Does the 2005 Saturn Relay have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Saturn Relay, the most recent reported on June 20, 2005 (Parking brake). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (26 complaints), followed by electrical system (24).

How many 2005 Saturn Relay complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 91 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Saturn Relay recalls and problems

2 recalls and 91 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Saturn Relay.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Saturn Relay recalls

Parking brake

NHTSA campaign 05V287000 · reported June 20, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 14,600 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 1-800-620-7668, or saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 05V061000 · reported February 18, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 18,850 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 at 1-800-972-8876, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic26
Electrical system24
Structure10
Latches/locks/linkages9
Service brakes9
Exterior lighting7
Service brakes, electric5
Traction control system5
Electronic stability control (ESC)4
Fuel system, gasoline4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 17, 2018 · 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.

Nov 27, 2017 · 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.

Jul 15, 2016 · Steering · 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…

Aug 22, 2015 · Electrical system · 110,000 miles
THE FIRST TIME I WAS PARKED AND THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE VAN TOW TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL RELAY. I PAID TO HAVE THE FUEL RELAY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. THIS TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY OR…

Aug 22, 2015 · Electrical system · 100,000 miles
WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I HAVE TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS OFF TO USE MY TURN SIGNALS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE 2005 SATURN RELAY WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS...YET. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.

Relay model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2005	2	91	2	1
2006	1	19	2	0
2007	0	12	0	0

All Saturn Relay years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Saturn Relay have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Saturn Relay, the most recent reported on June 20, 2005 (Parking brake). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?: Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (26 complaints), followed by electrical system (24).
How many 2005 Saturn Relay complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 91 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 17, 2018.