Reliability & cost of ownership
Saturn Relay Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Saturn Relay? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Saturn Relay problems by model year
6 recall entries and 122 owner complaints on file across 3 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Relay | 1 | 12 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2006 Relay | 2 | 19 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2005 Relay | 3 | 91 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Saturn Relay, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- electrical system29 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic29 complaints
- structure17 complaints
- latches/locks/linkages14 complaints
- service brakes11 complaints
- power train9 complaints
- exterior lighting8 complaints
- electronic stability control (esc)7 complaints