2005 Saturn Vue Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Saturn Vue has 170 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among the six model years with data. It carries a Good verdict, though that verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #5 of 6 Vue years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 170
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
Top 2005 Saturn Vue problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System75 (44%)
- Transmission & Powertrain30 (18%)
- Steering20 (12%)
- Engine19 (11%)
- Other17 (10%)
- Airbags15 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (6%)
- Brakes8 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several frontal and head-on crashes at speeds between 35 and 50 mph.
- Owners describe the transmission grinding before failing while merging into traffic, requiring a full replacement.
- One owner reported the driver's seat heater burning through the seat upholstery and clothing.
- A steering wheel reportedly locked up during an emergency braking maneuver, causing loss of control and a rollover.
- One owner described a new tire blowing out within weeks of purchase, damaging the front end.
- A driver's seat back reportedly collapsed backward during a rear-end collision by a bus.
2005 Saturn Vue recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 Saturn Vue fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Saturn Vue reliable?
- NHTSA lists 170 complaints for the 2005 Vue with a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest of the six model years with data, and it earns a Good verdict.
- What year Saturn Vue should I avoid?
- The 2008 Vue has the highest complaint index at 100 with 406 complaints and 3 recalls, and the 2006 Vue follows with an index of 80, both rated Avoid.
- Does the 2005 Saturn Vue have any recalls?
- NHTSA shows zero recalls on file for the 2005 Vue.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2005 Saturn Vue?
- Electrical System issues make up 44% of complaints (75 of 170), the largest share of any problem area for this year.
- Why is the 2005 Vue capped at Good instead of a higher verdict?
- NHTSA complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are considered less complete, so the site caps these years at Good even with a low complaint index.