2003 Saturn VUE FWD from North America - Comments

I am having a hesitation issue when taking off from a stop. Most of the time it takes off just fine, but occasionally it will hesitate to the point I feel like it's going to stall. So far it hasn't stalled. I'm concerned that I'm going to be hit from behind next time it decides to hesitate.

I bought this vehicle for it's safety and reliability which until about a month ago it was. Now I'm concerned that the problem won't get solved after reading other surveys and comments.

I know Saturn has a good reputation and I do hope they can resolve this issue for me because everything else about my Vue is fabulous.

We recently purchased a 2.2 Saturn Vue with the standard ecotech engine. About a month ago, this vehicle began to periodically 'cut out' or seemingly stall when acceleration was required from a stopping position. The only way to regain power was to floor the accelerator and hope that no one would collide into you from behind.

I have no idea what this potentially dangerous problem is. The dealer has categorically stated that there is no mechanical problem with this vehicle.

I to am experiencing this hesitation in power. I have been to the service department 5 times and had the transmission replaced. Now I have been told by Saturn corporate that the problem is "normal operating procedure." I refuse to accept this. I am now dealing with GM corporate and a lawyer. I would also like to talk with someone else experiencing this DEFECT. Please contact me at gshadejr@verizon.net. I have two small children and as far as I am concerned this vehicle is a safety hazard.

Well I guess it seems our VUE problems are just getting started. For the past month and a half it has been making a rubbing/screeching noise upon initial acceleration and nearly always when in reverse. Then it started to loose acceleration going up even the slightest inclines. Then it started to be really sluggish starting after a complete stop. I took it to the dealership and they seemed very helpful. They explained that Saturn had "put out a bulletin" and they would take care of it at no charge by changing the transmission fluid and a few other adjustments. Pretty good so far. The only problem is that I noticed that the screeching sound was still there and the sluggishness seemed even worse, even the same day I picked it up. The noise got even worse. After about four or five days following the service, I got a call from someone from the dealership asking how the repair effort was working. I told him it wasn't. He said give it a few days and things should improve. Four of five days later it was worse then ever before. I called the dealership and told them I was bringing it in. And they said the correction would take 100-500 miles of driving to really take effect. I was content enough to wait. Now the service engine soon light has just popped on. I'm running out of patience with Saturn, I just want to get it fixed. I also have a feeling there going to tell me I need a new transmission. Prior to this we were very loyal to Saturn. Our other car is a 1996 SL with over 125,000 miles and runs very good. This experience is starting to erase that goodwill.

We have had three transmission (Torque Converter) failures with our 2003 4 Cyl CVT Vue since new. First problem started out at 4,000 miles on the odometer while we were driving at about 50 MPH on a divided highway. The transmission seemed to disengage and the tach just about red lined. We pulled off the road and cycled the transmission and went on. After about a mile, same thing happened again (seemed like a standard transmission clutch slipping badly) and we limped into the dealer with an overheated transmission that was putting out quite an odor. The dealer had it for 3 days and amazingly could not repeat the problem. The next week, a transmission grinding noise at about 35 MPH began and became progressively worse. Back to the dealer again, demanded that the service manager go for a ride and they finally decided to investigate. They took the tranny apart, found and replaced a badly overheated torque converter and updated the computer.

At 17,000 miles, same exact problem, same repair and this time in addition to the torque converter they also replaced the valve body.

At 24,000 miles, same problem AGAIN and this time they replaced just about everything except the gearing with assistance from the factory and claim I now have the most up to date transmission improvements. The dealer states that they have never seen this happen before, but shortly after the second failure, I received a letter from Saturn Corporate providing me with an extended warranty period of 5 years or 75,000 miles (whichever occurs first) on the entire CVT assembly.

I believe it might finally be repaired because since the last repair at 24,000 miles (we now have 27,500) we have noticed that the engine tachs about 200 to 300 less at 70 MPH than before and we obtain a consistent 25 to 27 MPG. Before, we were getting about 20 to 22. We love the vehicle, but wish Saturn would have road tested this new technology transmission for a much longer period of time.

By the way, since after the first failure, Saturn Service has been great and they have always provided me with a new 3.5 Honda Drive line Vue Loaner which I must say is one of the quickest small SUV's out there and would most likely get me in trouble with the Highway Patrol!

I purchased the 2003 Saturn Vue 4 cyl. with the Vti transmission in November of 2002. Less than 3 years later, with 1,900 miles over the 5 year/75,000 warranty, I have a vehicle requiring $5,600.00 in transmission repairs with 2 years left on my GMAC note. Saturn Corporate's response is that they have adequately addressed the Vti transmission issue by extending the warranty. They will not discount parts or labor, nor will they cover the repair under any special policy exception. Does this mean that we should sink $22,000.00 into a vehicle which will only last us about 2.5 years without requiring major repairs. I have been a loyal GM customer, having only leased or purchased GM vehicles. My father is a GM retiree. My sister had the very same problem with her 2003 Saturn Vue within the first year of ownership requiring transmission replacement. Shouldn't we be able to expect more in terms of customer satisfaction? Why is the Saturn response to the Vti issue to make it the consumer's fault, i.e. failure to maintain the vehicle in accordance with the handbook, failure to change transmission fluid, failure to service the vehicle at a Saturn facility? Why is Saturn permitted to shirk it's responsibility when the Vti defect is so well known? Why is this defect not the subject of a recall? Why has Saturn been permitted to simply place a band-aid on the issue by offering an "extended warranty" when the reality is that a recall should be mandated? I will never purchase another GM or Saturn vehicle. The treatment I have received is absolutely unconscionable. Have any of you considered a class action law suit?

Of course GM is going to leave you hanging out there and pass the buck. What do you expect from a corporate giant that is in danger of collapsing like a house of cards.

Unfortunately most automakers play the public like this.

GM just happens to build more junk than most.

I have a 2003 Vue with about 44,000 miles on it. I have experienced the problem with the transmission as if it is a standard shift vehicle with a severely slipping clutch. This is my second time to Saturn and they can’t find anything wrong. I think I will be looking to trade this vehicle in as soon as I can. I drive to far to work and if we want to go anywhere on the weekends we just have an uneasy feeling because we can’t trust the vehicle. I understand things break, but fix it when it does.

I too have a 2003 Saturn VUE 2.2 with the CVT and 28k miles. The transmission was always doing funny things such as redlining for no apparent reason while on the highway. But over the past 1,000 miles things have progressively gotten worse. The transmission seemed to stay engaged when coming to a stop as would a standard car without depressing the clutch. It would also make the VUE shudder and sometimes stall. It would also, from a stop, not engage until about 1500 RPM which would cause the VUE to jerk and chirp the tires. The check engine light would remain on and the cruise control would not work?? At any rate, I called a less than interested dealer in the South Florida area where they explained that there was no ongoing problems with these transmissions. They also informed me that they do not offer loaners. I did my own research and noticed that many people were experiencing this type of problem. I emailed Saturn directly to explain my dissatisfaction and they seemed to show some concern. The day after emailing them my transmission just stopped working all together. 5k RPM's would render a top speed of 10 miles an hour (down hill with the wind at my back). I was able to nurse the car home (I was only 1/2 mile away). I called Saturn Corporate offices immediately and explained my problem. They had a tow truck at my front door 30 minutes later. Impressive. The Tow truck driver continued to elaborate that it was not the Transmission that was bad. I was outraged with his lack-luster customer service etiquette, not to mention his absolute nonexistent knowledge in automobile mechanics. None the less, the VUE did arrive at the local dealer where Saturn Corporate already had a rental car awaiting me, on their dime of course. After a week I was able to pick up my VUE with an entirely New Transmission. I asked if I have this same thing to worry about in another 28k miles down the road. I essentially wanted to know if they found and corrected the problem with the transmission to begin with. They stated that it has an updated chain in it among some few other mod's. Somehow I believe that this is not the last issue I will have with this transmission, but it is working much better than it ever has.

Update to my July 14, 2005 Vue CVT (VTi) comments.

At 30,450 miles the transmission failed exactly the same way as before (slipping badly and disconnect). Saturn replaced the entire Transaxle Assembly and I contacted Saturn Customer Service requesting that they exchange my 2003 for a new 2006. They will provide an extended warranty (5 yr or 60,000 mile) for no cost if I purchase a new vehicle (totally unacceptable). Currently exploring legal action as well as requesting assistance from the BBB.

I never thought I'd say I was happy to hear some of these problems, but I am. I'm on my 3rd Saturn - a 2003 FWD Vue w/VTi trans. Everything's been fine with it until the week of October 3, 2005 when, for no reason, my vehicle almost stalled when trying to accelerate from a stop. I immediately called my dealership in Libertyville, IL, and made an appointment to come in. That was October 7. I waited about 2 hours while they hooked it up to the computer, but found nothing. I owed nothing, which was good. The week of October 10, I had two more days where the vehicle almost stalled. One day, after 8 hours of it sitting at work, my vehicle had the sensation of hesitation/near-stalling 3 times when I tried to leave the parking lot. Fortunately, no one was behind me at the time and there were no cars in the street I was turning into. The weather that day was cold here in Chicago and I had the heat on low. Later that same week, with no A/C or heat on, my vehicle again near-stalled 2 times when I was trying to drive forward out of the parking lot in front of my condo building. The vehicle was sitting for about 2 hours before I took it out on a short run to the store. Again, I called Saturn and took it in October 17. I got a rental from Enterprise and had the car for 2 days. Like before, they could not duplicate the problem... and I ended up having to pay $60 to cover the rental, since Saturn couldn't find any problem. The computer check on it was perfect. The 3rd visit to Saturn (and 4th day of near-stalls) came on October 22. This time, I was in semi-heavy traffic on a local busy road in Lake/Cook County, IL when it had a brief bout of near-stalling. I prayed hard that I would not impact the car in front of me, nor would the person behind me hit me. I got off that busy road as fast as I could and went to my local post office to do business. When backing up out of the parking space and attempting to drive forward to finally go home, "it" happened again. By now I was about ready to scream and leave my previously beloved Vue beside the roadside or in a ditch somewhere with a sign saying "Take me...please!" But, I didn't. I drove my Saturn again to my dealership Oct. 22 and just left it there. I had called them to say that I wanted a rental vehicle and would just leave it there until it was fixed. Well, I ended up picking it up October 24, very discouraged because everything was still coming up okay on their computer system. They had called me to ask if their Service Manager could drive my vehicle to his home... in WI!!! They were hoping to see if driving the distance in various traffic would bring "it" on. Problem was, I found out about a previously unknown clause in my State Farm Insurance car policy about NOT having liability insurance when vehicle is "being repaired, serviced or used by any person employed or engaged in any way in a car business." (pg. 7 of State Farm - Illinois Policy Form 9813A). That's a whole different can of worms for me. I wonder what that means if I ever want to get my Vue fixed properly? Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions about what to do next, I'd appreciate it very much - as would many others I'm sure. Hang in there, friends...

I have a 2003 AWD Saturn VUE. I love it except the fact that it is a 4 cylinder and it has the transmission problems. I bought it new in November of 2003. Several months after I had it I was on a slight incline. pressed the gas to go forward and it just cut off. I had to put it in park and restart the engine. I didn't bother taking it in to saturn since it didn't do it again. After a year and a half I was in a turn lane when it happened the second time. I was about to turn in front of traffic to get on the interstate when it just cut off as soon as I hit the gas pedal. It had also been sluggish at times and did not want to accelerate as quickly as it should. I took it to the Saturn dealership and they only put a different kind of transmission fluid in it along with some sort of additive. After two weeks my husband looked underneath the car and saw that it had a leak where the transmission meets the engine. He thought it was transmission fluid, but when I took it to Saturn on a Thursday they told me it was an oil leak. They said they would need to keep it for a few days since they'd have to take out the transmission to fix the oil leak so they asked me to pick it up and bring it back the following Monday. Well, it didn't last until Monday. Saturday we had it on the interstate when it started making a rumbling sound and a vibrating sound at the same time. Then the transmission started slipping. It was like it was in neutral. The RPM's were almost red-lining, but the car was not gaining speed. We made it off of the interstate and ended up having it towed in. The guy I deal with in the service department told me last week that they should be replacing the entire transmission. He just called a few minutes ago to say it was ready for me to pick up, but they did not replace the entire transmission. He said they replaced all the major components of the transmission. He said it was about $3000 worth of work. The had it for 11 days. I am worried it was not replaced after reading the reviews. Guess we'll see how it goes. I'd like to trade it in, but owe too much on it. For the most part Saturn has been good to me, but I've been spending way too much time there the last few years. I love Saturns and want to trade this one in on a newer VUE with the new engines and different transmission.

I would recommend you do just that. The 2006 VUE has several improvements over the first version, and the 4-cyl version now has a tried-and-true GM automatic. It works very well with the ecotec engine and will have no problems at all.

You can also get some serious incentives right now. It would be worth it and I really think you'll enjoy the new VUE. The new interiors are beautiful.

We purchased our Saturn Vue New in 2002. We up until now loved it. We use it for a commute car for my husband. We take it in for all maintenance and oil changes ect... Long story short our complaint is the transmission causing us to have a 8,000 dollar paper weight. The dealership quoted us $8,400 American dollars to replace the transmission. I have contacted corprate and the reduced that cost to $5754.00. with a 12,000 mile extended warranty. This is bull. We cannot even get the thing rebuilt or repaired because it is now discontinued. Does anyone know of any class action suits due to this faulty transmission. I feel Saturn new the product was inferior and failed to do right by it's loyal customers. We have bought 5 cars from our Saturn dealer in 5 years. I will never buy another one.

If anyone knows anything or wants to start something my e-mail address is kris2641s@aol.com.

We have a 2003 Saturn Vue 4 cylinder that has the same "hesitation" problem. Have taken back to the dealership several times and they can never find anything wrong with it. I am going to contact Saturn again and inform them of this website and all the other people that are having similar problems.

If saturn knows about this transmission problem and I belive they do. I have received by back notices from saturn for my 2003 vue. I could not figure out why, now I know, my transmission went at 40,000 miles. lucky for me my brother is a mechanic and put the vue on a computer which showed four bad celinods in the trans, so when I called the dealer I had all the coded information, and inside information about this problem. too bad for saturn they should have stuck to there original buissness format, and stayed far away from gm.