Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
225–50K
950–75K
875–100K
5100–150K
4150K+
40 reports with mileage · 21 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
61 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2006
Power Train
2004 VUE PURCHASED NEW, LATE 2004; CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES, SERVICED BY THE DEALER. FOR THE PAST EST OF 2000 MILES IT WILL DEVOID ITSELF OF POWER WHILE MAKING TURNS AND GOING FORWARD. IT WILL NOT BUCK, BUT REDUCE THE POWER. KEEP ROLLING AND THEN VERY GRADUALLY PICK UP SPEED. DEALER INFORMED AT LAST OIL CHANGE, I WAS…
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2004 VUE PURCHASED NEW, LATE 2004; CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES, SERVICED BY THE DEALER. FOR THE PAST EST OF 2000 MILES IT WILL DEVOID ITSELF OF POWER WHILE MAKING TURNS AND GOING FORWARD. IT WILL NOT BUCK, BUT REDUCE THE POWER. KEEP ROLLING AND THEN VERY GRADUALLY PICK UP SPEED. DEALER INFORMED AT LAST OIL CHANGE, I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN FOR A DAY TO BE CHECKED. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED FOR LONER CAR, I CANNOT SIT AND WAIT ALL DAY. CAR IS NECESSARY FOR TRANSPORTATION FOR WIFE WHO WORKS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ANYTIME THE CAR IS MOVING FORWARD. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176559
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
MULTIPLE EPISODES OF CAR NOT STARTING AND STALLING. CAR ACTUALLY LOST ALL POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CARS WERE ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME AND AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. I AM PURSUING LEMON LAW. AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10157810
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2005
Tires
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300. AROUND 34,000 I NOTICED NOISES COMING FROM MY TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND FOUR NEW TIRES. THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ME OVER 700.00. I NEVER HAD TO G…
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I HAVE A 2004 SATURN L300. AROUND 34,000 I NOTICED NOISES COMING FROM MY TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND FOUR NEW TIRES. THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ME OVER 700.00. I NEVER HAD TO GET A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT THIS EARLY ON A CAR AND I TAKE CAR OF MY CARS. I THINK THIS IS INSANE, I CALLED SATURN IN TENNESSEE COMPLAINED, THEY STATED THAT TIRES AND ALIGNMENTS ARE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. WELL HOW ABOUT THAT. I EVEN PAID THE EXTRA FEES, INCLUDED IN MY PAYMENTS TO COVER OIL CHANGES AND ALIGNMENTS. IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING SERVICED. ANYWAY, WHILE DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE OTHER CASES OF THIS OUT THERE, LOTS OF THEM. CHECK OUT WWW.SATURNFANS.COM, WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM AND EVEN THIS SITE, WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV. SO MUCH FOR PEOPLE FIRST. I PLAN TO POST THIS INFORMATION ON OTHER FORUMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. GRAVIS346@AOL.COM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10139063
7,000 miles · Jun 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WILL HESITATE AND STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR WILL AT TIMES NOT BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING AND CLOGGING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI #10124867
86,000 miles · Apr 11, 2005
Structure
THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOOSENED AND WAS TAPED TO THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10117736
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 70 MPH ACCELERATION WILL DROP DOWN TO 5 MPH. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH COMPUTER THAT THREW THE VEHICLE INTO IDLE MODE. THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED IN THE OWNER'S PREVIOUS SATURN MODEL L200 2002. THE CAUSE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10110932
22,000 miles · Dec 20, 2004
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS FLASHED FROM BRIGHT TO DIM. THIS OCCURRED EVERY 30 SECONDS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS WAS NORMAL. CONSUMER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT WHAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NORMAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10105058
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2004
Tires
RECENTLY PRURCHASED A NEW SATURN L300 WAGON WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTX TIRES (STANDARD). THE ROAD VIBRATION FROM THESE TIRES IS CONCERNING, IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PARTICULIARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY A TIRE MAY ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAS A FLAT AND RIDES ROUGH, UPON INSPECTION IT …
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RECENTLY PRURCHASED A NEW SATURN L300 WAGON WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTX TIRES (STANDARD). THE ROAD VIBRATION FROM THESE TIRES IS CONCERNING, IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PARTICULIARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY A TIRE MAY ALSO FEEL AS THOUGH IT HAS A FLAT AND RIDES ROUGH, UPON INSPECTION IT IS FINE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER THREE TIMES, THEY HAVE BEEN BALANCED TWICE, AND TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE TIRES. THEY HAVE EVEN STATED PER THEIR DISTRICT MANAGER THAT OTHER SATURN'S ARE EVEN WORSE THAN MINE!!!! I GIVE UP. I HAVE ALSO SENT AN E-MAIL TO FIRESTONE WITH NO RESPONSE!!!!! ALL I WANT IS RESOLUTION SO I CAN FEEL I AM DRIVING A SAFE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10104115
14,089 miles · Nov 9, 2004
Electrical System
WHEN PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099704
500 miles · Oct 17, 2004
Electrical System
PURCHASED ON 9/17/04. AFTER 1 1/2 WEEKS, NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DIM ON & OFF EVERY 1/2 TO 1 MILE. TOOK TO SATURN, WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC, THEY CHANGED SUN SENSOR THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM. THIS DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED. THE…
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PURCHASED ON 9/17/04. AFTER 1 1/2 WEEKS, NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DIM ON & OFF EVERY 1/2 TO 1 MILE. TOOK TO SATURN, WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC, THEY CHANGED SUN SENSOR THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM. THIS DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED. THE SATURN CORPORATION HAS MAINTAINED THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC IN THIS CAR AND REFUSED TO DO ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT BE NOTICEABLE TO ANY TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. HOWEVER DUE TO MY EXPERIENCES AND OTHERS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE AND COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LETHAL SITUATION. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, ANY SATURN WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN OFF THE HIGHWAYS UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS REPAIRED. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION NOW THAT SATURN OF HARTFORD HAD IN ITS POSSESSION NOTIFICATION SINCE JANUARY 2004 FROM SATURN CORPORATION THAT THE L300 SERIES VEHICLE COULD HAVE THIS FLAW AND THAT SATURN REFUSES TO REPAIR IT. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS SITUATION PRIOR TO BUYING THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE CHANGED MY MIND AS TO WHICH VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE PURCHASED. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT. *JB
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Saturn L300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year