general problems of the 2006 Saturn VUE - part 1

The key can be removed from the vehicle while being driven. Also the ignition doesn't "click" off when vehicle is parked and key is removed causing the battery to drain. There have been several recalls for this issue but not with the 2006 year model. This is a dangerous problem and there are very limited resources to get it resolved.

Ignition gets stuck with key and locks steering wheel, now it wont shut off all the way to left and kills my battery looks like there has been many ignition issues and recalls with Saturns which this is pretty important to have working to drive and be safe esp as a female in this world . . Getting stuck or with a dead battery isnt good $300-400 at a GMC to fix this issue I feel personally this should be considered a recall fix.

Electrical system affected . Some dash panel lights not working & airbag light staying on.

Purchased 2006 Saturn Vue redline v6 3. 5 awd SUV used on February 5, 2019. Surprised days later & since to safety concern involving body control module. Without warning, leads to loss of power steering, instrument panel gauges & lights, interior & exterior lighting, dome, head and brake lights. Seems to effect all electronic systems under control of this module, uncertain of all involved. Assume this would include airbags and other safety features. Sudden and unexpected loss of power steering leads to potential loss of vehicle control at high speeds. Internet searches reveal countless encounters by owners to this same issue. During cold weather especially, initial start up of vehicle in morning or after extended (few hours) parked, leads to loss of all electrical power, 3 minutes after start up, electrical system seems possessed. All lights, interior/exterior flash for several minutes. After, check engine light on, believe code is p0685. Seems to indicate pcm. Also causes loss of power after driving for period of time. I have personally lost power steering and electrical power at 65 mph at highway speeds. No speedometer, no anything. Nearly lost control of vehicle, narrowly avoiding head on collision with cement median divider. Cannot believe there is no recall! cannot believe there has been no fix for owners without cost. What will this take? death of an owner?.

I was driving at highway speed about 60 miles per hour stepped down on accelerator a little harder in order to pass somebody and the throttle stuck wide open engine was racing car was speeding up. I tried to use the brakes but they were insufficient I shifted the car to neutral pull over and then turn the engine off when I start it again the problem was gone. I do not wish to drive this car until this is fixed.

Ignition key falls out while vehicle is running and in gear, driving down the road. Automatic transmission.

All four head lights out of nowhere just started to flash and it went from a flash to out not coming on at all and I have checked all fuses relays and lightbulbs just driving down a dry road no water at all.

While I was sitting in my car waiting for my daughter to get out of work, the car was running, when there was smoke pouring from the steering column. I immediately shut the car off and the smoke dissipated. This was 2 days ago and now my wipers do not work. My mechanic said that the air bag wires had caught fire and burned out the wipers.

Sitting in traffic at a light in drive with brakes applied not moving,1989 chevy pick up truck ,hit my back bumper,the light on my dash indicated the air bags deployed,and a light on my dash said passenger air bag is off,the air bags did not deploy. Took my car to the nearest Chevrolet dealer kendall of nampa idaho,they said code# boo92 5256 came up and they said the heating element for the passenger seat went out (no one was sitting in the passenger seat , and I never use the heated seats ) the dealer said the heated seats are connected to my air bags and my air bags can't be turned on until the heat element for the seat is repaired. I thought that a federal law was passed in the early 1990's that the air bag system was to be on it's own circuit so it can not be turned off by any other circuits? I can't believe this is true I bought this car in 2006 brand new ,and I feel the Chevrolet corporation should be responsible for the repairs. Please respond as fast as you can because I have only one car, and the guy that hit me his insurance is looking into it . Thank god I wasn't hurt or the guy that hit me,thank you for taking the time to look into this matter for me. Have a good day.

Upon initial startup, electrical systems do not work in the dash and light and power steering. After it warms up, it will begin to work. Sparks and burning smells have come from the dash area. This problem is particularly bad in cold weather. If you attempt to drive it before the electrical systems warm up and start to work the sparks are really bad and you have no power steering. This problem appears to be very common as I have seen several posts about this issue and other complaint boards. This problem has been occurring for at least a year and a half but it's particularly noticeable in the winter. . 183k miles.

Smoke coming out of steering wheel, while in motion on a city street.

The key falls out of the ignition. The key system is unsafe.

7-25-2016, I wakeup to use bathroom, then looking out to my backyard I see my lights on my Saturn Vue are on. So I quickly get my keys and try turning lights off but they wouldn't turn off, then I go outside to vehicle to turn them off but they still wouldn't go out. So my husband wakes up and comes outside and turn vehicle on and switches switch back and forward and then they go out. But what is going on with this vehicle why is this happening?.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, a puff of smoke and an abnormal odor emitted from the steering wheel without warning. In addition, the high beam indicator flashed on and off independently. The contact also stated that on another occasion, the high beam and low beam headlights operated independently and failed to shut off as the vehicle was off. The contact was able to shut off the lights by starting the vehicle and then shutting it off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,007.

When it is cold, it is very difficult to turn the key in the ignition. Its takes approx. 30-45 minutes to try and get the key to turn over. Also, once the car is on it is extremely easy for the key to come out of the ignition while the car is running. My transmission also shakes uncontrollably in the park of brake position. When going up and hills or driving on rough roads my speed decreases with out my control. My check engine light comes on at least once a month. I have had to go it checked but, was told that the problems they are mentioned are not problems at all and they can not understand why the engine light keeps coming on.

You know this is a problem but your not doing a thing about it doors are not able to open inside or out no one can get out in a collision they are stuck to die. Mostly rear where children are mine wont open from any side manually or elcronically im not alone many posting of trapped people. With the roll over rating of this SUV its a must to get those doors open to escape recall these things an make gm fix there mistake lives depend on it . The doors are stuck shut will not open no matter what you try read other post im not alone many people trapped in these suvs.

Door latch failure rear passenger door will not unlock, door stuck closed. Lock mechanism failure. This is a hazard as it makes it so children can not escape a vehicle in the event of an accident. This should be recalled just as the 2008 model has been. This appears to be a common Saturn problem as stated on the Saturn fans discussion groups.

Intermittant airbag fault indicter in instrument panal when key turned on and off. Passenger present airbag ilndicator goes back and forth intermittantly from on to off again on ignition turning on and off. .

I was driving down the highway at about 60mph when my instrument cluster and radio/dash lights went out. I felt the car stall and lose power steering. I was able to exit the highway and stop on an off ramp. I then smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood but could not find exactly where the smoke was coming from. I had the vehicle towed and then discovered in the morning that the electrical wires under the fuse box caught fire. The fuse box was damaged pretty severely and the car is inoperable.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 55 mph, the seat belt and air bag warning lights illuminated. In addition, the passenger side air bag was not activated when the seat was occupied. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Have been able to remove key when not in off position for years. Frightening tht this could happen also while driving. Also have had some scary incidents where the key would be stuck in the ignition. It took a lot of pulling and tugging and sweat to get it out. Why hasn't this been recalled for 2006 Vue's??!! this is extremely dangerous.

Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact is experiencing same failures as mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system). The contact stated that she removed her key from the igniton when the ignition was not in the "off" position. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000. Mc.

Car was parked in parking lot after half an hour. Dash ignited in flames.

Passenger seat sensor defective. Indicator light says air bag is off even when occupied by an adult. When seat-belt is unbuckled, does not indicate passenger is unbuckled as programmed. Able to clear problem by unbuckling, raising up out of seat, forcibly sitting down, and re-buckling.

I have been having trouble with the key sticking in the ignition and not clearing the system when I take it out. The system still dings when the key is out of the ignition. Twice on July 3rd, the ignition locked up totally. The first time I was able to wiggle the key after 30 minutes of trying and start it. I took it to a dealer where they made me a new key. Three hours later the ignition locked up again. Waited 3. 5 hours for a tow truck, continuing to wiggle the key with no luck. Mechanic got it to turn but towed it to get it fixed. . . 29 other complaints on this site of the same thing. . How many have had this happen without reporting it??? time to check it out and get a recall!!! I have also had issues with doors closing and converter torque, not repaired under recall as dealer stated they could not duplicate the issue,.

There is a recall on this vehicle, 2006 Saturn Vue for 2014 and I was told this can no longer be fixed. It is a recal number 14506 and I need to know where I can get this repaired. I can remove my key while the ignition is still running.

I would like to file a complaint about my 2006 Saturn Vue. There have been many instances when the air bag warning lights have illuminated on my dashboard, especially the last 2 months. This warning light appears intermittently and I also lost the illumination of my dashboard one evening. After taking the car to my mechanic, he believes that air bag light is triggered when the seat is moved to another position. He also informed me that when the air bag light is on the air bags would not deploy due to a malfunction with the system. As someone who drives primarily on the freeway at higher speeds, this is very frightening to me! after researching this today, I cannot believe how many other 2006 Saturn Vue owners have this very same complaint! why has there not been a recall for this very serious safety issue on this vehicle?.

Able to take key out of the ignition while driving. Bells go off opposite of what they should; when key is out after car is parked the alarm rings when door is opened. Passenger airbag reads off always. Passenger rear door will not close unless using extreme forse.

Hitting 2 deer going 60 miles an hour and the passenger air bag never opened. The red light for passenger airbag has been on since we purchased the vehicle. We also have problems with electrical being the dashboard lights always flicker and the left side lights and blinker do the same. We also have had problems with the ignition being the key will not turn over, we have to be very patient and after quite sometime it will finally work after you remove the key several times and try try again. We have had to have breaks done numerous times at least twice a year. I sure do not understand why this vehicle was not on the recall list.

Noticed radio screen was not fully illuminated & my seat belt warning 'chime' stopped working when belt was unfastened. Had this problem w/ another vehicle (1999 Acura integra) & it resulted in replacing the ignition cylinder. As a result, I started jiggling the Saturn key to see if there was improper/ inadequate circuit closure. When I jiggled the key, it was loose and came out, but the car remained running! since then I have experienced several similar incidents and the radio display still does not display fully across the screen and the seat belt chime still doesn't work. (approximately may 2013) I started having difficulties getting key to turn in ignition enabling the vehicle to start. I went to gm dealer to get a new key in case that might rectify the problem - it did not. Recently (August 2014) asked a non-gm mechanic about key turning difficulties. He indicated 'tumblers' gets 'sticky' & prevents key from turning & that it would get worse until I replaced ignition lock cylinder. I checked on-line for recalls, as so many gm vehicles were having problems with their ignitions and safety equipment. The 2006 Saturn Vue wasn't on the list. I went to local gm dealer (Buick/ GMC dealer in naperville, IL) in September 2014 & they confirmed the 2006 Vue was not covered under a recall. I went ahead and provided my VIN #, proof of ownership (title and drivers license) and they quoted a price of $90 for the ignition cylinder, $60. To obtain and use the gm code to program the new ignition lock cylinder, & this did not include a new key! they did they work & even included a key @ no additional cost. Now I am attempting replacement of ignition lock cylinder, but it requires key to be turned to the accessory position to remove the cylinder. I can't get key to turn, so can't replace cylinder and the car is not operable. I believe 2006 Saturn Vue should be recalled too.

The air bag light on the dash came on and went off for several weeks and when this would happen, the air bag stated it was not on even when someone was sitting in the front passenger seat. I took it the gm dealer in my area and was told that the air bag sensor and passenger side heater switch needed to be replaced. After researching this particular problem online, I found several reports on various websites of this exact problem occurring in this same make/model of vehicle regarding the air bag sensor/seat heater sensor. When the dealer was asked about this concern/repair, we were told it was not a common occurrence, even though online reports stated differently. My question is that since this seems to be a repetitive problem of the exact same nature with this vehicle make/model and year, why did gm not submit a recall for this serious safety concern regarding the air bag issue? . . Updated 04/25/13.

Airbag warning light says non-functional on both sides but intermittent. 69 of 129 problems reported with 2006 Saturn Vue are airbag or electrical and many talk about this problem which may relate to heater in passenger seat. This passenger seat heater does not function in my vehicle. Serious safety issue if bags are non-functional. Why no recall.

Passenger side seat triggers the airbag light to come on. Does this mean that the airbags no longer work?.

I came to a complete stop at an intersection. When the light turned green my car wouldn't move. I had to coast across the intersection and have strangers push my car into the gas station. I called for a tow truck company to take my car to the closest dealer and then I realized I could drive in reverse but not forward. The dealership told me my oil pipe broke, which I was told feeds oil to my engine. I can't understand how a vehicle only 6 years old with virtually no underbody rust could have a pipe break without anything hitting it. The dealership told me that with temperatures fluctuating the metal expands and contracts. But wouldn't other parts have issues as well?.

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the key was stuck inside the ignition. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14v490000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.