2005 SATURN RELAY — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

137

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 1 Fire

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

17

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2005 SATURN RELAY

The 2005 SATURN RELAY has received a total of 137 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING, PARKING BRAKE, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (20 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulic (14 complaints), and Service Brakes (9 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 SATURN RELAY

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2005 SATURN RELAY, potentially affecting up to 34,429 vehicles.

Recall 09E005000 — STEERING

| 979 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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Recall 05V287000 — PARKING BRAKE

| 14,600 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 05V061000 — SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

| 18,850 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 SATURN RELAY

137 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 SATURN RELAY. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 20 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 14 1 Crash
Service Brakes
Complaints: 9 1 Crash
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 6
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 6
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 6
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 5
Traction Control System
Complaints: 5
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 4
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 4
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 3
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 2
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipwheel Speed Sensortone Ring
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2
Structurebody
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seats
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfronthub
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Tiresvalve
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11111967 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 180,000 miles
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.
#11048779 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 137,500 miles
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.
#11048779 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 137,500 miles
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.
#10885096 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 90,000 miles
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 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN
#10885096 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 90,000 miles
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 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH BOTH SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *CN

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Safety Rating for the 2005 SATURN RELAY

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 SATURN RELAY in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 SATURN RELAY

General Motors, LLC has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 SATURN RELAY. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PIC6533 — BACK OVER PREVENTION

This Preliminary Information addresses issues dealership technicians may encounter when programming modules in Saturn vehicles, resulting from a configuration change in the programming website.  

050601005A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHISTLE TYPE NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. *TT

050089058 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ESSENTIAL SERVICE TOOL UPDATE #4 (U.S. RETAILERS ONLY). 1991-2006 SATURN VEHICLES. *TT

0508111007 — STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR ROCKER MOLDINGS AVAILABLE AS SEPARATE PARTS. *TT

030950001 — SEATS

CHILD COMFORT CLIP COMES OFF FROM SEAT. *TT

050089019 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

ESSENTIAL SERVICE TOOLS UPDATE. *EH

050844006 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

VARIOUS RADIO PLAYER CONCERNS. *EH

050844007 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

EXCHANGE PROGRAM SATURN RELAY RADIO RECEIVER ORDERING PROCESS. *EH

050849009 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EXCHANGE PROGRAM SATURN RELAY INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ORDERING PROCESS. *EH

2377 — STRUCTURE

2ND ROW CENTER CONSOLES (TOY BOX) LATCH INFORMATION. *SC

Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 SATURN RELAY

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SATURN RELAY

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Other SATURN Models

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