Selling a dead or junk Saturn Relay

A Relay that won't start, won't shift or isn't worth another repair can be sold as it is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The Relay in short

Wikipedia says GM built the Relay at Doraville Assembly in Georgia from June 20, 2004 to November 17, 2006, on the U-body/GMT201 platform. It replaced the Oldsmobile Silhouette and came with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. There were three V6s: a 3.5-liter LX9, a 3.9-liter LZ9 and a 3.9-liter LGD that also runs on E85, all with the 4-speed 4T65-E automatic.

In IIHS crash tests it scored three "Good" ratings and two "Acceptable." Saturn dropped it after the 2007 model year for the Outlook, an 8-passenger crossover. The Doraville plant closed in September 2008.

Complaints and recalls, by model year

From NHTSA's complaint file, October 10, 2026. No complaint reports a death. Of the three years, the 2007 Relay has had the shortest stretch for owners to file, so weigh that when reading the drop.

Owner complaints, year by year

2005: brakes, wiring and the body

Of the Relay's 22 hydraulic brake complaints, 20 are on the 2005. So are 18 of its 21 electrical complaints and 10 of its 15 that name the structure.

The 2005 has two recalls. Recall 05V287000 is about the parking brake: the record cites the federal brake standard, which requires a parked vehicle to hold for five minutes, and dealers inspect for lever slippage at each rear caliper and replace the caliper if it slips. The record describes the vehicles as "certain sport utility vehicles," so its 14,600-vehicle count covers more than the Relay.

Recall 05V061000 covers the second-row bucket seats. GM found in its own side impact test that the outboard release handle on the seat nearest the impact can be tripped, letting the rear latches let go early. Dealers remove the handle and cap the bare metal stud. The record says "certain minivans," and lists 18,850 vehicles for the campaign; other GM vans may be part of that figure.

2006-2007: far fewer complaints

The 2006 has 19 complaints, with latches, locks and linkages (3) and the power train (3) at the top. Its one recall, 05V552000, is a paperwork fix: tire and loading information labels that didn't meet the federal standard, replaced with corrected labels. The record describes trucks and SUVs, so its 32,068-vehicle count is not Relays alone.

The 2007 has 12 complaints and no recalls. Latches, locks and linkages are named 10 times across all three years.

Should you fix it?

1. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall search; it shows if the parking brake or seat handle work is still open.
2. Brakes: the most named component across the Relay. See bad or seized brakes.
3. Electrical faults: second, with 21 complaints. See electrical problems.
4. Automatic slipping or gone? See bad transmission for how to weigh a rebuild.
5. Set the quote against what the van is worth running. If one comes near the other, selling makes more sense.

Selling your Relay whole

1. Write down the VIN, the mileage, FWD or AWD, what's wrong and whether it rolls.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where the van sits: driveway, street, back lot or repair shop. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Take out your things, not its parts. Leave the seats and wheels where they are; flag anything that's been pulled.
5. Hand over the title, with your photo ID, when the truck comes. Plates and insurance come next; after you sell covers both.

Other Saturns: the Outlook that replaced it, the Vue, and every Saturn model.