2002 Saturn VUE from North America - Comments

I have a 2002 Saturn Vue and purchased it from a used car lot where all the vehicles had a carfax report. I also have a 2003 L200 Saturn. I have never had any problems with the L200 but have had major problems with the Vue.

We have always changed our oil and filters, etc.. every 3,000 miles and kept all fluids level, etc... But the service engine light has always stayed on since about a month after purchase.

I was driving my mother to a doctor's appointment one day with my three toddlers in the back, and all of a sudden there was this horrible, loud grinding noise and the car went from being fine to over heated in 2 seconds. I pulled over right away with my 4 year screaming that we were going to blow up. I got out of the Vue and opened the hood and there was this horrible brown sticky stuff all trough-out the engine. In the water, in the radiator, everywhere.

I let it cool down and pushed it into a parking lot away from the road and called for help. I had two mechanics look at it and they both said that what has happened is the camshaft has wore down the heads. And there is no way to fix, except replace the motor, and not with the same because they had seen many do the same thing, and they advised me if replace with same motor, they cannot guarantee that it will not happen again or how soon it would.

I called to find out any information from the dealership and they said that was false. They had never heard of the problem and I should not listen to two backwood mechanics (knowing that they are only part replacers). I advised her that I would trust someone who went to college and is licensed by the state quicker than I would her and her part replacers. I advised to her that I would look into it on my own and that they would be hearing from me again. I called and asked for the president of the company, and the secretary advised she did not know who it was. I also went on-line and found approx 167 other people that have had the same exact problem with the same model and no one will listen to me.

Next my goal is to write a letter to all the editors of all the major motor magazines and see if anything is accomplished that way. And for the person who made the 1/10 blog who advised someone to get real that all cars have problems, it is not the point that they have problems, it is the point that someone should fess up and fix it at no cost to us. People know that car manufacturers make parts crappy to help the industry on purpose, but when it is not a tail light and it is a 3,800.00 motor, they should eat the cost for breakfast and fix the darn thing.

I live in Colorado and I purchased my 2002 Saturn VUE in March 2003 as a used car with less than 3500 miles on it. According to Carfax there were no issues, and during the first year I had no problems whatsoever. The first incident occurred during the summer of 2004 (8200 miles) when the car lost acceleration on hills and the check engine light came on. Later in the week the light went off and the car ran fine so I didn't take it to the dealer. August 2005 (18,500 miles) the same thing happened, but during this trip my car basically stopped - the engine was running, but the car wasn't going anywhere, and absolutely no acceleration (revving) of the engine, gas pedal dead as can be. I turned off the engine and waited 5 minutes or so, and then it restarted fine. I got home okay and took it in to the dealership, assuming it was a transmission or vapor lock issue, and after a $100 diagnostic fee they told me my VUE needed a new throttle body assembly to the tune of $1200. This seemed to fix the problem for about a year, and then I experienced the same loss of acceleration July 2006 (28,000 miles). This time it cleared up on its own, the light went out and I had no further problems. July 2007 (37,500 miles) I end up in the middle of nowhere in Utah when my VUE experiences the same problem as in 2005. I wait, start the car, check engine light is on, and finish my drive home to Colorado. During the drive home I also start experiencing weird issues with the alarm system. I'd lock the car remotely and 5 minutes or so later the alarm would go off. At the dealership the next week, another $100 diagnostic, they tell me that my throttle body assembly needs replacement again - they comp the cost of the parts since they had been replaced less than 2 years prior, charge me $200 for labor, and then tell me that the alarm issue is mot likely connected to the erratic codes the computer had logged when the TBA went out. But now they inform me that I have a coolant leak around the oil pump - an $800 job that they say can only be put off in the sort run. So, new TBA, codes reset, and 2 weeks later my car won't start, and the alarm issue just keeps on going. Assuming its the battery, I had that replaced. All was fine for 2 days, and the car won't start again. This time I have it towed to a non-dealership shop, and guess what they tell me??? GM fuel pumps are 'not so good' (expletives avoided), especially at high altitudes in the heat of summer. And since the pump is mounted in the fuel tank, and performs a lot of tasks, so when they go out (which, according to this repair shop, comprises a lot of their summer work) it is very expensive, $900 in my case. I started doing some research and find that a lot of VUEs have experienced the same kind of problem, but why won't Saturn just recall the fuel pump that seems to make the TBA go out so easily? That is the big question - but the only answer I can give is - "this is my FIRST and LAST Saturn". I will pay for the repair, and promptly trade the car in for whatever Japanese small SUV I can afford.

I have a 2003 Saturn Vue with 70K miles (the last 40K miles are mine), and so far, no significant problems to report. My "Service Engine Soon" came on last week, and I was concerned about a big repair bill, especially after reading some of the comments on this site. I called the dealer for some practical advice, and he suggested that I verify that the gas cap was installed tightly, before checking out any further. Sure enough, that was the problem... the "root cause" was traced back to my 5-year-old boy, who had loosened the cap and closed the lid! It took 3 days before the indicator light turned off, as the service manager had predicted. It may seem an embarrassingly simple fix (similar to calling an appliance repairman before verifying that it's plugged into the wall), but according to the dealer, that has been the problem 90% of the time. I'm sure a dishonest mechanic may have "discovered" other problems.

I purchased a 2002 Saturn Vue in January of 2007...3 weeks after I bought it it started to lose power and barely would reach 25mph...I took it in and they informed me about an "Engine Modulator" recall which they fixed... now less than a year later I have had to replace the battery twice and a week ago it appears that the "Engine Modulator" went out again as I lost complete power. The service engine soon light and reduced power light where both on when I dropped it off at the shop. I will never buy a Saturn again (especially the Vue)...and would recommend no one else does either... it only has 39,000 miles on it and I will be getting rid of it as soon as it is fixed.

I own a 2002 Saturn Vue. When I am driving on the highway it is OK, but when I slow down to go off the highway, the engine stops. When I try to restart it, it just rolls over and over. I have found that the fuel pump doesn't come on. but if I wait 5 minutes it will come on with the turning of the key and the motor will start then. Anyone know what is causing this problem?

I changed the gas filter. It was blocked off with dirt.

I have a 2002 saturn vue with 69000 miles. I have had several problems in the past, but now have a reoccuring problem with the service engine light and a reduction in power. The first time I took the car in, I was told that there were some corroded connection on some electrical part that was causing the problem. The dealership said they cleaned the connection and coated them with dielectric grease and now it was good to go. Three days later same problem. The car is in the shop now I hope it`s the last time for a while.

RESPONSE - I had the same problem with my 04 Saturn, in which I would drive the vehicle and it would shut off for an unknown reason. After multiple trips to the dealer, who could not find what was wrong, I saw online that other Saturns (not Vue) had the same problem, and replacing the IAC was the resolution. I have not had the above problem for a year.

I guess "Welcome to the Club" is appropriate here. My 2002 Saturn Vue has just come home from 15 days at two different mechanics including the Sturn Dealership. The SES light has been on since almost 2 years after I bought it - and I'm the original owner, it had only 21 miles on it when I bought it.

It was under warranty, and the dealer kept insisting there was nothing wrong. They would turn it off and a few days later it would reappear. The first 5 years I can't complain because nothing major happened. BUT... about a month ago I noticed it was having difficulty starting, I replaced the battery. A week later it was still having difficulty starting so I took it to my mechanic where they replaced the alternator, did something with the transmission, replaced a water pump, timing belt, the list goes on... to the tune of $2349. And now the SES light was off - finally.

Two days later car is still having trouble starting. Now I realize it is only in the heat of the sun. It starts fine in the morning and evening, just not when it's in the hot sun. My mechanic kept it for another 3 days and couldn't find the problem, the SES light was back on.

One last ditch effort before I get rid of it, my husband says lets take it the the Saturn dealer first - the closest one is 32 miles away. Of course they couldn't find anything wrong with it either and "it started up just fine this morning" I reminded them it was ONLY when it was in the hot sun. I get a call back the next day and they found the problem - the fuel throttle. It can't be cleaned; it would have to be replaced to the tune of almost $900. Of course they couldn't guarantee me that that would fix the problem, so I told them forget it, I would be there later that evening to pick it up. They had the nerve to try and sell me a new Saturn - at which point I laughed and said I will never buy a Saturn again!!

I have a Saturn 2002 Vue. I search the web only to find comfort that other people are feeling the same pain. I truly believe that the SES light is a ploy for the dealers to make money off of us now. Before this computerized inspections, mechanics were not bound to the computer to tell them to pas or fail. Now I have been having an issue for 6 months with my light being on... and there is absolutely no code that indicates that it is a failure. The care always fails, but the printout says there is no reason for failure. this is my frustration and I know you all can feel my pain. If I atleast knew there was a reason I could atleast try to fix it!!!

I have a 2005 Saturn Vue, manual, 51660 kms, 2000 of them mine, (previously my mum's car, bought new if I recall correctly) and just recently I've been having problems. The car's mine now and I've had it for about two months. A few times I would be at a stoplight and as light changed and I tried to accelerate the engine would start this awful chugging and grinding, the RPMs would rev really high and the steering wheel would try to jerk to one side or the other. And the car wouldn't move. At first I thought it was something I was doing but then it the same thing happened 3 times in one day. I finally managed to get the car going when I grappled it into second gear. I didn't notice any lights come on but I was more focused on getting the car through the intersection safely.

I have an appointment at the dealership to have it looked at, but the woman in the service department told me over the phone that the warranty wouldn't cover it because it's 3 years or 60000km, so I'm just over the 3 years. I'm really not a confrontational person but I'm going to try to see if they can give me a break on this. I'm dreading the bill that might come of this.

Can you say "over it". I have 2002 Saturn Vue with 68,000 miles. I had the car towed to the Saturn dealership today with my fourth throttle body assembly problem. If the lemon law still applies to a six year old car then you can say I have a lemon. Frustrating to say the least. I was a Saturn fan, but now all I want is out of this car before I get stranded somewhere with my 1 year old.

I bought a used 2002 Saturn Vue because my van was guzzling gas. I thought the Vue would save on gas money. The problems that I have experienced with the vehicle are costing much more than the gas for the van would have. I have had so many problems with the vehicle and mechanics telling me things are fixed when they aren't. This is very frustrating as a single mom of three who depends on her vehicle to make a living. I have had Saturns in the past and loved them so I am very disappointed. I feel betrayed and would not recommend this vehicle to anyone, nor would I buy Saturn again.

Saturn Vue and Ion Owners join together in a proposed Class Action for defective vti transmissions

By: Valerie Hall (Bigg News)

Wednesday, Nov 5 2008, 1:23pm.

Canadian owners and leasers of 2002- 2004 Saturn Vue and Ion with 4 cylinder vti transmissions are disgusted by the irresponsible actions of Gm Canada. They are horrified that GM Canada is putting the lives of their families at risk. As a result Canadian Consumers of every province are getting together to address their concerns on this matter by a proposed Class Action Lawsuit.

Canadian Consumers are very angry especially in Quebec and British Columbia. Canadian Saturn Vue and Ion owners and leasers of every province join together to address their concerns about defective vti transmissions.

They want to demonstrate to GM Canada that the welfare of their families is most important to them and that it is unacceptable to put the health and safety of their family members at risk.

Canadian Consumers with 2002- 2004 Saturn Vue and Ion vehicles having vti transmissions allege that GM Canada is guilty of unfair business practice, breech of warranty, poor quality of goods and services, and unjust enrichment. General Motors Canada is allegedly in contravention of the Highway Traffic Act and the Consumer Protection Act.

GM Canada knowingly returns to the consumer vehicles having defective vti transmissions. GM Canada knowingly endangers public safety, has a total disregard for the laws of Canada and for all human life in Canada.

The arrogance of GM Canada is unconscionable, unethical and totally unacceptable. GM Canada is disregarding the GM generated Saturn safety recall service technical repair bulletins.

According to GM Canada it is normal business procedure to allow customers to drive vehicles with transmissions that have stopped operating properly on highways at high-speed without warning, causing sudden and massive deceleration.

These tranny failures have necessitated evasive manoeuvres to prevent rear end collisions, chain reaction accidents and loss of life.

The Saturn vehicles lose power at random in town at intersections and elsewhere on public roads. The transmission failures create an enormous risk to human life, wherever Saturn Vues and Ions are driven.

GM Canada refuses to honour the new car power train warranty and extended warranty and fails to properly diagnose, repair and replace the defective vti transmissions with safe transmissions.

GM Canada even disregards the rights of the consumer to be warned about this allegedly defective and dangerous transmission. Withholding this important information prevents informed consent before the consumer enters into a new vehicle contract with GM Canada.

GM Canada also resells these vehicles having vti transmissions and fails to warn the new owners about their allegedly inherently defective nature.

In the United States the Lakin Law Firm has litigated a class action settlement in this matter. This proposed settlement only applies to the United States. The court has preliminarily approved the proposed settlement. Notice will be given to the class members to explain their rights. The Final Fairness Hearing will be held on March 30, 2009.

The class members in the United States may begin to submit claims and be covered by the other benefits of the settlement when the court grants final approval, For more information about the proposed Lakin class action settlement in the United States, call (618) 251-2498 or refer to web site:http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp.

Canadian owners and leasers of 2002- 2004 Saturn Vue and Ion with 4 cylinder vti transmissions are fed up with the irresponsible actions of Gm Canada. They are horrified that GM Canada is putting the lives of their families at risk. As a result Canadian Consumers of every province are getting together to address their concerns on this matter.

If you are interested in joining the proposed Canadian Class Action Lawsuit on behalf of Canadian Saturn Vue and Ion owners and leasers, refer to the contacts found below.

Mailto:canadianclassactionsaturnvue@gmail.com

mailto:canadiansaturnvueiondefects@gmail.com

mailto:canadiansaturnvuedefects@gmail.com

http://www.canadiansaturnvueiontransmissionfailure.com

http://saturnvuedefects.googlepages.com.