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Saturn Relay. The 10 most recent:
This PI directs technician to training regarding sliding door operation.
PIT3532C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 30, 2026
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or…
PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe…
PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2024
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8…
PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 25, 2024
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician…
PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 12, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2005 Saturn Relay has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2005 Saturn Relay?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 42,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.