Repeated problems with ABS & t/c warning lights, brakes seized up was unable to move van had it towed to a shop, t/c engages without any adverse weather or road conditions. I have spent over $2000 trying to repair the problems. Brake pads wear down quickly, replace brake pads twice a year since having the vehicle.
2005 Saturn Relay: ABS light or ABS activating
32 of the 91 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 35%
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 8 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
- 20071
- 20063
- 200532
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn relay. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ABS hub sensor was replaced. In addition, the brakes pulsated when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred after the repair was performed and the computerized system was updated. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Abs system acting up , occurring off and on service brakes hydraulic problem . Happens everyday since I've owned it. Also previous owner had same problem.
After having my brakes replaced, the ABS light continues to come on. The light will go off for awhile, but every time I apply the brakes it will come back on for days. I am also having issues with my brake lights, turn signals, and headlights. They keep going in and out. Sometimes the passenger side door will not open or close correctly, I check to make sure nothing is in the way but still have the problem.
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 taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised that the driver's side wheel hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the brake failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
While driving on freeway, saturn relay 2005 slowed down and lost power intermittently. Dash warning lights flashed on and off (ABS/stability/traction) - warning lights. The vehicle had no power on and off. When I applied the gas, the vehicle bogged down and continued to slow. Then all of a sudden, the vehicle accelerated when I depressed the gas pedal. I could not move over to the berm due to heavy traffic so I attempted to exit at an upcoming exit ramp. When I applied the brakes nothing happened the first few times. Then the brakes worked so I was able to slow down eventually. The brakes were pulsating when I would depress the brake pedal and intermittently, nothing would happen.
Abs warning light appears intermittently even after brakes were replaced. Seems to be electrical issue as opening the door doesn't always turn on light or turn off radio. Drained battery. Now I have to pull fuse. Steering wheel radio controls have never worked properly often performing opposite functions.
Abs system warning light comes on intermittently. Abs system shuts down while light is on. Ebcm was replaced by gm dealer, but problem persists.
12/19/2011 wife was driving car on 4 lane highway when brakes engaged for no reason. Foot was not even on the pedal. Van lurched, tires squealed, drastically reduced speed down to 20 MPH, and car pulled to the right. She pulled off onto shoulder of road. T/c light came on. Van drove normally after that until 1/5/12 when it happened again. This time it happened at a lower speed, while slowing to turn left through an intersection. Made car skid and she almost missed the turn. It happened again on 1/6/11 while turning into a parking lot. Same symptoms, this time car pulled to left. I inspected vehicle to find that right rear brake caliper was leaking brake fluid. Thought that would solve problem, however, it was an unrelated issue. Happened 5 times on 1/10/11, once again on 1/11/11 at 60 MPH, and on 1/12/11 at a lower speed. Diagnosis by a gm certified mechanic determined the problem to be the ebcm. Currently the fuse has been removed from the ABS and ABS pump to prevent this very dangerous condition from happening again. Switch in car to deactivate traction control was not stopping it from malfunctioning. My wife and kids use this car, and I was very worried about their safety, and I had to consult 3-4 different mechanics to brainstorm and figure out what was causing this problem.
When the ABS and traction control sensor lights came on , it felt like the car wasn't slowing down much, at 35 MPH. It was scary. I know of other people that had this same problem, there should be a recall on this. I was told is the ebcm module.
2005 saturn relay 3: replaced ABS sensor in wheel hubs 5 times because of awd being disabled due to ABS light coming on. Code indicated bad sensor when the problem was really the ebcm. I have seen numerous complaints from other saturn relay owners of the same problem. I don't understand why a recall has not been issued.
I bought my 2005 relay brand new from the saturn dealer. About 1 year later the ABS light went on and I had it serviced under warranty. 1 month later ABS light again. The hub was replaced and this fixed the problem for several months. Abs light again. This time the dealer replaced the sensor. One month later replaced the sensor again. I started having some shaking when braking then the ABS light appeared again. I took the car to a private mechanic instead of the dealer thinking that maybe the dealer mechanics were short-cutting on repairs. The private mechanic was not able to remedy the problem. The ABS light still comes on all the time. The 2005 saturn relay needs a recall!
Service bulletins that may apply
- This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
- This informational bulletin provides information for Disc Brake Warranty Service and Procedures.
- Service brakes
- Various ABS dtc's and intermittent concerns
- Pulsation/vibration when applying brakes (repair rotor variation and install new front brake shields) nj
- Rear disc brake drag or continuing to hold
Related recalls
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 05V287000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2005 Saturn Relay abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2005 Saturn Relay?
32 of 91 owner complaints about the 2005 Saturn Relay (35%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the 2005 Saturn Relay?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Saturn Relay?
There is 1 recall and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 Saturn Relay
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Saturn Relay?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history