Skip to content
Saturn VueModel year report

2006 Saturn Vue Problems

Complaints
300filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
75,000miles, 236 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

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

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Saturn Vue most often describe electrical glitches and air bag warning lights, usually showing up between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles. Ignition key and lock problems are reported frequently, sometimes in cold weather, and some owners link door lock and lighting oddities to the same area. Steering, transmission and door latch complaints appear as well, mostly on higher-mileage vehicles.

  1. Air bags

    Air bag or passenger air bag warning light stays on

    • 78 complaints (26%)
    • median 83,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (60 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $953 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2025

    Owners report the air bag warning light or the passenger air bag indicator staying lit, or switching on and off on its own, including when a passenger is seated. Several say a dealer identified the air bag sensor, passenger seat heater module or an impact sensor as the cause, and a few report repairs quoted at around a thousand dollars or more. Complaints also describe air bags not deploying in a collision. Spread from about 15,000 to 155,000 miles, with many reports between 70,000 and 135,000 miles.

    What to check: Turn the key to on and check that the air bag light goes out after the bulb check and that the passenger indicator reads correctly with someone in the seat; ask for any stored air bag codes and whether the seat heater or sensor module has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Air bag light keeps coming on intermittently and when check it showed the third row left side impact sensor. This is the second time that I have had issues with the air bag system. I just want to know why a recall hasn't been issued if this is common with all Saturn?s. This is putting my family and me at risk. Gm needs to step up and fix this issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #10460098, filed 2012-05, 105,325 miles

    “I started my car and as usual the airbag light flashed like it always does. However, the airbag light remained lit up, but the passenger airbag light never lit up as being on even though there was a passenger in the seat. I read up on the matter and saw that a lot of Saturn VUE's have had this problem and that it could be electrical and very costly. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10649546, filed 2014-10, 113,500 miles
  2. Electrical system

    Ignition key hard to turn or key comes out while running

    • 79 complaints (26%)
    • median 79,200 mi at 7.5 yrs old (61 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2023

    Complaints describe the key being difficult or impossible to turn, sometimes requiring repeated jiggling or reinsertion of the key, and in some cases the key can be pulled out while the engine is running or before the switch reaches the off position. Some owners say the steering wheel must be shaken to free the lock, and a few report the vehicle shutting off while driving. Owners describe being told the ignition lock or casing was at fault, and some note a wiring issue found instead. Reported from very low mileage up to about 185,000 miles, with several owners noting the key was hardest to turn in cold weather.

    What to check: Try the ignition cold and warm, confirm the key turns freely and cannot be removed with the engine running, and ask whether the ignition switch or lock cylinder has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I thought I received a recall notice about the ignition switch. When I'm driving along, it's possible to pull the key out of the ignition, and that shouldn't happen! When stopped, the key can also be pulled completely out before the ignition switch has come to the off position. It is very hard to then get the key back in.”

    NHTSA complaint #10971893, filed 2017-04, 120,000 miles

    “There is a recall on this vehicle, 2006 Saturn VUE for 2014 and I was told this can no longer be fixed. It is a recal number 14506 and I need to know where I can get this repaired. I can remove my key while the ignition is still running.”

    NHTSA complaint #11205995, filed 2019-05, 170,000 miles
  3. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shudder, slipping or shifter problems

    • 24 complaints (8%)
    • median 85,630 mi at 6.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
    • filed 2008–2024

    Complaints describe shuddering and slipping, RPMs rising while speed drops, and in one case violent shuddering before the vehicle left the road, with a mechanic diagnosing the torque converter. Manual-transmission owners report the shifter separating from the transmission or the linkage falling apart, sometimes leaving the vehicle stuck in gear. Some owners say dealers replaced clips or cables or could not diagnose the concern. Reported from around 20,000 up to about 170,000 miles, with several reports between 60,000 and 120,000 miles.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and under light acceleration to feel for shudder or slipping, check transmission fluid condition and service history, and on a manual car work the shifter through all gears.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My wife's 2006 Saturn VUE has a transmission defect that is not in the newer models. You can shift into gear without your foot on brake while the key is in acc. I told Saturn and then said GM said that is the way it is designed to work. They did change it on the new models and every other car you must put your foot on before shifting. I had it back for it and they said nothing could be done. Can you help me with this.”

    NHTSA complaint #10262908, filed 2009-03, 15,000 miles

    “When it is cold, it is very difficult to turn the key in the ignition. Its takes approx. 30-45 minutes to try and get the key to turn over. Also, once the car is on it is extremely easy for the key to come out of the ignition while the car is running. My transmission also shakes uncontrollably in the park of brake position. When going up and hills or driving on rough roads my speed decreases with out my control. My check engine light comes on at least once a month. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10821140, filed 2016-01, 185,000 miles
  4. Steering

    Power steering loss or steering and electrical cutouts

    • 36 complaints (12%)
    • median 80,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (24 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2022

    Owners report sudden loss of power steering at various speeds, and in some cases the steering wheel locking or the engine cutting off while turning. Several complaints tie this to the ignition switch or to the battery and charging system, with lights and radio dropping out at startup and the power steering going away for a few minutes. Owners describe intermittent behavior that was difficult for shops to reproduce. Mostly reported from about 87,000 miles upward, with a few at very low mileage; several owners mention cold-start conditions.

    What to check: Ask about any prior ignition switch, battery or alternator work, and test-drive with the steering turned at low speed to feel for assist dropouts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 1998 sc2 and a 2006 Saturn VUE. I have been having problems with the ignition locking, I.e. You put the key in the ignition, attempt to start the vehicle and the key won't turn. This had been happening on my 98 for several years and it's always been resolved by jiggling the steering wheel, which then loosened the key, so I always thought it was due to the key or lock wearing down . About 2 months ago the same issue started occurring with my 2006 Saturn VUE. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10234735, filed 2008-07, 26,000 miles

    “On the first start of the day, at or below 24 degrees f, the interior items flash on and off until the electrical system warmed up. I also learned that if the ignition was on for about 3 minutes it was the same as if it was running. I live in nashville and for the last 3 years it only occurred when the outside temp was 24 degrees or below. The flashing on and off of the lights and equipment is the body control module protecting them when the charge rate is too high. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11013448, filed 2017-08, 108,000 miles
  5. Latches, locks and linkages

    Doors will not open, close or latch

    • 21 complaints (7%)
    • median 90,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2019

    Complaints describe doors that will not open from either side, a driver door that will not latch closed, and rear door locks that fail to lock or unlatch. One owner reports a rear door opening while driving with a passenger aboard, and another says several latches failed within a short period and required replacement. Owners describe body shops or dealers being contacted for the repair. Reported between about 74,000 and 142,000 miles, with one owner noting three latch failures within six months.

    What to check: Open and close every door several times from inside and outside, lock and unlock them, and check that each latch holds firmly when shut.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have an '06 VUE. Both of the back doors will not open from the inside or the outside. The factory was no help. I am in the shreveport area and was very disappointed that they would not help me. They were not even sure if they could fix the problem. Recall needs to be done. Had to take my vehicle to a body shop to have it serviced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10358475, filed 2010-09, 120,000 miles

    “Within 6 months 3 of the four door latches on the vehicle have failed and would no longer latch. In the first two cases no problem other than the door latch mechanically failing has been found and the latch has had to be replaced. The third latch is intermittently failing and needs to be replaced. Given that they are all mechanical failings of a critical safety component and I can think of no easily explainable reason other than design I thought I should report it as a concern.”

    NHTSA complaint #10575979, filed 2014-03, 123,000 miles

Buying note. A mechanical inspection is worth the cost on this model year: have a shop check the ignition lock, air bag system codes, door latches and transmission behavior. Ask for service records covering the ignition switch, battery and alternator, since several complaints describe electrical cutouts and hard starting.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 300 consumer complaints for the 2006 Saturn Vue. 236 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 18 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 667 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Suspension (13), Fuel system (12), Vehicle speed control (9), Engine (7), Engine cooling (7), Seat belts (7), Electronic stability control (6), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (6), Wheels (6), Tires (4), Equipment (3).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “While I was sitting in my car waiting for my daughter to get out of work, the car was running, when there was smoke pouring from the steering column. I immediately shut the car off and the smoke dissipated. This was 2 days ago and now my wipers do not work. My mechanic said that the air bag wires had caught fire and burned out the wipers.”

NHTSA complaint #10980062, filed 2017-04, 140,000 miles

Air bags: “Tried to have the car inspected and they told me it wouldn't pass inspection because of my airbag light on . They did a diagnostic and it said my passenger seat would need to be replaced or get the sensor for the part. Unfortunately the don't make the pieces for the car anymore . You have to go to a junk yard , but even they haven't had any any of the pieces.”

NHTSA complaint #11118607, filed 2018-08, 125,000 miles

Steering: “When I try to start my vehicle I cannot turn the key in the ignition...I have to push up the gear shifter and then keep turning the steering wheel until the key can turn. I thought there was a recall for this but cannot find the information updated 11/06/2017”

NHTSA complaint #10731611, filed 2015-07, 98,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle: 2006 Saturn VUE manual transmission. Twice in the last 4 months the manual transmission has failed catastrophically while driving on the highway. In both instances the shifter separated from the transmission and the vehicle was stuck in gear. The second occurrence was on an I-95. The Saturn dealership replaced and end clip the first time and the shifter cable the second time. They are telling me that the occurrences are unrelated - different parts and balking at fixing the defect without me paying for it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10347599, filed 2010-08, 74,999 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 236 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,200 and 106,200 miles.

6%0–106%10–2517%25–5019%50–7518%75–10028%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (236 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’10’1385’16’19’22’25
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 Vue. 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
Vue · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——3 · 20.9% risk

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 Vue 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
Vue AWD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$3,550
Vue FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual202723$2,900
Vue FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192521$3,200
Vue FWD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182520$3,350

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2006 Saturn Vue in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 667 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 667 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saturn Vue

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010633,9380—19—Not enough data
200911880,0002—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200840675,3373—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200728675,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200630075,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200517075,6740—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200427678,4562—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200362270,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200216770,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Saturn Vue model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Saturn Vue?

Owners of the 2006 Saturn Vue most often describe electrical glitches and air bag warning lights, usually showing up between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles. The issues reported most often: Air bag or passenger air bag warning light stays on; Ignition key hard to turn or key comes out while running; Transmission shudder, slipping or shifter problems.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Saturn Vue have?

NHTSA recorded 300 consumer complaints for the 2006 Saturn Vue as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Electrical system is named most often, in 103 complaints (34% of the total), followed by air bags with 93.

Has the 2006 Saturn Vue been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Saturn Vue get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Saturn Vue (Vue FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 236 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,200 and 106,200 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.