Is the 2006 Saturn Vue a bad year?
300 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Vue years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Saturn Vue are in line with other Vue years. Electrical system and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 103 (34%) | 44k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 93 (31%) | 54k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 29 (10%) | 78k–135k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (9%) | 47k–95k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 19 (6%) | 45k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 17 (6%) | 52k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (4%) | 28k–97k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 12 (4%) | 51k–100k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 10 (3%) | 66k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Seats | 15 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 300 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Dec 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The 2007-2006 Saturn Vue V6, a joint venture between honda/gm has the same Honda odyssey drive train as honda's current recall for fuel pump cover.
Vehicle was recalled for torque converter. While in the repair shop it was found that the center support bearing for the drive shaft was coming apart, ie: rubber bushing was separating and needed to be replaced.
Shift cable on 2006 Saturn Vue broke after only 47,000 miles. Had always been very hard to shift but I was told this was normal.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 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: 201
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 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
2005 Vue: 170 complaints, keep it · 2007 Vue: 286 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 2006 Saturn Vue a bad year?
300 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Vue years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Saturn Vue?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (103), air bags (93), steering (29), transmission and drivetrain (26), body structure (19).
How many recalls does the 2006 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.