2004 Saturn VUE

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE WITH 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER TELLS ME ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL UNLESS THEY FEEL ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. WELL I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED. MY RPM'S REVVED REALLY HIGH BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ANYMORE. I WAS ALMOST HIT 3 TIMES TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAD 2 TODDLERS INT HE BACK SEAT! I WOULD SAY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

• 12/28/2011· POWER TRAIN

  STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR SATURN. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE FOR ME. I THEN CALLED GM AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE TRANS COST OR GIVE ME 5000 FOR NEW GM VEHICLE. THAT'S NOT AN OPTION CAUSE THIS CAR IS PAID OFF AND DON'T WANT CAR PAYMENTS AT THIS TIME. MY ISSUE IS IF SATURN OR GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHY AREN'T THEY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS SOLVED AND GET A NEW TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78*** MILES ON IT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE WORRYING ABOUT THIS SO SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. *TR

• 12/27/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  I HAVE UNFORTUNATELY OWNED MY SATURN 2004 VUE FOR 2 YEARS. THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF HAVING IT, AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE MY 2003 VUE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAD WAS IN THE SHOP THE FIRST 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE POWER ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND I WOULD LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR. THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. THEN THE BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE GAS MILEAGE IS HORRIBLE AND THE WHOLE GAS TANK AND ODOMETER HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD FEEL THE CAR UP WITH GAS AND THE ODOMETER WOULD GO TO FULL AND MOVE BACK UP TO HALF FULL. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THROTTLE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS AGAIN. HAVE HAD THE REAL DISPLEASURE OF WORKING WITH A VERY RUDE LADY AT SATURN BY THE NAME OF MARCIA WHO CLEARLY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ONES SAFETY IN THEIR VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO SATURN THE NEWER VEHICLES HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS FIXED. HOWEVER, I MUST SAY HAVING BEEN A SATURN OWNER FOR 12 YEARS NOW MY FAITH IN THEIR PRODUCT IS GONE. *JB

• 12/27/2004· SUSPENSIONCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND SWITCHING LANES REAR WHEEL TURNED INWARD, CAUSING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

• 12/26/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN NOT IN THE LOCK POSITION. CAN BE REMOVED WHEN IN ANY POSITION. CAN BE REMOVED WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. *TR

• 12/26/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TO START WITH IT STARTED SHUTTERING WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT IN THE LOWER GEARS . AS TIME WENT ON IT GOT WHERE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST AND SECOND GEAR . HOWEVER ONE MORNING I WAS ON MY WAY TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT ,I STOPPED FILLED UP WITH GAS AND GET SOME COFFEE AND AS I RETURNED FOR MY DESTINATION I PULLED OUT OF THE STORE AND WAS WAITING ON IT TO SHIFT AND SOMETHING POPPED AND I HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT LOST ALL POWER .I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO TRANSMISSIONS TO BE FOUND BECAUSE THERE IS SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND THE SAME PART ! SO HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE INVESTIGATED? I'M BROKE AND CANT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO A VEHICLE STILL PAYING FOR AND ON A FIXED INCOME. *TR

• 12/23/2004· POWER TRAIN

  2004 SATURN VUE AWD. SATURN REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (RDM) WITH A REDESIGNED PART IN NOVEMBER. THE NEW PART IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE LATER THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. THIS PART CHANGE CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE'S HANDLING- INCREASED TORQUE STEER, EXCESSIVE FRONT WHEEL SPIN AND UNPREDICTABLE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ENGAGEMENT. THE FWD MODEL OF THE VUE HAS TRACTION CONTROL THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF TORQUE STEER AND WHEEL SPIN. THE AWD MODEL DOES NOT HAVE THIS FUNCTION AND THE CRIPPLING OF THE AWD FEATURE MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE.*AK

• 12/23/2004· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  I RECENTLY HAD MY 2004 SATURN AWD VUE SERVICED AT SATURN OF LIVINGSTON, NJ, AND HAD TWO RECALLS PERFORMED. ONE WAS FOR THE VOLUNTARY RECALL OF A REAR SUSPENSION LINK WHICH WAS CHANGED DUE TO A NHTSA TEST FAILURE. THE OTHER WAS THE RECALL OF THE REAR DRIVE MODULE (RDM), WHICH WAS CAUSING A MOANING NOISE IN ALL AWD VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. AFTER THE RDM WAS CHANGED I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE VEHICLES AWD FUNCTION CHARACTERISTICS. WHEN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN WET CONDITIONS A FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION FROM A STOP RESULTED IN SEVERE FRONT WHEEL SPIN WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT OF THE AWD SYSTEM. IN FACT I COULD HEAR A DISCERNABLE CLICKING NOISE EMMINATING FROM THE RDM WHICH SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE AWD FAUNCTIONALITY WAS IN EFFECT BEING NEUTRALIZED. I HAVE PERFORMED THIS MANEUVER SEVERAL TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE IN THE PAST YEAR (WITH THE ORIGINAL RDM), AND THE AWD SYSTEM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ELIMINATING FRONT WHEEL SPIN AND PROVIDING AMPLE TRACTION GOING UP THE INCLINE. I BELIEVE THE NEW VERSION OF THE RDM BEING ROLLED OUT TO THE MASSES HAS ONLY SERVED TO CONVERT ALL THE AWD VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE TO FWD, AND I BELIEVE SATURN MUST BE PERSUADED TO RE-ENGINEER THEIR RDM TO RESTORE THE AWD FUNCTIONALITY.*AK

• 12/23/2004· POWER TRAIN

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

• 12/22/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I HAVE A SATURN VUE 2004, BLUE. ON SATURDAY DEC 11, MERGING ONTO I-495 EAST AT EXIT 31, I ACCELERATED SHARPLY AND STEADILY; 'PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN.' THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON BUT NOT ENGAGED. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS TAPPED OR NOT DURING THE ACCELERATION, BUT I DID NOT INTENTIONALLY ENGAGE IT. REGARDLESS, WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, I DID NOT EXPERIENCE A RELIEF OF ACCELERATION. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE PEDAL STAYED LOOSE, RELATIVELY. I TRIED THE BRAKE - IT SLOWED THE ACCELERATION BUT DID NOT STOP IT. I TRIED THE ACCELERATOR TO LOOSEN IT. I APPLIED THE BRAKE IN A SUSTAINED FASHION. I WAS CURRENTLY GOING ~80 MPH, FASTER THAN INTENDED. AT THIS TIME, I MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER, TO THE RIGHT, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED ON THE BLINKERS. THE ENGINE RACED AND THE TACHOMETER WAS HIGH. I BRAKED TO ABOUT 40-50 MPH. I NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS ON, AND TURNED IT OFF. THE ENGINE STOPPED RACING AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW A BIT MORE. ONCE I WAS SURE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER CONTROL, I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, DEACTIVATED THE BLINKERS, REGAINED SPEED, MERGED OFF THE SHOULDER AND CONTINUED TO MY DESTINATION. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

• 12/22/2006· AIR BAGSCrash

  ANOTHER CAR GOING WRONG WAY ON FREE WAY STRUCK MY VEHICLE AND I ENDED UP STRIKING THE MEDIAN WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY I WAS DRIVING A 2004 SATURN VUE STANDARD SHIFT VEHICLE. *NM

• 12/16/2014· ENGINE

  I CAN PULL MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IT IS RUNNING. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AS THE SATURN VUES THEY ARE RECALLING. *TR

• 12/15/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 69,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. WHEN IT FAILED THIS TIME I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT GM HAD EXTENDED THE TRANNY WARRANTY TO 5YRS/75,000 MILES. I CALLED SATURN ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY VIN DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENSION EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT 5 YEARS UNTIL SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. NOW IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR I GOT A LETTER SAYING THAT IT NOW QUALIFIES FOR THE EXTENSION. NOW IT'S OVER THE 5 YEAR TIME PERIOD. I NOW HAVE A LAWYER WHO SAYS THAT GM WILL GIVE HALF OF THE MONEY TO FIX IT BUT I HAVE TO GO TO A SATURN DEALER BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO TOW IT. IN THE BEGINNING THE LAWYER SAID I WOULD GET A HECK OF A LOT MORE THEN JUST HALF THE REPAIR COSTS PLUS RECOVER MONIES FOR A RENTAL CAR. HOW AM I GOING TO GET THE OTHER HALF PLUS THE TOW FEES UP FRONT TO PAY. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL TO ELIMINATE THIS VTI TRANNY. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME KIND BUT WITH A STRONGER DRIVE CHAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIX. THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO UPGRADE TO A DIFFERENT TRANNY. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ALL OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/15/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE ANY FORM OF A RECALL O THIS AND WHAT ARE IF ANY ARE MY OPTIONS FOR EITHER SATURN FIXING IT OR REIMBURSING ME ANY AMOUNT. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE . THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

• 12/13/2004· STRUCTURE

  THE GLASS ON THE REAR LIFTGATE SHATTERED FOR NO REASON WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

• 12/10/2004· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN CLOSING PASSENGER DOOR DRIVERS SIDE NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE REAR WINDOW AT ALL. 2004 SATURN VUE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2004. *AK

• 12/09/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE ON POSITION WHEN THE IGNITION KEY BECAME DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 12/07/2014· ENGINE

  THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE MORNING TO MOVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE LATER IN THE MORNING, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO START THE ENGINE. IT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OVER AND MADE SOME MUFFLED NOISES AND THEN WOULD ONLY CRANK WITH NO SIGN OF FIRING. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A TIMING FAILURE WAS LIKELY. ONCE THE TIMING COVER WAS OPENED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC CHAIN GUIDE HAD BROKEN INTO FOUR PIECES. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE INCLUDED A PARTIALLY SHEARED OILER NOZZLE, STRIPPED BOLT HOLES FOR BOTH LOWER AND UPPER ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR THE PLASTIC CHAIN GUIDE, BENT INTAKE VALVES ON EVERY CYLINDER AND DINGS ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE PISTONS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO FITTED WITH THE OLD STYLE TENSIONER (FLAT BOLT HEAD STYLE) AND THE ORIGINAL TIMING CHAIN OILER. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS EVALUATED AGAINST A NEW CHAIN AND WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE STRETCHED THE LENGTH OF ONE LINK. THE HEAD WAS PULLED AND SENT FOR REPAIR WHERE THE VALVE DAMAGE WAS EXPOSED; IN ADDITION THREE VALVE GUIDES WERE CRACKED AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT ABRADED AREA ON ONE OF THE CAM RACES. THE HEAD WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LOSS AND A NEW HEAD WAS PURCHASED. THERE APPEARS TO BE MINOR DAMAGE TO THE PISTON TOPS, AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED. SO FAR THIS INCIDENT HAS COST APPROXIMATELY $1000 IN PARTS AND DIY LABOR. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO MISS OVER TWO WEEKS OF WORK ($600-$800) AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WHO RELIES ON THIS VEHICLE. GIVEN THE EXTENT OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES INVOLVING THE ECOTEC 2.2 L ENGINE THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH, IT IS SURPRISING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. *TR

• 12/05/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I VISITED THE DEALER ON THAT DATE BECAUSE MY CAR HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (SOMETIMES KEY DON'T TURN AND THE KEY CAN GO OUT EASILY IN ANY POSITION) AND I HEAR THE NEWS FOR THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH DATE 8/7/2014. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE RECALL IN GM WEB PAGE, EXACTLY HAPPEN TO ME EVERY TIME I CHECK FOR THIS RECALL AT GM WEB PAGE. I'M WORRY AN ACCIDENT WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WILL OCCUR AT ANY TIME. I HAVE THE PRINTED COPY FROM THE DEALER AT THAT TIME. *TR

• 12/05/2014· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER I GOT OUT OF WORK I GOT IN THE CAR HAD SOME TROUBLE GETTING IT INTO REVERSE GOT IT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND DROVE HOME. NOW THE CAR WONT GO INTO REVERSE ANY MORE, IT GOES IN TO DRIVE BUT NO REVERSE. *TR

• 12/05/2011· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION LINK WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FRAME RAIL TO FRACTURE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

• 12/04/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION IRRESPECTIVE OF IGNITION POSITION. (INCLUDING WHILE IN "RUN" POSITION). VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL YET MY CONDITION EXISTS AND I AM PRIMARILY CONCERNED THAT AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY IN A CRASH. FIRST INCIDENT APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS AGO. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/04/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I OWN A 2004 SATURN VUE WITH 137,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT ON IT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $3,800 AND $4,200 AND THEY STILL COULD NOT GUARANTEE TO FIX IT. I NOTICE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SATURN VUE AND DECIDED TO VOICE MINE ALSO. MAINLY, BECAUSE I NOTICE THAT THE 2004 SATURN VUE IS STILL BEING SOLD BY DEALERS WHEN THEY KNOW OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM ONE OF THE ONES THAT IS HAVING TO LET MY VEHICLE BE REPOSESSED DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. I BROUGHT MY CAR NEW AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON A RECALL. SATURN (OR DEALERS SELLING THIS VEHICLE) KNOWING OF THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE TO RECOMPENSE PEOPLE FOR THEIR EXPENSES. I AM HAVING TO DEPEND ON FRIENDS/FAMILY TO GET AROUND. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS BY NOW! *TR

• 12/03/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  LATE AT NIGHT IN A MAJOR DOWNTOWN PARKING DECK, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. GO TO START VEHICLE, CRANKS BUT NEVER TURNS OVER. SHUT VEHICLE OFF, GO TO RESTART AND VEHICLE WILL START. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS EVERY FEW DAYS. NOT TO MENTION, SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED MY REMOTE TO UNLOCK AND LOCK DOORS HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SOMETIMES IT WILL LOCK BUT NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLEANED CONTACTS ON REMOTE, WHICH TWO TRIES LATER TO GET INTO VEHICLE, DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *JB

• 12/01/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  AT 7:10PM, AFTER DARK, I WAS DRIVING HOME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF SPRING HILL ROAD AND MARINER ROAD IN TISBURY, MASSACHUSETTS. WHEN I PULLED THE STEM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS, THE LOW BEAMS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE HIGH BEAMS DID NOT COME ON. I HAD NO ILLUMINATION WHATSOEVER. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND DICK BEARD CHEVROLET, THE DEALER WHICH PERFORMED A COMPLETE SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014. NEITHER HAS RESPONDED. *JS

• 11/30/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1) AND 2) WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS (>60 MPH) ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH CRUISE ENGAGED, PERIODICALLY THE CRUISE WILL FAIL TO DISENGAGE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (AT LEAST 5) WHILE DRIVING, AND NEEDING TO SLOW DOWN (E.G. TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, OR FOR SLOW TRAFFIC AHEAD), THE BRAKE IS PRESSED AND THERE IS RESISTANCE AT THE PEDAL AND THE CRUISE WILL NOT SHUT OFF/CAR ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE, WHICH ON TWO OCCASIONS HAS LED TO A NEAR-ACCIDENT. ON ONE OCCASION IT ALSO FAILED TO SHUT OFF AT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. 3)NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS IT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SATURN REFUSES TO REPLACE THE PART UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS THEY ARE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE PARTS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD RESOLVE THE MALFUNCTION SINCE THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. *NM

• 11/30/2003· STRUCTURE

  WATER THAT COLLECTS IN BOLT HOLE WELLS IN ROOF RACK RAILS CAN PROMOTE CORROSION. EVAPORATION IS THE ONLY WAY FOR THE WATER TO ESCAPE. MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE A SET OF SEALING PLUGS AND CORROSION INHIBITING GREASE/GEL TO SEAL OF THESE HOLES.*AK

• 11/28/2005· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS,EQUIPMENTCrash

  I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY 2004 SATURN VUE WHEN A SUBURBAN REAR-ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 40+ MILES PER HOUR. I THEN HIT THE SUV THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME - AND WE BOTH WENT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FORWARD FROM THE STOP SIGN. THE IMPACT TOTALED MY TRUCK TO THE POINT OF THE REAR WAS CRUSHED TO THE BACK SEAT AND THE FRONT FRAME WAS BROKEN IN HALF WITH ABOUT A 1 INCH GAP. MY ISSUES WITH THE SAFETY ARE: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE NEARLY ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT TO THE RIGHT WITH THE SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - YES, I WAS ORIGINALLY REAR-ENDED - HOWEVER THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WAS EXTENSIVE AS WELL. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY FACE AND HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING SEVERE NECK PAIN (A CERVICAL SPRAIN) AND A BROKEN NOSE REQUIRING SURGERY TO REPAIR. *NM

• 11/27/2015· WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  TAMARA RECALL , THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR WAS ON. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONFIRMED IT BUT WOULD NOT FIX IT OR SEND US ANYWHERE TO GET IT FIXED. OUR ABS WENT THE 3RD WEEK WE HAD THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. THE OTHER RECALL MADE OUR TIRES ONLY HOLD AIR FOR A FEW DAYS AT A TIME.

• 11/27/2015· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  BEFORE WE PAID OUR 2ND PAYMENT OUR ABS SYSTEM FAILED. THE FRONT BREAKS WERE CRUNCHING. IT THEN THREW OUT OUR WHEEL BARRINGS, BALLJOINTS AND ROTORS. THEREFORE IT WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION WHEN IT WAS DUE FOR IT. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE ORIGINAL INSPECTION THERE AND THEY NEVER CHANGED THE BREAKS. WHICH IS AN ILLEGAL PRACTICE. WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS WE RARELY DROVE THE CAR. TILL ONE DAY, LESS THAN HAVING IT UNDER 1 YEAR, IT WOULD NO LONGER START.WE LOST OUT OVER$5,000 ON PAYMENTS AND OUR LARGE DOWN PAYMENT TOO. THEY HAVE BEEN CALLING US EVER SINCE WANTING US TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT WON'T START AND WON'T PASS INSPECTION.

• 11/27/2008· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. THE DEALER CAN'T TRACK IT DOWN. *TR

• 11/25/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT IT BEING IN THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND BELIEVED THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 12/22/14*LJ THE CONSUMER INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. UPDATED 01/07/15

• 11/24/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINECrash

  I WAS ON MY WAY HOME IN MY 2004 SATURN VUE WHEN A BUCK JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, I ENDED UP HITTING THE BUCK (DEER) THAT THEN RAN AWAY. MY ENTIRE FRONT IN WAS SMASHED IN, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK WHEN I STOMPED ON THE BREAKS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH IN THE FRONT SEATS AND WE BOTH WENT FORWARD MESSING UP BOTH OF OUR NECKS AND BACKS. *TR

• 11/22/2017· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR,NEED TO SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL,THEN BACK INTO DRIVE,SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE.WE HAVE AVOIDED SEVERAL SERIOUS INCIDENTS SINCE THIS PROBLEMATIC ISSUE STARTED.VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AT SATURN OF MODESTO.CA.NOW OUT OF BUSINESS,THERE FIX JUST REPLACE TRANSMISSION $5,000 AT CUSTOMERS FULL EXPENSE.CONTRACTED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE,THEY ADVISED US TO CONTACT CHASE CHEVROLET STKN.CA AS THEY CAN SERVICE YOUR SATURN VEHICLE.CALLED CHASE CHEVROLET WAS ADVISED THERE SHOP DID NOT HAVE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO SERVICE OUR VEHICLE,DIDN'T HAVE UPDATED COMPUTER SOFTWARE.STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES.

• 11/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES-2004 VUE. THEY WANT TO "FIX" REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE FAILURE. WE KNOW THAT OTHER SYSTEMS CAN/WILL BE AFFECTED BY TOTAL BREAKDOWN ON INTERSTATE-IMMEDIATE ENGINE BLOW-NO POWER ETC. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE "OFFER" OF REPAIR AND MINIMUM "WARRANTY" COVERAGE AS "ADDITIONALLY COURTESY OFFER". *JB

• 11/21/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL INTERMITTENT FAILURES. UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK USING REMOTE CONTROL, HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHT, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO (ALL ELECTRICAL EXCEPT ENGINE ACCESSORIES) FAIL RANDOMLY. ON ONE OCCASSION ALL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY BUT HAD NO HAZARD LIGHTS (AND PRESUMABLY NO BRAKE LIGHTS) TO WARN OTHER TRAFFIC. WIGGLING THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL RESTORED POWER. LATER CHECKS OF ALL RELAYS AND FUSES REVEALED NO CONTACT OR COMPONENT FAILURES IN EITHER IN INTERIOR OR UNDER-HOOD ELECTRICAL PANELS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND NO NOTICEABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PROBLEMS.*AK

• 11/17/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

• 11/14/2006· SUSPENSION

  2004 SATURN VUE: AT 50,000 MILES THE REAR BEARING / HUB ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH SIDES, START TO FAIL. THEY GRADUALLY START MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THEY EITHER FALL APART, LOCK UP A WHEEL OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

• 11/14/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  I HAVE A QUESTION. ON 2004 SATURN VUES, IF THE CAR IS NOT ON, WILL THE AIR BAGS STILL DEPLOY? I RECENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT IN NOR WAS I DRIVING MY CAR, AND MY INSURANCE IS NOW SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE OFF IS IF THE CAR WAS ON AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLICKED IN. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CLAIMS OR IF THIS COULD HAPPEN. THANKS. *NM

• 11/11/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE & THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIED. IT IS A VTI TRANSMISSION & SATURN IS AWARE THAT IT HAS ISSUES. I WOULD THINK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT A RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WILL COST $5,000 TO FIX. *TR

• 11/09/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  THERE IS A TERRIBLE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUDDER A LOW SPEEDS AND LOW RPM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO "LOCK - UP TORQUE CONVERTER" MODE AT TOO LOW RPMS(ABOUT 1000 TO 1200).THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND IS VERY DISTRESSING AND DISTRACTING. YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR TO KICK THE TRANSMISSION INTO A LOWER GEAR WHICH TENDS TO MAKE THE CAR SPEED UP. THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AND DISTRACTING AND MUST CAUSE UNDO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVETRAIN. THERE ARE MANY SATURN VUE (2004) OWNERS NATION WIDE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS AND THE WHEEL BEARING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE NATION WIDE RECALLS. NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE BUYING IMPORTS AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE. *TR

• 11/09/2007· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WITH ONLY 40K MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 35MPH. I HAD TO CUT OFF CARS AND COAST ACROSS TWO LANES TO A SIDE STREET. I COULDN'T GET THE CLUTCH TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE CLUTCH SYSTEM (SLAVE CYLINDER, CLUTCH PLATE) WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE IS NOW DRIVABLE (CAN BE PUT INTO GEAR), BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HASN'T GONE OFF AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. THE MECHANIC SAYS "NO CODE" APPEARS WITH CODE READER. THERE IS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED OR IS IDLING. A WEEK PREVIOUS TO THE CLUTCH PROBLEM, THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. I HAD A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WHICH ALSO PRODUCED "NO CODE" WITH CODE READER. I ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE. *TR

• 11/09/2004· VISIBILITY

  2004 SATURN VUE PURCHASED IN JULY. CLOSED REAR HATCH AFTER UNLOADING GROCERIES AND ENTIRE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED INTO THE CAR ON ME. NO EVIDENCE PRIOR TO THE SHATTERING OF A CRACK OR ANY OBJECT HITTING THE BACK WINDOW. IT WAS FINE WHEN I LOADED THE GROCERIES AND SHATTERED AFTER I GOT BACK HOME.*AK

• 11/05/2023· POWER TRAINCrash

  Transmission has Lube issues for Honda and TRANSGO HONDALK fixes that but requires several hours labor pulling transmission. Transmission and torque converter overheat causing failure. Mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. Caused accident.

• 11/05/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT SECURED IN THE IGNITION AND WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 11/04/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISON ON HIGHWAY AND AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THERE IS ALSO A SCRAPING NOISE COMING OUT OF STEERING COULMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM. NO RECALL NOTICE EVER SENT OUT BY GM. *TR

• 11/03/2017· POWER TRAIN

  MOVING ALONG IN STREET TRAFFIC, STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN WENT TO GO FORWARD, TRANSMISSION ONLY WENT FORWARD IN LOW GEAR. TOWED TO REPAIR GARAGE BUT THEY WANT $500 JUST TO LOOK AT IT.

• 11/03/2006· SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  2004 SATURN VUE WAS PURCHASE 1/24/04. WE NOTICED A VERY LOUD NOISE SO WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO HAVE A REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS REPAIRED ON AN AUTO BEFORE. THE CAR HAS 45169 MILES WHICH SEEMS A SMALL AMOUNT TO NEED A BEARING REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST US $400. IN ADDITION, OUR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. THEY DIDN'T WORK ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SATURN TOLD US IT WAS A BULB. THEY AREN'T WORKING AGAIN (NOW OUT OF WARRANTY) AND NOW WE ARE TOLD IT ISN'T THE BULB, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS RESURFACED IN 11/05. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A SATURN VEHICLE. THE SATURN EMPLOYEES ARE GREAT, BUT THE VEHICLE ISN'T. I WISH I'D NEVER BOUGHT THE CAR. WE WERE ALL SET TO BUY A SATURN RELAY IN THE SPRING, BUT NOW ARE THINKING BUICK, OR MAYBE OUR FIRST FOREIGN CAR. THANKS! *JB

• 11/01/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, AND COSTS MORE TO REPAIR THAN THE PRICE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/01/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.