NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
276 reports73,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THIS IN TURN CAUSED MAJOR VALVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. POOR ENGINEER DESIGN/FLAWED. STILL PAYING PAYMENTS AND NOW OWE LARGE REPAIR BILL. IT WAS 1,500 MI OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED AT THE DEALER. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE BARELY 2 YEARS …
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TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THIS IN TURN CAUSED MAJOR VALVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. POOR ENGINEER DESIGN/FLAWED. STILL PAYING PAYMENTS AND NOW OWE LARGE REPAIR BILL. IT WAS 1,500 MI OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED AT THE DEALER. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE BARELY 2 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR MANY MISC. REPAIRS INCLUDING BOTH BRAKE CYLINDERS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10427969
75,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
AS I JUST READ, MY RUNNING LIGHTS, ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES LEADING ME TO BUY THE SATURN (NEW IN 2003), ALSO HAVE FAILED. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD FLICKER WHEN I STARTED THE VUE, AND THEN THE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. REALIZING THAT I WOULD LIKELY GET CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIR, I'M LIVIN…
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AS I JUST READ, MY RUNNING LIGHTS, ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES LEADING ME TO BUY THE SATURN (NEW IN 2003), ALSO HAVE FAILED. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE GREEN LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD FLICKER WHEN I STARTED THE VUE, AND THEN THE LIGHT WOULD DISAPPEAR. REALIZING THAT I WOULD LIKELY GET CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIR, I'M LIVING WITH THE FAILURE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425367
85,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, BUT THE CONTACT COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, BUT THE CONTACT COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000. UPDATED 09/30/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS HIS WIFE WAS COMING TO A STOP, SHE HEARD A NOISE. SHE SOON DISCOVERED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LATERAL STRUT HAD COME OFF THE FRAME, DUE TO THE BOLT HEAD SHEARING OFF, WHICH ALLOWED THE STRUT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE LEFT REAR TIRE/WHEEL TO SIT INWARD AT AN ANGLE. THE SAME OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON JULY 27, 2005, WHICH WAS PERFORMED UNDER A RECALL. UPDATED 10/05/11
NHTSA ODI #10421028
105,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING, THE AC STOPS ALTOGETHER. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT DOES RUN AT FULL CAPACITY AND WILL SOMETIMES EVEN BLOW HOT AIR EVEN THOUGH THE AC IS TURNED ON. IT IS HIT OR MISS WHEN TURNING THE VENT SETTINGS AS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS REDIRECT THE AIR FLO…
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WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING, THE AC STOPS ALTOGETHER. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT DOES RUN AT FULL CAPACITY AND WILL SOMETIMES EVEN BLOW HOT AIR EVEN THOUGH THE AC IS TURNED ON. IT IS HIT OR MISS WHEN TURNING THE VENT SETTINGS AS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS REDIRECT THE AIR FLOW. ALSO, IT IS HIT OR MISS FOR THE AC TO TURN OFF WHEN SWITCHED TO THE OFF POSITION (HOT OR COLD AIR MAY CONTINUE TO BLOW). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418543
120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM REAR OF CAR. AFTER PULLING OVER THE DRIVER SAW THAT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TIPPED IN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SATURN REPAIR FACILITY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT REAR LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE MOUNTING BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE MOUNTIN…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM REAR OF CAR. AFTER PULLING OVER THE DRIVER SAW THAT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TIPPED IN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SATURN REPAIR FACILITY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT REAR LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE MOUNTING BOLT BROKE CAUSING THE MOUNTING FLANGE TO BRAKE OFF OF THE FRAME. THIS ACTION ALSO CAUSED THE FRAME TO BEND. IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE FRAME, LINKS, CONTROL ARMS AND SHOCK ABSORBER. TOTAL COST TO ME WAS $1,602.00 SATURN SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY EXPENSES. THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE OR OTHER OBJECT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THESE ARE NOT PARTS THAT REQUIRE PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OR UPKEEP. THE PARTS ON THIS CAR FAILED. IF THIS FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE ROAD GOING AT A MUCH FASTER RATE OF SPEED, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10413008
5,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Fuel System, Other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE FUEL GAUGE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE FUEL GAUGE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10407729
128,861 miles · May 31, 2011
Suspension
WE HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE, AND WHILE DRIVING HEARD NOISE, BUT DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING RIGHT AWAY. WHEN PARKED, REALIZED THAT THE TIRES WERE BOWED OUTWARD. BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC, AND FOUND OUT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS SHEARED OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403939
300 miles · Apr 30, 2011
Fuel System, Other
INCORRECT GAS GAUGE READING. 11 GAL. TANK IS CLOSE TO EMPTY AT THE 1/2 MARK. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE DAY PURCHASED, BUT UNTIL I SAW THE NEWS ABOUT OTHER GM VEHICLES LAST EVENING, I WASN'T AWARE WHO TO PLACE A COMPLAINT WITH. AT THE 1/2 MARK, TAKES 7-8 GAL. OF GAS TO TOP OFF. SHOCKED AT FIRST GAS PURCHASE AFTER BUYING C…
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INCORRECT GAS GAUGE READING. 11 GAL. TANK IS CLOSE TO EMPTY AT THE 1/2 MARK. HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE DAY PURCHASED, BUT UNTIL I SAW THE NEWS ABOUT OTHER GM VEHICLES LAST EVENING, I WASN'T AWARE WHO TO PLACE A COMPLAINT WITH. AT THE 1/2 MARK, TAKES 7-8 GAL. OF GAS TO TOP OFF. SHOCKED AT FIRST GAS PURCHASE AFTER BUYING CAR SINCE GAUGE WAS READING 1/2 FULL; ADJUSTED MY GAS PURCHASES ACCORDINGLY OVER THE YEARS, ALWAYS KEEPING WATCHFUL EYE ON GAUGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398326
120,000 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Power Train
MY 2004 SATURN VUE IS ON IT'S SECOND TRANSMISSION. AFTER 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE. THE MECHANICS DID NOT SEE ANY REASON WHY THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GO OUT. ANOTHER 50,000 MILES MY CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC DID NOT SEE ANYTHING…
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MY 2004 SATURN VUE IS ON IT'S SECOND TRANSMISSION. AFTER 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE. THE MECHANICS DID NOT SEE ANY REASON WHY THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GO OUT. ANOTHER 50,000 MILES MY CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND DID NOT SEE A REASON TO INSPECT. ABOUT 20,000 MILES LATER THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND MY CAR WOULD MOVE BUT WAS NOT PICKING UP SPEED AS I PRESS THE GAS. I HAD TO PARK MY CAR IN A WALMART PARKING LOT AND WAIT FOR A WRECKER TO COME PICK IT UP. THE MECHANIC AT THE YARD WHERE THE WRECKER CAME FROM TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND THEY COULD NOT SEE A REASON WHY. MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND I DO NOT HAVE 6000 DOLLARS TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395655
44,550 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Power Train
MY 2004 SATURN VUE AWD, EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUPPLIED TO GM BY HONDA) HAS 44,550 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION VIBRATION OR SHAKING MOTION (JUDDER OR SHUDDER) WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH. GM HAS ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACT…
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MY 2004 SATURN VUE AWD, EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUPPLIED TO GM BY HONDA) HAS 44,550 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION VIBRATION OR SHAKING MOTION (JUDDER OR SHUDDER) WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH. GM HAS ISSUED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM RECALL 10285 - V2386 IN FEBRUARY 2001 FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IT ONLY COVERS 2005, 2006 AND 2007 VUES. THE RECALL REPROGRAMS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE EXACT SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS USED IN THE 2004, 2005, 2006, AND 2007 VUES YET GM HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE 2004 VUE OWNERS WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE WRITTEN TO GM'S CUSTOMER & RELATIONSHIP SERVICES BUT THEIR ONLY REPLY IS "YOUR VIN IS NOT COVERED". SOMEONE NEEDS TO FORCE GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE 2004 SATURN VUE WITH THE HONDA SUPPLIED ENGINE/AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE THEM REPROGRAM THE 2004 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AS THEY HAVE DONE WITH THE OTHER MODEL YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #10393229