My wife began experiencing a strange noise in the front end. It sounded like a washing machine out of balance. The noise and vibration increased with speed. We took it in for repair.
We were given a loaner for 1 week.
Saturn ended up replacing the entire automatic transmission. It is one of the continuously variable transmissions. I was surprised that anything would be wrong with a vehicle with so few miles. We like the Vue, but are skeptical now.
We like the looks of the vehicle and its step in entry height. I like the fact my wife sits up a little higher and feels safer because she can see more. She loves the vehicle, but I am concerned that quality and the fact the closest dealer is 45 minutes away. It makes having repairs and servicing a hassle.
Do some research on the VTI transmission and you will find that the vibration/shudder/growl noise is a problem that plagues "all 2.2 Saturn Vues". I was sold mine with this disclosure withheld knowing the problem exists and that the vehicle comes with an "all service bulletin" list as long as your arm and which information was withheld during first test drive with sales person who made misleading statements in order to sell the vehicle.
This sounds harsh, but I have had to cope with knowing this and putting up with a 2.2 Vue AWD that has been in the shop for over 30 days since last October with no satisfaction.
If you wish to contact me my email address is kmcel@telus.net.
Hi am eddyjb49@msn.com I have a 2003 vue awd 4cyl. I just received a letter from saturn on the vti trans. there giveing me a 5 year or 70,000 on the vti only, I call them an said I want a 6 year or 100,000 bumber to bumber wanrrty, she on the phone said how a bout a 36mouths or 75,000 I said no she than said what if we split the cost, I said maybe, she frist offerd me one year of oil changes I said no, lets see if they call me back, I have 7,000 miles on the car.
I purchased a 2003 Vue with the 4 cyl Vti trans. Around 5k miles I noticed a slight vibration at the throttle "Tip in". That is what the Factory calls it when you are applying a slight amount of gas, like going up a hill. They upgraded the software, replaced several sensors, then the transmission itself. After 4 separate times in the shop, the service manager (who was very apologetic) sent me a very interesting e-mail that originated at Saturn's R&D department. Basically it said that the torque converter was not meant to be controlled the way it was in the final product, and that since the project is what it is (the Vti production has stopped currently and it is not known if it will ever continue) that they would not be redesigning the converter to correct the problem as there have not been that many complaints. Of course they now said that the vehicle does not qualify as a Lemon (MD state law says after the vehicle is in the shop 4 time for the same thing it is a lemon) as that is the nature of the design. I guess everyone that has one of these vehicles is stuck unless GM decides to allow Saturn to fix the problem. If you would like more information, drop me a line.
Breakiron@nucusa.com.
A recent article I read indicates that GM is almost ready to resume production of the Vti, hopefully this will mean a fix is in the future.
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