Model year guide

2005 Saturn Relay

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Saturn Relay is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 39 on record.

2005 Saturn Relay — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Saturn Relay at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints91
Combined17–18 mpg
Typical price$2,060

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2005 Saturn Relay recalls 3

Seats:mid/rear Assembly NHTSA Campaign #05V061000 · 18/02/2005

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE IMPACT TEST.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND PONTIAC AT 1-8…

Steering NHTSA Campaign #09E005000 · 17/02/2009

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Parking Brake NHTSA Campaign #05V287000 · 20/06/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-9…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2005 Saturn Relay common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2005 Saturn Relay safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Saturn Relay (Later Release). Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Saturn Relay MPG & running costs

Combined17–18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,825

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2005 Saturn Relay worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,060
High
$3,400

From 39 comparable 2005 Saturn Relay listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Saturn Relay costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,125
Fuel only$19,125
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Saturn Relay trims & engines on record

Trims
2 · 3
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl

2005 Saturn Relay vehicles on record

2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L45D164178 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L95D199380 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L25D199085 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L35D225052 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L05D176151 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L15D216958 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L95D243801 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L85D284548 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L95D186824 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23LX5D266631 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L65D183164 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L25D173943 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L35D234902 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L35D185913 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L05D160964 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L85D178435 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L35D157190 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDX23L85D242502 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L55D178607 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L45D208191 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L65D228589 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03L75D174686 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 35GZDV23L85D240562 2005 Saturn Relay 2005 Saturn Relay 25GZDV03LX5D155923

Other Saturn Relay model years

2007 2006

2005 Saturn Relay — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Saturn Relay have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Saturn Relay. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saturn Relay?

Across all 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system.

What is the 2005 Saturn Relay safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 Saturn Relay crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Saturn Relay get?

The 2005 Saturn Relay has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2005 Saturn Relay worth?

Comparable 2005 Saturn Relay listings run roughly $1,000–$3,400, typically around $2,060 (from 39 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.