Comments: 1-15, 16
Transmission.
Transmission.
Transmission.
Transmission.
Everything was great with our new Vue until about 13000 miles. That is when we began to notice that if we were stopped on a decline and pulled out into traffic at a normal rate of speed, the car would make it a few feet out into the road and then complete engine power loss for about 5-6 seconds before it finally kicked in.
We returned to the dealership, explained the problem and left the car. The service department was excellent. They replaced the transmission, and everything was covered under our warranty.
A couple of weeks passed and the problem resurfaced. We returned to the service department where we left the car for two days. They were unable to re-create the problem. So I picked it up.
Same day, the problem reoccurred. So the next morning my wife returned it to the dealership. They could not re-create the problem. When she picked it up, she took the service manager for a ride. Pulling out of their parking lot SHE was able to re-create the problem.
So he told her to bring it back after the weekend.
By now we had been in touch with Saturn corporate as well as a lawyer. So we bring it back, a fourth time. They tell us there is a new computer update and they programmed it in.
Pulling out of the dealership it does it again! I turned around and went straight back to the dealer where I was met with confusion and this time, I think, skepticism.
Three days later now we have been told by corporate, who was told by the dealership, that it is normal operating procedure for the vehicle.
WHAT?!
So when I am trying to cross three of the six lanes of the major highway I travel on, with my 13-month old son in the car and this piece of crap loses power for 5 seconds (approx.), that's normal operating procedure?!
You'll be hearing from my lawyer.
I had the same exact problem for 10 months and FINALLY was able to recreate the problem with a technician in the vehicle and it turned out to be the ignition. Once they replaced the ignition, that problem has been taken care of.
That is really too bad about your Vue. I have one and my husband has one. He has the 4 cyl auto and I have the V6. We both love our Vues and have no problems big or small. Better luck next time or is it luck...
My just over a year new Saturn VUE transmission dropped while I was going up a hill. I had my 12 year old son with autism in the car and he completely freaked out. We started to roll back wards until I threw it into park. I am under warranty, thank goodness, but still, I don't think a transmission should go out after only a year. If it keeps happening I am going to be really upset. The service department at Saturn was very nice and my car will be towed free of charge as well as giving me a rental until they fix it.
Maybe I am lucky that it completely lost all transmission power since they can't make me have to recreate the problem.
I love the size and look of the VUE, and will repost after they fix it.
Patti in Southern California.
To the last comment, was your transmission an automatic?
I know what you are talking about. I have had nothing, but problems with my transmission, rotors, and brakes. since I drove it off the lot my car has bogged down when I try to make a turn or merge in with traffic. The saturn mechanics always make a note of it and say they will tell the computer in the transmisson not to do that. Well, I don't know what the "computer" has been telling my car, but they made it worse. Had to have the transission replaced and it still has the same problem. But any saturn mechanic will say there is nothing wrong with it. Nope. don't ever feel that shimmy in the car either. don't know what you're talking about ma'am. guess it's just ALL MY IMAGINATION. This car is crap!
I have a vue purchased in August of 2003. I am now on transmission number 5. My extended warranty has ran out and I still have to pay on the car. My dealership says it will cost $4500 dollars to fix it.
I am working with Saturns customer service to get this issue resolved. Even they won't deny that this is a lemon of a car.
Have a 2003 vue purchased in April of 2003. I am now on transmission number 2. My extended warranty has ran out.
My dealership says it will cost $5300 dollars to fix it.
Transmission failure (lost power on the car, my car died!!!) we pulled over restart the car and everything was fine only 65000 miles (in Tucson AZ.) I live in Oxnard CA, Only about 15 hours away, in my car my wife, son, and daughter not a pretty picture especially on hwy 10 we finally got home took my car to the dealership and sure we had a BAD TRANSMISSION I was under warranty they did the work for free no problems;
but know about 1-1/2 year later at 96000 miles (this only 31000 miles on the new transmission this time transmission stop working belts in the sys are in pieces. well my is the dealership this time I'm out of luck NO Warranty LIKE I SAID $$$5300.00 to get fix COSTUMER ASSISTANCE HAVE REFUSE TO HELP IT'S KNOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. NOTE I BOUGHT MY 2003 VUE SATURN BRAND NEW, DID ALL MY REQUIRE CHECKUPS AT THE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREES WITH ME THAT SATURNS KNOW ABOUT THIS ONE TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM AND That's WHY THEY INCREASE THE ORIGINAL Warranty 3YRS 36000 TO 5 YRS 75000 (TRANSMISSION STILL HAS A PROBLEM) THEY CAN INCREASE THE Warranty TO 500,000 MILES AND *** TRANSMISSION STILL HAS A PROBLEM****THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE IT HAS PROBLEMSSSSSSSS ANYWAYS NO LUCK,.
LAST COMMENT I CAN GET $$$ 2,200 FOR MY VUE AND USE IT AS A TRADE IN FOR A NEW 2007 SATURN THIS IS FROM COSTUMER ASSISTANCE REP, NEWER AGAIN I'LL BUY A SATURN.
I have a 2003 Saturn Vue (automatic transmission), bought it used in 2005. Shortly after buying the vehicle (around 65,000 miles) the vehicle transmission started making noises. I took it in to Saturn and they would not acknowledge any problem and said they were unable to reproduce the noise.
Within a month my Vue started stalling when at a stop light. Saturn then said there is a recall on some Saturn Vue transmissions (but no one has ever brought the recall into their dealership). They verified that my Vue fell within the recall and replaced my transmission. The Customer Service department was very nice.
All was well for about 4 months and then my vehicle started making transmission loud noises while driving 5-15 mph. It is embarrassing when friends and family ride in the vehicle because they hear the noise and think there is something wrong with the vehicle. I took it back to then several times during the extended warranty. The first couple of times they refused to acknowledge that the vehicle was making any noises and the last time (when the extended warranty was done) they admitted that the vehicle transmission is making a loud gear noise, but they have verified with corporate that this is a "normal operating noise" that the 2003 Saturn Vue transmission makes and the noises cannot be fixed.
I tried trading my vehicle in and the Saturn sales rep looked at the service record for the vehicle and told me that my vehicle has a bad transmission. They could only give me a $3000 trade in value. KBB rates may Vue (in good condition) at $7000. The customer service department continues to claim that there are no problems with my transmission. This was my first Saturn and I can guarantee this will be my last.
I bought a 2003 Saturn VUE (used, in 2004) and had been having transmission problems for the past year... there were a few instances in which the vehicle simply lost power. In fact, a warning light appeared indicating "reduced power" (something I've never seen on any other other vehicle).
I have mileage just over 130,000 km and have no warranty left apparently. I am devastated.
I had heard noises (sewing machine) for the past several months and had the vehicle in for a tune up to see if that would rectify the problem. As the last person commented, everybody who drove in my vehicle, even after the tune up, asked why the engine was so noisy!!!
Yesterday the vehicle would not move in reverse! After reading these comments I am not real optimistic on Saturn rectifying the problem.
I will never buy another Saturn! I am still paying on the vehicle and am deeply disappointed with their customer service.
I bought a 2003 Saturn Vue in 2005 and it has been at the dealership for SEVEN weeks to replace a wiring harness! And I have been told that it may take another two weeks to have it fixed cause they are waiting on a part. And they are not %100% sure that is the problem.
The vehicle began to lose power and SES light came on, and it has hardly any power. The service has been terrible. No more Saturn vehicles for me and my family that's for sure. Corporate has been contacted.
I have a 2003 VUE (it's 2008 now) with 30k...Yes 30K and the trans died. No warning, just BLEW UP. It's just under $6,000 to fix. Did I mention it is 3 months out of warranty.
NO loaner car for the 5-10 days to fix it...GREAT!
I am NEVER buying a Saturn again. (This is my 6th, yes 6th Saturn)
The transmission on my Jaguar was cheaper to replace, and I got a loaner for the whole time.
We bought our 2003 Saturn Vue last year in 2007. It only had 33000 miles on it and looked great. My first impression on the test drive (4 cylinder engine, automatic) that it sounded like a snowmobile and the transmission (constant velocity) didn't shift into gears like any other automatic that we have had. Ignoring that we drove it a lot including a huge road trip last month. 1st problem, the fuel gauge went out. Thank goodness for extended warranty that my wife insisted on, that took two days and we have our Saturn back. Two days later the transmission mysteriously dropped while on the highway. After a $300. towing bill to take back to the original dealer we are now car less. This will be an enormous bill though I cannot advocate enough, get the extended warranty. It is sooo worth it. We won't even get a rental care until the warranty care insurance also inspects the Vue and states the obvious that the transmission is gone. Did I mention that I am also a mechanic. Long weekend - thank goodness we have other vehicles to use.
With everybody having transmission problems on the Vue, is anyone putting together a class action lawsuit? Saturn is aware of this problem and has done nothing to fix this problem.
I too had problems with transmission. Estimated cost 5600. I just came out of the 5 yr warranty by 5 months. I had 58500 on it.
I was told by the service guys, try Car Max, don't buy another Vue. I am pleased to say after reading all the notes on the site, I tried my luck at the service manager at a local dealer. They very kindly extended the warranty and repaired the transmission, cost 3700, I paid 200 deductible. I then promptly sold it the next day. Thank God.
Ps there is a class action law suit, just type in the words in the search and you will find it.
My transmission just went out as well. I second the class action lawsuit. Let's make it happen. They've built a faulty vehicle and will not take responsibility for it.