Relay (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Saturn Relay Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
LB7
6.6L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ9
3.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Relay, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005-2007 Saturn Relay
On a used 2005-2007 Saturn Relay, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (47), the electrical system (31) and the body and structure (28). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay about the brakes.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay about the electrical system.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay about the body and structure.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay about the steering.
Recalls (4)
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.
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
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.
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.
Alternatives in Van
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2007 Saturn Relay complaints?
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the electrical system and the body and trim.
Is the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay have?
NHTSA has 120 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2005-2007 Saturn Relay vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Saturn Relay?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the electrical system and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Relay have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2007 Saturn Relay. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 120 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.