Comments: 1-15, 16-19
I thought that I had been fortunate in purchasing the Vue. However, 12 days after the purchase, I noticed a growling noise in the transmission when I shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. I noticed this just as I was to leave town for 4 days to travel in another vehicle.
I expressed my concern to my salesman when he happened to call to see how I was doing. He said I should contact the service department which was not very good customer service on his part. I received a call from Saturn and was told that the service manager would contact me. Four days later, I received a phone call.
When I brought the car in, we drove around for a while. I left it there and when I went to pick it up, I was told that the noise was occurring due to the way I drove the car. He asked if I had been driving a manual for long. I told him I had driven a manual for 17 years.
I called the dealership to express my displeasure with the diagnosis. After driving my Vue and another on the lot, the same noise occurred in both. Cautiously and in a non-commital way, they stated that it seemed to be common to the Vue. They stated that some people are more lenient with noises than others. I stated that this was a brand new car and there shouldn't be any noises that I had to be lenient with. I also expressed my concern about this turning into a bigger problem.
At this point, they are supposed to call me when the engineer comes to this area. I want to set up an appointment with him. I feel quite down about my future prospects with this car regardless of the warranty.
I love the way the exterior of the Vue looks, its size, and its functionality. However, if the engine or transmission fails all of that becomes moot.
What a shame, you must've gotten the 4 cylinder. The new V6 is supposed to be great!
I read this because I have an interest in getting an SUV for towing and 4WD. I have had good experiences with 3 Saturn cars.
I would like to know more about what engine and what transmission gave the problem.
It was good to hear the positive comment on the 6 cylinder engine.
My wife and I have been researching the 2004 Vue and plan to purchase one. The engine for the '04 view is new this year... a 3.5L 6 cylinder manufactured by Honda (good news if you know the reputation of the Accord, etc..) We test drove one and could not believe how "peppy" it was! Way more impressive acceleration than my 2001 Impala. We are buying the automatic, so I cannot comment on the standard transmission. We opted not to get the AWD model either, since it is not a true 4-wheel drive. It does not have a transfer case and merely engages when the front wheels start to slip. Even with this option, it remains a front-wheel drive vehicle 99+% of the time. In my opinion, not worth the $2500 or so for the all wheel drive. We love the ergonomic interior and found just what we want for under $20,000. A bargain for sure!
Early in March I purchased an '04 Saturn VUE with manual 5-speed 4 Cylinder. I have put 2,600 miles on it with absolutely no problems. The manual shifter is smooth as butter and quiet. The power is adequate. On a trip from Virginia to Massachusetts it proved to be a joy to drive and very comfortable. Highway mpg was nearly 30 (29.8). I am very satisfied with my VUE.
-"I noticed a growling noise in the transmission when I shifted from 1st to 2nd gear"..."After driving my Vue and another on the lot, the same noise occurred in both".
It stands to reason that if the sound occurred from multiple cars that it really could be the way you are driving it.
Oh dear, I was about to purchase a 4WD VUE until I read this! Perhaps someone could direct me to a dedicated website where current owners/drivers of these vehicles can contact each other.
I purchased a 5 speed manual fwd 4 cylinder VUE last month. I love the vehicle. I let a friend from Boston drive it this past weekend and he loved it. He said it shifted like his SAAB which he also loved. I have had a 1991 Ford Explorer since it was new. The Vue has great space compared to the explorer and I only used the 4 wheel drive 3 times in 13 years in Minnesota. I am amazed at the value of the VUE including the mileage.
As far as the outcome of the growling noise, here is the update. My father, the manager of the service department, one of his technicians and myself drove my car and another Vue just like it. I drove the car, the service manager and the technician drove it and it made the sound for each of us. The next Vue we drove also made the same noise. I drove it and the service manager drove it.
I decided that I would exercise my 30 day exchange option and pick the Vue that growled the least. So far, I've had to take it in the replace the CD player that ate my cd. They told me that there was nothing they could do about the CD player, that it happens and that they would have to take the whole unit out and replace. I was lucky to get my CD back.
Overall, the car is OK. Its not great, but OK. I still continue to get compliments on how good it looks. The way it runs is totally a different story.
I have a 2003 VUE, 6 cyl and find that it is peppy, but noisy when passing at high speeds. It quickly comes close to redlining. I love the car overall and traded in a 2003 Ford Escape that bounced way too much. I have the front wheel drive and used it last winter and found that it had excellent traction. Hence, I also don't see the all wheel drive as necessary. My only frustration is the high cost that the dealers want for accessories. It really adds up quick. I would definitely buy another Saturn. As an aside, two days after I bought it a guy slammed his driver door into my car. Because its plastic it bounced back in his face and hit him smack between the eyes! I also saw a wagon in an accident once where the Saturn was hit from the side real hard. All four people in the Saturn were OK. I am convinced the company could run away with profits if it were not for its lousy advertising.
I recently purchased a four cylinder 2004, 5 speed manual VUE. I have experienced nothing short of pleasure in all aspects of this vehicle. It shifts smoothly, has plenty of 'pep' for a four cylinder and exceeds the mileage estimates that were on the window sticker. This, coupled with its handsome looks, have made me a Saturn believer. All of this from a former Honda CRV owner!
I bought a 2003 VUE in December 2002. Within 6 months the following occurred: I noticed the grinding noise that has been described previously. After two weeks in and out of the dealership they determined it was the transmission. Some components needed to be replaced. At the same time, the front ABS system sensor had to be replaced. The rotors had warped and the button to that controls the traction control fell inside the dashboard when I tried to turn it off. By the way, the traction control feature I believe is a dangerous feature. At least on the front wheel dive models, it truly causes the car to hesitate too long while it "thinks" about redistributing power.
My latest problems include my horn being stuck in the on position which happened out of the blue. I had to yank the fuse to stop it. The grinding noise is back, the exhaust system rattles like crazy when sitting on a hill, the car has no acceleration and often hesitates at bad times and I still have not been scheduled for the recall repairs!
Needless to say, I will not be purchasing another Saturn and that's a shame because I had a 1996 SL which had 120,000 miles on it before I bought the VUE. I have heard the 6 cylinder AWD models do not have as many problems. But you know what? I spent a lot of money for this model and as far as I'm concerned there should be no problems!
I have three cars (3 drivers), a 2000 Chrysler minivan, a 2000 Ford Explorer, and a 2004 Saturn Vue. We always choose to drive the Saturn. Our 4 cylinder, manual transmission Vue is more fun to drive and gets much better mileage than either of the other two. All of my cars have been reliable probably due in some part to conservative driving habits of my family and good maintenance habits.
I purchased the first 4 cylinder Vue in Florida in February 2002. I was pleased with my purchase and received the sunroof, 6 speaker cd system, mag wheels, keyless entry and alarm system, electric windows and door locks, etc... for the cost of factory installation ($230). This was a very good deal and I have been quite happy with my Vue. Problems: At 5500 miles one of the ignition coils failed and had to be replaced; the loud vibrating noise others have heard in the transmission and exhaust was also in my vehicle and after several trips to the dealership they found the problem in the transmission and corrected it; rear wiper motor failed and had to be replaced, all the door handle pads had to be replaced twice due to melting in the hot Florida sun; the "creaking" steering wheel noise was never corrected and finally has "gone away" after 58,000 miles; ignition coil failed again at 52,000 miles (good thing I bought the extended warranty) ; the fuel gauge problem existed in my Vue as well and Saturn replaced the fuel sensor under warranty blaming the damage on the "high sulfur content in the gasoline here in Tampa, Florida"; I know it sounds like this vehicle has been a pile of crap, but all of the problems I listed did not once strand me and I was able to drive easily to the dealership for repairs. My brakes have never given me problems and everything works well. On top of that, I get excellent mileage with the 4 cylinder and manual 5 speed transmission. I enjoy the room it has and was very pleased with the price I paid for all the options it had. My first Saturn, a 1993 SL2 is still running strong at 300,000 miles and has never had ANY problems. I do all the preventative maintenance on my vehicles such as oil and filter changes which may have something to do with the longevity of my vehicles. Good luck with your Vue or other Saturn.
I bought a 2004 VUE a year ago, with the 4 cylinder 5 speed manual and the power package. Nothing has gone wrong yet, but I too have found the transmission to be touchy. It can be tough to shift, especially when it is cold outside. It feels like it catches a little on something. And no, it's not me because I tested other brands before I bought and they shifted very smoothly. The car is nicely functional, but cheap inside. Things are poorly laid out, like the radio that has the AM-FM button right beside the volume knob so you always hit it accidentally. The console lid is hard to close. I find the seats very uncomfortable and hard on my back. GM has always had great tilt steering, but for some reason they chose to steal the one bad thing that Japanese car makers build, tilt steering that barely tilts. It whacks you in the knee too if you forget to push the latch back up. Silly idea. I could go on, but you're bored already.
I have a 2004 Saturn VUE, automatic transmission, 4 cylinder. I loved the car at first, and although, on the whole I am still happy with it, I have had some similar problems. The driver's side door sticks when you open and close it, there is a "tin-like" sound when you drive it (occurred just a few months ago) and I am also getting a vibration noise--like a poker card stuck in the wheel of a bicycle tire moving very fast.
Honest opinion--are these things fixable? And why, when I clean my windshield in the front, do the wipers make no noise whatsoever, but when it rains they are louder than the engine?