2002 Saturn VUE AWD V6 3.0L

Summary:

If any other major issues it will be my first and last Saturn

Faults:

Replaced front sway bar at 65000KM.

Replaced steering shaft at 78454KM.

Dealer said strut mounts needed to be replaced at $198.78 each, my father in law put some transmission oil on them and the dealer hasn't mentioned them again!

Was driving down in Maine and I heard this loud humming, got back and front hub and bearing needed to be replaced. 95703KM.

There was oil leaking on my engine underside when I brought it in for my first maintenance appointment. When I moved to Nova Scotia, I asked them to check it before the warranty was up at 100000KM. They cross threaded the new oil filter housing and when I woke up the next day I had no oil in the car. They had to tow it 100KM to fix it. At that point I asked for the brakes to be fixed. 108347KM.

Ahh the brakes. I am sure my ABS sensor light started the day I got my back breaks fixed although I can't prove it as I don't drive the vehicle much as my wife drives it. So now I need to get that fixed and it is not cheap. Does anybody know if an OBD reader has a date on the diagnosis when it reads the computer or is it stored in the system?

General Comments:

Car accelerates fine.

Lots of cargo room.

Noisy.

Lots of creaks etc.

Seats are cheap looking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st July, 2007

2002 Saturn VUE 2wd

Summary:

OK

Faults:

In 2002 the car died in the middle of the road and had to be towed to the dealer repair place 100 miles away. The repair shop said it was a bad computer chip.

In 2004 the clutch went; it was under warranty and the repair shop fixed it, but the dealer was trying to claim excessive wear on the clutch, but a few terse e-mails to Saturn headquarters got that ironed out.

In 2007 the timing chain broke causing $2,000 in repair costs. The dealership is denying any problems with Saturn's timing chains.

General Comments:

All in all we were happy with the car. But the frequency of certain problems and the perception of a manufacturer covering them up instead of owning up to them will make me think twice about buying one again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th July, 2007

2002 Saturn VUE

Summary:

A real disappointment

Faults:

All kinds of problems!

I have had to replace 3 wheel bearings and 2 speed sensors.

Now I'm hearing a spinning, metal grinding noise. It's the loudest when the engine is cold, but it can still be heard throughout the day. It sounds like someone spinning a rock inside of a tin can.

If it is the transmission- it'll cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to repair! I just bought the truck 10 months ago for $10,900!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th July, 2007

2002 Saturn VUE FWD 2.2

Summary:

2002 FWD Manual 5 speed excellent!

Faults:

Ignition coil failure at 5500 miles. Replaced under warranty.

Ignition coil failure at 56000 miles. Replaced under extended Saturn warranty.

AC system leaked on passenger side. Leak fixed correctly first time by Saturn.

Service Light on at 92000 miles. Saturn reported O2 sensor needs replacement. Purchased my own OBD2 reader and read codes for myself. Low brake fluid level was causing the Service Light to blink off and on as I drove the vehicle. Added one ounce brake fluid to reservoir and problem gone. No codes listed in OBD2 computer. O2 sensor is OK.

General Comments:

I ordered this vehicle in January 2002 with the manual 5 speed transmission and 2.2 Liter engine. I did NOT want to take the chance with the VTI transmission and the AWD system on a new model vehicle. I received the Power Options package, Alloy wheels package, AC and Sunroof for $230 installation fee. This was an introductory offer by Saturn and was well worth it. The value of the packages together is close to $3000 for a cost of $230. The VUE has been excellent in all regards and has NEVER left me stranded. Even with one ignition coil on the blink the car was drivable to my Saturn dealer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2007

20th Jun 2010, 13:52

I am the person that wrote this review a few years ago. I still have this same Vue, and it now has 140,000 miles on it and still running strong.

I have always used synthetic oil in the engine and a good filter, and keep it in good shape mechanically.

Over the past three years, the only problems that have occurred is the catalytic converter is operating "below nominal efficiency" according to the service code. That is expected with this many miles and a vehicle that is now over 8 years old.

I have replaced the serpentine belt (normal maintenance) and changed the anti-freeze (normal maintenance), and replaced the rear shocks myself.

I had Saturn replace the front struts and re-align the front end (all normal maintenance for a vehicle with this many miles).

This vehicle has been top of the line for me, and is one of the most reliable I have ever owned. I intend to keep it until the wheels fall off!

On another note, I also have a 1993 SL2 I bought new off the showroom floor in April 1993. The SL2 is all original and STILL runs fine. The serpentine belt has been replaced several times, the alternator three times, and the battery at least four times in the past 17 years. No failures, no breakdowns and it now has close to 600,000 miles on it. It is driven daily to and from work for a round trip mileage of 95 miles and it still gets close to 40 mpg. Best car I have ever owned!

21st Jun 2010, 17:36

That's SIX TIMES further than our Honda went. It's also why we will never again buy anything but domestic vehicles.

22nd Jun 2010, 20:30

I own a 4 cylinder manual 5 speed 2002 Saturn Vue with the Sport package. I love my car, and have never had any troubles with it. I bought this car new, special order in July 2002, and it only has 48,000 miles on it. In 1994, I purchased a new Saturn SL1 which currently gets over 40MPG and has over 300,000 miles on the original engine. I was distraught with the recent shut down of the Saturn brand...