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2006 Saturn Vue Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Saturn Vue has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Ignition key removal and stuck ignition switch.” GM wound Saturn down in 2009, so parts now come through the GM catalog rather than a Saturn dealer. Which Saturn you own changes the maintenance picture completely. The S-series cars, meaning the SL, SC, and SW, use a 1.9 liter four with a timing chain, and the twin-cam version is known to burn oil as it ages, so checking the dipstick between changes matters more than the interval does. The L-series and Astra are Opel designs and want European-spec parts. The later Vue, Ion, Aura, Outlook, and Sky are mainstream GM under the badge. One item deserves a direct warning: 2002 to 2005 Vue models fitted with the VTi continuously variable transmission had a poor reliability record, and GM stopped building it. If you are buying one, confirm which transmission it has first.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Saturn Vue.

Reported to NHTSA

Ignition key removal and stuck ignition switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

59 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2023-01

“SINCE I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE VEHICLES IS: RUNNING, STATIONARY OR DRIVING, IN-GEAR OR NOT. I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THIS AS A UNIQUE FEATURE (IT'S BEEN SURPRISINGLY HELPFUL!)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11161373
“MY KEY REGULARLY FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE SAME MODELS THAT CHEVY MANUFACTURED HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE VUE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10654471
“THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO START THE THE CAR. YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE IT AND APPLY THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TORQUE TO GET IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10608651

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door latch failure preventing doors from closing

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

22 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2018-11

“THE DOOR LATCHES ARE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE. WE HAVE HAD TO TIE THE BACK DOORS CLOSED WITH ROPE TO PREVENT THEM FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680756
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575979
“WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WERE ALL PROPERLY WORKING AND OPENING AND CLOSING JUST FINE. ONE DAY MY PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED OPENING I HAVE 2 KIDS AND IN CASE OF A EMERGENCY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10758852

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake master cylinder and front brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2019-02

“ON MY 2006 SATURN VUE I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT BREAKING SYSTEM. PLUS THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE BREAKING SYSTEM WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11181006
“THIS HAPPEN ON 2 DIFFERENT DATE. THE FIRST THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 39,111 MILES ON VEHICLE ON 8/14/2018”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11174589
“I WAS BACKING UP MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR ALMOST EMPTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621536

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Throttle sticking during acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2016-01

“DRIVING TO WORK AND I WENT TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, THE THROTTLE STUCK DOWN IN THE PROCESS MAKING THE ENGINE REV AND RPM TACH UP TO OVER 8K,, SHIFTING DOWN WAS NO HELP, NEUTRAL WAS NO HELP, NOR WAS BRAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563605
“ONCE AGAIN ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE THROTTLE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION AND WAS NOT RELEASING UNTIL THE TACHOMETER WAS UP ABOVE 8K”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563607
“I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A STREET WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE RPMS SHOT UP LIKE THE ACCELERATOR HAD STUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692289

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss with electrical system malfunction

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2022-04

“WHEN YOU TRY TO START THE CAR WHEN IT'S COLD, ALL OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, RADIO COMES ON, AND THEN THE LIGHTS AND RADIO GO OFF AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816494
“WITHOUT WARNING, LEADS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES & LIGHTS, INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTING, DOME, HEAD AND BRAKE LIGHTS. SEEMS TO EFFECT ALL ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS UNDER CONTROL OF THIS MODULE, UNCERTAIN OF ALL INVOLVED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191518
“UPON INITIAL STARTUP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DO NOT WORK IN THE DASH AND LIGHT AND POWER STEERING. AFTER IT WARMS UP, IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK. SPARKS AND BURNING SMELLS HAVE COME FROM THE DASH AREA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10943829

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and passenger sensor illumination

AIR BAGS

60 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2025-12

“MY 2006 SATURN VUE AIRBAG SYSTEMS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THEN WILL GO OFF. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS WITH NO ACCIDENT IN CAR HISTORY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10881459
“IN MAY 2014, MY 2006 SATURN VUE AWD'S PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED TO INDICATE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT INDICATOR, SIGNALED OFF, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10595481
“THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND WILL STAY ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE STATIONARY, ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104242

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Models from about 2003 on use the GM Oil Life System. Change when it asks and at least once a year. On S-series cars with the twin-cam 1.9, check the level every other fuel stop. Oil consumption on a worn one can empty the sump well before the next service is due.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the sidewall date codes too. On cars this age, tires usually time out before they wear out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on S-series cars and rear calipers on the Vue and Ion both stick on vehicles that sit for long stretches.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. This is the single cheapest thing you can do to keep an aging ABS pump and calipers alive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Drain and fill every 45,000 miles. Fluid depends on the car: Dexron VI for most conventional automatics, a specific CVT fluid for 2002 to 2005 Vue models with the VTi, and Saturn-spec manual gear oil for the S-series manuals. Confirm the spec before anyone pours anything in.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

100,000 miles on platinum or iridium plugs. On the S-series 1.9 and the Ecotec fours, replace the coil pack boots at the same time. Brittle boots misfire and mimic a failing coil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

Replace the belt and the tensioner as a set once either one is cracked, glazed, or noisy. A tired tensioner will destroy a new belt.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. Easy access on the S-series and the Ecotec engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Every 5 years on a car this old. Most Saturns use orange Dex-Cool, which must never be mixed with green coolant. Ask the shop to check for seepage at the water pump and the intake gasket while the system is open.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Power Steering Check

Every 50,000 mi

Most of the lineup uses conventional hydraulic steering, so check the fluid level and the hoses. The Ion and some Vue models use an electric power steering unit instead, which has no fluid but was the subject of GM recall activity. Worth confirming yours was addressed.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$185–$220

Shop

~$130–$155

DIY

~$15–$40

Most cars built after ~2012 use electric power steering and have no fluid to service.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. A weak battery on this generation of GM electronics produces warning lights that look like much more expensive problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

148 crashes 1990–2024

How the 148 occupant deaths break down

108

driver deaths

40

passenger deaths

148

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Saturn Vue reflects Saturn's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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