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

What owners actually said

276 reports

120,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…

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NHTSA ODI #10622066

89,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014

Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I WAS INJURED MY FACE NOSE & NECK, ALSO MY KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS ON *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622055

85,987 miles · Aug 13, 2014

Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

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I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF THE RECENT ONSET OF AN UNUSUAL RUMBLING SOUND WHEN DECELERATING. AFTER A TEST DRIVE AND INSPECTION THE MECHANIC WROTE THESE COMMENTS ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. "DETERMINED FRONT FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING EXTREME MOVEMENT OF ENGINE CRADLE AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY. UNIBODY IS RUSTED OUT. THIS VEHICLE IS PROBABLY TOTALED AND THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NHTSA. CAUTION: THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET IMMEDIATELY." BOTH THE MECHANIC AND MYSELF FEEL THAT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEDED TO A TEN YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 86,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN PRPERLY MAINTAINED. THE MECHANIC ALSO PHOTOGRAPHED THE DAMAGE. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621979

150,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014

Electrical System

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WE CAN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR MOVING. I DID SEE ON 8/8/2014 THAT OUR YEAR WAS INVOLVED IN A NEW RECALL BY GM DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SHOWED NO RECALL AND CALLED GM/SATURN TO QUESTION IT AS WELL. EVEN AFTER TELLING THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM THAT OUR VEHICLE HAD THE SAME TROUBLE THAT WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL AND FIT THE MODEL YEAR LISTED THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD ONLY UPDATE OUR INFORMATION AND WOULD CONTACT US IF IT DOES BECOME PART OF THE RECALL. THE KEY DOES COME OUT JUST AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620968

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2014

Power Train

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1ST INSIDENT WAS DRIVING DOWN BUSY BULIVARD AND THE VEHICLE QUIT AND COSTED TO A STOP THERE WAS NO STEERING. WE HAD TO GET A RIDE HOME AND PAY TOWING. 2ND INSIDENT WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HILL IN ALABAMA JUST FINISHED THE LAST CURVE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED NO STEERING NO ABILITY TO GET OFF ROAD AND COASTED TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT. WE WERE STRANDED ON OUT TRIP TO SEE MY GRAND KIDS. WE HAD TO GET A TOW TO A MERCURY DEALER BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER MADE. WE HAD TO GET A MOTEL AND A RIDE FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP AS IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET FIXED. GM WAS ORDERED BY THE COURT TO PAY 100% FOR THIS PART AND FOR ME IT FAILED TWICE THE SECOND TIME ALMOST TAKING OUR LIVES. I'VE TRIED FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW TO GET SOME JUSTICE! EACH TIME I WAS FORCED TO PAY 1/2 THE REPAIRS THAT IS 2400.00 EACH TIME! LET ALONE GETTING LETTERS OF THIS RECALL TAKING THE LETTERS TO THE DEALER AND BEING TOLD IN FINE. I WANT AT THE VERY LEAST WHAT THE COURT ORDER THEM TO PAY AND THAT IS 100% OF THIS PART THAT STOPPED WORKING TWICE. 4800.00 AND IF I COULD GET MY MOTEL AND TOWING I WOULD BE GRATEFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619322

140,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10617172

104,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014

Exterior LightingSteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615783

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2014

Power TrainCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION AND THE TRANSMISSION QUIT. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609278

88,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I TRIED TO RESTART MY ENGINE. ALTHOUGH IT TURNED OVER, IT WOULDN'T START. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED A FUSE TO BE BLOWN. HE REPLACED THE FUSE, AND MY CAR STILL DIDN'T START. AFTER THAT, HE USED HIS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND SAW THAT I NEEDED…

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NHTSA ODI #10607230

34,595 miles · Jun 23, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,595.

NHTSA ODI #10605349

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.

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

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