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
What owners actually said
276 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,062.
I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO BE PASSED ON, HOPING I WILL GO AWAY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY SATURN A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AT 8,500 MILES. AFTER THE WARRANTY I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAIN BRAIN. I CALLED APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY KEY WILL PULL RIGHT OUT WHILE THE…
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I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES TO BE PASSED ON, HOPING I WILL GO AWAY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY SATURN A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AT 8,500 MILES. AFTER THE WARRANTY I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAIN BRAIN. I CALLED APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY KEY WILL PULL RIGHT OUT WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. I KNOW THIS MODEL ISN'T IN THE RECALL, BUT I HAVE SPOKEN TO [XXX] WHO'S WIFE HAS ONE AND A FRIEND OF MINE HIS BROTHERS DOES THE SAME THING. THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. IT ALSO STALLS AND HAS THAT WAS WHY THEY REPLACED THE MAIN BRAIN. I FEEL LIKE MY VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I AM STUCK IN IT AND HOPING I DON'T GET KILLED WHILE DRIVING IT. I WANT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I DON'T WANT TO BECOME ONE THE STATISTICS BECAUSE GM WON'T ADMIT THAT THERE IS PROBLEM LIKE THEY HAVE WITH ALL THE OTHER RECALLED VEHICLES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD EASILY MOVE FROM OFF TO ON, SKIPPING THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS THE DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD EASILY MOVE FROM OFF TO ON, SKIPPING THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS THE DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. PM UPDATED 8/11/14*CN UPDATED 08/21/2014 *JS
WHEN REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER, THE KEY GETS STUCK ABOUT HALF WAY OUT, AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. AFTER PUSHING, PULLING, AND MANIPULATING THE KEY IT EVENTUALLY IS RELEASED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT TIMES IT SEEMS LIKE THE KEY MAY NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND FAIL TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANS AXLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANS AXLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND FAIL TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANS AXLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRANS AXLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL HOUSING WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL HOUSING WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 107,353. UPDATED 07/16/14 MA
WHEN 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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.