10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 11 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,120 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle slid on ice, traveled down a hill, and crashed head on into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained neck injuries. A police report was filed. The front end and sides of the vehicle were damaged. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or the insurance company. The current and failure mileages were 89,000.
- Springfield , MA, USA
Saturn Vue horn failure due to poor engineering design. Dealer advised that airbag, horn, and horn relay has to be replaced. However, the horn relay is the same relay part number as the rear window wiper - trading out the relays did not cause the rear window washer to stop working, therefore the problem is not in the horn relay. The dealer disconnected some of the systems, including the flasher, to disconnect the horn when it would have been easier to unplug the horn at the horn rather than under the dash. The dealer advised that this is a design failure but wants ~$800 to replace the airbag, horn, and relay. This is not an uncommon problem based on the other complaints listed. I purchased a Saturn strictly because of service dependability --- and apparently that is not sufficient reason to remain with Saturn now that GM has taken over.
- Jackson, MS, USA
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
Today is 02/02/05. A few weeks ago, the horn on my '03 Saturn Vue became stuck. The only remedy was to pull the fuse. Yesterday, the Vue was at the dealer (to have work done on the rear suspension per recall notice). I had the dealer check out the horn. They stated that the diagnostic computer gave the code that the "airbag needed to be replaced". the Vue has just 49,000 miles on it and is only 2 years old. The cost will be $810. Ever since I have owned the vehicle, the horn was difficult to activate. I conducted an internet search and found that many other Saturn owners had this same problem. (while the dealer had the car today, they re-installed the fuse and the horn was fine. I picked the vehicle up at 6 pm. All was well until 1:30 am this morning, when the horn went off all by itself. And again the only remedy was to pull the fuse).
- Baltimore, MD, USA
As I was driving on the highway, my vehicle drifted onto the grassy shoulder. Without hitting my brakes, I steered back onto the road. The rear end of my vehicle fish-tailed slightly. As this was happening, the driver's back wheel bent underneath the vehicle causing it to roll over, passenger side first, onto the side of the highway. During the roll-over, none of my airbags deployed, both driver- side tires blew, both axles bent, the tops of the passenger-side doors crumpled, the passenger-side windows shattered, and the roof crumpled like a crushed aluminum can. I received numerous injuries, including neck/back/shoulder strains, broken ribs and damage to my right knee and ankle.
- Petal, MS, USA
Airbag failure in a 2003 Saturn Vue with severe front end damage. Luck prevented severe injury, while a vital safety feature failed. We are enraged by the fact that we bought a vehicle that professed safety, but did not perform when needed. We loved the vehicle to this point.
- Midlothian, VA, USA
Due to the horn design, on the steering wheel airbag, at night it is almost impossible to activate the horn.
- Orland Park, IL, USA
- Millersville, MD, USA