2003 Saturn VUE FWD from North America - Comments

Bought a 2003 Vue AWD 4cyl with Vti in December 2002. We loved this vehicle. The way it drove and the smoothness of the transmission was really cool. We heard about problems from others, but never experienced ourselves. We felt a bit better once we got the letter extending the Vti warranty to 75k/5years. At that point we had 50,000 miles on the vehicle. So, we stuck our heads in the sand once again. No problems, but just as others warned us, about a week ago (12/26/06), it started grinding and bucking without prior warning. Had 84,500 miles on it (out of warranty - ouch!)

I took it to the dealer shop. I was expecting to have to pay for a brand new transmission. They said they thought a fluid flush and change would remedy the problem. But, with the shortage of the stuff, it sat in the shop for 3 days. They said I could take it home and wait for them to call when the fluid came in. I didn't want to chance driving it again and the transmission failing so I asked them to appraise what they would give me as a trade in as-is. They offered what I owed (they didn't know what I owed) and I took them up on it and bought a new Ion. SO GLAD to get this "time bomb" off my hands. I certainly was playing Russian Roulette with the powertrain.

I think they were generous with their trade-in offer given the problems. I think they know there are problems, but were willing to work with me since I was buying a new Ion.

We bought our 2003 4cyl Saturn Vue in 2004 and until recently have had only to take it in to replace 2 anti-lock break sensors. Now, at 89K miles, I had the car just totally stop in the middle of traffic with my baby in the back seat. Turns out the transmission is shot, and I received an estimate to fix it at just over $7,000 (nearly what I still owe on it.)

I am very upset to see that this is a common problem which Saturn has failed to fix. And for now, until I figure out what I am going to do, I can at least say that I, nor anyone I know personally, will ever purchase a Saturn car again.

I also have a 03 Saturn Vue. It was bought as a "rebuild" with 4000 miles on the drive train. It performed as new till 46k miles. It, as the other posters stated, also started to hesitate, lose power, and randomly stall. The problem is indeed the transmission (VTI). Buying it as a rebuild my warranty is long expired. I will be getting it fixed and offloading it as soon as possible. My wife drives the car with the kids in it and sudden transmission failures are unacceptable. Saturn should and eventually will address the issue. I also had a Saturn SL, I forget the year, but, the guy that drives it now takes long trips every week without fail. It had 150+K on it when I sold it. I kind of wish I still had it, at least it will run. I for one was a Saturn fan until now. Glad to know I'm not the only one in this sinking boat.

There is current a Class Action Case under review in Madison Co, IL for the AWD 2.2 Saturn Vue Transmission. The number is 888-217-8843 or email marie@lakinlaw.com. The more people there better the odds of winning. This entire situation has become ridiculous. Mine Vue transmission is dead at 8k with no help from Saturn. Can also email me for more info. pbarton_1@sbcglobal.net

My 2003 Saturn Vue transmission failed AGAIN today. This is the third time. Each of the other two "repairs" lasted about 1200 miles.

The first time, I had taken it to Saturn of West Chester in Pennsylvania, stating that my regular mechanic suggested having it checked because the transmission was "slipping". They said that these transmissions don't "slip" and that there was nothing wrong with it. 800 miles later it completely failed. It was fixed by Saturn of Harrisburg, near the breakdown. 59,300 miles.

On my way to a funeral 2 weeks later, it happened again. This time I had to take it to West Chester. They "fixed" it, but it never seemed to work right. When I took it back they could not find anything wrong (although they did hear the noise it made at exactly 1700 RPM). They would not comment on, or acknowledge, the shaking upon acceleration. They added transmission fluid and sent me on my merry way, no doubt crossing their fingers that I would not be back.

Today, at 62,000 miles, it broke down again. I got about 1200 miles out of each of the rebuilt transmissions.

I will be contacting that number about the class action suit.

Kim.

Are you aware that GM extended the warranty on the VTi transmission (if that's what you have--all 4-cylinder 2003 automatics were VTi's)? I believe it extended to 75,000 miles. You should be compensated for the transmission repairs.

My recommendation would be to have the transmission fixed once more so it is in working order by Saturn. At that point, get a different car. It's pointless to trade/sell a car with a broken trans, so while it's not on your dollar, have it fixed and get out from under it. The VTi was a disaster--it WILL break again.

It might be worth a look at the 2007 VUE. The new automatic is a tried-and-true 4-spd hydramatic that is very reliable. Saturn usually gives a good deal on Saturn trades, and the incentives now are good. Either way, DEFINITELY get rid of the VTi.

I own a 2003 and had taken the car in twice to have the transmission checked. They told me nothing was wrong. It felt it was slipping. But I received a recall on my transmission and had it replaced. You should check to make sure you are not due the same.

I have a different problem now. I am on my third set of tires and they are wearing unevenly. The last set only lasted about 30,000 miles. I have had them aligned and rotated, but we believe that there must be a problem with the car. Has anyone else had this problem?

June 7, 2007.

What can I say? My 2003 Saturn Vue left my family and me stranded on the highway due to total VTI failure. Saturn replaced the transmission only because of warranty. I told them that there was a problem with a vibration within a week of buying it new, but they said they couldn't find anything wrong.

After a new transmission was installed within a couple of weeks the same vibration was back.

Every time I get behind the wheel I wonder if the thing is going to fail again.

GMC should refund the total cost of these unreliable vehicles or replace them outright with the newest model and a regular transmission.

The service department told me that Saturn no longer uses this type of transmission. I wonder why!!!

I hope I can sign on with the class action suit to get some sort of justice. Billion dollar profits should not be at the expense of subpar product.

I also have a 2003 Saturn Vue with the VTi transmission, and like everyone above, have had issues with this. I have had 6 weeks of nightmares due to the transmission failing multiple times. I bought it used, with 54,000 miles on it, it now has 57,000 and this has been the only problem I have experienced. When this issue first happened, the dealer I bought it from thought it was the ignition switch, replaced it and it was fine - for 3 days. The transmission failed again, in the middle of heavy traffic. They took it in again, thought it was a couple loose wires in the wiring harness... yet again, it failed a few days later. Saturn is claiming it is my remote starter (tapping into the pass lock system) but my brother has been installing starters as well as many other aftermarket parts on cars for over 10 years and knows this is NOT the problem, as my previous car (1997 Chevy Cavalier z24) has the same exact pass lock system. The people at the local Saturn dealership are being difficult to work with and the whole issue makes me want to drive the car off a cliff... I will never buy another Saturn as long as I live, nor recommend someone else to buy one either. I think this whole situation has definitely been a learning experience, as I am only 20 years old and am going on my 5th vehicle, once I get rid of this horrible vehicle.

It's me KIM Again... I posted on May 8th. My trannie failed again for the 4th time. THIS time they replaced the whole trannie instead of "rebuilding it". My VUE runs great... much better than it did any of the 3 times they rebuilt it. They finally went all the way and replaced EVERYTHING like they should have done the first time. Between the 4 fixes, the tow trucks and the rental cars, they have invested close to $30k into this vehicle I paid only $24k for. After the third repair I entered into the class action suit and will remain even if I have no more problems, because I will still feel compelled to dump this vehicle when the warranty runs out at 75k; about 150k sooner than I had anticipated. I got 200k out of my last Saturn and I expected to get that out of this one.

Kim.

I keep reading about the Vue 4-cylinder. Is this tranny the same in the 6-cylinder? I'm not a car person, but my problem sounds the same as I hear on here. I have a 2003 Saturn Vue AWD 6-cylinder engine. It's a 3.0. I have around 48k on it and Saturday it started stalling out like you let out on the clutch on a manuel. It was doing it only on occassion when I would slow down to a stop, but it seems to be increasing. I took it to a mechanic and he said he couldn't get in the computer on the Saturn to figure it out. It's at another mechanic now - though it had to get towed because it stalled out and wouldn't restart at all. In fact instead of just stalling it did go 10mph for a 100-200 feet and then stalled all the way. I'm glad it went the little bit further or I would've been sitting in the middle of the road set for a nice T-Bone accident!! This SUV has been to the Saturn dealer a couple times. They've always been nice, but now we're over the 36k or whatever warranty is. I hope that it can get fixed. I'm still paying on it. Let me know if the transmission is the same thing. I can't seem to find that or if anyone has any other thoughts on what it might be that would be good to. Thanks very much.

As for the previous poster--no, your V6 model has a different transmission than the problematic VTi. You have a 5-speed auto built by Aisin, and it's a pretty trouble-free unit. Sounds like you have an engine problem, not a transmission problem. Have your mechanic check the crankshaft position sensor (CPS). When malfunctioning, they can cause the car to stall and have difficulty restarting. It's not an expensive repair, either. Good luck.

I have a 2003 Saturn Vue V6, and a couple of months ago I had to replace the right rear wheel bearings, and last week I had to replace the front left strut.

But I was reading about the transmission failure, and my car, when you start out from a dead stop, sometimes it starts out fine, and sometimes it sounds like it isn't shifting. It sounds like when you have the car in park, and you press the gas pedal, and it doesn't go anywhere, it doesn't die. I just let my foot off the pedal and then press down again, and it will act right.

Has anyone else had this problem? I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem? This is the first big problem I have had out of it. It has 93,000 miles on it.

I have an 03 vue 4cyl with the vti tranny. It is my wife's car and she only puts about 8,000 a year on it and this past week she was driving home and the car just stopped moving. engine was running, but it was like the car was in neutral. we called the saturn dealer and they told us to have it brought in and they would take care of the repairs. that was last week. today they are saying there is more wrong with the tranny than 1st thought and it will be a few days longer. I like the service I get from them except that this will be the third time this car has been to them for tranny noise and problems that they keep telling me there is nothing wrong with it. I really do not want to buy another car right now, but they might be forcing my hand. I know for a fact it won't be another Saturn.

I have a 2003 AWD 6 cyc. Saturn Vue. Mine was also a rebuild, mainly cosmetic problems. I bought it with 54,000 on it, now it has 63,000 and within the last two weeks randomly stalls out. It seems to happen when I slow down, sometimes happens when I am trying to pull into parking spaces. Usually will restart within 3-15 minutes. I have taken it to two separate repair centers, neither can replicate the problem. It did it 4x's the first time it happened, then almost two weeks went by before another problem. No one seems to have any answers for me. Any ideas?