2003 Saturn VUE AWD4 from North America - Comments

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.

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.

I have the exact same rumble and vibration in my 03 VUE between 55 and 65 mph. It's great to see a complaint and solution on the same page. Now I know exactly what to tell the dealer when I bring it back. Otherwise so far I like this vehicle.

Actually, it's the opposite, the VTI is actually a Saturn design which is why GM hasn't introduced it into their other models and also the VUE is made at a Saturn plant which GM should, but hasn't yet interfered to improve quality control at the Spring Hill, Tenn plant. GM has improved quality at their other plants with the Oshawa Ontario plant being the best plant in North and South America for good quality from JD Power and Associates. The Saturn SL and ION are good cars because they used good transmissions. I know the VUE has had other problems other than the VTI, but it seems they've gotten rid of all those problems from what I've heard from people that I know. I would recommend though that you should try and see if they will trade cars as I was offered to at the dealership where I got my VUE. They said if I wanted to, I could take the new V6 instead because of the problems I've had, but I'd rather go back to a car instead so I'm trying to see if they'll let me take a regular GM vehicle since the L-series looks kinda small in the back.