The most-reported Relay run is 5GZDV23LX5D (2005 builds) with 8 complaints, 4× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 27% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 2.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for Relay model years 2005–2007.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn Relay has 49 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 29% of every Relay complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5GZDV23LX5D•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| 5GZDV23L55D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03L95D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV23L15D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03LX5D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV23116D•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03L75D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03L65D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03L35D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV23L45D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV03L45D•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GZDV23L05D•••••• | 2005 | — | — |
Each of the other 37 Relay runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saturn Relay the gap between build years is 2.7×: a 2005 car draws 2.7 complaints per run, a 2007 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2006 | 19 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 72 | 27 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 2.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2007 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Saturn Relay owners report: Service Brakes, 36 of 99 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Saturn Relay; the 4 below cover build years 2005 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E005000 | Steering | 2005–2007 |
| 05V552000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2006 |
| 05V061000 | Seats:mid/rear Assembly | 2005 |
| 05V287000 | Parking Brake | 2005 |
The Relay against its rivals
The Relay draws 2 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Uplander 2.7, the Ford Freestar 5.5 and the Hyundai Entourage 8.6. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn Relay | 99 | 49 | 2% | |
| Chevrolet Uplander | 481 | 177 | 4.2% | |
| Ford Freestar | 2,127 | 390 | 1.2% | |
| Hyundai Entourage | 249 | 29 | 3.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 99 reports on the Saturn Relay, 2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Saturn Relay | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 99 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 66% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn Relay share of that is 99 complaints over 49 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Saturn Relay VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 99 NHTSA complaints from 49 Relay runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Relay production run has the most complaints?
5GZDV23LX5D, a 2005 build, with 8 complaints. The typical Relay run has 2.
Which Relay years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 2.7 complaints per run and 2007 lightest at 1.
Does the Relay get more complaints than the Chevrolet Uplander?
No: 2 complaints per production run for the Relay against 2.7 for the Chevrolet Uplander.
How many Relay complaints involve a crash?
2% of 99 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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