2003 Saturn VUE AWD from North America - Comments

I bought new a 2006 Saturn Vue about 10 months ago. The ignition gets stuck from time to time and it typically takes 5 to 10 minutes of trying to crank the key to get the car started. I called Saturn Customer Assistance to see about getting it fixed because my car is under warranty. The only way it would be covered by warranty is if the car was towed to the nearest dealership (3 hours away). This would be all fine and good except for the fact that Saturn wouldn't pay for a rental car for me to use while my new car, which should turn on, was in service. Also, I would be responsible to go pick up my car after the service was completed. All in all it will cost less for me to get this fixed myself than to pay for a rental car and the trip to pick up my car. This experience is too bad because I do like the Saturn Vue, but I will probably not by a Saturn again.

I have a 2003 Vue. Very satisfied and have had no repairs done until I hit the 100k mile mark. Now there is an extremely loud roar from the front end. Have recently had it to the dealership and had the sway bars replaced. No change in loud noise. Guess I'll have to take it back again for the experimental look. Also, does anyone else have a lot of trouble driving this in heavy rain?? Can barely climb hills without the front tires spinning when there's water on the road. Tire are so-so, but not that bad. Weight seems a little light in the front.

I have had a 2003 awd v6 since new. I have had to replace the front rotors (after-market, no warping since), front wheel bearing, hazard switch (yep, it fell in), and the rear center seat belt. I also had the rear differential "wub" noise that I fixed by changing the fluid to royal purple (really quiet now!)

I too bought a Saturn based upon my own previous experience, but now regret the decision. I have a 9 yr old Honda CRV that has had NO issues beyond normal wear and tear.

I bought a 2003 AWD 4 cyl VUE off a used car lot. The VUE looked nice and the price was right. After driving 3 months, the transmission quit. After sitting for a day, the transmission worked again. I drove it to my nearest Saturn dealership, which is an hour away, and they said, "Sir, your transmission is shot. I don't know how you drove this over here." Praise the Lord, Saturn had extended the warranty on the transmission. The dealership put a new transmission in. Now the fuel gauge is not reading right. After reading all the problems with this year model, I wish I never had fallen in love with my blue vue. Now it is causing the blues. I am going to find a way to get rid of it, but I owe too much on the loan.

I purchased a used 2003 Saturn Vue in March of 2006. It's the AWD V6 model, and I got it with 100,000 km (60,000 miles). At that time we had a new born and a 2 year old, so we were looking for a bigger vehicle than my 2 door Cavalier. The price was right, and we THOUGHT we had heard good things about Saturn. Boy was I wrong on that. Let the list begin:

1) Not 2 months after owning the vehicle, I come out to see the driver sideview mirror cracked (I have no idea why, the best I can come up with is that it was windy that night).

2) A month after that, I am driving down the highway, a truck spits up a pebble, hits the passenger side of the windshield, cracked it half way across the windshield. No chip, it was an instant crack.

3) At about 6 months, riding home from work, out of nowhere the truck starts sounding like a Nascar. I pull over and check the exhaust and didn't see anything. Take it in and turns out a pipe at the front manifold has cracked, they give me two choices: replace it ($1100.00) or weld it ($150.00). Gee which one did I take (the latter). No problem since.

4) 3 WEEKS after that, I am driving with my wife and two kids. The engine service light starts flashing, the car loses power and barely idles. I give it a night, try it again, same thing. take it in, Cylinder spring broken. Luckily, it's covered under the extended warranty, but still was around $1000. And it was still a fight to get it covered under warranty.

4 a) To top it off, after about 4 months I receive a bill in the mail from Saturn because their accounting dept messed up and still owed more to the warranty company, and they tried to stick me with it. Well I told them where to stick it and haven't heard back since.

5) And now (Oct 07), I have another issue; the tail latch is broken and needs replacement. Another $450 to fix.

Are you kidding me? I will NEVER buy a Saturn, let alone a GM vehicle. It's no wonder people are switching to foreign when you get nothing but pieces of garbage from domestic vehicles.

**** you Saturn.

DO NOT BUY A SATURN VEHICLE OF ANY KIND. THIS IS YOUR WARNING!!!

I bought my 2003 Saturn Vue V6 AWD in July, and now I am experiencing the fuel indicator problem. It shows that the tank is totally empty all the time. The transmission is hesitating in shifting, and I am worried that any day now I'm going to be slapped with a humongous repair bill. I also have a chipped windshield, which I've seen mentioned on here, and rust on the running boards. I have an extended warranty... let's see what I can get them to cover.

I bought a 2003 vue on 10-28-06. I didn't think there would be any problem due to previous Saturns. I had a 1992 sl2 that I kept until 256,000 miles. I still have my 1997 sl2, I put tie rods on it after 200,000 miles and except for the drivers window not opening, it is a dependable work car. My husband has a 2000sw2 and he just began having transmission problems-reverse won't kick in. But his car had over 200,000 miles before this happened. My Vue was bought with 62,000 miles. At 72,000 miles the front drivers cv joint broke. What a mess-I purchased 3-cv joints from the parts store & they either didn't fit or broke after 3-days. I finally had to purchase the part direct from Saturn & had to replace the wheel bearing at the same time. About $800.00 expense. Shortly after, the vibration in the brakes became noticably worse. Now I needed new rotors & brakes. Another few hundred dollars. About a month later, driving along, I started getting a vibration while sitting at a red light. Now the carrier bearing between the 2 drive shafts needed replaced. Again, a few hundred dollars. Next month, loud noise in the rear. I was told the oil in the rear axel needed replaced. Cost about $100.00 but the noise didn't go away. The noise progessively got louder-so I couldn't even hear the radio anymore. I went to a different garage. Back left wheel bearing shot. Another few hundred dollars. I was also adivsed, I need to replace the other rear wheel bearing soon as it is also making noise. A few weeks later, service engine light stays on. No codes are reading. I'm told it just needs a tune up $195.00. Service engine light stays on, the catalytic converter needs changed-$202.00. The very next day, while driving to work the car is sputtering like it has bad gas-but that's not what's wrong. As I drive along, suddenly "reduced power" light comes on and I can't move-in the middle of the road. Now, I'm told I need a totally new transmission-cost $5000.00 and that other wheel bearing can't wait-$500.00 more. Called Saturn, there's no recall and I was never told about any extended warranty-but it doesn't matter because it would have ended at 72,000 miles. I have over 93,000 miles. Saturn states the transmission cannot be rebuilt and they're not willing to help me, but they will give me 10% off the repair bill. I have had to run up credit cards to pay for over $3200.00 in repair bills in one year. Where do they think I can come up with another $5500.00 to fix it now. Neither Saturn, nor the dealer where I bought it are willing to help me get rid of it since I still owe $9000.00 on the loan. How could I owe less if I only owned it for 1-yr. Both dealerships want me to transfer my balance towards a new car. Whoever heard of financing about $20,000.00 for a little car like an Ion??? And even if I did this, I can't afford a car payment around $400.00/mo and the bank won't loan that much for a little car anyway. Does anyone know of any recourse we have from Saturn??? I have never had to fix a car this much in all my life and I can't afford to fix it now and still make the current car payment. I looked up blue book prices and even if I don't fix it, the blue book states it should be worth over $7,000.00. The dealers only want to reduce a new car by $2500.00 and the one dealer states he doesn't use the blue book-he has a black book & he wouldn't give me any more than $2000.00 even though I bought the vue from him. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Signed-lost in Ohio

23:17, I think you've had your first introduction to being caught in the vicious cycle of car dealers and financing. They will never give you fair value for a used car, and yet the car they give you $2,000 allowance for will be on their let in a month for $7,500. To top it off, the new car will be marked up $2,000 so you get nothing for your trade-in, anyway. It sounds like you bought your other cars new, so maybe plunging into the world of used car dealers wasn't for you.

The wheel bearings seem to be a common complaint, but I don't think you can complain about the brakes, because at over 75,000 miles, it is totally reasonable to need new brakes. You could have saved a few hundred dollars by doing the work yourselves, though -- brakes aren't that hard for a driveway mechanic to address. Ditto on the tune-up, it's just a matter of taking out spark plugs and replacing wires.

Regarding the transmission, look around for a transmission shop. More people get hosed on transmissions because it's the quintessential mechanical repair clichè: "Wuh-oh, looks like your transmission is shot! We better replace the muffler bearing, too! That's a big job!" The "your transmission is shot" is the stock line for mechanics who think they have a sucker on the line who doesn't know a thing about cars -- no offense, but a Saturn SUV screams that. Call every one in the yellow pages and talk to them -- don't bother with the "$50 evaluation will be waived if it needs to be rebuilt" because they will tell you that anyway. Find a local, privately owned shop and they will probably fix your transmission for 25% of what the dealer or a "national chain" will quote you.

Beyond that, I would suggest just keeping this thing running and treating it like a beater rather than trying to maintain it like a nice car. As long as it moves under its own power, don't bother with fixing little stuff. Also, it's time for you to start learning something about cars -- buy a Hayne's Manual so you won't be such a victim, and maybe even start doing some work yourself to save money. Another thing to consider, there are probably a lot of "Gulf Coast" cars showing up on used car lots that were flooded in the hurricanes, and they are bound to have all sorts of problems.

I purchased a 2003 Saturn Vue 2.2l 4cyl 5spd manual in 2005. Always bragged to everyone on how wonderful the SUV was and how I would never buy another make. That was until I hit 82,000 miles. On Oct 6 2007 I was driving down the street when the car started what it felt like fighting me to go forward. When at an idle the engine shook really bad. I continued driving it under severely reduced power, worrying about getting it up hill. The next day I had my boyfriend take a listen to it. He started it, revved it and turned it off. Told me it was misfiring and probably needed new plugs. He opened up the hood and checked the plugs. 1&4 were fine, but 2&3 were not firing. You can tell this by the amount of gas that is on the plugs. He looked at other things and decided that for 2 plugs to fail it was more than likely the Ignition Coil Pack. Bought a new one ($100.81) and put it in (20 minutes), did not fix the problem. Returned the coil pack and bought an Ignition control module ($92.36) Put it in (less than 5 minutes), worked like a charm. Three days later the same part failed. After doing research I came upon a recall for 19 Different Saturns for the EXACT same problem, but the Vue is not one of the recalls. I contacted saturn and they stated even though the manufacture date falls within that time frame and it is the exact same problem, it's not covered under that recall. I have since filed a complaint with the NHTSA. I have a friend who has the same year and model vue I have. 3 weeks ago hers did the same thing. She took it to saturn where she was told it was her coil pack which they replaced for $800 then her Ignition Control module $400 then her catalytic converter $880 and now they are telling her it was her transmission and will cost $1500 to fix that.

She is also filing a complaint. The Campaign number for the complaint/recall is 03V231000. I ask that all vue owners who have had the same problem contact the National Highway Transportation Safety authority and file a complaint. If enough do this they can do an investigation and find that this should have been included in the recall.

Wow! Reading all these comments about Saturn VUEs is sad.

I bought the very first 2002 FWD, 4 cylinder, 5-speed manual transmission Vue delivered to Tampa, Florida. Before I ordered this vehicle (all they had were the V-6 models on the lot) I jumped on the Internet and did some research. I discovered that the V-6 Vues had multiple problems, and with the 182 HP detuned Cadillac engine, the price for the power was not worth it.

I also read that the "Golf Cart Transmission" for the 4-cylinder VUEs did not work correctly and failed, and also in some cases over revved the engine until the engine failed.

So... the only option I could see if I wanted a VUE was to buy the FWD 4 cylinder with a 5-speed manual transmission. That engine/transmission combination had been around for years in other vehicles and had minimal problems. So I put a $100 down on the order with my local dealer and off to the Middle East I went.

When I returned a few weeks later I received a call from the Sales Lady that my Vue had arrived. I told her I would not buy it if it drove like an overloaded dump truck, and she agreed I would not have to buy it if I didn't like it. When I arrived I discovered the VUE had an options package on it I did not order, and inquired as to why it had that package. She told me it was an introductory offer for this particular model and my cost was a total of $230. This package included alloy wheels, 6 speaker CD system, sun roof, keyless entry and air conditioning with remote controlled mirrors and electric windows. I was impressed. On to the test drive. It drove much better than expected so I bought it.

I have had the vehicle for almost six years now, and after the first three months the car has had not one single problem. In the first three months I had an ignition module fail, had the windshield washer nozzles blow out on both front wipers, had a leaky AC box inside the car that caused condensation to drip onto the floor. That is it! Nothing else has ever happened that was a problem.

I did get a recall notice a few years ago to strengthen the rear wheel supports and that was taken care of in just a few hours.

I now live in the North where it is cold and snowy, and my old VUE handles the snow and ice very well and starts perfectly. It has been paid off for almost two years now, and I will keep her going as long as possible.

I do advise everyone out there to keep the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles, and if using synthetic oil like I do, use AMSOIL or Mobil-1 synthetic. AMSOIL is better in my opinion, and here in the North I use 0W-30 synthetic.

Change the manual transmission fluid too, and replace it with synthetic transmission oil. Everything helps to keep them running smoothly for a long time.

I also own a 1993 SL2 with 365,000 miles on it, and everything on that car still works properly including the AC.

I won't buy any Saturn VUE again after reading all these horror stories (I assume I was lucky in getting the only non-lemon VUE in existence), and doubt I will ever buy a Saturn newer than a 2007 model, since the 2008 models are all steel panels. No more plastic sides anymore, which I love... no more new Saturns for me.

Back to my 2002 VUE: I suggest you only buy vehicles with the least options possible. The fewer the options, the fewer the problems.

Do not Buy a Saturn VUE - this is why;...

I have a 2003 Saturn V6 VUE. Don't mind that you are still paying for your car and it is NOT under warranty.

I have also replaced my "sway bar", 02 sensors just like everyone else. That was at least $1100. Have you ever had to have your radiator replaced at 80,000? I have. Yes another $400. Now it is the ABS sensors, just as everyone else. Another $600.

Why keep the car - buy a Toyota. At least you won't live at the mechanics.

The only one winning is Saturn. They are getting away with this... and the consumer is getting screwed!

I bought my 2003 Saturn VUE brand new, and in the first year of owning it I had to have the rotors turned.

In the second year the rear wiper motor burned out.

Year three I found oil leaking inside on the drivers side floor mat. Brought it in to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong.

After the three year warranty was up, I have had to put new front brakes and rotors on, replace the back wiper motor again, have the front left wheel bearings replaced and four new tires. I wonder why the size of the tires are an "odd" size and they cost a fortune.

I now have a cracking noise every time a turn.

I'll never buy another Saturn VUE.

I have a 2003 Saturn Vue.

The driver's side window regulator works when it wants to.

A small rock chip cracked across the entire windshield.

I've replaced the rear brake light assembly. (both sides).

The steering wheel makes a horrible groaning sound every time I turn.

The fuel gauge reads FULL all the time.

The transmission slips in rainy weather (very scary).

The transmission groans like an old Army Jeep.

The service light stays on.

Sometimes the gauges flutter like I'm in the Bermuda Triangle.

Had to replace the CD player. UGH.

I have a buddy with the same car, and my list is nothing compared to what he is going through.

This will be my last Saturn, run screaming...

I own a 2003 Saturn Vue FWD 4cyl Automatic and have 97,000 miles on it, and she still runs great. Keep all the fluids changed and do your recommended maintenance and you shouldn't have any problems. Sure there are a lot of complaints on here, but nowhere near the millions of these that were sold.

I owned a 1995 Saturn SL2 that had 200,000 miles on it, and it still ran perfect, including A/C, until it got t-boned.

Very surprised by the negative mechanical reports. We have a 2003 VUE V-6 with just over 60,000 miles. We've had great luck. The original battery lasted 4 years; ironically, I was on my way to buy a new one as a precaution for upcoming summer weather when the old one died and we still laugh about that. Original tires lasted as long as they should have. Same for the original brakes. We've had two accidents, one a fairly minor one on the front end, with no resulting problems after repair. We hit a deer doing 65 m.p.h. in November and, again, it's fine (the car, not the deer). We did replace a wheel bearing two months after the accident, but I'm not sure it wasn't related to the accident. We were on vacation and had to use a body shop out of state, and I suspect they missed something, but it came too late to claim on insurance. We need a new vehicle (growing family) and have hated the fact we'll need to sell a car we've otherwise been crazy about. FYI-have been very good about routine maintenance. Service at the local (Dallas area) dealer has been good.