VehicleVerdict

2005 Saturn Relay brakes problems

The 2005 Saturn Relay has 42 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 31% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

42

Brakes complaints

31%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Relay brakes complaints by model year42 complaints2005: 42 complaints2006: 5 complaints2007: 2 complaints
Relay brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V287000BrakesJune 20, 2005 · 14,600 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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 1-800-972-8876.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN RELAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 15, 2013 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2005 Saturn Relay have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay brakes — 31% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Saturn Relay brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 05V287000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.