2003 Saturn VUE AWD4 review from North America
"An SUV with great potential - IF GM will let Saturn do what it was created to do, build great cars."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Took car in at 6700 miles for a grinding noise on turns. Saturn replaced transmission.
Screeching noise immediately after transmission replacement. Caused by tech not tying off shift cable correctly.
Recall for wiring harness and software update for transmission control module.
Second transmission control module software update to correct vibration and rumbling noise between 55 and 65 mph.
Right front strut replaced due to creaking.
Fuel pump has started making loud noise intermittently.
General comments?
I bought my VUE after I had injured my back, leaving me unable to drive my coupe as I could no longer get into and out of the car without extreme discomfort. I really do like the overall package. The 2.2L Ecotec four and the VTi continuously variable transmission are a perfect match. The vehicle is very comfortable on long trips, and I even managed to squeeze 30 mpg out of it with careful driving. Not bad for such a large, heavy vehicle powering an all wheel drive drive-train.
Unfortunately, GM is getting deeper and deeper into the division - much for the worse. The transmission, which was boasted as being 10 years in the design and test phase, rumbled and vibrated under light throttle between 55 and 65 mph. I had to live with this problem for over 6 months while GM searched for a solution. So much for product testing.
I am coming up on 8 months of ownership of this car, and it has been in the shop five times, with a sixth problem already making itself present not two days after the last fix. With a 60 mile drive one way to the nearest retailer, I'm beginning to tire of repeated trips to have irritating quality problems addressed. If this is what GM's increased involvement in Saturns lineup is going to result in, then I'm done with them. This vehicle also replaced a 1988 Suzuki Samurai. In that vehicles entire lifespan between my folks and me, it never went into the shop for anything - ever.
Despite the problems to date, I really do like the car. I am more frustrated with the vehicle due to the constant battle to have stupid problems like these kept up with. C'mon GM, quit cutting corners at the expense of product quality. It is completely inexcusable in this day and age.
Recommended reviews
| Great car if you don't mind service departments |
|
| I great SUV but you will have to fix a few things over the years |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2L Ecotec Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 195 miles |
| Most recent distance | 20600 miles |
| Previous car | Saturn SC |
| Date of Entry | 12th April, 2003 |