The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
52 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota RAV4 1452006 Honda CR-V 332006 Ford Escape 95
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Saturn Vue
- Airbag light / sensor21 complaintsmostly at 76,000–114,000 miles (122,000–183,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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 10,000 and 50,000 miles (17,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 52 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
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Saturn sent dealers 668 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Mg3, m86 transaxle grinding/whining noise in 3rd or 4th gear, excessive engagement or…”?
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 52 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 10K to 50K miles (17K to 80K km) on the car (41 of all 52 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
2006 Saturn Vue has been in some three times for airbag deactivation. This occurs when the passenger seat gets slightly damp and is a safety issue in florida. Gm says to not get the seat damp.
2006 Saturn Vue owner · NHTSA complaint 10231842
More owner reports
Consumer complaint deactivation of 2006 Saturn Vue air bag.
NHTSA complaint 10158385
Problems Saturn told dealers about
Saturn sent dealers 668 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Mg3, m86 transaxle grinding/whining noise in 3rd or 4th gear, excessive engagement or…
- Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body
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. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-vue/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Saturn Vue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Saturn Vue reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 93; 100 is average, lower is better). The Saturn Vue year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2006 Saturn Vue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (27%), airbags (27%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Saturn Vue have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Saturn Vue get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Saturn Vue problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 50,000 miles (17,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 52 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 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 2006 Saturn Vue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 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 2006 Saturn Vue have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Saturn Vue year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
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