Saturn Relay Problems by Year
NHTSA has 122 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file for the Saturn Relay, across 3 model years (2005–2007). The 2005 model year has the most complaints (91). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Saturn Relay years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Relay model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2005 Relay: 91 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2006 Relay: 19 complaints, 1 recall
- 2007 Relay: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Saturn Relay problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 29 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 29 | 2 | 1 |
| Structure | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Power Train | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Saturn Relay model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Relay | 12 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2006 Relay | 19 | 1 | — | Power Train | |
| 2005 Relay | 91 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
More from Saturn: all Saturn models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Relay years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2005 (91), 2006 (19), 2007 (12). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Saturn Relay?
Electrical System, with 29 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Saturn Relay have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.