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.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Electrical system103
- Air bags93
- Steering29
- Power train26
- Structure19
- Latches/locks/linkages17
- Seats15
- Suspension13
- Exterior lighting13
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Electrical system
“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.”
Air bags
“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…”
Steering
“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”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vue FWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Vue FWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Vue FWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Vue AWD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
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).