The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota RAV42005 Honda CR-V 842005 Ford Escape 127
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Saturn Vue
- Transmission failure10 complaintsmostly at 50,000–77,000 miles (80,000–123,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Saturn Vue (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 48,000 miles (24,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Saturn sent dealers 537 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Remanufactured vt25e transmission quality issues”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Saturn's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 47K miles (24K to 77K km) on the car (20 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
No warning was given at all! The slave cylinder in my 2005 Saturn Vue went out while I was driving down the road. Stuck in traffic with my three old son!
2005 Saturn Vue owner · NHTSA complaint 10169418
More owner reports
2005 Saturn Vue v6 transmission failure at approximately 86,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10235597
2005 Saturn Vue developed problems with driving straight.
NHTSA complaint 10130229
Problems Saturn told dealers about
Saturn sent dealers 537 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Remanufactured vt25e transmission quality issues
- Transmission fluid leak from right hand axle seal area
- Mg3, m86 transaxle grinding/whining noise in 3rd or 4th gear, excessive engagement or…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Saturn Vue year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-vue/?y=2005" title="Saturn Vue reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/saturn-vue/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Saturn Vue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Saturn Vue reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 42; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2005 Saturn Vue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (30%), suspension (19%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Saturn Vue get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Saturn Vue problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 48,000 miles (24,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Saturn Vue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Saturn Vue cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Saturn Vue have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Saturn Vue year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Saturn Vue years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works