IllustrationAIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. THE DEALER CAN'T TRACK IT DOWN. *TR
2004 Saturn Vue
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Vue years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
440–25K
3225–50K
3250–75K
4675–100K
52100–150K
31150K+
237 reports with mileage · 39 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.
- Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
18 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE GEAR CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND THE DISPATCHER INSTRUCTED HER ON HOW TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FAILURES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A REC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE GEAR CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND THE DISPATCHER INSTRUCTED HER ON HOW TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FAILURES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION. ONE WEEK AGO, THE HORN SOUNDED ON ITS OWN AT 2 AM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A DEFECT IN THE HORN AND AIR BAGS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
ANOTHER CAR GOING WRONG WAY ON FREE WAY STRUCK MY VEHICLE AND I ENDED UP STRIKING THE MEDIAN WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY I WAS DRIVING A 2004 SATURN VUE STANDARD SHIFT VEHICLE. *NM
DURING AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHY THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY 2004 SATURN VUE WHEN A SUBURBAN REAR-ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 40+ MILES PER HOUR. I THEN HIT THE SUV THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME - AND WE BOTH WENT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FORWARD FROM THE STOP SIGN. THE IMPACT TOTALED MY TRUCK TO THE POINT OF THE REAR WAS CRUSHED T…
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I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY 2004 SATURN VUE WHEN A SUBURBAN REAR-ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 40+ MILES PER HOUR. I THEN HIT THE SUV THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME - AND WE BOTH WENT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FORWARD FROM THE STOP SIGN. THE IMPACT TOTALED MY TRUCK TO THE POINT OF THE REAR WAS CRUSHED TO THE BACK SEAT AND THE FRONT FRAME WAS BROKEN IN HALF WITH ABOUT A 1 INCH GAP. MY ISSUES WITH THE SAFETY ARE: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE NEARLY ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT TO THE RIGHT WITH THE SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - YES, I WAS ORIGINALLY REAR-ENDED - HOWEVER THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WAS EXTENSIVE AS WELL. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY FACE AND HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING SEVERE NECK PAIN (A CERVICAL SPRAIN) AND A BROKEN NOSE REQUIRING SURGERY TO REPAIR. *NM
I HAVE A QUESTION. ON 2004 SATURN VUES, IF THE CAR IS NOT ON, WILL THE AIR BAGS STILL DEPLOY? I RECENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT IN NOR WAS I DRIVING MY CAR, AND MY INSURANCE IS NOW SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE OFF IS IF THE CAR WAS ON AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLICKED IN. CAN YO…
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I HAVE A QUESTION. ON 2004 SATURN VUES, IF THE CAR IS NOT ON, WILL THE AIR BAGS STILL DEPLOY? I RECENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT IN NOR WAS I DRIVING MY CAR, AND MY INSURANCE IS NOW SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE OFF IS IF THE CAR WAS ON AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE CLICKED IN. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CLAIMS OR IF THIS COULD HAPPEN. THANKS. *NM
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE RED LINE WHEN I WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS/DRIVERS DOOR POST AT APPROX. 40-45 MPH AND THE HEAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED,I WAS/AM INJURED.TALKING TO A SATURN MOTOR CORP. REP. ABOUT THIS IT WAS CONVEYED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AS MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ,NOT STOPPED.T…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE RED LINE WHEN I WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS/DRIVERS DOOR POST AT APPROX. 40-45 MPH AND THE HEAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED,I WAS/AM INJURED.TALKING TO A SATURN MOTOR CORP. REP. ABOUT THIS IT WAS CONVEYED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AS MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ,NOT STOPPED.THIS DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL TO ME,AS I THOUGHT THEY WOULD DEPLOY.NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THE EXPLANATION,WANTED NHTSA TO KNOW.
WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO T-BONE THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT, BUT AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARDS THE LEFT OF THE SEAT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. …
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WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO T-BONE THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT, BUT AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARDS THE LEFT OF THE SEAT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Official recalls
214V490000 · 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.
03V519000 · Equipment:other:labels
Dec 19, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L V6 (L66) ENGINES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL RIM SIZE SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL ARE NOT CORRECT. THE PRINTED WHEEL RIM DESIGNATION SPECIFIED A 16-INCH WHEEL WHEN A 17-INCH WHEEL DESIGNATION WAS REQUIRED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE WHEEL RIM SIZE IS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON A TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SOLELY USES THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR SERVICE INFORMATION MAY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED WHEEL WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
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
1PE04052 · 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
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.
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.