2003 Saturn VUE review from North America

After driving the 2003 v4 AWD VUE off the showroom floor with only 50 kilometers registered, a vibration was felt driving at 90 to 100 klms/hour. A few days later I took it back to the service department and waited for the service tech to balance the tires and I'd just go back to work... so I thought.

The service department kept the VUE for 3 more days before I asked for a courtesy vehicle to drive while they were completely taking the drive train apart from the drive shaft to the back wheels. After each repair was attempted below, a road test was done to see if the vibration was fixed. Road test came back negative and vibration continued.

Repairs attempted was:

1: re balance tires;

2: switch tires with another VUE on the lot;

3: take off drive shaft and road test;

4: send drive shaft away for re balancing;

5: take apart rear end and change "clutch pack";

6: change bushings in rear end;

7: update software in transmission to except repairs;

8: change pinion gears;

9: swap axles left to right;

10: look at internal components in transmission.

Saturn brought in a Field Rep. from the U.S. to assist the service tech after it was evident the repair was harder and bigger than expected.

I then exercized the 30 day/2500 klms give back policy I test drove another VUE. After being satisfied that the 2nd VUE drove smooth, I bought it. The next day it was in the shop with a vibration problem just like the first one and now I wait to see what repairs are being done on the first one before I take in the 2nd.

Is there a silver lining to this one?? We shall see. In spite of it all, I am confident in the Service Manager to getting the job done right.