2006 Saturn Relay: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 18 year old son had an accident. He rolled the van multiple times, hit trees ,damaged all sides, and roof of the van. The only door that would easily open was the drivers door. The front axle broke, windshield broken. The insurance appraiser said all panels were damaged and could not believe none of the air bags opened. The saturn relay 2006 was a total loss. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2013
“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 able to be reproduced by mechanic. It has now become frequent and affects shifting at highway speeds as well as from stop, making control of acceleration unpredictable is hard shifting through most gears when this is occurring, although at other times it shifts very smoothly throughout, making it more difficult to reproduce for mechanic. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn relay. The contact stated that within three months, the interior of the vehicle darkened by three shades. The contact stated that there was a strong metallic smell inside the vehicle that had even affected her breathing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was a foreign hose attached to the catalytic converter that could have been the cause of the toxic leak. The contact became very ill and strong traces of cadmium, lead and mercury were found in her blood system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 86,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“I started getting "service traction control system" warning message and light with "service ABS system" warning message and light and "service stability system". All are always at the same time. Shutting off the engine and restarting (per owners manual) temporarily causes the lights and messages to turn off, but they always return later. This problem is well documented in saturn forums and is happening with many, many owners. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saturn relay. The contact stated that both the driver and passenger side automatic sliding doors would not shut. When activated, the door would start to close but would not latch and then would reopen. The contact stated it takes a couple of hours and attempts before the door would close. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The technicians performed adjustments to the door but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2010
“My 2006 saturn ion all of a sudden lost its power steering while I was driving! I almost crashed! And now it going to cost over 500 or more to fix. I could have been killed, I was going up a hill on a curve. Just all of a sudden the bell rang and it popped up pwr str. I got the car stopped and turned it off when I turned it back on it was fine for about 5 feet and again it did it. I got home and checked the fuse and made sure it was ok. Today I drove all over and it was ok and then all of a sudden again it came on and the steering wheel locked up! *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2010
“Awd disabled when needed in snow. It seems to be caused by icy slush. I confirmed with the dealer that the hub assembly's awd sensor can get covered up with mud or slush and the awd system will disable. Any awd system that gets disabled by slush is ludicrously designed, and borderline negligent with regards to safety. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2009
“Power sliding door on 2006 saturn relay is not closing properly and opens unexpectedly. Door does not close completely, does not latch and occassionally door reopens while vehicle is moving. Trouble started abot two months ago but the regularity of this occurrance has increased significanlty over the last four days. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 saturn relay. The contact stated that the driver's side door repeatedly opens and closes. She has taken the vehicle to the dealer more than four times within two months to have the door repaired. The dealer has seen many of the same vehicles with identical failures. They are experiencing difficulty repairing the door. The current and failure mileages were 34,600.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 saturn relay. The contact stated that the rear passenger side sliding door failed to close properly. The door has to be slammed shut in order for it to close. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. The current and failure mileages were 7,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
How other years compare
Check your exact Relay by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Saturn Relay reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Saturn Relay. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2006 Saturn Relay have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.