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Saturn RelayModel year report

2006 Saturn Relay Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
67,500miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Saturn Relay (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2006 Saturn Relay. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and fuel system (3). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 658 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I was traveling on az state route 87 on a 6 percent downgrade. I had applied the brakes a total of 3 times for no more than 3 to 5 seconds at a time, this occurred over a 5 minute time frame. On the third application the brakes began to cavitate very badly. This caused the vehicle to sway and brakes faded out. The brakes made a rubbing sound for the next several days. When brakes are applied while turning they make a grinding sound/feel. The vehicle was taken into Saturn of arrowhead peoria, az on 07/06/06. They stated nothing was found wrong with brakes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10163004, filed 2006-07, 12,500 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Attempted low/moderate acceleration from stop; transmission seemed to slip with engine RPM increasing but no transfer of power beyond about initial half-foot of forward motion, then hard shifted into gear (lurched the vehicle) and accelerated rapidly. This event was initially intermittent and not able to be reproduced by mechanic. …”

NHTSA complaint #10568789, filed 2014-03, 129,100 miles

Fuel system: “We own a 2006 Saturn Relay 3 that we purchased in june 2007. We have become aware of a design flaw that exists in chevrolet uplanders and Saturn relays that can lead to dangerous consequences. We have been advised by our dealership that GM is aware of the problem and has done nothing to rectify it. Because of the shape of the gas tank, if the car is idling while on an incline, gas dissipates from the engine and the car may stall. This can occur despite there being more than a quarter tank of gas in the car. Further, the car cannot be restarted unless set on a level surface. …”

NHTSA complaint #10203316, filed 2007-09, 7,500 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “1) bought our Saturn Relay may 30, 2006 2) took it to the dealer it to the dealer because hood rattle, said it was nothing sent me home. 3) called about the low mileage the van was making, said it was ok 4) 1 month and 26 days car breacks down repairs are made on 6/26/06 -sending unit was replace -sensory kit was replace -hood not closing was corrected latch was replace -and hood bumper was fix -intermittent engine noise ( not fix) -steering wheel vibrates when making a sharp turn ( not fix) most important the middle seat that are both captain chairs do not have a arm rest so when the kids…”

NHTSA complaint #10161708, filed 2006-07, 2,505 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

44% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,500 and 128,500 miles.

22%0–106%10–2517%25–506%50–7511%75–10039%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 67,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20064200720082009201020112013201442017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Saturn Relay. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Relay · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Saturn Relay version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Relay AWD3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Relay FWD3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162319$3,550
Relay FWD3.9L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162319$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Saturn Relay → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 658 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 658 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saturn Relay

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20071238,0000—19—Not enough data
20061967,5001—19—Stable
20059142,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Saturn Relay model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Saturn Relay have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2006 Saturn Relay as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Saturn Relay is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.

Has the 2006 Saturn Relay been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Saturn Relay get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Saturn Relay (Relay FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Saturn Relay reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 12,500 and 128,500 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.