2002 Saturn VUE review from North America
"Piece of junk"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I am not as crazy as the service department would have me believe!
General comments?
My problems began two months after I purchased my VUE. I took the vehicle on vacation and the service engine soon light began to appear, then the reduced power light came on and the car would only travel about 20 miles an hour. I had to pull off the road and rest for approx. 20-30 minutes then it would start up and go. This has happened several times since it was supposedly fixed.
Also the driver's side door had a leak. The service dept. said that they could not find one. Now when it rains the car leaks as though someone had turned a hose on in my car. I have no idea what this would cost to fix.
Then, the steering column would make noise. They said that the steering boot needed to be greased. I have returned two more times to have this problem fixed. The service dept. told me that I was the only customer who had returned more than once for this problem.
My horn began to go off one night. The neighbors loved that. I had to pull the fuse to make it stop. I brought it to the service dept. and had to return the next day because it went off again that night. They had no idea what was wrong. Then they came to me and said the the air bag was damaged. And since I was out of warranty it would be $800 to repair. I lost my mind. How could a problem that was, apparently, there when I purchased the vehicle cost me? I raised so much stink that they offered to replace it for $50.
Other problems, the passenger rear door window goes up slowly (service dept. says motor needs to be replaced $300), fluid does not come out of wipers (flush system $50), service engine soon light comes on for no apparent reason, rear passenger door will not open, (I have had the same problem with the front passenger door $45 to fix plastic holder thingy).
I am sure there are other things I can't think of off the top of my head. I have sat at the Saturn dealership for hours to have a problem fixed and I get in my vehicle and drive and the problem is still there. So, I turn right back around and wait again. What is going on?
When Saturn first arrived on the scene it was all about customer service. I have found the service manager to be abrasive and condescending. I will not purchase another Saturn. My daughter was wanting to purchase an ION, but because of the problems I have had she refuses to purchase a Saturn.
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| In my opinion the jury is still out on the VUE |
| Lemon Lemon Lemon |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 4 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 91 miles |
| Most recent distance | 86000 miles |
| Previous car | Saturn VUE |
| Date of Entry | 10th July, 2005 |