2006 Saturn Relay Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 21%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,950miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Saturn Relay, 21% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,950 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.
“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“Noted that driving lights flashed with wipers on delay setting. At next use, low oil pressure light & warning sounded but lights did not flash with delay wipers. Turning off engine and pulling hood latch & closing hood ended low pressure warning (oil pressure/ level were correct-false alarm). 2 days later, lights again flashed with wipers on delay but no oil pressure warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568780, filed 2014-03, 128,500 miles“After starting vehicle, with foot on brake, gear selection lever would not move from park and parking brake would not disengage as result. Shut down engine, restarted with same result. After several more attempts to move the shift lever, it finally released from park but had difficulty moving directly into reverse gear - it had to be rowed thru all gears to settle to reverse, and the transmission did not seem to engage in reverse initially. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568801, filed 2014-03, 128,800 miles“Awd disabled when needed in snow. It seems to be caused by icy slush. I confirmed with the dealer that the hub assembly's awd sensor can get covered up with mud or slush and the awd system will disable. Any awd system that gets disabled by slush is ludicrously designed, and borderline negligent with regards to safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10295177, filed 2009-12, 139,000 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…
- 10183782Oct 23, 2020The intent of this technical bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Saturn Relay
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Saturn Relay
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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