Page 4 of 6 · complaints 151–200 of 276

2004 Saturn Vue complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 201093,000 milesTN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. SHE STATED THAT IN JUNE 2009, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BEGAN LOSING POWER AT A LOW SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO RESET ITSELF. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RE-OCCURED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A YEAR AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 9, 201085,000 milesPA

2004 SATURN VUE. TRANSMISSION GONE, OVER 5 GRAND TO FIX DUE TO THERE BEING PROBLEMS WITH THE VUES, JUNK YARDS DO NOT CARRY THEM. IT WAS APPARENTLY A KNOWN DEFECT YET THEY SOLD IT TO ME. I STILL OWE 110000 ON THE CAR AND I CANT DRIVE NOR DO I HAVE THE CASH TO FIX. WITH THE DEALERSHIPS GONE I CAN'T EVEN TAKE THE PIECE OF JUNK BACK TO THEM. I FOUND OUT THAT MOST SHOPS DO NOT WORK ON THESE (3 OF THE 4 I CALLED) DUE TO THE FACT THAT EVEN WITH A REBUILT ONE, YOU ARE STILL PUTTING IN A TRANSMISSION THAT IS FAULTY AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THEM. SINCE I NOW NEED ANOTHER VEHICLE, THIS HEAP WILL CERTAINLY BE REPOSSESSED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 21, 2010CA

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SATURN IN WHICH IT STATES THAT MY CAR IS A RECALL, DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS. (THREE MONTH PRIOR TO THE RECALL LETTER I HAD EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CAR.) SATURN/GMC DO NOT WANT TO PAY THE REPAIR IN FULL,$5,927.03, THEY WANT ME TO PAY THE HALF OF IT. NEITHER DO THEY HELP ME TO GET A CAR OF THE SAME YEAR OR VALUE. I WROTE THEM A HAND WRITTEN LETTER AND NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER FROM THEM. AFTER THREE MONTHS I CONTACTED THEM BY PHONE, TO ASK WHAT THEY ARE DOING ABOUT THE CAR,I WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE IS DISMISSED?( I CALL THAT DISCRIMINATION) I WENT TO COURT AND FILED A SMALL CLAIMS COURT AGAINST SATURN. THREE WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE SERVED THE PAPERWORK I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DISMISS THIS CLAIM SINCE THEY GO THROUGH BANKRUPTCY. I AM A DIVORCED MATURE FEMALE, AND HAVE A SMALL RESIDENTIAL,LIGHT COMMERCIAL AND JANITORIAL CLEANING BUSINESS. I NEED THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS, AND HAVE TO DRIVE SOMETIMES FAR TO GET TO MY CLIENTS. AND SINCE THE ECONOMY HAS TURNED BAD FOR LOTS OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, LIKE ME, I BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, NOR DO I HAVE THE OTHER HALF OF WHAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD COST. AND SINCE I DID NOT DESIGN THE CAR NEITHER MANUFACTURE THE CAR, I DON'T SEE WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. A RECALL NEEDS TO B

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 12, 201094,000 milesGA

DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-45MPH THE RPM'S REV UP BUT THE CAR SLOWS DOWN! ON HILLS, IT WON'T ACCELERATE AT ALL! EVEN IN LOW GEAR IT WON'T MOVE. RPM'S JERK AT HIGH SPEEDS AS WELL. HAD DIAGNOSTIC DONE 5-7-10 THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEAR, IT'S NOT READING ANY CODES AND THE FLUID IS DISCOLORED. ESTIMATING COST TO FIX IS $3,000. TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT!! PROBLEM OCCURS EVERYDAY -- TRANSMISSION HASN'T COMPLETELY FAILED YET, BUT I FEAR IS GOING TO HAPPEN SOON! I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'M GOING TO PAY FOR THIS... I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 2 YEARS. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HWY AND YOUR CAR WON'T ACCELERATE AND PEOPLE BEHIND YOU ARE SWERVING TO MISS YOU AND BLOWING AT YOU. *TR

Electrical System › HornFire
Filed Apr 29, 201048,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN ENGAGED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HORN MODULE HAD FAILED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SAFETY AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000. UPDATED 06/25/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/07/10*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 16, 201042,615 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE "PUSHED BACK" AND SLOWED DOWN WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. SHE DROVE ON TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED OF A CURRENT LAWSUIT REGARDING THE VTI TRANSMISSION AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,623. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,615.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 14, 201083,000 milesMI

I OWN A 2004 SATURN VUE WITH A VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS 83,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE OF HEARING ALL THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THESE CARS HAVE HAD. SOMEHOW WHILE THEY WERE LOOKING AT IT THE TRANSMISSION WENT AND I COULDN'T DRIVE MY CAR OVER 20 MPH. I WAS STUCK THERE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD I HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. SATURN WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF SO NOW AFTER PAYING OVER $20,000 FOR THIS CAR I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $3,000 TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THEN THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION MIGHT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THIS ONE HAS HAD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THEY DON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND WILL NOT COVER THE WHOLE REPLACEMENT OF SOMETHING THEY KNOW TO BE FAULTY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 2, 201072,669 milesMA

FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE POWER LOCKS IN MY 2004 SATURN VIEW WHERE THE UNLOCK BUTTON DID NOT WORK ON RANDOM OCCASIONS. IT THEN SEEMED THAT IF IT HAD RAINED THIS IS WHEN THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. IT HAS SINCE BECOME A CHRONIC ISSUE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO USE MY DOOR LOCKS FOR UNLOCKING WHETHER WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON. THIS MORNING THE LOCKS UNLOCKED THEMSELVSE AND CONTINUED TO ATTEMPT UNLOCKING FOR THE ENTIRE HOUR LONG DRIVE AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I HAVE HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH INQUIRES TO SATURN AS TO THE ISSUE. SINCE PURCHASE THE REAR WIPER WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY HORN BEGAN TO BLARE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ALL BY ITSELF. THE REMEDY FOR THE HORN WAS TO REMOVE THE RELAY AS THE MECHANIC I DEAL WITH DID NOT HAVE THE CODE TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL ISSUE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE COST I WILL INCUR TO RECTIFY THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT SATURN NO LONGER OFFICIALLY EXISTS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 201080,650 milesNE

I OWN A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE VTI TRANSMISSION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PUT IN IT FAILED AT A LITTLE OVER 57,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN AUGUST 2008 WITH ANOTHER VTI TRANSMISSION. THIS MONTH, MARCH 2010, THE 2ND VTI TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED (80,650 MILES/ABOUT 23,000 MILES AFTER THE REPAIR) AND IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. GM WILL ONLY COVER 50%, ALTHOUGH A PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REQUIRES THEY PAY MORE. IT WILL NOW COST ME $1638 PLUS TAXES TO REPAIR IT AND PUT IN THE THIRD TRANSMISSION THAT WILL ONLY HOLD A 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE ORIGINAL VTI TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ENGINE. IF IT HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH WHAT THEY CLAIM TO BE A BETTER TRANSMISSION THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THEM WITH, THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND THE CURRENT COST NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ME. GM KNOWS THE VTI TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND ISN'T USING IT ANYMORE, YET IS FAILING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE APPROPRIATELY FOR CURRENT OWNERS SUCH AS MYSELF. WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION HAS PROVEN TO HAVE FOR ITS OWNERS, GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS TRANSMISSION AS IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SINCE IT WILL GO OUT WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING (PASSING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, TURNING, ETC) IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO INDIVIDUALS WHEN DRIVING IT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 201050,450 milesNY

ON MANY OCCASIONS MY 2004 SATURN VUE V6 AWD APPEARS TO SHUDDER WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING FROM A LOWER GEAR AT SPEEDS USUALLY LESS THAN 40MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS UNNERVING TO SAY THE LEAST. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND HAVE FOUND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED 2/09/06. CONCERNING TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS MY VEHICLE HAD ONLY A BIT OVER 50000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SATURN DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THEY HAD ACCESS TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN INFORMATION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT AND ALTHOUGH THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK SHOULD THE PROBLEM REOCCUR IT IS NOT AT ALL CLEAR WHETHER THE REPAIR WILL BE MADE AT NO COST TO ME. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL VEHICLES ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS WHETHER UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT, ESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES UNDER 100K MILES. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL. ( THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS 3713). *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 2, 201070,100 milesOH

2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT CONDITION WITHOUT A ROLLOVER OR ACCIDENT. I HAD THE REPAIR MADE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE DEALER AFTER MUCH ARGUING BUT AM CONCERNED THAT IN 4-5 YEARS, BOLT FATIGUE WILL CAUSE THE SITUATION TO REPEAT ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE THE SHEARED BOLT HEAD IN MY POSSESSION. I AM WRITING DUE TO CONCERN THAT MANY MANY OTHERS WILL AGAIN SOON, THIS YEAR, EXPERIENCE THE SAME WHEEL COLLAPSE AFTER HAVING THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL REPAIRS MADE IN 2004. IT SEEM LIKE A MANDATORY RECALL OF THE 2004 GM VOLUNTARY RECALL IS IN ORDER. EXCERPT FROM CAUG 5, 2004 ONSUMER AFFAIRS ARTICLE: GENERAL MOTORS IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING THE SATURN VUE TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. IN DOING SO, IT MAY BE HOPING TO AVOID LITIGATION THAT COULD RESULT FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRING WHILE GOVERNMENT SAFETY AGENCIES CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. THE RECALL AFFECTS 246,433 VUES IN THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEARS, INCLUDING 231,123 IN THE UNITED STATES AND 15,310 IN CANADA. IT ALL STARTED WHEN A SATURN VUE OWNER WROTE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO COMPLAIN THAT THE REAR WHEELS OF HIS CAR COLLAPSED ON A TIGHT TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. THE AGENCY DECIDED TO CONDUC

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 2, 201070,100 milesOH

2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT CONDITION WITHOUT A ROLLOVER OR ACCIDENT. I HAD THE REPAIR MADE FREE OF CHARGE AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT BUT AM CONCERNED THAT IN 4-5 YEARS, BOLT FATIGUE WILL CAUSE THE SITUATION TO REPEAT ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE THE SHEARED BOLT HEAD IN MY POSSESSION . I AM WRITING DUE TO CONCERN THAT MANY MANY OTHERS WILL AGAIN, SOON, THIS YEAR, EXPERIENCE THE SAME WHEEL COLLAPSE AFTER HAVING THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL REPAIRS MADE IN 2004. IT SEEMS LIKE A MANDATORY RECALL OF THE GM VOLUNTARY RECALL IS IN ORDER. EXCERPT FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS ARTICLE, AUGUST 5, 2004: GENERAL MOTORS IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING THE SATURN VUE TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. IN DOING SO, IT MAY BE HOPING TO AVOID LITIGATION THAT COULD RESULT FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRING WHILE GOVERNMENT SAFETY AGENCIES CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. THE RECALL AFFECTS 246,433 VUES IN THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEARS, INCLUDING 231,123 IN THE UNITED STATES AND 15,310 IN CANADA. IT ALL STARTED WHEN A SATURN VUE OWNER WROTE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO COMPLAIN THAT THE REAR WHEELS OF HIS CAR COLLAPSED ON A TIGHT TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. THE AGENCY DECIDED TO CONDUCT A TEST OF

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 1, 201050,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN VUE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2009 REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION BEING REPAIRED WITHIN 5 YEARS, AT NO COST. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HER 5 YEARS HAS EXPIRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND THE DEALER IS WILLING TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT DOESN'T AGREE WITH THE COST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT 100%. UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 201090,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE THAT CAME OUT OF PARK WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND MY 4YR OLD SON FELL OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS RAN OVER. WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT IT BEING IN THE "OFF POSITION" AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, REVERSE, AND DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS PARKED ON THE ADVICE OF MY ATTORNEYS. *TR THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCESSORY POSITION WITH THE SHIFTER IN PARK. BEING IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION ALLOWED THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED FROM PARK WITHOUT AN APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. *SMCH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 24, 2010100,260 milesOH

I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN VUE 4 MONTHS AGO. I ALSO BOUGHT A EXTENDED WARRANTY THRO WYNS. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT. I HAVE 100,260 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 100,000. SATURN SAYS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE BUT WYNS WILL COVER THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION MINUS MY $100 CO PAY. THEY HOWEVER WILL NOT COVER IT UNTIL SATURN FAXES THEM THE BULLETIN ON THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SATURN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT FAX THIS INFORMATION TO WYNS AND WILL NOT MAIL ME THE WARRANTY INFORMATION TO ME. SATURN STATED TO ME IF I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY THAT THEY WOULD LOOSE OUT ON THE MONEY OF REPAIRING MY TRANSMISSION. SO NOW I CANT GET MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PROOF THAT THE WARRANTY IS NO GOOD AT MY MILEAGE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT WEST 40 AUTO SALES WHO DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS OR BULLETINS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Feb 12, 201055,500 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING ON SPEED OF 55 MPH AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP ABRUPTLY . I TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS A VIT TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER PROBLEM ON THE SATURN 2004 VUE. THIS IS VERY DANGER SITUATION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 7, 201095,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2004 SATURN VUE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC. MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. ALL THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ME QUICKLY AS NOT TO HIT US. A COP AND ANOTHER CAR STOPPED TO PHYSICALLY PUSH MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE OFFICER THEN HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. AFTER THE AUTO REPAIR CHARGED ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT GM HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THESE ENGINES.. I CANT UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CAN ISSUE A RECALL, BUT GM CAN'T. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE "IMPORTANT" TO GET KILLED IN ONE OF GM'S CARS BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT DOES ANYTHING FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE? *TW

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 2, 201085,000 milesFL

2004 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ESTIMATED 150,000 CARS HAVE THIS FAILURE FAULTY TRANSMISSION WIRE INSTALLED IN AUTOS FROM 2002 THRU 2005. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 29, 2009100,500 milesOK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE WITH 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER TELLS ME ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL UNLESS THEY FEEL ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. WELL I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED. MY RPM'S REVVED REALLY HIGH BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ANYMORE. I WAS ALMOST HIT 3 TIMES TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAD 2 TODDLERS INT HE BACK SEAT! I WOULD SAY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 15, 200969,000 milesPA

TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 69,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. WHEN IT FAILED THIS TIME I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT GM HAD EXTENDED THE TRANNY WARRANTY TO 5YRS/75,000 MILES. I CALLED SATURN ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY VIN DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENSION EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT 5 YEARS UNTIL SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. NOW IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR I GOT A LETTER SAYING THAT IT NOW QUALIFIES FOR THE EXTENSION. NOW IT'S OVER THE 5 YEAR TIME PERIOD. I NOW HAVE A LAWYER WHO SAYS THAT GM WILL GIVE HALF OF THE MONEY TO FIX IT BUT I HAVE TO GO TO A SATURN DEALER BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO TOW IT. IN THE BEGINNING THE LAWYER SAID I WOULD GET A HECK OF A LOT MORE THEN JUST HALF THE REPAIR COSTS PLUS RECOVER MONIES FOR A RENTAL CAR. HOW AM I GOING TO GET THE OTHER HALF PLUS THE TOW FEES UP FRONT TO PAY. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL TO ELIMINATE THIS VTI TRANNY. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME KIND BUT WITH A STRONGER DRIVE CHAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIX. THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO UPGRADE TO A DIFFERENT TRANNY. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ALL OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 15, 200990,000 milesTX

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE ANY FORM OF A RECALL O THIS AND WHAT ARE IF ANY ARE MY OPTIONS FOR EITHER SATURN FIXING IT OR REIMBURSING ME ANY AMOUNT. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE . THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 11, 2009118,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE & THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIED. IT IS A VTI TRANSMISSION & SATURN IS AWARE THAT IT HAS ISSUES. I WOULD THINK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT A RECALL WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WILL COST $5,000 TO FIX. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 1, 200910,000 milesTX

MY STEERING COLUMN IS GONE OUT TOOK IT IN TO GET IT LOOKED AT. THEN THE SHOP CALLED SATURN AND THEY WHERE TOLD THAT THEY WERE HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. NOW FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS MY SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK THEY KEEP SNAPPING OUT OF THE HOLDER THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON. AND ALSO WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR PASSENGER DOOR GETTING STUCK AND NOT OPENING. WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND A TEENAGER. HELP US PLEASE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 28, 200997,500 milesOK

TRANSMISSION IN 2004 SATURN VUE HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW, THE 2ND TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 32,000 MILES! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 22, 200954,650 milesNY

MY 2004 SATURN VUE THAT HAS 54600 MILES ON IT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN I DRIVE AT A CONSTANT SPEED IN A RANGE FORM 35 - 55 MILES PER HR. I HAD IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT IS FAULTY AND IT WILL COST $2100 TO REPLACE IT. THIS PART HAS TO BE DEFECTED. I NEVER HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING CARS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 200970,000 milesNC

MY 2004 SATURN V6 SATURN VUE HAS STARTED A SHUDDER/GROWLING NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN THAT'S PREVALENT IN THE 20 -25, 30-35MPH, 40 -45MPH AND NOW AT 50-50MPH. OR WHEN MODERATELY ACCELERATION OR COASTING. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 100K MILES ON IT NOW BUT STARTED AROUND 70K. I PURCHASED THE CAR AT 68,500K MILES. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT BUT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING AS OFTEN AS THOSE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS (MPH/COASTING) PRESENT - DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO NUMEROUS SHOPS ENGINE REPAIR, TRANSMISSION, AND OTHER WELL NAMES REPAIR PLACES. ALL OF THEM TELL ME MY CAR IS FINE,BUT THE LAST SHOP WHICH DID THE TRANSMISSION CHECK ON COMPUTER SAID THE ENGINE HAD OVER 1,000 MISS FIRES. I CALLED TO SATURN AND THERE TECH SAID " U DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN NO MORE" IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND I HAVE REPLACED MANY." IF THIS IS SUCH A WELL OCCURRING PROBLEM WHY ISN'T SATURN PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. MY CONCERN NOW IS WHEN IT RAINS AND THE CAR STUTTERS I LOSE ALL WHEEL TRACTION GOING UP HEELS AND ON TURNS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO CONTROL. I HAVE READ ONLINE AND FOUND MAY ISSUES THAT ARE THE SAME I BELIEVE SATURN NEEDS TO FIX THESE MANUFACTURING ISSUES AND NOT LEAVE THEM ON THE CONSUMER. I SPENT $10,000 ON MY SATURN AND JUST FINISHED COLLEGE I DO NOT HAVE $4,5000 TO SPEND ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY WORTH $9,000 -$7,000 BLUE BOOK. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 30, 2009PA

I PURCHASED A SET OF BRAKE PADS FROM "CARQUEST AUTO PARTS" IN BETHLEHEM, PA ON 6/23/09. UPON THE ADVICE OF ONE OF THE SALES REPRESENTATIVES, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE THE CARQUEST BRAND BRAKE PADS LISTED ON THE INVOICE AS, "RED CERAMIC PAD." I INSTALLED THE PADS ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. UPON COMPLETION, AS ALWAYS I TOOK THE CAR ON A ROAD TEST. I EXPERIENCED SOME EXCESSIVE BUOYANCY IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND CONTINUED THE ROAD TEST. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF NO MORE THAN FIVE MILES. (NOTE THAT THE ROTORS AT THIS POINT WERE ALMOST NEW, AND HAD NO UNUSUAL WEAR OR DAMAGE.) AS I STOPPED THE VEHICLE DURING THE TEST, PLUMES OF BRAKE DUST EMANATED FROM BOTH FRONT TIRES. I INSPECTED THE PADS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT 90% OF THE PAD SURFACE HAD DISINTEGRATED IN LESS THAN 5 MILES. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE STORE TO NOTIFY OF A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND A DEFECTIVE BRAKE PRODUCT, THEY MOCKED ME FOR "PURCHASING SUCH GARBAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE INSTEAD OF USING DEALER PARTS." THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN OR SURPRISE OVER WHAT HAD HAPPENED, DESPITE HOW CLOSE I CAME WITH DEATH. I HAVE RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE PADS FOR YOUR ANALYSIS AND HOPEFULLY TO IMPLEMENT A RECALL. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 25, 200935,000 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE ENOUGH NOISE FOR THEM TO MAKE AN UNSPECIFIED REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DESPITE THE NOISE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE COMPUTER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS IF A COMPONENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES DURING THE TEST DRIVE, BUT THEY HEARD THE NOISE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/31/09.*JB

Power Train
Filed May 26, 200994,000 milesIN

A 2004 SATURN VUE WITH A 2.2 LITER 4 CYLINDER MOTOR WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER A REPLACEMENT OF THE VTI TRANSMISSION UNDER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT A SEVERE RATTLE AND VIBRATION UNDER THE HOOD WAS DETECTED. UPON RETURNING TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE TIMING CHAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE 2 PROBLEMS TO BE RELATED. I HAD NO PROBLEM BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE FOUND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE L SERIES CAR WITH THE SAME ENGINE FOR A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER TIMING CHAIN ISSUES WITH THE VUE THAT HAS THE SAME MOTOR. THE DEALERSHIP FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 26, 200995,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR PROPERLY. WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE SHIFTER DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. ON MAY 22, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER IS CURRENTLY BEING SUED BY CONSUMERS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE CONSUMERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE. THE CONTACT IS STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE REPAIR OF HER VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 20, 200961,521 milesWI

PLEASE SEE COMMENTS BELOW SENT TO GM-SATURN SERVICE SATISFACTION ONLINE SURVEY. GM EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL. VEHICLE: SATURN VUE 2004 PART: DRL RESISTOR WHICH ACTIVATES THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THESE COMMENTS ARE GEARED TOWARD GM AND SATURN POLICY MAKERS. PERSONNEL AT SATURN OF MILWAUKEE ACTED AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. YES, HE WAS COURTEOUS BUT NOT FAIR BY CHARGING $50.00 FOR AN ESTIMATE OF A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AS RECALL AS IT IS PERFORMED IN CANADA. THIS COMMON PROBLEM IS EASILY FOUND ALL OVER THE WEB WHICH IS THE DRL RESISTOR IN THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. THE MORE I NOTICE OTHER SATURN VUES ON THE ROAD, I ALSO NOTICE THE LACK OF DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON. REMEMBER GM, YOU DESIGNED THESE WITH NOT THE OPTION OF AN ON/OFF SWITCH FOR THESE LIGHTS. BOTTOM LINE, I AM OUT OF $50.00 AND NO DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I REFUSE TO PAY $100+ TO CORRECT GM'S FAULT !!!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 13, 2009145,100 milesOR

I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE 4 CYLINDER AWD WITH A VTI TRANSMISSION. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN ON ME, IT IS WITH THE CAR AT THE LOT RIGHT NOW. I HAVE NOW HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS JUST UP AND DIE ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT DIED, I LOST REVERSE AND GOT IT TO THE DEALER BEFORE DRIVE WENT OUT. THE SECOND ONE WENT OUT ON ME AT 3 AM AND I MANAGED TO MILK IT TO SAFETY. THIS LAST ONE I WENT TO GO FROM A STOP SIGN, GOT GOING JUST ENOUGH TO GET ME INTO TRAFFIC AND IT DIED. I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER I HAVE READ A LOT OF THESE STORIES ONLINE. THIS LAST TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST WAS SERVICED AT 50,000 AND DIED AT 60,000 AND THE SECOND WAS SERVICED AT 50,000 AND DIED A WEEK OR 2 LATER. *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Apr 10, 2009NY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DRIVESHAFT CARRIER BEARING. THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THE MASSIVE BACK ORDER. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE REMAINS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE LACK OF REPAIR PARTS. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 3, 200968,178 milesNJ

MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ON MY SATURN VUE AT 76000. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. 6 DAYS LATER I HIT THE GAS IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR DID NOT MOVE, UT MY RPM WENT UP TO 5000 +. SATURN REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT HALF THE COST. NOW 9000 MILES LATER MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN TO SLIP AGAIN. SATURN SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG A SECOND TIME (4/3/09). *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Apr 2, 2009107,000 milesSC

REPEATED FAILURE OF IGNITION CONTROL MODULE/COIL PACK ON 2004 VUE 2.2 ECOTEC MOTOR CAUSED DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSOR JANUARY 6, 2009 THEN AGAIN MARCH 31, 2009. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 27, 200920,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ALIGNMENT APPEARS ABNORMAL AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STEER IN UNINTENDED DIRECTIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STRUT MOUNTS AT THE COST OF $450. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 17, 200948,000 milesUT

FUEL RAIL RUPTURED. GAS FUMES WERE OVERPOWERING. LEAKED GAS AS WE DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP (COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE). *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 5, 200976,000 milesNJ

THE METAL GAS FEED LINE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SPLIT AND FAILED EJECTING SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF RAW GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ONTO OTHER COMPONENTS. SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE OF CAR WHEN STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC. GAS WAS POUNDING ON ENGINE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 27, 2008108,500 milesIN

AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. THE DEALER CAN'T TRACK IT DOWN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 9, 200849,900 milesWI

THERE IS A TERRIBLE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUDDER A LOW SPEEDS AND LOW RPM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO "LOCK - UP TORQUE CONVERTER" MODE AT TOO LOW RPMS(ABOUT 1000 TO 1200).THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND IS VERY DISTRESSING AND DISTRACTING. YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR TO KICK THE TRANSMISSION INTO A LOWER GEAR WHICH TENDS TO MAKE THE CAR SPEED UP. THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AND DISTRACTING AND MUST CAUSE UNDO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE DRIVETRAIN. THERE ARE MANY SATURN VUE (2004) OWNERS NATION WIDE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS AND THE WHEEL BEARING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE NATION WIDE RECALLS. NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE BUYING IMPORTS AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 200856,000 milesIN

A 2004 SATURN VUE IS HAVING IGNITION PROBLEM. WE HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE IGNITION DUE TO TRICKS TO CAUSE THE IGNITION TO RELEASE AND START THE VEHICLE. I FULLY EXPECT THIS INCONVENIENCE TO BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM AT SOME POINT DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY MATERIALS USED TO PRODUCE THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHOULD THIS STRAND US, THE TOWING FEE WILL BE $75 PLUS A MINIMUM OF $400 FOR THE MECHANIC AND PARTS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT AND HAD A CUSTOM PART MADE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. GM SHOULD BE THE ONE PRODUCING A QUALITY REPLACEMENT PART AND ISSUING A RECALL INSTEAD OF GOUGING CONSUMERS ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR SALES PLUNGE OF LATE. THEY DON'T NEED ANOTHER HIT ON THEIR QUALITY PERCEPTION. *TR.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 6, 200834,000 milesNY

CAR HAD A STRANGE TICKING NOISE ,DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT SATURN DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN,FOR A FEE OF 1,000 DOLLARS ,I SEARCHED NHTSA AND FOUND A RECALL EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE BUT FOR A 2001 ONLY. MY CAR IS A 2004 AND ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 14, 200875,000 milesMI

I ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2004 SATURN VUE V-6 FWD. I HAVE SHUDDER PROBLEMS IN THE TRANSMISSION AT LOW SPEED BETWEEN 20-35MPH. I HAVE 75,000 MILES AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 14, 200875,000 milesMI

MY IGNITION LOCK GIVES ME PROBLEMS, IT IS HARD TO TURN. NOW I CAN REMOVE MY KEY IN THE ON AND STARTED POSITION. MEANS THE CAR IS STARTED AND RUNNING AND I CAN REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 2008102,750 milesSC

ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005 I PURCHASED A USED 2004 SATURN VUE FROM A LOCAL SATURN DEALER. ON DECEMBER 15, 2006 I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN ANSWER TO A TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. AT THIS TIME, THE FOLLOWING THINGS WERE DONE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT: GASKET-C/, COVER ASM, CORE-\COVE, SEALER-TR, ADDITIVE, PLUG-TRAN, FLUID-A/T, CONVERTER, CORE-CONV, FLUID-A/T. THESE REPAIRS CONSTITUTED 1/2 OF THE TRANSMISSION AND WERE COMPLETED UNDER WARRANTY. 102,000 MILES LATER, ON 6/17/2008 I RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS AGAIN SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SAME DISORDER. AT THIS TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $6000 TO REPLACE A FULL TRANSMISSION AND THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY TO COVER THIS REPAIR. WE ARE QUITE UPSET THAT WE ARE STUCK WITH A DESIGN DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WITH NO RECOURSE BUT TO EITHER PAY FOR REPAIRS WHICH WE HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY, OR KEEP THE VEHICLE AND PAY $8000 IN FINANCE CHARGES FOR A CAR THAT CAN'T BE USED SAFELY, OR LET THE CAR GO TO THE FINANCE COMPANY IN A REPOSSESSION AND WRECK OUR CREDIT FOR 7 YEARS. WE WERE OFFERED A 50/50 DEAL FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE COMPLAINED, HOWEVER, WE DO NOT HAVE $3000 EITHER. WE FEEL THAT THIS TRANSMISSION DEFECT SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE EACH AND EVERY TIME IT BREAKS DOWN OR THAT WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED $8000 TO WIPE OUT OUR DEBT ON THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND WE'D BE WILLING TO CALL IT SQUARE. OUR ON-LINE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION (VTI) HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE WHO

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 2, 200869,000 milesTX

IGNITION LOCKS AND UNABLE TO START THE CAR. READ BLOG AFTER BLOG AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD (OR HAVE) THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2004 SATURN VUE. MOST ALSO RECORD THAT ONCE REPLACED BY SATURN,FOR A HUGE PRICE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN 6-12 MONTHS. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/PanelCrash
Filed Jun 18, 2008124,072 milesMI

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 16, 200872,000 milesIL

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

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jun 5, 200845,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES, ESPECIALLY THE ODOMETER, WERE INOPERATIVE AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $700 TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND RESET THE ODOMETER. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE REMEDY WOULD ONLY BE TEMPORARY. THE ODOMETER CURRENTLY DISPLAYS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES, BUT IT REALLY HAS 45,000 MILES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Power Train
Filed May 21, 200815,000 milesIL

1. BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED/CUT DOWN ON THIS CAR ON THE AVERAGE OF ABOUT EVERY 20K. I CONSIDER THIS ABNORMAL WEAR AND BEFORE YOU RESPOND WITH DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND MY OTHER SATURN SL NEEDED BRAKES ON THE AVERAGE OF 60K WITH THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I QUESTIONED SOE THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING HABITS, BUT AS OF THE RECENT EVENTS, I HAVE BEGUN TO QUESTION THEIR DIAGNOSIS OF ANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO MY CAR. 2. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING/WOBBLE/SHIMMY/VIBRATION. I HAVE COMPLAINED SINCE NEW THAT THIS TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED ROUGH, AND I WAS TOLD WORKING AS DESIGNED. NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG YET THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. 3. TIRE WEAR RELATED TO RECALL. I HAD TO REQUEST THAT MY VEHICLE HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON IT. YET, AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND WATCHING MY TIRES WEAR. SOMETIMES IN LESS THAT 15K SOMETHING I WOULD CONSIDER PREMATURELY, EVEN FOR PERFORMANCE TIRES, AND READING SEVERAL OWNER SITES MY WEAR IS INDICATIVE OF A SERVICE NOT BEING PERFORMED. 4. WHEEL BEARING WEAR. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED 2X IN THE LAST 30K. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AT 72K WHEN THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, AND THE 2ND WAS AT 99K IT WAS DURING THE 72K SERVICE I COMPLAINED MY ROTORS WARPING(SINCE I HAD 2 SETS REPLACED/CUT PREVIOUSLY) AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST WORN TIRES AND THEY WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE BRAKE ISSUE, UNTIL I PURCHASED NEW TIRES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND THE WOBBLY SOUND WAS LOUDER THAN NOW THAT

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Saturn Vue → · Every Vue year → · How the figures are calculated →