2005 Saturn Vue: steering wheel locks up

5 of the 170 complaints about the 2005 Saturn Vue describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2009
4
2008
12
2007
6
2006
1
2005
5
2004
1
2003
1
2002
3

What owners say

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical · 116,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition key fell out of the ignition switch and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the key failed to fit back in the ignition switch. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the parts were discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2018 · Steering · 59,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn vue. While reversing the vehicle, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (south pointe chevrolet, 9146 s. Memorial drive, tulsa ok, 74133) stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · VA

My 2005 saturn vue has had problems for years with the steering wheel locking after parking and turning it off, such that it takes quite a bit of "jiggling" of the wheel in order to enable the key to turn in the ignition column. Additionally, the key is able to be removed while on. I had not thought to see if it was recalled, but was told that my father's 2003 saturn vue did have the steering/ignition column recalled and replaced for exactly the same issues as I am experiencing.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Steering · PA

I was unable to unlock steering to get my key in. Steering locked up. This has happened 3 or 4 times starting when the SUV was only a year old. Also my key just comes out while saturn is still running, this started happening in 2009. I thought it was the key. I traded keys with my husband. He had the spare. But it is still happening. I can pull my key out and it keeps running. This saturn vue 2005 should be in the recall. I have young children that ride with me. What are we waiting for a injury or fatality?

Filed Sep 4, 2014 · Steering · 102,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saturn vue. The contact stated while traveling approximately 20 MPH attempting to avoid crashing into another vehicle, the contact had to apply force to the brakes and the steering wheel locked. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle crashing into a metal ground wire which flipped the vehicle over. A police report was filed no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a body repair shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact made aware that the vehicle was not included in recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v470000 (steering) and the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v616000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.