Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
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.
Sitting in traffic at a light in drive with brakes applied not moving,1989 Chevy pick up truck ,hit my back bumper,the light on my dash indicated the air bags deployed,and a light on my dash said passenger air bag is off,the air bags did not deploy.took my car to the nearest Chevrolet dealer kendall of nampa idaho,they said code# boo92 5256 came up and they said the heating element for the passenger seat went out (no one was sitting in the passenger seat , and I never use the heated seats ) the dealer said the heated seats are connected to my air bags and my air bags can't be turned on until the heat element for the seat is repaired. I thought that a federal law was passed in the early 1990's that the air bag system was to be on it's own circuit so it can not be turned off by any other circuits? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a puff of smoke and an abnormal odor emitted from the steering wheel without warning. In addition, the high beam indicator flashed on and off independently. The contact also stated that on another occasion, the high beam and low beam headlights operated independently and failed to shut off as the vehicle was off. The contact was able to shut off the lights by starting the vehicle and then shutting it off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,007.
While I was sitting in my car waiting for my daughter to get out of work, the car was running, when there was smoke pouring from the steering column. I immediately shut the car off and the smoke dissipated. This was 2 days ago and now my wipers do not work. My mechanic said that the air bag wires had caught fire and burned out the wipers.
On 1-19-2015 I started my car (after it had been sitting for 2 days/it was very cold) and the exterior lights, interior lights, dashboard, radio, blinker signals, all began flashing. It would stop for a second and start again, during this time the car seemed like it was going to conk out, but didn't. This went on for about 5 minutes. When I pressed the gas pedal the flashing would go faster. Also the seat controls and door locks would not work. After about 5 minutes it stopped and the car was fine. That same thing has happened roughly 4-5 more times, lasting 5-10 minutes each time. The car has only stopped running 1 time (luckily in front of home) and started fine the next day. Took video and went to local mechanic. They checked the battery and alternator (both fine-no $ charge), also checked recalls for car (nothing). Told me to go to dealership or electrical mechanic. …
Purchased 2006 Saturn Vue redline v6 3.5 AWD SUV used on February 5, 2019. Surprised days later & since to safety concern involving body control module. Without warning, leads to loss of power steering, instrument panel gauges & lights, interior & exterior lighting, dome, head and brake lights. Seems to effect all electronic systems under control of this module, uncertain of all involved. Assume this would include airbags and other safety features. Sudden and unexpected loss of power steering leads to potential loss of vehicle control at high speeds. Internet searches reveal countless encounters by owners to this same issue. During cold weather especially, initial start up of vehicle in morning or after extended (few hours) parked, leads to loss of all electrical power, 3 minutes after start up, electrical system seems possessed. All lights, interior/exterior flash for several minutes. …
2006 Saturn Vue ignition switch turns extremely hard most of the rime when trying to start the car. I can also remove the ignition key when the key is not in the 'off' position. I have been told the reason it turns so hard is because it's a safety mechanism. I have to rock the key back and forth for a couple of minutes, sometimes. Other times, I only have to rock it once or twice. I can feel it 'catching' and not wanting to move past the off position. Being able to remove the key without it being in the 'off' position is a safety issue. The key has always turned hard sine I purchased the car in 2009. It has gotten much worse in the last six months. This happens whether I am parked on a city street, or any other place including inclines and declines, my driveway, etc. The ignition is in the off position and I am trying to start it when it turns extremely hard.
Hitting 2 deer going 60 miles an hour and the passenger air bag never opened. The red light for passenger airbag has been on since we purchased the vehicle. We also have problems with electrical being the dashboard lights always flicker and the left side lights and blinker do the same. We also have had problems with the ignition being the key will not turn over, we have to be very patient and after quite sometime it will finally work after you remove the key several times and try try again. We have had to have brakes done numerous times at least twice a year. I sure do not understand why this vehicle was not on the recall list.
When it is cold, it is very difficult to turn the key in the ignition. Its takes approx. 30-45 minutes to try and get the key to turn over. Also, once the car is on it is extremely easy for the key to come out of the ignition while the car is running. My transmission also shakes uncontrollably in the park of brake position. When going up and hills or driving on rough roads my speed decreases with out my control. My check engine light comes on at least once a month. I have had to go it checked but, was told that the problems they are mentioned are not problems at all and they can not understand why the engine light keeps coming on.
Electrical complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Saturn Vue, 34% of the model year's 300 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Saturn Vue electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Saturn Vue. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Saturn Vue electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.