IllustrationTRAVELING AT 65MPH THE KEY & KEY FOB FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT HAD LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. *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
Steering complaints
16 reportsWHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST QUITS MAKING YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE IP GAUGES JUMP. THE STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN WHICH CAN MAKE YOU WRECK. THIS IS SAME PROBLEM THE SATURN IONS HAVE. *TR
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 A…
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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
DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. SHE SAYS IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. ONCE THE STEERING LOCKED. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SHE SAID IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS TURNING INTO PARKING SPOTS, DRIVEWAYS, AND WHILE TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED HAPPENING WITHOUT WARNIN…
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DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. SHE SAYS IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. ONCE THE STEERING LOCKED. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SHE SAID IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS TURNING INTO PARKING SPOTS, DRIVEWAYS, AND WHILE TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED HAPPENING WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THEY REPLACED SOMETHING CALLED STEERING SHAFT INTERMEDIATE. ALSO, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER HOUSING TO FIX THE LOCKING. THEY REPLACED IT THREE TIMES. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HELP THE CALLER WITH THE REPAIRS. BUT SHE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. *AK *JB
IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE REAR SUSPENSION TWICE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION, MY BACK SEAT LATCH, AND MY ROTORS. MY VUE IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. WHEN DRIVING IN ANY BAD WEATHER I HAVE NO TRACTION AND SLIP ALL OVER THE ROAD.
ON MAY 8, 2004, MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN VUE. HE WAS ON A ROAD THAT SURROUNDS A MALL. SPEED LIMIT IS 20 MPH. HE WAS TURNING LEFT WHEN HE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER SUV. THE CAR ROLLED OVER, HE HAD TO GO OUT THE BACK DOOR IN ORDER TO GET OUT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE "OTHER CAR" WAS GOING A REASONABLE …
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ON MAY 8, 2004, MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN VUE. HE WAS ON A ROAD THAT SURROUNDS A MALL. SPEED LIMIT IS 20 MPH. HE WAS TURNING LEFT WHEN HE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER SUV. THE CAR ROLLED OVER, HE HAD TO GO OUT THE BACK DOOR IN ORDER TO GET OUT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE "OTHER CAR" WAS GOING A REASONABLE SPEED. OUR SATURN COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING MORE THAN 10 MPH, YET, WITH THE ROLL OVER, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND THE INSURANCE TOTALLED IT. DAMAGES TO THE OTHER CAR WERE NOT BAD. BOTH CARS WERE DRIVING SLOW, SO THE DAMAGE TO THE SATURN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A MINOR FENDER BENDER. AMAZINGLY ENOUGH, MY SON ONLY SUFFERED SOME CUTS ON HIS ARM AND HEAD. I READ AN ARTICLE THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED ON TWO SATURN VUES THAT THAT THE NHTSA HAD RECEIVED A CONSUMER COMPLAINT ABOUT A SMILILAR INCIDENT THAT LED TO A ROLLOVER. I'M WONDERING NOW IF THIS HAPPENED IN THIS SITUATION.*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.