10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,483 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Apr 102010

Vue

  • 115,000 miles
The transmission went out.

- Halethorpe, MD, USA

problem #26

Feb 162010

Vue

  • miles
I purchased a 2003 Saturn Vue with a defective vti transmission, Dec. 09. the Saturn dealership in raleigh, nc, did not inform me of the defect, upon the sales transaction. A service bulletin came out 12/09, from GM to appease consumers, by offering an extended warranty to help with the cost to replace this defective part, however, GM needed to fix the problem and replace the defective vti transmission with a part that is not defective. Instead, they leave consumers with an unsafe vehicle that will continue to break down causing safety concerns and huge out of pocket expenses. The car has lost value because of the defective part and worst of all I am afraid to drive it for fear of breakdown, particularly at freeway driving, which has been noted by other consumers. GM loses 100M lawsuit because of early transmission failures in more than 90,000 Saturn carrying the vti transmissions and still their has been no recall. This investigation and recall is long overdue and affecting used vehicles that are still being sold today, with the 2002-2005 Saturn Vue and ions between 2003-2004 and 2000-2003 Saturn L-series, containing the vti transmissions.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #25

Aug 132009

Vue

  • 63,300 miles
I have a Saturn Vue 2003, that shut down while driving at speeds of 50 mph. I believe it is a vti transmission problem. I fear the worse when driving with my kids, I do not feel safe. I hate to dump alot of money into this vehicle if the problem will not be permittently fixed. There are alot of complaints regarding this matter on these vehicles.

- Great Falls, VA, USA

problem #24

Jun 252009

Vue

  • 104,000 miles
Major transmission problems as well as ignition problems. Recently have smoke coming out of my steering wheel when car is started.

- New Berlin , WI, USA

problem #23

Jul 252009

Vue

  • 84,000 miles
I bought a used 2003 Saturn Vue two months ago, and since then it has been nothing but trouble. The major problem with it know is the transmission (automatic vti). When driving on the freeway two days ago, the car was on cruise control at 65 mph, when all of the sudden, the rpms red lined at 7000. After that I disengaged the cruise control and attempted to drive the car onto the shoulder, but it would not accelerate. Also when stopping the car, the engine starts to rumble and shake, then when accelerating again the engine revs up but no movement. After about five to ten seconds the car catches gear and it feels like I've been in a rear end collision when it does. Three days ago the car did this in the middle of an intersection while I was making a left hand turn (it stopped and just revved the engine), I was almost hit by an oncoming car but they managed to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision. The Vue is currently in the shop and I am unable to afford a new transmission so I am stuck with a dead vehicle which I just purchased two months ago.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #22

Jun 182009

Vue

  • 82,067 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 70 mph, the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Suddenly, the vehicle stalled. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the powertrain fuse failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle is in the process of being taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. There were no authorized dealers in the area for a second opinion. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 82,067.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #21

Jun 012005

Vue

  • 55,000 miles
Failure of the vti transmission on the 2002 - 2005 Saturn Vue. I was notified by a fellow Vue owner that they are having serious transmission problems with this vehicle. I have had issues with my transmission since purchase and have documentation that I again brought it to my dealers attention at 55,000 miles. Upon research I find that the noise my car is now making is probably not the wheel bearings but the transmission.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #20

Apr 072003

Vue

  • 10,000 miles
I purchased my new 2003 Saturn Vue from york pa Saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 Vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 5 or 6 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic stop situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear, still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the Saturn Corp. Saturn is now being decided in the court system (cas) the final decision should be in the next few weeks so keep checking back on this and other sites that attract lemon vehicles! all I ask is for GM/Saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 Vue or replace with a new vehicle!!! its that simple Saturn! and until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of Saturn dealers etc. Etc... ps. I have copied just about every person and business that has exposure to intersections shopping malls etc. So tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about GM/Saturn.

- Littlestown, PA, USA

problem #19

Mar 272009

Vue

  • miles
The vehicle in question is a 2003 Saturn Vue. I purchased the vehicle with 53,048 miles on it, so I agreed to buy it in "as is" condition. I got the vehicle on Dec. 31st 2007, and I drove it off the lot. I felt a weird shake that reminded me of when a battery was dying. On hills the truck would roll backwards, and kick hard when I pushed the gas. It would just randomly jerk, and it did this all throughout my ownership. The truck was serviced regularly, and mechanics never saw a problem. Finally, about 2 weeks ago, the truck encountered major problems. The truck decided that it was no longer going to accelerate, it was a fight to move forward. The rpms stayed between 1-3 even when the vehicle was not in motion. The transmission is unique, and is said to have less parts. It is said to be bad because the truck is too heavy for the transmission. It is a minimum of 3 thousand dollars to repair. They say that the problem will reoccur. The repairs are frequent and costly and something should be done.

- Gaston, SC, USA

problem #18

Mar 212003

Vue

  • 10,000 miles
I purchased my new 2003 Saturn Vue from york pa Saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 Vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 5 or 6 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic stop situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear, still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the Saturn Corp. Saturn is now being decided in the court system (cas) the final decision should be in the next few weeks so keep checking back on this and other sites that attract lemon vehicles! all I ask is for GM/Saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 Vue or replace with a new vehicle!!! its that simple Saturn! and until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of Saturn dealers etc. Etc... ps. I have copied just about every person and business that has exposure to intersections shopping malls etc. So tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about GM/Saturn.

- Littlestown, PA, USA

problem #17

Feb 052009

Vue

  • 98,000 miles
2003 Saturn Vue. At 80,000 miles transmission went out and had to get it replaced. At 98000 miles 8 months later noticed sputtering and took it to dealership. Was told at first it was the ignition coil and the spark plugs and modules needed replaced for 682 dollars. 4 hours later they called and said they fixed it and it is not fixed I now have a bad #1 cylinder and have to get the whole engine replaced for 5400 dollars. Awaiting call back from Saturn corporate to see if they are going to help. It is pretty sad that a 5 year old can needs both the tranny built and a new engine before 100,000 miles. Should of kept my Honda civic with 230,000 miles. It runs better.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #16

Jul 172003

Vue

  • 250 miles
Clutch chatters when in reverse. It did this from day one. We have not had it fixed due to no dealer close to monterey ca.

- Pacific Grove, CA, USA

problem #15

Jan 202008

Vue 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,500 miles
I own a 2003 Saturn Vue AWD car that has 79,500 miles. There have been numerous problems with the car since purchasing it brand new in 2003. The biggest issue involved the power train. A secondary belt in the engine broke while the car was being driven on the highway. When the secondary belt broke is tangled with the timing belt causing the timing belt to skip a tooth. 12 valves were bent. I contacted a Saturn dealership regarding the issue with the power train and was told it would cost $7000 to repair. I have had the engine repaired by an independent mechanic. No warning lights ever appeared to denote any issue with the power train.

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

problem #14

Mar 182004

Vue 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
York pa> Saturn has patched up my 2003 Vue by replacing valves sensors etc. Which they well know will not fix the problem. After regular preventable maintenance, 2003 Saturn Vue has continuously experienced transmission problems from 10,000 point on. Vehicle while just traveling down a road at 30-40 mph), does not shift properly into higher gear, makes loud grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly transmission was looked at by dealer several times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Problems continue after servicing. Have read extensive reports and complaints involving Saturn Vue VT1 transmission. Saturn needs to have a recall - it's consumers can't afford all of these repairs for what is clearly a faulty transmission that has been discontinued! next step is class action suit by owners!!!!!!!!!! think about all of these unhappy people when sales get tough Saturn"?" I will not consider another Saturn under these irresponsible conditions Saturn has brought on itself!!!

- Littlestown, PA, USA

problem #13

Oct 302007

(reported on)

Vue 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Saturn Vue with acceleration problems. Customer states the vehicle sometimes will not accelerate. Mechanic told her the transmission needed to be fixed or replaced. After the repair was made, the car is sometimes hard to accelerate or it over accelerates. The consumer also stated the vehicle began to smoke and it smelled like burnt rubber. The consumer returned the vehicle back to the dealer, however when she picked it up and began to drive, several things started to happen:the vehicle slowed down and wouldn't accelerate, as she pressed the accelerator, the vehicle would bolt and speed up, and just before arriving home, it slowed down again and the consumer was barely able to park the vehicle.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #12

May 102007

(reported on)

Vue 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Vue customer states that the transmission had a recall and after having it fix it began to have problems a couple of months later then the whole transmission had to be replaced* the drivers door would not open from the inside, the brakes squealed whenever the consumer backed-up and the rear wiper was replaced.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #11

May 022007

(reported on)

Vue

  • miles
2003 Saturn Vue vti with a defective transmission. Customer states that it has been many reposts of bad transmissions*

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #10

Nov 172003

Vue 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Saturn Vue failed to start. The vehicle made squeaking noises when the consumer made a right turn, in addition to various other rumblings. The consumer experienced problems with the rotors, bearings and transmission. A special wheel bearing had to be ordered as well as a special side cover and hardware for the transmission. The coolant switch was defective. The rear wipers would stick. The gas gauge would only read 3/4 full. The air condition stopped working and the hot and cold knob did not go all the to cool. The starter was replaced which was the reason the vehicle wasn't starting. The transfer case seal was replaced.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 162006

Vue 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Saturn Vue hood release cable and windshield wiper motor was replaced. The rear differential was replaced (warranty). While repairing the rear differential the technician noticed that the prompt shaft center bearing was broken (warranty). There was noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The technician determined that the transaxle. The technician updated the tcm and added cvt additive (warranty). The check engine light illuminated on the dash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the oxygen sensor was faulty (warranty). The air bag and horn were also replaced.

- Mineola, NY, USA

problem #8

Oct 072004

Vue

  • miles
When consumer stop for red light, then step on accelerator, car hesitates then lurches forward abruptly. While driving 65 mph the consumer heard a humming noise and the vehicle suddenly decreased in speed to around 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who reprogrammed the software. Three weeks after the vehicle was purchased the transmission had to be replaced. Now the replacement transmission is having problems.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

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