Is the 2005 Saturn Vue a bad year?
170 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Vue years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Saturn Vue are in line with other Vue years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 8 Vue years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Vue owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 81,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 72 (42%) | 60k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 20 (12%) | 77k–131k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 17 (10%) | 68k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 15 (9%) | 49k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (5%) | 28k–85k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | 48k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | 42k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 30 (18%) | 37k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 81,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 170 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
After purchasing my Saturn Vue, january 11, 2011, it required service and a subsequent transmission replacement on or about april 1, 2011.
Manual transmission on 2005 Saturn Vue 4 cyl failed at about 50,000 miles. Lost the clutch pedal and could not shift the car at all.
At 24,000 miles this 2005 Saturn Vue needed the entire brake system replaced. Then when backing up and then putting the car in drive it would not speed up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 81,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Saturn Vue: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 161
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Saturn Vue. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
Neighbouring years
2004 Vue: 276 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2006 Vue: 300 complaints, keep it.
Every Saturn Vue year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Vue years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn LS · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Saturn Vue a bad year?
170 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Vue years. At 81,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Vue?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (72), steering (20), engine (17), air bags (15), brakes (8).
How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.