2003 Saturn VUE AWD from North America - Comments

14,288 miles, replaced rear drum, limited slip differential, warranty.

18,168 miles, link, torsion bar, both replaced, warranty.

19,746 miles. replaced left bearing and hub assembly in rear wheel, warranty.

27,191 miles, replaced motor fan blower, warranty.

63,436 miles, replaced sway bar end links and right front strut, $626.06.

63,661 miles, replaced heater in driver seat, $219.63.

66,274 miles, replaced ignition cylinder and key, $165.25.

73,347 miles, replaced rear wiper motor, $271.88.

77,417 miles, replaced A/C blower motor, $310.09.

84,181 miles, replaced rear drum slip differential, $1,249.99.

TOTAL: $2,842.90.

Yellow "Service Engine Soon" light came on this morning and we will see what that will bring.

Unreliable. Too many mechanical flaws. Would not buy Saturn again.

I have had "almost" all of the problems you have -- and am now experiencing the key issue -- it comes out of the ignition without turning the engine off -- the dealer tells me it is a 'bad key' issue and bring it in, they will make a new key. Yeah right - by the sounds of it -- it will just be more money out of my pocket.

Here is a sampling of what I have had done:

I have had every problem with my 2003 Saturn Vue you can think of: I am on my 3rd transmission, 2nd catalytic converter, I have had both rear wheel bearing replaced - 6 months after purchase, I have had the front left (I'd have to double check the correct side) wheel bearing replaced within the last year and was told the other side was in need of replacement as well.

The killer on this is on 12/22/08, I heard a "whirrrrr" and then the engine started knocking-took it into my local Saturn dealer and they told me the engine was gone, the rockers, valve sleeves and other engine parts were abnormally worn and gave me a choice of repair $2700 or replace with rebuilt $2200. They also told me that engine is in several other Saturn models and they had never seen this issue before. With that comment, I told them, "Then this is a Saturn issue, not mine." Since I could not afford to continue with a rental car, I had them replace the engine with a 'used' one with 54,000.

When I picked up the vehicle the invoice states: "abnormal wear on both cam lobes and rockers". I spoke with another mechanic and he told me there was no need to 'replace' the engine and that type of repair should have only cost me approx $400 in parts and labor. (I have not yet obtained further estimates on this but am in the process)

I also contacted a local Saturn service rep and was totally dismissed because I was 30,000 miles out of warranty -- regardless of previous issues. Also, the dealership has blamed me for not 'checking the oil weekly or every time I fill up" but could not give me a reason for engine failure. They had just changed the oil on 12/18 - I drove it approx 20 roundtrip to work the next day, parked it for the weekend and it went on the way to work on 12/22/08. I asked why the check engine light did not come on or why the oil light did not come on and the service manager told me "There are no oil light indicators" -- I asked him "since when? Every vehicle I have driven in the past 35 years had one." He dismissed my comment by saying "well, even if it had lit, the damage was already done."

I worked in the auto industry for 14 years (previously) and have done warranty submission work, license and title work etc.. I resent being talked to like I am an idiot female and I also take it as very discriminatory.