2005 Saturn VUE review from North America

I bought my Saturn VUE NEW from the dealership with only 35 miles on the car. The first problem was 9,000 miles and only 5 1/2 months of ownership. I could not shift in to reverse, it would only go forward while trying to get in to reverse. Apparently it was some type of clip from the cables to the transmission.

At 19,000 miles the slave cylinder, clutch, and plate went out WHILE I WAS DRIVING at 60 miles an hour, 45 miles from the nearest dealership, at 12 noon on a Sunday in Texas at 100 degrees, with my two children in the car. I called roadside assistance, they came and towed us back to Tyler. I was in a hotel for 2 1/2 days waiting for parts. They did loan us a vehicle to use.

At 20, 000 miles when I got back to Austin the clutch kept slipping out between 3 and 4th gears. I took it back in to Saturn and the entire Transmission had to be replaced at only 20,000 miles.

At 35,000 miles the clip holding the muffler had to be replaced.

At 44,000 miles we tried to take it in to a Saturn dealership in NM and they told us that they only saw cars "by appointment", and refused us service unless we wanted to leave the car with them for a few days & they might be able to get to it. They would not give us a loaner. The problems we were wanting service for was the massive wind noise from the front doors, and great difficulty shifting, especially in to reverse.

At 46,000 miles WHILE I WAS DRIVING, at 6:15 A.M. on a very busy road, 35 deg. outside, in the dark, WITH MY CHILDREN, the shifter cables went out and I lost all ability to shift. We were AGAIN 5 feet from being rear ended.

I had bought the extended warranty to 60,000 miles, but roadside assistance expired at 36,000. They were going to charge me for towing. The Saturn Dealership signed for the towing, and gave me a rental. They said that the shifter cables are not covered under the warranty & I will need to pay the $500.00 repair.

The interior is fine, plenty of room for my 6 ft husband, me, and two boys, but every little thing stains the seats. If raindrops get on the seats there are water marks that do not fade.

When the car is not having issues somehow related to the transmission it is a very comfortable ride.

When you are completely under the initial warranty (under 36,000 miles) you get great service, loaner car, etc.

Even with the Extended Warranty not everything is covered, and the customer service isn't so great.