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 reports
162,479 miles · Sep 15, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) ON 9/5/17. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BY DON NESTER AUTO GROUP (7566 WEST HOUGHTON LAKE DRIVE, HOUGHTON LAKE, MI 48629, PHONE: (989) 422-5126); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) ON 9/5/17. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BY DON NESTER AUTO GROUP (7566 WEST HOUGHTON LAKE DRIVE, HOUGHTON LAKE, MI 48629, PHONE: (989) 422-5126); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED TWO KEYS WITH THE REPAIR, BUT NEITHER OF THEM UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE DOORS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH REPLACING THE DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,479.
NHTSA ODI #11023651
170,000 miles · Aug 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT... WHEN IT GREEN AND TIME TO DRIVE THE GAS MOVED BY THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE STOP AND IT WONT NOT MOVE FOWARD OR BACKWARDS... LEAVING ME AND MY 2 TODDLERS STUCK INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC
NHTSA ODI #11019927
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE KEY FALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES
NHTSA ODI #11013069
158,000 miles · Jul 14, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE IGNITION LOCKS AND CAN NOT TURN KEY WITH OUT JERKING AND BEATING THE STERRING WHEEL. YOU CAN'T PUT THE INGITION IN THE OFF POSITION. KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. MY VIN # WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST BUT OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WERE IN WITH THIS RECALL. I NEED THIS FIXED PLEASE. I HAVE HAD TH…
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THE IGNITION LOCKS AND CAN NOT TURN KEY WITH OUT JERKING AND BEATING THE STERRING WHEEL. YOU CAN'T PUT THE INGITION IN THE OFF POSITION. KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. MY VIN # WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST BUT OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES WERE IN WITH THIS RECALL. I NEED THIS FIXED PLEASE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11005281
93,800 miles · Jun 10, 2017
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING AT AN HIGH SPEED OF 65-70 ON FREEWAY THROUGH MOUNTAIN TERRITORY, SPEED DROPS AND ACCELERATION IS HARD TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED LIMIT. ALSO CAR START SHAKING WHILE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA ODI #10994307
78,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10966163
96,000 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other
"TAKATA RECALL". MY MECHANIC FOUND A FAULTY TAKATA AIRBAG WHILE DIAGNOSING A HORN PROBLEM. MY VIN IS NOT ON THE AIRBAG RECALL LIST OR THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL LIST. ALSO THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS CAUSING SECURITY SYSTEM ISSUES AND CAUSING MY HORN RELAY TO STAY PERMANENTLY IN THE ON POSITION WHICH IS DRAINING MY BATTERY TO …
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"TAKATA RECALL". MY MECHANIC FOUND A FAULTY TAKATA AIRBAG WHILE DIAGNOSING A HORN PROBLEM. MY VIN IS NOT ON THE AIRBAG RECALL LIST OR THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL LIST. ALSO THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS CAUSING SECURITY SYSTEM ISSUES AND CAUSING MY HORN RELAY TO STAY PERMANENTLY IN THE ON POSITION WHICH IS DRAINING MY BATTERY TO NOTHING. HOW DO I GET MY VIN ADDED TO THESE LISTS SO THAT THESE PARTS CAN BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL?
NHTSA ODI #10956414
76,000 miles · Feb 21, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION, FUEL MILEAGE, AND THE BRAKES BEING WORN OUT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #10956015
127,776 miles · Dec 26, 2016
Electrical System
IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN NOT IN THE LOCK POSITION. CAN BE REMOVED WHEN IN ANY POSITION. CAN BE REMOVED WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10937430
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2016
Electrical System
THE IGNITION RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND NOW IT'S DOING THE SAME THING WHERE THE KEY CAN BE PULLED OUT IN THE RUNNING POSITION.
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.
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
1
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
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.
2004 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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