Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Saturn Vue problems

Owners filed 300 complaints about the 2006 Saturn Vue with NHTSA between Mar 2006 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (103).

Complaints
300
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system103
  2. Air bags93
  3. Steering29
  4. Power train26
  5. Structure19
  6. Latches/locks/linkages17
  7. Seats15
  8. Suspension13
  9. Exterior lighting13
  10. Vehicle speed control9
  11. Engine7
  12. Service brakes7
  13. Seat belts7
  14. Engine and engine cooling7

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20067
20077
200822
200916
201023
201121
201215
20139
201485
201523
201620
201714
201816
201910
20202
20214
20222
20232
20241
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Power train

26 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently. The contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road before coming to a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 89,973. The VIN was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11611523

Structure

19 reports1 crash
“THIS COMPLAINT IS IN ADDITION TO THE 284 HOWEVER, THIS CONCERNS UNIBODY RUST TO THE FRONT K MEMBER CAUSING SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILING INSPECTION. THE CAR WAS UNDER COATED. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND BODY SHOP, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATES EXCEED $10K. WHAT CAN NHTSA DO TO CORRECT TO CORRECT THIS MFR DEFECT. THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH VERY LITTLE USE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2019StructureODI 11244919

Latches/locks/linkages

17 reports1 fire
“THE DOOR LATCHES ARE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE. WE HAVE HAD TO TIE THE BACK DOORS CLOSED WITH ROPE TO PREVENT THEM FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2008 MODELS, WHAT ABOUT THE 2006 MODELS? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2015Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10680756
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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