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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Saturn VueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue. Most complaints involve electrical system (72) and power train (30). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
170
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2005 Saturn Vue as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

170 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system72
  2. Power train30
  3. Steering20
  4. Air bags15
  5. Engine9
  6. Engine and engine cooling8
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Structure5
  9. Suspension4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Vue model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002177
2003632
2004276
2005170
2006300
2007312
2008406
2009125
20106
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

72 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition key fell out of the ignition switch and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the key failed to fit back in the ignition switch. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11751633

Power train

30 reports1 crash
“WHEN TRAVELING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHETHER IT'S IN TRAFFIC OR GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKS VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH AND CLUNKING SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS SLIPPING THE CAR WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST DIED AND STOP RUNNING.BY PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR WILL COME TO A STOP THE JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION RELEASING THE GEARS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2020Power trainODI 11322715

Steering

20 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2020Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11323779
All 2005 Vue problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Vue FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Vue FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
Vue AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Vue FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$2,950423
Vue FWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Vue AWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Vue FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Vue FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Vue AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Vue FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Vue FWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Vue AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Saturn Vue as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1656
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Vue questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2005 Saturn Vue problems?

Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (72), power train (30), steering (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Saturn Vue get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Saturn Vue at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026