Comments: 1-15, 16-28
I have had the same problem four separate times. The "Service Engine Soon" light comes on, and the car suffers a noticeable lack of power and acceleration ability, particularly on hills. On some, but not all, of these four occasions the "Reduced Power" light also comes on intermittently. In addition to the four occasions mentioned, the problem has also happened two other times for very brief periods (less than 15 minutes) and then disappeared.
The first time I took the car into the service department for repair, they said they could not find a problem. So they turned off the "Service Engine Soon" light and told me the car was ready to go. It worked fine for about two weeks, and then the problem reappeared. The second time in the shop, they replaced a "Throttle Position Assembly" and told me the problem was fixed. The car worked well for another few months, and the same problem happened again. So this third time, they replaced the gas pedal and a few other parts whose names I cannot recall. Then the car worked for two more weeks. I am scheduled to go back to the service department in a few days.
Eventually, if they keep replacing parts, I will have a brand new car. Someday, they might find the actual problem. I am not holding my breath. But I am getting well acquainted with the Saturn service department.
It would be nice if Saturn would offer a "loaner car" program.
Hello!
I've got a 2001 SC-2, and I've been *lucky* (read unfortunate) enough to have the Service Engine Soon light problem as well... My local dealership has replaced gas caps (6 months ago),front and rear solenoids (4 and 3 months ago) and finally my gas tank (2 months ago)... today on my drive home, the SES light came back on... joy. I believe you are right, by the end of this ordeal, I'll most likely have a new car ;) I wish I had an answer for you... but I don't! Hopefully Saturn can get their act together soon. As a side note.. my dealership does have a loaner program, but they only have one car (a new Vue) and its rarely available : (
Good Luck!
I also had the same problems you have with your 2002 Saturn. My service plan was over at 32ooo miles and I have 50,000 now. When I had all the parts replaced just like yours, they finally told me they would replace the wire loom from the gas pedal to the engine. It has been one month now and no problems yet. Saturn dealer in Illinois replaced the wire loom free of charge too. You need to tell them that you will contact the Lemon Law Layers.
I have a 2003 Vue bought March of Last year. With the current recalls of the Saturn Vue on 8/5/04, I am comforted to find others with the same/similar problems that I have.
I too, have had the same problem with the service engine soon lights, reduced power lights, etc. I took it in and they could not reproduce the problem. When I took it on a long trip, my whole front end made a grinding noise and was succeeded by the engine lights. I finally took it back to Saturn and they replaced the entire accelerator assembly.
Not even two weeks later I noticed that my car was still grinding when making turns, again, it was taken back to Saturn. They could not reproduce the problem. I would not take it back until they could. Finally, after them doing some research, found that the bushings and sway-bar links had to be replaced b/c Saturn was rebuilding them after complaints were made.
I received the notice about the transmission problems and am a little perturbed that the engine seems to slip at times. Now the recall with the rear suspension.
All I can say is, I will never buy another Saturn again! I am currently researching Lemon laws, to see if they can take back this monstrosity.
-Richmond, VA.
I have a Saturn Vue and the security system body modulator went out. The boot on the steering column caused it to grind each time I turned the wheel. The engine light came on because the bolts holding the engine were loose. The water coolant system went out. There was water in my floor board when the air conditioner was on, it was not sealed. They didn't use the right stuff and it had to be redone. Now the RPM's shoot up out of no where, the dealer ship can't locate the problem, they need to keep it to put on the machine again. I also have a grinding noise when I run over uneven ground, it comes and goes. The dealer said they can't find the problem. Now I read about suspension problems.
I currently own a 1997 Saturn SC2 with only 33,00o miles and today, once again the Service Engine Light illuminated on my way home from work. Last time the dealer replaced a sensor and a week later, the late was on again and the engine was losing compression. The dealer then wanted to replace all of my fuel injectors so I just took the car to a local mechanic, who cleaned the injectors and it's been almost exactly 2 years since the light went on. I have a friend who has a Saturn who has experienced similar problems with his SC2.
I too have had problems with low acceleration on my 2002 Saturn Vue. I have had it to the dealer twice and in both instances I was told that it was the "Throttle Assembly" and would need to be replaced. I chose not to to replace the assembly since the first time I brought it in the manager said it would be "approx $800.00" to replace and the second time I was quoted "approx. $1200.00" to replace. I inquired if other problems with the throttle were reported and he called technical assistance and he reported that there were "4-5" nationwide. He said he would call me back that afternoon to see if GM would assist in the cost of replacement. That's the last I have heard from the dealership. I'll take it back this week and show them this web page and see if they really find out what they are doing. Otherwise acceptable vehicle for the price. By the way I also had the sway bar replaced, but it was under warranty.
I have an 04 Saturn VUE and I am having the same problems with the engine lights coming on and then I lose all power. Pretty scary when I am in the middle of the highway in traffic going about 2 miles an hour. I haven't had it looked at yet. I will never ever buy another Saturn again. I hate everything about this vehicle.
We have a 2002 AWD Saturn Vue. Today, it will be towed into dealership because of the Service Engine Soon and Reduced Power problems, now a second time.
Also, have had the "grinding on turn" problem. All told, we will have paid approximately $5,000 in repairs for this car.
After this repair, we will be trading it in on something more reliable.
I bought the Saturn because of the customer-friendly image it has... but this car has made me reconsider that idea as a bad one.
I am having the same problem with my 2002 Saturn Vue. I am extremely upset because we have had numerous problems with this car. We bought it used from Carmax in March of 2005. In June of 2005, the air conditioner went out. They sent my car to the Saturn dealership and they fixed it, but we had it back in the shop about 5 other times for the same problem. Finally at the end of the summer, they fixed it... or so we thought. In March of 2006, we had an extremely warm day and I turned the air on... only to find out that it was in fact broken again. I took it in and the Saturn dealership couldn't fix it. They kept telling me that it was working fine. After having it for about a month, I finally went out there and made them drive it with me. Surprise, surprise, it wasn't working. So... they fixed it. Now, in October of this year, we are having this reduced power problem along with the service engine soon light. If I turn the car off and back on again the reduced power goes away, but the service engine light comes on. I am annoyed. We took it into the shop and again, saturn couldn't identify the problem. Finally after a week, Carmax drove out to get it again and it happened to them on the way home. Saturn said they had been driving it, but it is apparent that they had not by the miles that were on the car. So, they were able to diagnose a faulty accelerator... they replaced that and now it is happening again! I HATE SATURN! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN! BUYER BEWARE!
I have a 2003 Saturn VUE. The check engine soon light has come on 3 times under warranty. I was told it was bad gas and a bad sensor. However the 4th time it went on IT WASN'T under warranty. Now I am told I need new fuel injectors to the tune of 333.00! I didn't have it fixed and after I left the dealership I went to the emissions facility and my car passed without any trouble.
Beware!
I just bought my 2002 Saturn Vue in September 2005. Drove it 4 weeks and then only drove on the weekends for 2 months. (I'm a school bus driver so I drive that all week) Started driving it again last Thursday and Friday service engine light came on. Low power and sitting in drive thru at Wendy's the RPM flew up over 5 and wouldn't go down until I turned the dang thing off. I am so upset I have only had this vehicle for a little over three months and already problems.
Did anyone find something out on Lemon Laws would love to give it back and get something else???
Thanks.
So, after the first problem with your car, you consider it a lemon. Wow. It's like these things are machines or something, that might occasionally break, especially as they age.
As for the "lemon laws", keep dreaming. Your car is 5 years old.
Just pay to fix it, and try to understand that you will occasionally have problems, just like any other car. Or, you can dump it and "go get a Honda", and then find out the hard way that they will eventually have a few problems too (but usually cost more to fix).
One way my Honda has been cheaper for me to own than an American car is that my clutch and fuel pump have lasted me 250,000 miles without being replaced and that goes for every ting else except my cooling system and belts and fluid changes.
I have a 2003 Saturn Vue and have been experiencing a lot of problems. About three weeks ago I was leaving my parent's house and the car would not start. Had it towed and the ignition coil went out. Now the odometer randomly selects numbers to display. When this is occurring the gas gauge will go from E to F. The service engine light will also come on for a second or so and then go back off. This is really starting to concern me due to the fact of making lenghty trips all the time. Does anyone else have any similar problems? What was the problem if you did experience this? Feel free to email me tsatterf@lhup.edu.
My 2002 Saturn Vue has had continual problems since day 1.
The grommet in the 5 speed transmission broke, the clock pin in the steering howls and grinds, the rear end was on recall, the heater fan does not work properly.
I have been through 3 ignition coils.. in the last 2 months... and now I have been told that one of the pistons is not working and probably has never worked correctly, and that all of these are known problems at Saturn with these vehicles. I will have to replace the motor to the tune of $2500 or more. My car will not be paid for until July 2007.
I bought this car because it was American made. This is not an example of American ingenuity as I know it. It is, in my opinion, a perfect example of a big business knowing the problems and reusing to make it right, thumbing their noses at those of us who have to work hard for the money. I will never buy Saturn or GM again and I will urge all my family and friends to do the same. Toyota, here I come.