6.8
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,740
- Average Mileage:
- 121,600 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
- main computer is a piece of crap needs to be replaced (1 reports)
- replace pcm and alternator (1 reports)
2006 Saturn Vue. Bought it from a small dealership in Jan 2016. In cold weather when you start it, all the lights flash on and off, all of the dash lights flash on and off, the radio goes off and if you try to drive it it will turn off. After it warms up after about 5 minutes, it's fine. Anyone have any idea what's wrong with this. Took it to the GM Dealership. They had it for 3 weeks and said it was the computer. They changed it and $800 later, nope not it. And they are clueless as to what it is. Could it be the Anti theft system even though it does start?
Please help if you can.
Very frustrated
- Janet B., Taylor, MI, US
This issue only occurs when the weather is colder so I don't know exactly when the problem really began. I had my original alternator go out in May of this year and all seemed fine until we moved into the colder months. Now when I start my vehicle on a colder day it turns on everything normal initially and then all the lights flick off. If I try the move the steering wheel I notice that it has no power steering. All the lights on the dash will flash with a clicking sound, the radio the headlights and rear lights will all flash also. Once the vehicle warms up after 5 to 10 minutes it neutralizes and lights stop flickering and power steering return. The vehicle will act normal until it is left turned off in cold weather for a length of time. Not sure how long but as and example I have seen reoccurrence after the vehicle has been off for 4 to 5 hours. I have had the battery replaced and the alternator replaced twice with (ACDELCO)
- C B., Fountain, CO, US
Got in car and every light started to flash. I had battery and alternator replaced no change. This only happens first thing in the morning after the vehicle warms up the problem does not happen till the next morning. Going to take it to shop next week. Looks like this is a problem with other Saturn's
- Jim H., Hagerman, ID, US
1st, I must say that I LOVE my Saturn. Recently, when it is really cold out, when I start the vehicle the dash, interior and exterior lights all flash. The door locks do not work and it shuts down the clock, but I do not lose my preset radio stations. Usually it takes about 5-10 minutes for it to stop and then the car is fine. It doesn't happen all the time. Since the 1st time (mid January), it has happened about 4 more times and has only died and not restarted 1 time. Started the car the next day and everything was fine.
Took it to our local Monroe Muffler, who does not do electrical work. They checked recalls, did not find anything and recommended dealer or mechanic that does electrical work. They thought it could be the alarm system (they did check battery and alternator-both fine). So, that is where I am. So far, I have not spent any money on this problem, but from what I have been reading online, I soon will be spending A LOT to fix this problem.:(
- Kendall B., Towson, MD, US
Went to Autozone when had issues starting. They said the alternator needs replaced. Replaced it. The next day all the lights were flashing and took over 10 minutes to stay on. Took it to the GM dealer and it needs a new PCM board and alternator. The recently replaced alternator is ruined by the PCM issues. 1880 dollars! recall these POS's!
- Jay D., Greenwood, IN, US
I have recently had a new alternator and battery put in my car. Since then, most days when I try to start the car, everything goes haywire. Headlights and all dash lights are blinking, making it look like a police car. Radio goes on and off, and the steering wheel is almost impossible to turn. I have replaced the ignition switch only to find that was not the problem. No one seems to be able to tell me what the problem is so that I can get the repair done. I have had one "suggestion" but it would run me roughly $500 and I don't want to spend that on a guess.
- Karen O., Elmira, NY, US
The FIRST time the issue occurred was the day the initial "warranty" expired, since it was on a Sunday had to wait until the next day. Dealership mentioned warranty was over so it cost me $100 for their "special" techs to pull a fuse and "FIX" the problem. (that was 2 years ago). Two months ago my wife started to have issues with the car not starting, required several jumps over the next 2-3 weeks. Beginning in Nov. of 2014, not only did the car have issues starting, when it did get started (every single light on the dashboard would flash on and off, along with every turn signal, and outside light. After being told it was and having replaced a "perfectly working" alternator the issues became worse. Then it was the "perfect" working battery. Now the dealership says it is the "main computer". the only reason we keep taking it to the dealership we bought the extended "warranty" that covers the vehicle, EXCEPT FOR WHATEVER IS F$$%$^%$% WRONG WITH IT!
I went to the site and others to check to see what it could be, I had done all of the initial checks and kept telling the "experts" that their "fixes" would not work. Now I am at the mercy of having to pay to fix something that should not be broken. I had looked on other repair/complaint sites and it seems that the "computer" issue is something that ALL the VUES have in common. The worst part, if the computer module goes it seems all the "issues" the car had while the techs figured out what was wrong could have cause for other components going, even after the initial fix.
- George V., Ogden, UT, US
2006 Saturn--Lights flashing, no power steering, radio goes off and the engine starts running rough. Once I let it warm up to operating temp, the lights stop flashing, the radio comes back on at top volume and the power steering returns to normal. I am concerned this will create further problems, is it isn't solved.
- Michelle S., Carlisle, AR, US