Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Saturn VueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 300 owner complaints for the 2006 Saturn Vue. Most complaints involve electrical system (103) and air bags (93). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
300
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 2006 Saturn Vue as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

300 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2006 – Dec 2025
  1. Electrical system103
  2. Air bags93
  3. Steering29
  4. Power train26
  5. Structure19
  6. Latches/locks/linkages17
  7. Seats15
  8. Suspension13
  9. Exterior lighting13

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
18
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
10
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

103 reports5 crashes6 fires
“The key can be removed from the vehicle while being driven. Also the ignition doesn't "click" off when vehicle is parked and key is removed causing the battery to drain. There have been several recalls for this issue but not with the 2006 year model. This is a dangerous problem and there are very limited resources to get it resolved.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11500710

Air bags

93 reports15 crashes1 fire
“The contact owned a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed under the 50 MPH speed limit, the vehicle slid on a patch of black ice; the contact was able to correct the vehicle. The contact stated that there was snow on the ground. Soon afterwards, the vehicle slid on another patch of black; the vehicle slid across the road and hit the embankment head-on. The vehicle went up the embankment and down to the ditch below, where the vehicle landed on the driver's side, where it came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. Afterwards, the contact and the contact's daughter stopped by the clinic. The contact suffered minor injuries to the chest caused by the seat belt. The contact had bruises across the chest. The contact's daughter was in the front passenger seat, and her head hit the windshield. The daughter sustained a bump on the head, which turned out to be a mild concussion, and some bruises. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The insurance company was notified of the accident. The contact was unsure if the insurance company had declared…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11705678

Steering

29 reports1 crash
“ignition gets stuck with key and locks steering wheel, now it wont shut off all the way to left and kills my battery looks like there has been MANY ignition issues and recalls with saturns which this is pretty important to have working to drive and be safe esp as a female in this world ..getting stuck or with a dead battery isnt good $300-400 at a gmc to fix this issue I feel personally this should be considered a recall fix”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2022Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11461547
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 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 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 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 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.
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 2006 Saturn Vue as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1785
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

2006 Vue questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn Vue have?

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

What are the most common 2006 Saturn Vue problems?

Owners filed 300 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (103), air bags (93), steering (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Saturn Vue get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Saturn Vue at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026