2005 Saturn Relay Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 91 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,746miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Saturn Relay, 4% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,746 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife placed our 2005 Saturn Relay minivan in park, and stepped out to get the mail. The van immediately started backwards, with the door pushing her down. Luckily, as it pushed her down, she fell to the inside, and was able to activate the parking brake with her hand, stopping the car. She did receive a very minor knee injury, but it could have been much worse. Our two daughters were both in the car, which would have rolled down a hill and into a neighbors house, had she not stopped it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267433, filed 2009-05, 45,000 miles“Right door popped open when it wanted too. Air conditioner (A/C )did not properly cool, severe vibration in front drivetrain. 09/01/05 cleaned contacts, 10/8/05 motor and clutch assembly for door, 02/27/06 door contacts and cable, 04/19/06 returned to dealer, 07/18/06 replaced contacts, 0 and on 8/16/06 returned to dealer. Doors were inoperative. This was what they gave us for copies of our records they now have our records frozen so we could not view the history, doors were inoperativ at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10196775, filed 2007-07, 2,142 miles“The contact stated the vehicle rolled slightly backward on an incline while moving foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. One dealer determined this was normal and another determined a recent design change was the cause. Updated 5/2/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10154805, filed 2006-04, 12,746 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10200152Jun 7, 2021This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10194079Apr 30, 2021This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10191207Mar 11, 2021This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10178949Jul 28, 2020This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Saturn Relay
41 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Saturn Relay
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology