2005 Saturn VUE problems
Owners have filed 216 complaints about the 2005 Saturn VUE with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 33.3% of them — the clear leader, ahead of power train at 14.4%.
Complaints216
Crashes19
Fires3
Injuries18
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 33.3% · 72
Power train 14.4% · 31
Steering 9.7% · 21
Air bags 6.9% · 15
Unknown or other 6.0% · 13
Engine and engine cooling 4.2% · 9
Engine 4.2% · 9
Service brakes 2.8% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 18 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Saturn VUE in this data, 2005 draws comparatively few complaints; 2003 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 75,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that the ignition switch would not release the vehicle key however, the key could be removed when the vehicle was in motion. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recall campaigns. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The approximate mileage at the time of failure was 83,000. Updated 9/29/14 Electrical system · reported at 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The contact mentioned that the key would come out from the ignition while the vehicle was running. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Electrical system · reported at 160,000 miles
Key can be taken out of ignition while driving and the car still be on and running and or being driven. At any time after starting the car the key can taken out and it not affect the running of the car at all. It also is hard to turn the key to start the car. You have to wiggle the key around before it recognizes the key and then it will finally turn to be able to start the car. Electrical system · reported at 112,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…