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2005 Saturn Relay recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 2 US recalls for the 2005 Saturn Relay, and 4 in Canada. Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes, hydraulic.

2US recalls
0urgent recalls
91owner complaints
–overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (2)

Parking brake

2005-06-20 · campaign 05V287000 · 14,600 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

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.

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 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Seats: mid/rear assembly

2005-02-18 · campaign 05V061000 · 18,850 vehicles

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.

Risk and remedy

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.

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 AT 1-800-972-8876, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Canadian recalls (4)

Show 4 Canadian recalls

Other

2019-08-21 · campaign 2019-420

Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.

Suspension

2006-08-15 · campaign 2006-199

On certain Aztek (AWD), Montana (AWD), Relay (AWD), RendezVous (AWD), RendezVous (FWD), Silhouette (AWD), Terraza (AWD), Terraza (FWD), Uplander (AWD) and Venture (AWD) vehicles equipped with independent rear suspension, when operated in extreme cold temperature and on rough roads, water and salt can intrude past the ball joint seal. The combination of theses conditions may then lead to premature wear of the ball joint. If the ball joint wear progresses to the point of separation from the lower control arm, a loss of vehicle control may occur. Correction: Dealers will replace both ball joints with new ball joints which have a revised boot and ball stud to improve the seal to the ball stud shaft.

Brakes

2005-06-21 · campaign 2005-184

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 135. 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). A part that was not manufactured to specifications can cause the parking brake to fail this test. A loud popping noise as the parking brake is applied or a sudden decrease in the effort required to apply the parking brake can be indications of this condition. When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a groan, humming, and/or vibration coming from the rear of the vehicle. Correction: Dealers will inspect for parking brake lever slippage at each rear brake caliper. The calipers will be replaced if lever slippage is identified.

Structure

2005-02-18 · campaign 2005-040

On certain vehicles, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early during the crash sequence of a side impact New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) test. If the rear latches of the seat are released early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat. Correction: Dealers will replace the seat latch release lever.

Owner complaints (91)

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Saturn Relay (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries reported). Among 3 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 19).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Service brakes, hydraulic26
Electrical system24
Structure10
Latches/locks/linkages9
Service brakes9
Exterior lighting7
Traction control system5
Service brakes, electric5

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Saturn Relay.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Saturn Relay (Early Release)––––
2005 Saturn Relay (Later Release)––––

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2005 Saturn Relay version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Relay AWD 3.5 L Automatic 4-spd152117$3,950
Relay FWD 3.5 L Automatic 4-spd162318$3,700
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.