2006 Saturn Vue

Above average

Owners filed 300 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Saturn Vue years to avoid. Which Saturn Vue years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
75,000 milesMedian miles at failure

236 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2006 Saturn Vue problems

88 of the 300 complaints (29%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags72
1115
Electrical System61
140
Steering17
100
Power Train · transmission13
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags13
305
Structure › Body · body and frame11
100
Unknown or Other10
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages · door locks and latches10
000
Electrical System › Ignition7
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration6
100

2006 Saturn Vue airbags problems

29% of all complaints

88 of the 300 complaints are about the airbags. This is what owners describe:

  • shows an airbag warning light58% · 51
  • sets off warning lights on the dash31% · 27
  • did not deploy its airbags in a crash10% · 9

Share of the 88 airbags complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
80,000 mi
median of 68 reports
Peak year of filing
2014
21 airbags complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
14 · 1 · 10
in these complaints
Recalls on the airbags
None
“The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 43,097.”
Owner complaint, filed Sep 11, 2023 at 43,097 miles
“Tried to have the car inspected and they told me it wouldn't pass inspection because of my airbag light on . They did a diagnostic and it said my passenger seat would need to be replaced or get the sensor for the part. Unfortunately the don't make the pieces for the car anymore . You have to go to a junk yard , but even they haven't had any any of the pieces.”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 8, 2018 at 125,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2006: 7 complaints, 2 about the airbags'062007: 7 complaints, 1 about the airbags2008: 22 complaints, 5 about the airbags'082009: 16 complaints, 5 about the airbags2010: 23 complaints, 10 about the airbags'102011: 21 complaints, 6 about the airbags2012: 15 complaints, 6 about the airbags'122013: 9 complaints, 4 about the airbags2014: 85 complaints, 21 about the airbags'142015: 23 complaints, 10 about the airbags2016: 20 complaints, 7 about the airbags'162017: 14 complaints, 6 about the airbags2018: 16 complaints, 2 about the airbags'182019: 10 complaints, 1 about the airbags2020: 2 complaints, 0 about the airbags'202021: 4 complaints, 0 about the airbags2022: 2 complaints, 0 about the airbags'222023: 2 complaints, 1 about the airbags2024: 1 complaints, 0 about the airbags'242025: 1 complaints, 1 about the airbags
All complaintsAbout the airbagsRecall (red: the airbags)

Complaints about the 2006 Vue peaked in 2014, with 85 filed that year. No recall on file covers the airbags, the subject of 29% of the complaints. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

Technical service bulletins

668 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2006 Vue. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 281electrical system 106engine 79transmission 37equipment adaptive/mobility 26wheels 24visibility 20tires 20
General CommunicationService campaignAug 26, 2024electrical system

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to …

PIT5236GService campaignMar 31, 2016electrical system

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. Technician will check Global Warranty Management system for customer satisfaction program 15086 status. If the status of the customer satisfaction program …

060941008Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 1, 2007airbags

AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON WITH DTC B0081 OR B0092 SET IN PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) SDM. *KB

3856Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 21, 2006airbags

SIR LIGHT ON DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE AND PPS FLASH CODE 036. *AK

3677Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 20, 2005airbags

AIRBAG ON LIGHT (AOL) INDICATOR LOOSE OR PUSHED IN. TO INCLUDE 2006 SATURN ION. *TT UPDATED 08-15-07. *KB

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version testedOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2006 Saturn VUE 4-DR.———★★★★★20.9%

New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 17, 2025AK

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 the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Power Train
Filed Aug 29, 202489,973 milesPA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 11, 202343,097 milesCA

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 43,097.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 2023GA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 20, 2022NH

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

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 12, 2022IA

My power steering went out

Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2021MI

My car is very rusted out,underneath the body and no one will work on my car because they feel it's a hazard to drive and work on. I went to an iron works shop and mechanic said it's a common problem with Saturn Vue's,I took it back to where I bought it because they knew it before I bought it . All they wanted to do was put me ina sports car,my car is a hazard to drive it plus I have 1 more year to pay for it. Seems like something could be done about this

Suspension
Filed Aug 25, 2021TX

Stability Bar / Stabilizer Bar broke on the passenger side. Upon going to the salvage yard we found in almost all the same vehicles were broke in the same area on the same passenger side.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 1, 2021FL

Key keep getting stuck in Ignition switch and hard to take the key out the switch.

Steering
Filed May 20, 2021IL

The ignition was locked and key wouldn't go in, to get it to unstick I put key in as far as it would go and noticed I could start it without the key being fully inserted. This happened a few times before but this was the first time I realized I didn't need the key to be in the ignition to start nor does it need to be in the ignition to drive. I was able to reproduce problem in driveway. I made a video but think only photos can be uploaded

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 23, 2020281,599 milesNC

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND ON AND IT'S HARD TO STEER I LOSE POWER STEERING. *TR

Steering
Filed May 15, 2020314,000 milesLA

WHEN MAKING A TURN (ANY DIRECTION) OR JUST TURNING STEERING WHEEL THE CAR WILL CUT OFF AND LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAY WHILE IN MOTION. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2019150,000 milesOR

ENGINE GOES INTO 'LOW POWER MODE' RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE LIMPING ALONG. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN IT GOES INTO THIS MODE NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT GOES NO MORE THAN 5MPH. THIS OFTEN OCCURS JUST AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND THE LOW POWER MODE LIGHTS COME ON.

Suspension
Filed Sep 27, 2019161,921 milesFL

WHILE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON I-95 DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I NOTICED A SLIGHT SHAKE IN THE STEERING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS BEFORE MY VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL TOWARDS THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE AND PLACED MY VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW MY VEHICLE DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2019OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AFFECTED . SOME DASH PANEL LIGHTS NOT WORKING & AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 19, 201971,000 milesNY

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.

Electrical System
Filed May 7, 2019170,000 milesGA

THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, 2006 SATURN VUE FOR 2014 AND I WAS TOLD THIS CAN NO LONGER BE FIXED. IT IS A RECAL NUMBER 14506 AND I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I CAN GET THIS REPAIRED. I CAN REMOVE MY KEY WHILE THE IGNITION IS STILL RUNNING.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 26, 2019230,000 milesOH

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. AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BELIEVE CODE IS P0685. SEEMS TO INDICATE PCM. ALSO CAUSES LOSS OF POWER AFTER DRIVING FOR PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE PERSONALLY LOST POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL POWER AT 65 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO ANYTHING. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NARROWLY AVOIDING HEAD ON COLLISION WITH CEMENT MEDIAN DIVIDER. CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL! CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN NO FIX FOR OWNERS WITHOUT COST. WHAT WILL THIS TAKE? DEATH OF AN OWNER?

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 18, 201944,000 milesLA

ON MY 2006 SATURN VUE I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT BREAKING SYSTEM. PLUS THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BREAKING SYSTEM WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM THAT THERE NO WARNING SYSTEM ON IT AT ALL. THE VEHICLE JUST STOP AND WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. IT JUST STOP DEAD. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPEN, BECAUSE I WAS JUST GOING AND IT JUST STOP COMPLETE AND WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. TO ME THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I FOUND OUT THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THESE ISSUE WITH THE BREAKING SYSTEM DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM EITHER. THAT IT INVOLVES VEHICLES FROM 2004 -2009. BECAUSE OF THEM USING CHEAPER PRODUCTS.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 201944,704 milesLA

THIS HAPPEN ON 2 DIFFERENT DATE. THE FIRST THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 39,111 MILES ON VEHICLE ON 8/14/2018. THEN THE THING THAT HAPPEN IS THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. ENGINE WOULD RUN BUT WOULD MOVE UNTIL IT COOLED OFF THEN IT DID IT AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENTIRE FRONT BREAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FAULTY PRODUCTS USED. BRAKE ROTORS, BRAKE CALIPERS, HOSES AND ALL FLUIDS. THE THAT DID NOT WORK TOOK ANOTHER 2 WEEKS FOR THEM REDO THEM AGAIN BECAUSE ON GOING PROBLEMS HAS BEEN GOING WITH 2004-2009 SATURN'S. WHICH COST ME AROUND $1214.59.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 30, 2019106,400 milesFL

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT I NEEDED MOTOR MOUNTS. IT TURNS OUT THAT MY WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED. I'M LUCKY THE ENGINE DIDN'T FALL OUT. EVERYTHING IS ELSE IS WORKING FINE AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 2019100,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, TWO SMALL LOCK ICONS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST HILLS CHEVROLET OF FREEPORT (42 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, FREEPORT, NY 11520), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 31, 2018121,000 milesVA

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BURNING SMOKE EMISSIONS AND A BURNING ODOR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL / STEERING COLUMN AREA WHERE THE WIPERS AND SIGNAL LIGHT/HIGHBEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCHES ARE CONNECTED. THE SMOKE EMISSIONS AND THE BURNING ODOR APPEARED TO BE TRIGGERED BY THE TURNING SIGNALS OR FROM ACTIVATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED; HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR BATTERY DIED; BUT THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE; HEADLIGHTS WERE FINALLY EXTINGUISHED WITH DISCONNECTION OF BATTERY CABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 14, 201880,000 milesFL

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF MY SATURN VUE 2006. SINCE I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE VEHICLES IS: RUNNING, STATIONARY OR DRIVING, IN-GEAR OR NOT. I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THIS AS A UNIQUE FEATURE (IT'S BEEN SURPRISINGLY HELPFUL!). TODAY I SAW SOMETHING ABOUT A "GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL" (NO, I DON'T LIVE UNDER A ROCK, I JUST MISSED THIS). I ENTERED MY VIN AND IT DIDN'T COME BACK WITH A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH IT, SO THIS MIGHT NOT EVEN BE AN ISSUE? I JUST WANT TO BE CERTAIN IN CASE THIS IS A DANGEROUS "FEATURE". THANK YOU FOR CHECKING FOR ME!

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 17, 2018107,044 milesNC

TAMARA RECALL. THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STOPPED LATCHING WHEN CLOSED. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOOR WILL RANDOMLY SWING OPEN. THE LATCH TO LOCK THE DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY TUNED AND THEN THE DOOR HAS TO BE HELD IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE TO LATCH.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 7, 2018VT

I HAVE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. THEY LOCK AFTER I SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I STARTED TO LEAVE MY YARD THE REALIZED I FORGOT SOMETHING IN MY HOME. PROCEEDED TO PARK. GOT THE ITEM AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT AND THE BACK DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER FROM OUT SIDE NOR THE INSIDE. SO THAT IS WHERE IT IS TO DATE. CAR IN MY YARD SITTING STILL.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2018107,399 milesSC

WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP SOMETIMES PULLING UP TO A REDLIGHT OR STOP SIGN ITS LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOESNT WANT TO MASH DOWN AND IT TAKES EVERYTHING TO MASH IT THEN IT SLAMS YOU ON YOUR HEAD.SOMETIMES IT STOPS FINE BUT ONCE OUT OF EVERY 10 TIMES IT KEEPS GOING.THE CAR HAD 107399 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN SEPTEMBER & THE BROKER REPLACED THE BRAKES HE SAYS.WE FOUND A RECIEPT IN THE DASH FOR HAVING THEM BLED SO DONT KNOW IF THEY WERE REALLY REPLACED OR NOT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 2018125,000 milesVA

TRIED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON . THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SAID MY PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR GET THE SENSOR FOR THE PART. UNFORTUNATELY THE DON'T MAKE THE PIECES FOR THE CAR ANYMORE . YOU HAVE TO GO TO A JUNK YARD , BUT EVEN THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY ANY OF THE PIECES.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 27, 201821,000 milesIA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2018102,500 milesIA

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND WILL STAY ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE STATIONARY, ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IT MAY GO OFF FOR A LITTLE BIT, SUCH AS 5 MILES, THEN COME BACK ON OR IT MAY STAY ON. THESE DAYS CAN BE BOTH HOT AND HUMID OR JUST HOT WITH NOT A LOT OF HUMIDITY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR MAYBE IT WON'T DEPLOY AT ALL IF IT WAS IN A CRASH. I HAD THE COMPUTER SYSTEM READ ON 6/25/2018 AND WAS TOLD IT IS SHOWING THAT IT IS SOMETHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE SUMMER 2015.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2018120,550 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR STEPPED DOWN ON ACCELERATOR A LITTLE HARDER IN ORDER TO PASS SOMEBODY AND THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN ENGINE WAS RACING CAR WAS SPEEDING UP. I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES BUT THEY WERE INSUFFICIENT I SHIFTED THE CAR TO NEUTRAL PULL OVER AND THEN TURN THE ENGINE OFF WHEN I START IT AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. I DO NOT WISH TO DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL THIS IS FIXED

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2018TX

MY CARS HUBCAPS HAVE FELL OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND J CAN'T FIND A SIZE THAT FITS 2 OF THEM SO I DON'T HAVE ANY. MY IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK WHILE PARKED AND I'VE BEEN LOCKED OUT IF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT WON'T TURN AT ALL AND I HAVE TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO JIGGY THE KEY FOREVER. THE KEY DOESN'T TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF SWITCH AND THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE DRIVING. NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WON'T UP. I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THE THING POPS UP BUT THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND SINCE I ONLY HAVE ONE DOOR WITH A KEY HOLE ALL THE OTHER DOORS STAY LOCKED AS WELL. SO I'VE SPENT HUNDREDS ON LOCKSMITHS OR I HAVE TO KEEP PULLING THE HANDLE OR BANGING ON THE DOOR OR MY HUSBAND PUSHES THE DOOR AN SHAKES THE ENTIRE CAR. THIS IS EMBARRASSING AND FRUSTRATING AS WELL AS DANGEROUS SINCE J CAN'T LOCK MY DOORS. SOMETIMES WHEN I LEAVE THE DOORS UNLOCKED THEY LOCK ON THEIR OWN AFTER I WALK AWAY. I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR TO GET IN WHEN THE DRIVERS DOOR WON'T OPEN. THIS CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN!

Steering
Filed May 25, 2018120 milesMI

ALL OF 2108 THE IGNITION IS VERY HARD TO START WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN VERY HARD TO TURN AND WHEN YOU GET IT STARTED IT SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF WHILE GOING TO DRIVE.

Steering
Filed Apr 26, 2018VA

POWER STEERING RACK MALFUNCTION. CAUSES VIBRATION AT HIGH SPEEDS AND STIFF TURNING

Wheels
Filed Apr 17, 201880,000 milesGA

LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING NEEDED REPLACING LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING FRONT WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE WHEN IN MOTION 2016-2017-2018 GENERAL MOTORS DENIED CLAIM

Power Train
Filed Mar 7, 2018145,693 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED AND AVERAGED BETWEEN 100 TO 200 RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED JOE HOLLAND CHEVROLET AND IMPORTS AT (304) 744-1561 (LOCATED AT 210 MACCORKIE AVE, SW, CHARLESTON, WV 25303). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE REFERRED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, BUT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,693.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 2018142,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 29, 20181,523 milesFL

DURNING AFTER PURCHASE ... MY SATURN VUE STARTED TURNING OFF DURING DRIVING ... ALSO TURING CORNER NOW TIMING BELT HAS SLIP AWAY COMPLETLY STOP THE CAR FROM RUNING. OR CRAMPING AND STARTING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 12, 2017CO

KEY IS STICKING IN IGNITION. HAVW TO GIGGLE IT TO GET IT TO TURN AND START UP.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 2, 2017130,019 milesIA

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD HAS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH IN MOTION. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS REALLY HOT, BUT THEN IT CAME ON WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 75 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT SOMETIMES WOULD STAY ON FOR 50 OR MORE MILES AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STAY ON FOR ONLY A MILE OR TWO. THOSE SHORT TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF FOR MAYBE A MILE OR SOMETIMES 3-4 MILES THEN COME BACK ON. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WOULD SMELL FAINTLY LIKE SOMETHING WAS HOT OR MAYBE LIKE GUN POWDER. IT HASN'T COME ON FOR A MONTH NOW. SOMETIMES I THOUGHT IT WAS WHEN I HIT A BUMP THAT IT WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF. BUT IT DID IT WHEN THE ROAD WAS NOT BUMPY. IT DID IT LAST SUMMER AND THIS SUMMER. IT WOULD SOMETIMES BE ON WHEN I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF, BUT NOT ALWAYS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT DID IT BOTH IN TOWN AND WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 22, 2017174 milesFL

ALL FOUR HEAD LIGHTS OUT OF NOWHERE JUST STARTED TO FLASH AND IT WENT FROM A FLASH TO OUT NOT COMING ON AT ALL AND I HAVE CHECKED ALL FUSES RELAYS AND LIGHTBULBS JUST DRIVING DOWN A DRY ROAD NO WATER AT ALL

Electrical System
Filed Aug 9, 2017106,200 milesCA

IGNITION KEY FALLS OUT WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN GEAR, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 7, 2017108,000 milesTN

ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY, AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES F, THE INTERIOR ITEMS FLASH ON AND OFF UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARMED UP. I ALSO LEARNED THAT IF THE IGNITION WAS ON FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES IT WAS THE SAME AS IF IT WAS RUNNING. I LIVE IN NASHVILLE AND FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 24 DEGREES OR BELOW. THE FLASHING ON AND OFF OF THE LIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE PROTECTING THEM WHEN THE CHARGE RATE IS TOO HIGH. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WHO CAN TROUBLESHOOT AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES? A MONTH AGO (JULY) IT STARTED ALL THE TIME, NO FLASHING, NO STEERING, NO DASH INSTRUMENTS, ETC. LONGER STORY SHORT WITH THE PLUG REMOVED FROM THE ALTERNATOR (IT CONTROLS THE FIELD VOLTAGE THROUGH THE ECM/PCM) THE ALTERNATOR WAS STILL PUTTING OUT 18.5 VOLTS. THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT OCCUR BUT SOMETHING WAS BAD WRONG INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR. IT WAS BOILING THE ACID OUT OF THE BATTERY TOO. ONCE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REMOVED (BENCH CHECKED FAILED) AND REPLACED IT ALL WENT AWAY. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BELOW 24 DEGREES AGAIN. THIS ALTERNATOR IS MANUFACTURED BY GM, IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM GM. ONLY REMANUFACTURED UNITS FROM CHINA ARE AVAILABLE AT THE AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES. THERE IS NO TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE IN THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR PLUG CAN BE DISCONNECTED WITHOUT ANY DISASSEMBLY. THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR ON THIS

Air Bags
Filed Jul 31, 2017122,900 milesCA

1. THE OFF LIGHT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON 2. IF TAKE BRAKE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE SHAKE, CHANGED NEW BRAKES, IT IS SAME.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 2017116,201 milesMA

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCEING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH AND SMOKE COMING FROM MY AIRBAG. ANYTIME I GET INTO MY CAR AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT LOCKS AND WON'T LET ME TURN THE KEY, IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE IT TURNS OVER. ONCE THE CAR IS ON AND DRIVING ON CITY STREETS LIGHT SMOKE WILL COME FROM THE AIRBAG. I IMMEDIATELY WOULD PULL OVER AND STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR A WHILE BEFORE HEADING HOME. THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES WITH IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I'M CONCERNED THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PREMATURELY WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T HAVE A PHOTO OR DOCUMENTS, HOWEVER I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A GMC DEALERSHIP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANK YOU

Air BagsFire
Filed Apr 24, 2017140,000 milesPA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 2017120,000 milesME

I THOUGHT I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN I'M DRIVING ALONG, IT'S POSSIBLE TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN! WHEN STOPPED, THE KEY CAN ALSO BE PULLED COMPLETELY OUT BEFORE THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS COME TO THE OFF POSITION. IT IS VERY HARD TO THEN GET THE KEY BACK IN.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 1, 2017100,000 milesVA

2096 SATURN VUE, WITH FRONT SEAT HEATERS. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT, DIAGNOSTIC CODE BC092. REPLACEMENT PART 15785010 IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE PER DEALERSHIP. AFTER RECONNECTING WIRING(LEFT DISCONNECTED BY DEALERSHIP) AND TURNING PASSENGER HEATER SWITCH ON, ERROR CODE COULD BE CLEARED TO TURN OFF WARNING LIGHT. WHILE OFF, PASSENGER DETECTION WORKS OK AND PASSENGER AIR BAG IS ACTIVATED. IT ONLY STAYS FIXED FOR LESS THAN A DAY. HAS LEFT THE ERROR LIGHT LIT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED FOR OVER A YEAR. NOTICE ABOUT 100 OR SO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON 2006 SATURN VUE'S HERE; I WONDER IF THE EQUIVALENT CHEVY SUVS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 28, 2017107,616 milesNY

PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR ON DASH BOARD CONTINUES TO SAY NO WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. IF PASSENGER HEATED SEAT IS TURNED, HEATED SEAT DOES NOT WORK BUT AIR BAG INDICATOR ON DASH BOARD SAYS ON WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. SITUATION IS CONSTANT WHETHER VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 25, 201785,614 milesID

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? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW ,AND I FEEL THE CHEVROLET CORPORATION SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. PLEASE RESPOND AS FAST AS YOU CAN BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY ONE CAR, AND THE GUY THAT HIT ME HIS INSURANCE IS LOOKING INTO IT .THANK GOD I WASN'T HURT OR THE GUY THAT HIT ME,THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR ME. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

Complaints 1-50 of 300, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20106010Routine
2009118231Fatalities reported
20084063110Above average
2007286060Above average
2006 — this page300060Above average
2005170030Routine
2004276250Above average
2003622190Above average
2002167250Routine

Compare every Vue year →

2006 Saturn Vue: questions buyers ask

Is the 2006 Saturn Vue a good car?

It is not among the Vue years to avoid. Owners filed 300 complaints, against about 281 for a typical Vue year. The most common complaint is about the airbags (29%).

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Saturn Vue?

The airbags: 88 of the 300 complaints (29%) are about it. Owners most often say it shows an airbag warning light (58%), sets off warning lights on the dash (31%) and did not deploy its airbags in a crash (10%). The typical report comes at 80,000 miles.

At what mileage do 2006 Saturn Vue problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 75,000 miles. For the airbags the midpoint is 80,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 2006 Saturn Vue?

The manufacturer filed 668 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (106), the engine (79) and the transmission (37). They include a service campaign, General Communication, filed Aug 26, 2024. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.