10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 31,016 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.
The key will not turn to start the the car. You have to wiggle it and apply the right amount of torque to get it to turn and start the vehicle. I replaced the key from the dealership with the same negative results.
- Commerce Twp, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the ignition switch and the power system failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000. The VIN was not available.
- Houghsonville, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the key needed to be shaken several times prior to starting the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A private mechanic diagnosed that the failure was the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was 113,005.
- Tinton Falls, NJ, USA
My ignition won't let me turn my key easily, it has to be wiggled then it will then catch, so it's hard to turn my car on!
- South Lake Tahoe , CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated the ignition key would not turn properly or remain secure when positioned in the ignition switch. While driving on two separate occasions the key had fallen out of the ignition switch without intent. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the ignition switch lock needed to be replaced. The lock cylinder had been previously replaced in may of 2007. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000 updated 09/21/11
- Youngstown , OH, USA
2006 Saturn Vue key won't turn. Car stays in locked position so can't crank car. Have to hit on key with something heavy to get it to engage and turn has been in shop where all they did was put some graphite in lock. Say on chat room that many Saturn owners have same problem and Saturn can't fix it.
- Marietta, GA, USA
Saturn Vue 6 cylinder, since we bought it key is hard to turn. Once almost had to stay overnight on way home from vacation, because car wouldn't start. Was under warranty so they supposedly changed the cylinder. I was able to start car, but nobody else can. Mentioned it again to dealership and they gave me new keys, several times. This past weekend my son borrowed the car and had lots of trouble turning the key, so took the car in to Saturn again and he said the key was worn and after we kind of argued about it, he admitted it was a very common problem of Saturn. Went in on internet and found it is more than common. Don't know what dealer will do for me, I just have 3000 miles left on warranty, but I left car there, because last week I also took it in for a grinding metal sound and was told it was the timing belt, which they changed, but within two days the sound was back, so I left it there hoping against all odds that they will truly fix it. There really should be a recall for the ignition key problem, since in 1 1/2 years time they haven't been able to fix it right. The mechanic actually indicated it could not be fixed, because there is a design flaw.
- Algonquin, IL, USA
Multiple occurrences of keyed ignition switch locking up and no allowing vehicle operation (more than 6). Thank god there was no emergency necessitating immediate use of our vehicle. Just episodes of being late to work and getting home from work. Finally the vehicle as towed to the dealer. We were informed this was known issue with the Saturn Vue. But there was no recall they manufacturer just lets its customers swing in the wind until it fails for good presumably they think they are saving money but not so if they are on the hook for the towing while under warranty. Which is why they manufacturer's failure to notify owners and recall for this problem is inexcusable!
- Oceanside, CA, USA
Bought this vehicle brand new. Some other minor problems waiting to be fixed. As I see others are having the same problems. Major problem: Key and tumbler will not work. First time was shocking to me. Took me over 1/2 hour to get it to work. Ok now I am not stranded. Called dealer, they were great, replaced the tumbler assembly. Shortly the problem came back. Called the dealer. They then replaced the housing and tumbler. Work good for a while. But still will some minor hang ups. For a 3rd time it got stuck so bad I was stuck. Got the key to finally turn the car on and it ruined our vacation because we could not trust the vehicle to work properly and dealer was closed. The tumbler again was replaced. I was told the brass in there was broke and the housing looked fine. I am waiting for it to break again and cannot trust my vehicle at only 18K. Sad don't you think. If I was really thinking right within my first year I could have filed the lemon law on this vehicle easy. No tumbler should break or wear out the easily. I was told that Saturn has a report to make sure the customer does not have a large ring full of keys because that may wear out the tumblers. This is not he problem here. It is an obvious defective engineering design flaw or just cheap materials, metals or assembly techniques. Then need to solve this quickly. Would you buy a new Saturn when your friend is stuck because his key does not turn the new vehicle on? dealer was great this is not a problem with the dealer. They are simply replacing bad parts with bad parts and doing all they can with what they can.
- Oconto, WI, USA
- Glendale, AZ, USA