2003 Saturn Vue complaints

2003 SATURN VUE CVT/VTI TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALREADY "FIXED" AT A SATURN DEALER 2 YEARS AGO AFTER COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY 55 MPH COUNTRY ROAD. AN ACCIDENT WAS POSSIBLE AT THAT TIME AND LUCKILY I HAD A PARKING LOT PULL OFF TO ACCESS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A HIGHLY APPARENT KNOW DEFECT. THIS SATURN WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE AND ONLY AFTER A SATURN DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM 2 YEARS PRIOR AND NOT MANY MILES LATER. LUCKILY, I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER RETURNING MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO HER MOTHER JUST TEN MINUTES AND 6 MILES EARLIER. IF SHE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. I WAS BANGED UP AS THE DRIVER. THIS VTI TRANSMISSION IS AN EPIC FAILURE! HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO LOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM UNTIL I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. BEYOND SHOCKING, TO SAY THE LEAST. I AM CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY AND INQUIRING ABOUT BEING STUCK WITH THIS UNSAFE LEMON. I HAVE BEEN REFERRED BY SATURN TO A LOCAL GM DEALER FOR SERVICE VIA MAIL, SO I WILL START THERE. I AM DISMAYED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE WITH THIS EVEN AFTER A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS AWARDED WHICH I WAS UNAWARE OF UNTIL TONIGHT 4/6/11. CAN YOU LIVE WITH THE GUILT OF KNOWING ABOUT AN ONGOING AND EVIDENT PROBLEM AND THE LIVES THAT WIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH ON A SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROAD SURFACE WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT RELEASE. ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE WITH A HAMMER TO THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY SON NOTICED A SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT WAS NOT NORMAL. WHEN WE STOPPED I OPENED THE HOOD AND INVESTIGATED. WHEN IDILING IT SOUNDED LIKE A CHAIN SLAPPING, AT 1000 RPMS THE SOUND WAS LIKE A WHIR INSTEAD OF A SLAP. AFTER LISTENING FOR A FEW MOMENTS I DECIDED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TENSIONER HAD FAILED AND THE CHAIN WAS INDEED SLAPPING AROUND, BUT IT HAD NOT DAMAGED A VALVE. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT SATURN ENGINES, SUCH AS MINE (2.2L ENGINES), DID INDEED HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THAT ENGINE, BUT ONLY 2000-2002 MODEL YEAR. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR WAS ALMOST $1400.00

WE PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN VUE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. WE HAD THE CAR ALMOST ONE MONTH AND WE WERE OUT TO EAT ON A SUNDAY IN HENDERSONVILLE TN WHEN MY HUSBAND GOES TO PUT OUR VUE INTO REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF A STALL AND IT WOULD BACK UP IT JUST WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE FILLED IT WITH SOME AND IT STILL DIDNT MOVE FORWARD ONLY REVERSE. WELL WE CALL FOR IT TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SATURN DEALER IN GOODLETTSVILLE TN. NOW GM IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND ABOUT GIVING US ANY MONEY AT ALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WE FURTHER FOUND OUT UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET THAT SATURN ADMITTED THERE WAS TROUBLES WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY WERE NEVER MADE TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. NOW AS A CONSUMER THAT MAKES ME MAD, WE WENT ON CRAIGSLIST AND THERE ARE A TON OF THESE BEING SOLD RIGHT HERE IN TENNESSEE. MORE SUCKERS THAT HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE GETTING INTO. WHAT IF MY HUSBAND WERE TO HAVE BEEN IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THAT DAY AND A SEMI RAMMED INTO HIM BECAUSE HE COULD ONLY GO BACKWARDS???????? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!! I AM MAD AS A CONSUMER AND I DONT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN VUE NEW IN 2003, IN 2006 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT , THE SATURN DEALER SHIP REPLACED IT. THEN IN 2008 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE DEALER SHIP SAID IT WAS KNOW LONGER UNDER WARRANTY . WHY CAN THEY NOT RECALL THESE SUV'S TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IT COST 4500 DOLLARS IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. MY CAR STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW BUT JUST DOESN'T RUN , I'M AM SO DISCUSSED AND NOW SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO ARE WE JUST OUT OF LUCK? *TR

I AM APPEALING WITH ALL DUE RESPECT FOR A COMPLETE REMEDY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. IN 2007 I PURCHASED A 2003 FROM SATURN OF MARIETTA IN MARIETTA GEORGIA. INITIALLY I EXPRESSED THE DESIRE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE (A HONDA SUV) BUT THE SALES PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE ADAMANT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AND FINALLY TALKED ME INTO IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BETTER THAN A HONDA SUV, ETC. IN MARCH 2008 I MOVED TO CHARLOTTE N.C. BECAUSE OF A JOB OPPORTUNITY. THEN IN THE SUMMER OF 2009 THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A VERY PECULIAR NOISE. I TOOK IT TO TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. AT THE TIME I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSED THIS WORK. HOWEVER, I WAS BLESSED WHEN THE SECOND ONE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD HEARD OF SOME ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE SATURN OF SOUTH BOULEVARD. I DID SO. IT TOOK ME THE ENTIRE SUMMER TO SCRATCH AND SAVE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT GM WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE BULK OF THE COSTS BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO SECOND OWNERS ON THE VEHICLE. THAT'S ALL THEY TOLD ME. IN AUGUST OF 2009 I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PICK UP THE CAR WHICH THEY REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF APPROXIMATELY $3400.00. FAST FORWARD TO APPROXIMATELY ON JANUARY 16, 2011 THE CAR BEGAN MAKING THE SAME PECULIAR NOISES. NOW THIS IS ONLY 27,000 MILES AND 18 MONTHS LATER. SO I TOOK IT TO 3 REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING STEVE MOORE CHEVROLET ON SOUTH BOULEVARD (BECAUSE THEY DO ALL THE WORK FOR SA

MY 2003 SATURN VUE SEEMS TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS SLOW TO START, LACK OF POWER, AND HAVE NOTICED WHILE IN GEAR RPM'S UP TO 5000 - 6000. AFTER IT SITS IT SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS BUT RPM'S STILL TOO HIGH WHEN IT DOES SHIFT. I TOOK IT TO ONE SHOP THAT WAS NOT WILLING TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH SATURNS, HE DID TELL ME THAT THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND IT CAME BACK WITH A "TRANSMISSION CODE". IT IS NOW AT ANOTHER SHOP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED HOME. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I BROUGHT A NEW 2003 SATURN VUE AND MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT BUT HAVE LITTLE INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED TURNING THE IGNITION ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSES THE FAILURE TO BE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AFTER RAINY DAYS THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKED WITH WATER, OVERHEAD ON ROOF IS ALSO WET ALONG SIDE THE DRIVER DOOR AND SUNROOF CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT TO BECOME WET. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A MOLD FORMING IN MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN DAILY. *TR

I BOUGHT A SATURN VUE 2003 WITH A VTI TRANSMISSION ON APRIL 1ST 2009, WITH A 41000 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 09, 2010 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DIFFERENT PLACES AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO DO THE WORK. THE CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 69000 MILES AND IT SHOULD BE STILL UNDER THE NEW GM WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW CAR. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

POWER TRAIN-AUTOMATIC VTI TRANSMISSION. *TR

VTI TRANSMISSION. *TR

TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A NOISE AND IT SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO GIVE HER A 50% DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING AS I WAS GETTING ON TO THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOSING POWER. I HAD TO HURRY AND PULL IN TO THE EMERGENCY LANE (WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT 4 FEET WIDE) ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR. EVENTUALLY I MADE IT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TO A GAS STATION. IT HAS BEEN AT THE MECHANICS FOR TWO DAYS NOW WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE THE TRANSMISSION BUT HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS OUTSIDE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,966. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,400.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING; PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

WE HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE AND IT ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT. THREE YEARS AGO WE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AND NOW FOR A SECOND TIME IT HAS BROKE. WE HAD WARRANTY ON IT AND THEY REPLACED THE FIRST ONE AND ALSO HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT NOW THAT SATURN IS NOT IN BUSINESS THEY WILL NOT HONOR OUR WARRANTY. WE CANNOT AFFORD A SECOND TRANSMISSION AND WE NEED THIS VEHICLE REALLY BAD AS WE HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE HAVE READ SO MANY REVIEWS ON THIS THAT FROM 2003-2005 THE SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION CONTINUE TO BREAK. WHAT DO WE DO NOW SINCE OUR WARRANTY IS NOT VALID AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT'S NOT FAIR AT ALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

MY 2003 SATURN VUE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION TOOK IT BACK TO THE CAR DEALER WERE WE BOUGHT IT THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT WE NEVER GOT ANY PAPER WORK FROM THEM THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS WELL THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS CALLED GMC AND SENT LETTERS BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL WELL THEY SENT A NOTE TO US BUT TOLD US WE WERE OVER THE MILES THEY HONORED THAT'S NOT OUR FAULT WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL NOW I HAVE A SATURN IN MY DRIVE WAY WITH NO DRIVE AND STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS THIS IS NOT FAIR THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES OVER IT IS AND WE BOUGHT IT USED IM AT WITS END WITH EVERYBODY ELSE THAT HAS A 2003 SATURN WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS JUST READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR

2003 AWD 4 CYLINDER SATURN VUE, CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AT STOPS AT 63K MILES. CAR RPMS BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY EVEN ON HIGHWAY. CAR BEGAN TO STALL OUT ON 35MPH ROAD, AS THOUGH IT COULD NOT STAY IN GEAR. THIS WAS ONE TRIP THAT TURNED INTO A ONE-WAY TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

2003 SATURN VUE, TRANSMISSION WENT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY COLLEGE STUDENT WAS DRIVING IT. GETTING REBUILT TRANSMISSION FOR 4,600.00. THIS IS JUST WRONG. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A JOB. *TR

I OWN A 2003 SATURN VUE 4 CYLINDER FWD. I BOUGHT IT IN OCTOBER 2009 ONLY TO FIND AFTER 2 MONTHS THAT THE SUV WAS A TOTAL RIP OFF. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I HAD TO SPEND 5000 DOLLARS AND WAIT FOR MONTHS BECAUSE THE KIND OF TRANSMISSION WAS NOT EASILY AVAILABLE. I REALLY WONDER HOW A CAR WITH SUCH SERIOUS DEFECTS STILL AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET? CAN'T NHTSA DO ANYTHING IN THIS REGARD? GM USED A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THEY WINDED UP THE COMPANY PUTTING ALL CUSTOMERS AT DISTRESS. NO SERVICE,NO PARTS AND HOW COME THE CARS ARE NOT AT RECALL? I SEARCHED NHTSA WEBSITE AND DIDN'T FIND A RECALL ON THIS MODEL FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IN THE LAST 10 YEARS NO OTHER MODEL WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THIS ENORMOUS COMPLAINTS. ROLL OVER RISK ON THIS MODEL IS TOO HIGH AS THE SUV REALLY SWAYS AT EVEN SMALL TURNS AT LOW SPEED. AREN'T THESE REASONS ENOUGH FOR A RECALL? YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS MODEL FROM BEING SOLD ANYMORE AS UNAWARE CUSTOMERS LIKE ME GET TOTALLY DECEIVED AND ARE LEFT HELPLESS ONLY TO SPEND THOUSANDS OUT OF POCKET IN THIS TOUGH ECONOMY. IF THE CARS ARE TO REMAIN, GM SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICE AND SUPPORT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETECTED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT AND DEALER WERE WAITING FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD POSSIBLY BE HONORED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY COVERAGE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

ALARM LIGHTS SUCH AS BRAKES, ABS, SERVICE, & SERVICE ENGINE SOON CONTINUES TO BE LIT ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. THE GREEN LIGHT INDICATOR THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY CONSTANT IS NOW INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING. THE ODOMETER WENT BACK TO PRACTICALLY ZERO. THE GAS TANK INDICATOR IS ERRATIC, NOW IT'S ALMOST FULL WHILE A FEW WEEKS BACK, IT'S ON EMPTY. *TR

2003 SATURN VUE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR HAD 54,000 MILES, FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ABOUT 30,000. *TR

2003 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON FEBRUARY 12, 2008 WITH 73,270 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DECLARED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IRREPARABLY DAMAGED. THE DEALER STATED IT FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART THAT WAS COVERED BY A RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITHIN TWO DAYS. HOWEVER, ON OCTOBER 1, 2009, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM PARK. IT WOULD TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO ENGAGE. BY THEN END OF THE DAY, IT WAS TAKING APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. THE NEXT FEW DAYS WERE PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE FOR 10 MINUTES. ON OCTOBER 13, 2009, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ONCE AGAIN, THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. GM STATED THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDED ASSISTANCE.*JB UPDATED 10/20/10. *JB

WE WERE DRIVING TO WORK IN OUR 2003 SATURN VUE 5 SPEED, GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN WHEN WE LET OFF THE GAS AND WOULD STALL WHEN WE WOULD SHIFT. WE FIGURED IT OUT PRETTY FAST AND LOOKED FOR AN ON RAMP WHILE WE TRIED TO "PIGEON" FOOT THE GAS AND BRAKE TO PREVENT A STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE DASHBOARD LOST POWER, WE KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS VERY VERY WRONG AND THAT IF WE DIDN'T' GET OFF THE FREEWAY, WE COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE IF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WE SPOTTED AN OFF RAMP AHEAD AND WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WE CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, JUST AS WE HIT THE OFF RAMP THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER (RPM'S GOING UP AND DOWN) EVEN WITH OUR FOOT ON THE GAS, WE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK COMING DOWN THE HILL. LUCKILY HE SWERVED AND MISSED ANOTHER CAR COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WE PUSHED THE CAR TO AN INCLINE AND ROLLED THE CAR INTO A PARK AND RIDE WHERE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. HE FIGURED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO WE HAD A FRIEND PICK ONE UP FOR US AND MEET AS THE PARK AND RIDE. HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND AS USUAL FOR JUMP STARTING A CAR, WE TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL DRAWS (RADIO, A/C, FAN ECT.) THE CAR STARTED UP, THE RPM'S FLUCTUATED BRIEFLY, THEN IT WAS OK. 2 WEEKS LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 50 MPH, LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER

2003 SATURN VUE-TRANSMISSION GRINDS. IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE AND WHEN IT DOES START, IT STALLS GOING INTO DRIVE. CAN DRIVE IN REVERSE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS BUT CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY DRIVE WHEN PUT IN "DRIVE." IT CAN BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN A 30 SECOND TO 3-5 MINUTE DELAY BEFORE THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE 2004 DUE TO OTHER DEFECTS (JERKY GEAR SHIFTING, STALLING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS). EACH TIME THE CAR WORKS FOR A LITTLE WHILE (A YEAR OR SO) BUT THE JERKING BEGINS AGAIN. THIS LAST TRANSMISSION IS THE ABSOLUTE WORSE! THOUGH I'M REQUIRED TO PUT AN APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE MY PURCHASE IN 2004. THE STALLING OF IT GOING INTO DRIVE JUST STARTED 2010. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS HAD THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED AND THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPRAYER WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

2003 SATURN VUE, AUTO TRANSMISSION.... TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 99,400 MILES. SATURN DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE 100K WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY 25% OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS $1,000. THE BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION CAME WITH A 12,000 WARRANTY. FOUR DAYS AGO, THE BRAND NEW FACTORY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND WHINE. CAR TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH, NC. VUE NOW HAS 113,204 MILES. INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR COST WILL BE $5900!!! I CALLED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT MY SITUATION. NOW I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE. SATURN KNEW OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES BUT PUT A BANDAID ON THE SITUATION. PEOPLE WORK HARD FOR THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THESE VEHICLES JUST TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILED AND HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,570 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,590. UPDATED 10/13/10. *LJ THE COSNUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY A PRIVATE PARTY AND PAID FOR AT HER EXPENSE. UPDATED 10/19/10*JB

2003 SATURN VUE. COMPUTER FAILURE. INTERNET RESEARCH DONE BY ME SHOW MULTITUDES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT COMPUTERS FAILING RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND DASH COMPONENTS. DOOR LOCK FAILURE AND SHIFT LEVER LOCKING UP. *TR

2003 SATURN VUE -- SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. RECURRING ISSUE. THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BEGAN DECEMBER 2006 ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP, TECH "RESET LIGHT," RECURRED MAY 2007 ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP "WIRING AND/OR CONNECTER ISSUE," AUGUST 11, 13, & 14-21, 2008 HELD AT DEALERSHIP (RECURRED THREE TIMES) -- ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP "RESISTANCE LOW CIRCUIT/INTERNAL FAULT PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED," JULY 16-17 & 21-24, 2009 RECURRED ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP 1ST "PEDAL ACCELERATOR REPLACED," 2ND ADVISED "BROKEN WIRE BEHIND LEFT FRONT KICK PANEL - REPAIRED THROTTLE POSITION." JUNE 2010 ISSUE RECURRED, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED BY IMPARTIAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ON-GOING ISSUE(S) IS THAT WITHOUT WARNING YOU ARE LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN NEED OF A TOW BLOCKING TRAFFIC OR IN A PERILOUS SITUATION. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY ON-GOING ISSUES THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE MORE THAN UTILIZED -- THIS VEHICLE IS THE TRUE REPRESENTATION OF A "LEMON". *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERRED HER TO HER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD FIRST NEED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BEFORE DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2003 SATURN VUE ON ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP. NO PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE. ENGINE VALVES BENT AND RECOMMENDATION OF NEW ENGINE FROM GM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG AND LOSE POWER, MAKING AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE FAILURE SEEMED TO CEASE HOWEVER, THE UNUSUAL NOISE RETURNED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE FOR THE SECOND REPAIR AND MOST CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

MUST CHANGE TIRES EVERY 10K, AROUND 30K CAR STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISE TOWARD REAR. RECALL FOR SUSPENSION LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AT 50K. TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AT 60K. CHANGED THERMOSTAT AT 65K. NOW WE DROVE IT AND ONE DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. NOW IT STARTS BUT WON'T GO VERY FAST , AROUND 10-15 MPH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE INITIAL DEALER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE COMPONENT WAS UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (2003 SATURN VUE) IT HAS HAD ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. I CALLED GM AND ASKED FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT WAS NOT A GM CERTIFIED AUTO CENTER THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXTEND ANY TYPE OF SERVICE. THE SUV LOSES POWER, BEGINS TO "PUTT" WHEN IT REACHES A HALF OF A TANK GASOLINE. WHEN IN IDLE THE ENGINE SHAKES. GOING ON A CAMPING TRIP IN THE MOUNTAINS THIS BECAME A REAL PROBLEM. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO CLIMB THE HILLS, SOME TIMES MOUNTAINS. THE TERRAIN WAS SCARY ENOUGH ON ITS OWN (CLIFFS OFF TO THE SIDE) AND NEEDED NO HELP FROM THE SUV NOT WANTING TO DRIVE LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TOO. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT GM. GM TOLD US THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUTSIDE OF THE 8 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE RANGE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST US. THAT BEING SAID. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO GM CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHOM TELL ME THAT IT IS TWO SEPARATE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED. AS SEEN ONLINE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. I REALLY HOPE THAT SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. MANY AMERICANS ARE FEELING THE FINANCIAL PULL WITH OUT GM SCREWING US, I REALLY DON'T NEED TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 SATURN VUE 2.2L IN 2006. IN MAY 2010 WITH 95,000 MILES ON IT, IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK ONE MORNING AND IT DIED AS I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY. CALLED MY AUTO SHOP AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE WHOLE WAY THERE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT 2 CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING AND HAD FAILED AND THAT MEANT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALONG WITH THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE MISFIRING. TOTAL COST: $350. PICKED UP THE CAR AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS STEADY. IT HAPPENED TO BE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SO I COULDN'T TAKE MY CAR BACK IN RIGHT AWAY. TOOK IT IN ON THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY, MIND YOU I GOT IT BACK ON FRIDAY NIGHT. NOW IT IS THE DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR, UPSTREAM O2 SENSOR AND POSSIBLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WAS ADVISED TO DEFINITELY REPLACE THE DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE UPSTREAM O2 SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COULD REPAIR THEMSELVES AFTER RUNNING A WHILE. AFTER FINDING A RECALL ON MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CALLED THE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND BECAUSE I HAD PURCHASED IT USED THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE OR HELP ME IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FASHION. WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE RECALL, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED. *TR

-TOTAL FAILURE OF THE VTI TRANSMISSION (SATURN VUE 2003, 4 CYL). .... THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS $5900 AND... MY 2003 SATURN VUE VTI TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 100,000K MILES. ... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE MOVING FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

2003 SATURN VUE 117,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREET NO WARNING. CALLED GM FOUND OUT ABOUT A "BULLETIN" THEY HAD IN PLACE ON MY SATURN VUE 100,000 MILES OR 8YRS OLD AND THEY WOULD REPLACE TRANSMISSION FOR HALF THE COST WHICH IS 7,000 DOLLARS!!!!! I TRIED TO GET A FEW ESTIMATES BUT NOBODY BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO EVEN MESS WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION? DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ? THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL VERY DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO JUST BOUGHT THE CAR NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS. PLEASE MAKE GM ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

2003 SATURN VUE HORN FAILURE. I HAVE TALKED WITH MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS ONLINE IN FORUMS & CHATROOMS, THAT ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. THE HORN WILL BEGIN TO BLOW ON IT'S OWN FOR NO REASON AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALER AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS NEARLY $800-$900. I BELIEVE THAT LACK OF A HORN IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY IF IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED LAST FALL DUE TO A PROBLEM THAT SATURN WAS ALREADY AWARE OF. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ROLLING BACK WHEN STOPPED JUST LIKE A STANDARD. ON 5/6/10, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK AGAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED ACTING FUNNY, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON 5/12/10, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, WHEN THE OPERATOR NOTICED A SMELL LIKE BURNING PLASTIC AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE PULLED INTO A LARGE PARKING LOT, PARKED, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED HER SISTER-IN-LAW, WHO ADVISED HER TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE ENGINE COMPANY RESPONDED, AND, USING A THERMAL IMAGER, FOUND THE SIGNAL LIGHT / HEAD LIGHT SWITCH TO BE APPROXIMATELY 350 DEGREES. THERE WAS A SMALL BUBBLE OF MELTED PLASTIC AND THE INSULATION ON SOME OF THE WIRES WAS MELTED. THE PART NUMBER FOUND ON THE COMPONENT WAS ABD29790608 22679804. *TR