Most common 2005 Saturn Vue problems
Share of the 170 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn Vue complaints by model year
Best Vue years: 2010, 2005, 2009. Years to avoid: 2003, 2008, 2007, 2006. Compare all years →
What 2005 Saturn Vue owners say
Electrical system all 72 →
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition key fell out of the ignition switch and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the key failed to fit back in the ignition switch. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
First occurrence - July 21, 2008 at 35734 miles: the ignition key could not be removed after it was turned to the off position nor could it be turned to the accessory or start position. Saturn of troy, mi replaced the housing, ignition cylinder and keys. Cost was covered by warranty. 2nd occurrence - June 21, 2011 at 57550 miles: repeat of 1st occurrence. Suburban Cadillac Buick of troy, mi replaced the ignition cylinder and keys. Since I had purchased a extended warranty, my cost was $100.00. 3rd occurrence - September 28, 2012 at 63,597miles: intermittently ignition key would not release from the ignition switch without a lot of jiggling and force. Technician at suburban Cadillac Buick stated that we were not turning the key far enough to release it from the ignition. No action was taken at that time. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 30 →
Tl contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the transmission failed twice while merging into traffic at various speeds. Before the failure, the transmission made a grinding noise. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that a new transmission was needed. Three months prior to the most recent failure, the dealer claimed to have installed a new transmission in the vehicle; however, the failure recurred and the consumer had a crash. The consumer hit the side of a tunnel. The failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 4/14/09 the consumer did not state if she reported it to the police. Updated 04/17/09.
When traveling at 65 miles an hour on the freeway for an hour and a half and come to a complete stop whether it's in traffic or getting off the freeway the car suddenly jerks violently back and forth and clunking sounds like something is slipping the car will all of a sudden just died and stop running.by putting the car into neutral the car will come to a stop the jerking of the transmission releasing the gears
Steering all 20 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while traveling approximately 20 MPH attempting to avoid crashing into another vehicle, the contact had to apply force to the brakes and the steering wheel locked. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle crashing into a metal ground wire which flipped the vehicle over. A police report was filed no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a body repair shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact made aware that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 08V470000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign id number: 08V616000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saturn Vue. While attempting to turn the key in the ignition, the key failed to turn. Additionally, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and seized completely at one point. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. A dealer was not contacted. The contact spoke to an independent mechanic who stated that they would inspect the vehicle later and the contact could potentially need a new steering wheel. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
2005 Saturn Vue engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Saturn Vue a good car?
Based on 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Vue rates better than average: 56% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Vue at the same age. It is one of the best Vue years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Saturn Vue?
The electrical system — 72 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (30) and steering (20).
How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Saturn Vue. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn Vue?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2005 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2008, 2007 and 2006. See the full Saturn Vue years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Saturn Vue problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.