RecallRepo

2005 Saturn Relay Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2005 Saturn Relay has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 33,450 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

PARKING BRAKE 05V287000 2005-06-20 14,600 affected
Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF…

Consequence

WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

SEATS 05V061000 2005-02-18 18,850 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE IMPACT TEST.

Consequence

IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
14
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
9
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
6
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
6
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
5
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
5
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
4
Total complaints137

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Exact same issue as described in april 2014 gm recall 14063. Sudden loss of electrical power while driving causing the engine to shut off. Unpredictable very dangerous. Seems to be the ignition switch. Other saturns are listed in the 2014 recall but mine is not. It should be listed.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-07-05

“The anti-lock brake system warning light and traction control system (tcs) warning light continue to light up and stays on I have seen similar complaints on various chat sessions.”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2017-05-01

“The anti-lock brake system warning light and traction control system (tcs) warning light continue to light up and stays on I have seen similar complaints on various chat sessions.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2017-05-01

“Driving around 10 mph, car died. Took it to the shop and they said it was the ignition switch. Looked on gm website and there is a recall for this same problem, however not for the relay. I believe there should be a recall for all saturns! I am very lucky I was not driving on the freeway when this…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 2015-04-16

“Repeated problems with abs & t/c warning lights, brakes seized up was unable to move van had it towed to a shop, t/c engages without any adverse weather or road conditions. I have spent over $2000 trying to repair the problems. Brake pads wear down quickly, replace brake pads twice a year since…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-04-06

“On 1/12/15, while my 2005 saturn relay was parked in my garage, started on fire. Vehicle was not started or going at the time. Last drove the vehicle approximately one hour prior. It was determined that the ceiling component that has the buttons to open the back sliding doors, onstar and garage…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2015-01-12

“Abs system acting up , occurring off and on service brakes hydraulic problem . Happens everyday since I've owned it. Also previous owner had same problem. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2014-12-22

“When I drive at night I have to turn my headlights off to use my turn signals. I have noticed that the turn signal on the driver's side of the 2005 saturn relay will not work unless the headlights are turned off. I have not had any accidents...yet. This is a real safety issue.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2014-10-15

Defect investigations

Investigation EA07019 Opened 2007-12-11 · closed 2009-02-23

POWER SLIDING DOOR

ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS…

Investigation EA07019 Opened 2007-12-11 · closed 2009-02-23

POWER SLIDING DOOR

ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS…

Investigation EA07019 Opened 2007-12-11 · closed 2009-02-23

POWER SLIDING DOOR

ODI EVALUATED GENERAL MOTORS' (GM) DATA, CONDUCTED CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, INSPECTED AND TESTED MY 2005-2007 GM MINIVANS WITH REGARD TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF A POWER SLIDING DOOR (PSD) OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF PARK.ODI IDENTIFIED A HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATE.HOWEVER, THESE CLAIMS ARE RELATED TO VARIOUS PROBLEMS…

Investigation PE05063 Opened 2005-11-29 · closed 2006-03-06

ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005, BASED ON ONE CONSUMER REPORT TO ODI AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS.THE BULLETIN, NO. 1613174, ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005, STATES IN PART, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A STALL AND/OR NO CRANK, NO START…

Investigation PE05063 Opened 2005-11-29 · closed 2006-03-06

ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005, BASED ON ONE CONSUMER REPORT TO ODI AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS.THE BULLETIN, NO. 1613174, ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005, STATES IN PART, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A STALL AND/OR NO CRANK, NO START…

Investigation PE05063 Opened 2005-11-29 · closed 2006-03-06

ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005, BASED ON ONE CONSUMER REPORT TO ODI AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS.THE BULLETIN, NO. 1613174, ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2005, STATES IN PART, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REPORT A STALL AND/OR NO CRANK, NO START…

Investigation PE07044 Opened 2007-08-16 · closed 2007-12-11

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND…

Investigation PE07044 Opened 2007-08-16 · closed 2007-12-11

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND…

Investigation PE07044 Opened 2007-08-16 · closed 2007-12-11

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 GENERAL MOTORS MINIVANS (CHEVROLET UPLANDER/VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA SV6/MONTANA, BUICK TERRAZA, AND SATURN RELAY).SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE DOOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Saturn Relay as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.