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2005 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 33 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Steering complaints

20 reports
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150,319 miles · May 7, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS SITTING IN DRIVER SEAT AND I OUT MY KEY IN IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO 1 PAST THE ACC AND I WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IT STILL BEING TURN TO 1. WHILE IN PARK. I CAN ALSO TAKE MY KEY OUT OF IGNITION WHILE IT'S RUNNING WHILE IN DRIVE OR PARK ON THE 1 MARK AFTER ACC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323779

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2019
Steering

EVERY TIME THE CAR HITS A BUMP THERE A SEVERE RATTLE FROM THE FRONT END. I HAD NEW STRUTS INSTALLED AND THAT IS WHEN THE MECHANICS TOLD AND SHOWED ME THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION UNIT WERE GOING BAD. I HAVE CHECKED SINCE THEN AND NOBODY SEEMS TO SELL THE BUSHING. THEY WANT YOU TO BUY A NEW UNIT FOR 600ISH DOLLARS OR …

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EVERY TIME THE CAR HITS A BUMP THERE A SEVERE RATTLE FROM THE FRONT END. I HAD NEW STRUTS INSTALLED AND THAT IS WHEN THE MECHANICS TOLD AND SHOWED ME THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE RACK AND PINION UNIT WERE GOING BAD. I HAVE CHECKED SINCE THEN AND NOBODY SEEMS TO SELL THE BUSHING. THEY WANT YOU TO BUY A NEW UNIT FOR 600ISH DOLLARS OR A REMANUFACTURED ONE FOR AS MUCH AS 300ISH DOLLARS. NOW WHEN YOU PURCHASE EITHER OF THESE UNITS IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU ALSO BUY THE NEW BOLTSAND CASTLE NUTS FOR IT WHICH LESS THEN 29 DOLLARS. THE UNITS HAVE NEW BUSHINGS INSTALLED SO I KNOW SOME ONE IS PRODUCING THEM AND YOU CAN BUY THE BOLTS FROM ALMOST ANYONE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED SOONER THEN LATER WOULD BE BEST AS RACK MAY COME LOOSE FROM FRAME AND CAUSE A SEVER LOSS OF STEERING WHICH WOULD INCLUDE SEVERE BODILY HARM OR DEATH. AND GM DOES SELL RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHING FOR THEIR OTHER VEHICLES JUST NOT THE SATURNS FOR SOME REASON! START DATE IS APPROXIMATE THE FORUMS HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME SITUATION BUT NO SOLUTIONS

NHTSA ODI #11183541

59,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH POINTE CHEVROLET, 9146 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE, TULSA OK, 74133) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH POINTE CHEVROLET, 9146 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE, TULSA OK, 74133) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #11058270

77,000 miles · Nov 25, 2017
Steering

KEY IGNATION WILL NOT TURN OVER STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED

NHTSA ODI #11048420

169,000 miles · Jul 6, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED COMPLETELY AT ONE POINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED COMPLETELY AT ONE POINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE LATER AND THE CONTACT COULD POTENTIALLY NEED A NEW STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ODI #11003400

100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Steering

MY 2005 SATURN VUE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AFTER PARKING AND TURNING IT OFF, SUCH THAT IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF "JIGGLING" OF THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE ON. I HAD NOT THOUGHT TO SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, …

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MY 2005 SATURN VUE HAS HAD PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AFTER PARKING AND TURNING IT OFF, SUCH THAT IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF "JIGGLING" OF THE WHEEL IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION COLUMN. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE ON. I HAD NOT THOUGHT TO SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED, BUT WAS TOLD THAT MY FATHER'S 2003 SATURN VUE DID HAVE THE STEERING/IGNITION COLUMN RECALLED AND REPLACED FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES AS I AM EXPERIENCING.

NHTSA ODI #10808465

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

DRIVING TO MARYLAND FROM CHARLOTTE NC. I WAS ON THE HWY GOING APPROX. 65. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, NO NOISE, NO WARNING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY TO A STOP. LOOKED DOWN AT THE GEAR SHIFT, IT WAS IN DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I PUT ON THE BREAK AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF …

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DRIVING TO MARYLAND FROM CHARLOTTE NC. I WAS ON THE HWY GOING APPROX. 65. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, NO NOISE, NO WARNING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY TO A STOP. LOOKED DOWN AT THE GEAR SHIFT, IT WAS IN DRIVE. THE IGNITION WAS IN THE ON POSITION. I PUT ON THE BREAK AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. WAITING A FEW SECONDS, I TURNED THE KEY. THE CAR STARTED UP AND THE CHIME WENT OFF. IT WAS THE CHIME THAT THE CAR MAKES WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND THE KEYS ARE STILL IN THE IGNITION.( A SERIES OF QUICK DINGS) I DIDN'T OPEN THE DOOR. ALL I DID WAS START THE CAR UP. I CONTINUED, NO PROBLEM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29TH, 2014 ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND THE SAME SPEED. THE CAR JERKED SLIGHTLY AND SHUT OFF. THIS TIME IT WAS AT NIGHT. I COASTED TO THE EXIT THAT WAS COMING UP. HAD TROUBLE STEERING BECAUSE THE STEERING WENT OUT, HEAD LIGHTS DIMMED. CAR SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT. SAME SITUATION. IGNITION ON, CAR IN DRIVE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON. CAR STARTED UP AND THE CHIME THAT GOES OFF IF YOU OPEN UP THE DOOR WITH THE KEYS STILL IN THE IGNITION, WENT OFF AGAIN. THE SAME AS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672412

105,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SATURN VUE'S KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THERE IS NOTHING ON MY KEY RING BUT THEY KEY AND THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WAS ABLE TO RE-INSERT THE KEY AND REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT MOVED FROM THE "RUN" POSITION TO THE "ACC" POSITION AND LOCKED MY STEERING COLUMN. THE ENGINE ALS…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY SATURN VUE'S KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THERE IS NOTHING ON MY KEY RING BUT THEY KEY AND THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I WAS ABLE TO RE-INSERT THE KEY AND REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT MOVED FROM THE "RUN" POSITION TO THE "ACC" POSITION AND LOCKED MY STEERING COLUMN. THE ENGINE ALSO SHUT OFF. I SEE THAT THE 2002-2004 SATURN VUE HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT HAS ALREADY CAUSED NUMEROUS CONFIRMED FATALITIES AND NEED TO POINT OUT THAT ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS, THE 2005-2007 SATURN VUE'S HAVE THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER IGNITION CYLINDER AND SWITCH. I AM ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRESSURE, AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE VEHICLE GOING INTO "ACC" MODE WHILST MOVING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU WILL RECALL EARLIER MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649845

135,247 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MPH AND NOTICED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THERE WAS SMOKE. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THE SMOKE WENT AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE SMELL OR SMOKE. I HAS HAPPENE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MPH AND NOTICED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THERE WAS SMOKE. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THE SMOKE WENT AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WE COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE SMELL OR SMOKE. I HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641795

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2014
Steering

I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK STEERING TO GET MY KEY IN. STEERING LOCKED UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES STARTING WHEN THE SUV WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. ALSO MY KEY JUST COMES OUT WHILE SATURN IS STILL RUNNING, THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN 2009. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE KEY. I TRADED KEYS WITH MY HUSBAND. HE HAD THE SPARE. BUT IT IS STILL HAPPE…

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I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK STEERING TO GET MY KEY IN. STEERING LOCKED UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES STARTING WHEN THE SUV WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. ALSO MY KEY JUST COMES OUT WHILE SATURN IS STILL RUNNING, THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN 2009. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE KEY. I TRADED KEYS WITH MY HUSBAND. HE HAD THE SPARE. BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. I CAN PULL MY KEY OUT AND IT KEEPS RUNNING. THIS SATURN VUE 2005 SHOULD BE IN THE RECALL. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN THAT RIDE WITH ME. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR A INJURY OR FATALITY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632259

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.