NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
276 reports70,100 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Suspension
2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT C…
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2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT CONDITION WITHOUT A ROLLOVER OR ACCIDENT. I HAD THE REPAIR MADE FREE OF CHARGE AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT BUT AM CONCERNED THAT IN 4-5 YEARS, BOLT FATIGUE WILL CAUSE THE SITUATION TO REPEAT ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE THE SHEARED BOLT HEAD IN MY POSSESSION . I AM WRITING DUE TO CONCERN THAT MANY MANY OTHERS WILL AGAIN, SOON, THIS YEAR, EXPERIENCE THE SAME WHEEL COLLAPSE AFTER HAVING THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL REPAIRS MADE IN 2004. IT SEEMS LIKE A MANDATORY RECALL OF THE GM VOLUNTARY RECALL IS IN ORDER. EXCERPT FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS ARTICLE, AUGUST 5, 2004: GENERAL MOTORS IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING THE SATURN VUE TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. IN DOING SO, IT MAY BE HOPING TO AVOID LITIGATION THAT COULD RESULT FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRING WHILE GOVERNMENT SAFETY AGENCIES CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. THE RECALL AFFECTS 246,433 VUES IN THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEARS, INCLUDING 231,123 IN THE UNITED STATES AND 15,310 IN CANADA. IT ALL STARTED WHEN A SATURN VUE OWNER WROTE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO COMPLAIN THAT THE REAR WHEELS OF HIS CAR COLLAPSED ON A TIGHT TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. THE AGENCY DECIDED TO CONDUCT A TEST OF ITS OWN, TAKING TIGHT TURNS AT 45 MPH, AND SURE ENOUGH, THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN A TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL OF THE VUE WAS PUT THROUGH THE SAME TEST. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/RECALLS04/VUE_RECALL.HTML#IXZZ0H1HXNUN0. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315472
70,100 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Suspension
2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT CONDI…
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2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT HOME WITH THAT CONDITION WITHOUT A ROLLOVER OR ACCIDENT. I HAD THE REPAIR MADE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE DEALER AFTER MUCH ARGUING BUT AM CONCERNED THAT IN 4-5 YEARS, BOLT FATIGUE WILL CAUSE THE SITUATION TO REPEAT ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE THE SHEARED BOLT HEAD IN MY POSSESSION. I AM WRITING DUE TO CONCERN THAT MANY MANY OTHERS WILL AGAIN SOON, THIS YEAR, EXPERIENCE THE SAME WHEEL COLLAPSE AFTER HAVING THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL REPAIRS MADE IN 2004. IT SEEM LIKE A MANDATORY RECALL OF THE 2004 GM VOLUNTARY RECALL IS IN ORDER. EXCERPT FROM CAUG 5, 2004 ONSUMER AFFAIRS ARTICLE: GENERAL MOTORS IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING THE SATURN VUE TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. IN DOING SO, IT MAY BE HOPING TO AVOID LITIGATION THAT COULD RESULT FROM ACCIDENTS OCCURRING WHILE GOVERNMENT SAFETY AGENCIES CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. THE RECALL AFFECTS 246,433 VUES IN THE 2002-2004 MODEL YEARS, INCLUDING 231,123 IN THE UNITED STATES AND 15,310 IN CANADA. IT ALL STARTED WHEN A SATURN VUE OWNER WROTE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO COMPLAIN THAT THE REAR WHEELS OF HIS CAR COLLAPSED ON A TIGHT TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. THE AGENCY DECIDED TO CONDUCT A TEST OF ITS OWN, TAKING TIGHT TURNS AT 45 MPH, AND SURE ENOUGH, THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN A TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODEL OF THE VUE WAS PUT THROUGH THE SAME TEST. READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/RECALLS04/VUE_RECALL.HTML#IXZZ0H1HXNUN0. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315453
50,000 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN VUE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2009 REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION BEING REPAIRED WITHIN 5 YEARS, AT NO COST. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HER 5 YEARS HAS EXPIRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND THE DEALER IS WILLING TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT DOESN'T AGREE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SATURN VUE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2009 REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION BEING REPAIRED WITHIN 5 YEARS, AT NO COST. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HER 5 YEARS HAS EXPIRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND THE DEALER IS WILLING TO PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT DOESN'T AGREE WITH THE COST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT 100%. UPDATED 05/06/10.*JB UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10315168
100,260 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Power Train
I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN VUE 4 MONTHS AGO. I ALSO BOUGHT A EXTENDED WARRANTY THRO WYNS. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT. I HAVE 100,260 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 100,000. SATURN SAYS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE BUT WYNS WILL COVER THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION MINUS MY $100 CO PAY. THEY HOWEVER WILL NOT COVER IT U…
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I BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN VUE 4 MONTHS AGO. I ALSO BOUGHT A EXTENDED WARRANTY THRO WYNS. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT. I HAVE 100,260 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 100,000. SATURN SAYS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE BUT WYNS WILL COVER THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION MINUS MY $100 CO PAY. THEY HOWEVER WILL NOT COVER IT UNTIL SATURN FAXES THEM THE BULLETIN ON THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SATURN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT FAX THIS INFORMATION TO WYNS AND WILL NOT MAIL ME THE WARRANTY INFORMATION TO ME. SATURN STATED TO ME IF I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY THAT THEY WOULD LOOSE OUT ON THE MONEY OF REPAIRING MY TRANSMISSION. SO NOW I CANT GET MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PROOF THAT THE WARRANTY IS NO GOOD AT MY MILEAGE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT WEST 40 AUTO SALES WHO DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS OR BULLETINS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313772
90,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Power TrainCrashInjury
I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE THAT CAME OUT OF PARK WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND MY 4YR OLD SON FELL OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS RAN OVER. WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT IT BEING IN THE "OFF POSITION" AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, REVERSE, AND DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS N…
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I HAVE A 2004 SATURN VUE THAT CAME OUT OF PARK WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND MY 4YR OLD SON FELL OUT OF VEHICLE AND WAS RAN OVER. WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT IT BEING IN THE "OFF POSITION" AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, REVERSE, AND DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS PARKED ON THE ADVICE OF MY ATTORNEYS. *TR THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCESSORY POSITION WITH THE SHIFTER IN PARK. BEING IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION ALLOWED THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED FROM PARK WITHOUT AN APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. *SMCH
NHTSA ODI #10313568
55,500 miles · Feb 12, 2010
EquipmentPower TrainTraction Control System
I WAS DRIVING ON SPEED OF 55 MPH AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP ABRUPTLY . I TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS A VIT TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER PROBLEM ON THE SATURN 2004 VUE. THIS IS VERY DANGER SITUATION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10309008
95,000 miles · Feb 7, 2010
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2004 SATURN VUE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC. MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. ALL THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ME QUICKLY AS NOT TO HIT US. A COP AND ANOTHER CAR STOPPED TO PHYSICALLY PUSH MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE OFFICER THEN …
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WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2004 SATURN VUE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC. MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. ALL THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE AROUND ME QUICKLY AS NOT TO HIT US. A COP AND ANOTHER CAR STOPPED TO PHYSICALLY PUSH MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE OFFICER THEN HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. AFTER THE AUTO REPAIR CHARGED ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT GM HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THESE ENGINES.. I CANT UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CAN ISSUE A RECALL, BUT GM CAN'T. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE "IMPORTANT" TO GET KILLED IN ONE OF GM'S CARS BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT DOES ANYTHING FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE? *TW
NHTSA ODI #10307193
85,000 miles · Jan 2, 2010
Power Train
2004 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ESTIMATED 150,000 CARS HAVE THIS FAILURE FAULTY TRANSMISSION WIRE INSTALLED IN AUTOS FROM 2002 THRU 2005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297825
100,500 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE WITH 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER TELLS ME ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL UNLESS THEY FEEL ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. WELL I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED. MY RPM'S REVVED REALLY HIGH BUT THE CAR WOULD …
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TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE WITH 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER TELLS ME ITS MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL UNLESS THEY FEEL ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. WELL I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED. MY RPM'S REVVED REALLY HIGH BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD ANYMORE. I WAS ALMOST HIT 3 TIMES TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAD 2 TODDLERS INT HE BACK SEAT! I WOULD SAY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297269
90,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE AN…
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I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE ANY FORM OF A RECALL O THIS AND WHAT ARE IF ANY ARE MY OPTIONS FOR EITHER SATURN FIXING IT OR REIMBURSING ME ANY AMOUNT. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE . THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295918