Power Train. Review the 316 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Suspension complaints

48 reports

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75,000 miles · Mar 20, 2006

Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM LINKAGE AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED THE REPAIR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEAL…

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NHTSA ODI #10153212

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2006

Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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2003 SATURN VUE HOOD RELEASE CABLE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *TS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED (WARRANTY). WHILE REPAIRING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE PROMPT SHAFT CENTER BEARING WAS BROKEN (WARRANTY). THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSAXLE. THE TECHNICIAN UPDATED THE TCM AND ADDED CVT ADDITIVE (WARRANTY). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY (WARRANTY). THE AIR BAG AND HORN WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149784

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2005

EquipmentStructureSuspensionCrash

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON 2003 SATURN VUE, DUE TO PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY, MOLDING PEELING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSING WHICH CAUSED THE ROLL OVER. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10142139

12,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

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DT: 2003 SATURN VUE. THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND TORSION BAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING MADE GRINDING SOUNDS AND THE CAR HANDLED DIFFERENTLY. THEY WERE REPLACED ON MARCH 8, 2004, MARCH 3 2005, AND JULY 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT. SATURN TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SEE THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ABS ACTIVATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT. THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134655

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005

Suspension

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DT: THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT AND BACK WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE SATURN DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM , INSISTING THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT PROPERLY ROTATED. WENT BACK TO SATURN AGAIN AND SAID THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES. SATURN REPLACED THE FRONT TWO TIRES THEMSELVES. CURRENTLY, THE BEARINGS E FAILED AGAIN ON THE FRONT AND BACK. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SATURN FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT WAS ON AUGUST 6, 2003. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10136322

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2005

Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE, WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH AND WHEN IT IS RAINING THE VEHICLE WILL HYDROPLANE. HAS TO SLOW DOWN TO PREVENT LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATES AS LONG AS THERE ARE PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WILL HYDROPLANE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THEY ARE AWARE O…

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NHTSA ODI #10133065

22,000 miles · Jul 7, 2005

Power TrainSuspension

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I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE AWD V6 VIN [XXX]. WHEN I HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT DRIVE-TRAIN WHILE TURNING AT ANY SPEED. I WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VUE FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON READING THE CAR FACTS REPORT IT WAS A 'FACTORY BUY BACK' FOR AN UN-FIXED POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END SUBSEQUENTLY I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. THE OTHER DAY I WAS OUT FISHING DOWN A DIRT ROAD I HAD PASSED MY FAVORITE SPOT. SO, I HAD TO MAKE A 3 POINT TURN ON THE UNEVEN ROAD, I TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT INTO A POT HOLE, I PUT IT INTO REVERSE GIVING IT GAS WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HEARD A SOUND POP!-CRUUUNCH! AFTER A QUICK FIELD INSPECTION IT LOOKED LIKE THE CV BOOT CAME LOOSE AND LOST ALL THE GREASE . SO I DROVE IT REAL SLOW BACK HOME AND AFTER TAKING THE TIRE OFF I SAW THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS, BEARINGS, PIECES ECT. ON THE FRONT LEFT AXLE. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT THROUGH THE WARRANTY AN I AM STILL AWAITING THE RETURN OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS TO MY BELIEF THAT THIS IS AN OFTEN OCCURING PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHO DID NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM DEATH COULD RESULT FROM HARD BRAKING OR EVASIVE MANUVERING WITH THIS EXISTING CONDITION TO THE AXLE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10127791

32,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005

Suspension

SATURN HAS A DEFECT IN THEIR REAR WHEEL BEARING ON THEIR 2003 VUE. I HAVE HAD THREE REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE ANOTHER OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10126720

10,183 miles · Mar 8, 2005

Suspension

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK VIBRATION WAS FELT AT SPEEDS OF 75 MPH. THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. REAR WHEELS LOCKING AND SKIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BAD CAUSING VIBRATION AND DRAGGING OF WHEELS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BUT FAILED TO ALERT THE CONSUMERS. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN DATED 04/04 # 03-04-20-003A. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10110910

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005

Suspension

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WE TOOK OUR VUE IN FOR THE RECENT RECALL REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF REAR LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLIES. WE HAD A "CLUNKING" NOISE IN THE FRONT AND WERE TOLD THE FRONT LINK ASSEMBLIES, FRONT STABILIZER SHAFT AND FRONT MOUNT ASSEMBLY AND STRUT UPPER BEARING NEEDED TO ALSO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS. CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD BUT HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT SO IT IS OFF WARRANTY. WE WERE TOLD THE DAMAGE WAS NOT DUE TO DRIVING (I.E. HITTING A BUMP, RAILROAD TRACK, ETC) BUT IT WAS "BECAUSE THE PARTS JUST WERE CORRODED. PROBABLY FROM ROAD SALT" BY THE SERVICE REP (JESSE SCOTT, SATURN OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI). COULD THERE BE A CONNECTION WITH THE RECALL FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION AND THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION? AGAIN, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN BE 2 YEARS OLD UNTIL MAY, 2005.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112433

Official recalls

14V490000 · Electrical System:ignition

Aug 8, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

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

PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure

Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).

PE04052 · Rear Suspension Toe Control Link

Opened Jul 22, 2004 · Closed Nov 1, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

Suspension:rear