RoadVitals

2002 Saturn Vue Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
167
Latest Feb 23, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
18

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn Vue, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

53
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.

NHTSA ID 11397618 · filed Feb 23, 2021

THE IGNITION IS FAULT. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ON POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID 11326985 · filed Jun 2, 2020
All 53 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

47
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.

NHTSA ID 11397618 · filed Feb 23, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT STOPPED TO CHECK THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE CONTAINED OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID 10970331 · filed Apr 3, 2017
All 47 reports naming engine

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED IF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10653979 · filed Nov 10, 2014

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE INSERTED IN THE DOOR IN ONE POSITION TO UNLOCK, THEN TURNED OVER TO TURN ON THE IGNITION, THEN IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE RUN POSITION, THE ACC. POSITION WILL NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING, HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET IT TO WORK, IF GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2001, WHY DID THEY NOT RECALL MY SPECIFIC CAR WHICH IS 2002 SATURN VUE. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT THIS VIN. WAS NOT RECALLED. THE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO GM DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, WHICH I HAVE TO PAY FOR, BUT I KNOW THE IGNITION IS DEFECTIVE. IF THIS IS HOW THEY INTEND TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHY ISSUE A RECALL. I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME IN EXCESS OF 200.00 I HAVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT KEYS CUT FOR IT, WITH NONE OF THEM WILL WORK. YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS PROBLEM POPS UP. MAYBE THIS WILL KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM GETTING INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON GM FIXING THE PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593360 · filed May 22, 2014
All 18 reports naming steering

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER. NEVER IN MY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE I EVER "TESTED" HORN OPERATION... SEEMS I SHOULD HAVE AS THE HORN DOESNT WORK. I FOUND AND REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON ALL 2002 SATURN VUE VEHICLES.... WHY THIS ISNT A RECALL ISSUE I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE THE HORN AND AIR BAG WORK OFF THE SAME POWER LINE AND THE CONTACT FOR THE HORN IS THE PROBLEM HORN WISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE "FIX" AND IT WOULD COST ME 1100 BUX TO REPLACE THE FAULTILY DESIGNED UNIT GUARANTEED TO FAIL WITH ANOTHER FAULTILY DESIGNED UNIT GUARANTEED TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID 10779626 · filed Oct 5, 2015

VUE STOPPED IN PARKING LOT OTHER VEHICLE HIT ME HEAD ON VUE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY MY SATURN VUE KEY WAS ON FLOOR FELL OUT OF IGNITION I WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL ERIE TOTALED MY VUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10650880 · filed Oct 28, 2014
All 15 reports naming airbags

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM NIGHT CLASSES ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE AT THE STOP LIGHT (WHILE IDLING) WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GO THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD PUTT THROUGH THE INTERSECTIONS. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS GOT WORSE AS I DROVE AND I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME THAT I WOULD NOT ENCOUNTER ANOTHER RED LIGHT. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMEMBERED THAT SATURN HAD SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT " THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR SATURN VUE VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A VTI, MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE NOISE OR REDUCED PERFORMANCE." SO THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. IF YOU GOOGLE "2002 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSIONS" YOU WILL FIND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. IF THIS HAD OF HAPPENED A DAY EARLIER MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND DIED DUE TO THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 7000.00 ON THIS CAR AND IT WILL COST ALMOST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE. IF SATURN OR GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO FIX IT, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10364221 · filed Nov 5, 2010

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A BRAND NEW HARNESS SINCE THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT WORK WITH THE EXISTING WIRES. THEY WANT $3,000.00 FOR THIS. WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY REPLY THAT THIS SUV WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WANTS $860 FOR THE PART PLUS PROGRAMMING CHARGES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10359068 · filed Oct 4, 2010
All 15 reports naming transmission

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, HE HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE SNAPPED OFF OF THE REAR LATERAL LINK. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LATERAL LINK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WHICH HAD BEEN TORN FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132000.

NHTSA ID 10577083 · filed Apr 3, 2014

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN ON ME AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE . *TR

NHTSA ID 10521260 · filed Jun 23, 2013
All 10 reports naming suspension

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TIMING CHAIN RUINED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING FROM LACK OF OIL BEING APPLIED. APPARENTLY AS SOON AS I HEARD THE CLANGING SOUNDS IT WAS TOO LATE. I AM BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OILING MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SATURN VUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10692389 · filed Mar 5, 2015

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN ON ME AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE . *TR

NHTSA ID 10521260 · filed Jun 23, 2013
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.

NHTSA ID 11397618 · filed Feb 23, 2021

AIR INTAKE THROTTLE IS FAULTY. MAKING THE ENGINE RUN ROUGH AND CAUSING OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION. *TR

NHTSA ID 11327414 · filed Jun 5, 2020
All 9 reports naming fuel system

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTING TO ACT UP (EVERY DASHBOARD LIGHT COMES ON) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. STEERING POWER WAS LOST AND BRAKES BECAME VERY SOFT. HAPPENS AT RANDOM SPEEDS FROM 20MPH AND UP TO 65MPH. VERY SCARY! I HAVE A CHILD AND I COULDN'T GET MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL CALMED DOWN. WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10562730 · filed Feb 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 12/27/10

NHTSA ID 10356103 · filed Sep 17, 2010
All 8 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON; MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY; MY BLINKERS WORK AT WILL. MY FUEL LINE SENSOR CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN I REVERSE. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS AND HARD TO TURN. READ THE MANUAL; VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE POWER STEERING FLUID. MUST CONTACT A DEALER PER THE MANUAL. WILL CALL TODAY. FUEL LINE ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2015 OTHER ISSUES TO DATE 12/28/2015.

NHTSA ID 10816439 · filed Dec 28, 2015

WHEN OPERATING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND STEERING BRAKING AND ALL CONTROL IS LOST' THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10474562 · filed Sep 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR 2002 VUE MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AS WE WERE PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN WOULD NOT RE-START. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP TOWED THE VUE TO THEIR LOT AND INFORMED US , THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SKIPPED AND BLEW THE MOTOR. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NO MAINTENANCE AND DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO BE CHECKED UNTIL 100,000 MILES. MY VUE HAD 65,000 MILES. AFTER 3 WEEKS WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD REBUILD THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $3500- $3800 AND SATURN WOULD PAY HALF OF THAT COST. SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR, THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR FOR THE CAM SHAFT. THE SWITCH FOR THE BACK WIPER HAS BEEN REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD BY SATURN TECH'S THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE BACK WIPER ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN AT OUR COST. *JB

NHTSA ID 10168290 · filed Sep 14, 2006

SATURN VUE 2002.SUNVISOR DOES NOT SWING ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL PART. (THE DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED AS REQUESTED) HAVE CONTACTED SATURN IN THIS REGARD AND THEY INSIST I MUST PURCHASE A NEW, NOW REDESIGNED PART. INCE THERE IS A DANGER OF NOT SEEING THE ROAD AS I DRIVE, I INSIST THAT SATURN MUST REPLACE THESE PARTS ON ALL 2002 SATURN VUE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10025979 · filed Jul 13, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2002 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE AMOUNT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WAS BROKEN AND RUSTED MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED AT AN IMPOUND YARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. *JS

NHTSA ID 11128990 · filed Sep 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR A ROUTINE REPAIR WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID 10343022 · filed Jul 13, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD WITH THE GM VTI TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TWO DAYS AGO I EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION/ENGINE FAILING FOR THE FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME SINCE 2006. THE VERY FIRST TIME I TOOK MY VUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I HAD TO ARGUE WITH FIRST MY SERVICE REP. FOLLOWED BY HIS MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, THEY ORIGINALLY BLAMED ME FOR POOR DRIVING, RESULTING A BAD BCM WHICH THEY MADE ME PAY IN SPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR MY CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HOWEVER WAS QUITE AN ORDEAL SINCE MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST POWER ON THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH WHAT I KNEW WAS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BUGGING THEM ALMOST EVERYDAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THEY FINALLY ADMITTED GMS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION ON THE THIRD VISIT. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION LASTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. IN 2007 I HAD RELOCATED WITHIN THE STATE AND WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND RELUCTANTLY CALLED MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. HERE WE GO AGAIN ANOTHER $500 FOR ODDS AND ENDS AND THIS TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE ECM AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINALLY REPLACED ON MY THIRD TRIP! HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY FOR MY LOANER CAR THOUGH I REQUESTED ONE. BRINGS US TO 2009, WHEN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND I OF COURSE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! LUCKILY I FOUND A DEALERSHIP NEAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY CONFIRMED BY THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD! THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND CLOSED FOR BUSINESS WITHIN THREE DAYS. NO LOANER CAR AGAIN. HERE I SIT AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY GOING OUT, AND DREADING THE THOUGHT OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FIASCOES. AT WHAT POINT WILL GM TAKE THESE DANGEROUS 2002-2005 CARS OFF THE ROAD? *TR

NHTSA ID 10329399 · filed May 8, 2010

OVER THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN AND WON'T START UP. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COME ON AND WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, WHICH I KEPT ON FILLING UP. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THEY WENT TO LOOK AT IT THE NEXT MORNING, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. ANOTHER TIME I LEFT IT AND WHEN I CAME BACK, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE 3RD TIME THAT THE CAR DIED, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVERT AN ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR, BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ONE AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 8 WEEKS. I RECENTLY HAD THE VUE TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT I NEED A NEW TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. THEY ALSO SAY THAT I NEED TO HAVE AN I-BOLT PULLEY, BELT TENSIONER, ALTERNATOR, AND SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. OTHER REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED ARE A FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND THE BEARING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 92,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10231210 · filed Jun 16, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TURN SIGNALS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THEY WILL WORK AND THEN STOP WORKING, REQUIRING A RESTART OF THE VEHICLE TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. *TT

NHTSA ID 10411859 · filed Jul 11, 2011

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE ALARM SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID 10174164 · filed Nov 24, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

E-MAIL REGARDING ROLL OVER TIRE PRESSURE. *MR *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10087452 · filed Aug 4, 2004

THE TRANSMISION DOWN SHIFT VERY HARD IN STOP AND GO DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MANY TIMES TO SATURN. HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT THIS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION IS DESIGNED PROPERLY. MY CAR DOWNSHIFT SO HARD I DO NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE.*AK HAS ANYBODY ELSE COMPLAINT ABOUT IT?

NHTSA ID 10025980 · filed Jul 13, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENING MECHANISM FAILED. OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR BACK SEAT WHERE CHILDREN SIT IN CAR. DEALER NOTED THAT MANUF HAD SINCE REDESIGNED THE MECHANISM HOWEVER MANUF WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR REPAIR COST OF $275 WHEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY. *NM

NHTSA ID 10171780 · filed Oct 25, 2006

DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.. THIS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS BUT USUALLY AFTER ATTEMPTING SEVERAL TIMES THE DOOR WOULD FINALLY OPEN, HOWEVER THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT OPEN.. I RETURNED TO MY HOME AND REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE DEALER COULD LOOK AT IT AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK 4 DAYS BEFORE I COULD GET AN APPOINTMENT. AFTER DRIVING 75 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR PANEL HAD 2 BROKEN CLIPS THAT HELD THE SIDE PANEL ON AND THAT IT WOULD COST $450 TO REPLACE THE DOOR PANEL.. I FIND THIS TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE AND THE NEED TO EVACUATE THE AUTOMOBILE.. MY ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AS OF YET BUT AFTER OWNING A TOTAL OF 3 SATURN CARS AND ALL THREE HAVING DEFECTIVE ISSUES THAT SATURN WILL PROBABLY DO NOTHING. I FIND IT ODD THAT SATURN OFFERED 2 YEARS AGO TO BUY BACK OUR SATURN VUE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO USE IT FOR RESEARCH... WE DECLINED ALTHOUGH WE NOW REGRET NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH IT. SATURN DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND NEVER CLAIM LIABILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN PRODUCT NOR WOULD I EVER RECOMMEND SATURN TO A FRIEND. *JB

NHTSA ID 10163857 · filed Jul 29, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT HAVE BROKEN THEY WONT LOCK OR RETRACT. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID 10006085 · filed Jan 31, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MY 2002 SATURN VUE (WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, 2 WHEEL DRIVE, AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION), THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH UNIT BROKE OFF FROM THE COMPRESSOR. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE ASSEMBLY ATTACHING THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH TO THE COMPRESSOR. THE PHYSICAL BREAKAGE OF THE AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CLUTCH RESULTED IN PIECES OF THE ASSEMBLY COMING INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE PARTS THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. HE FAILURE WOULD APPEAR TO INDICATE A DEFECT IN THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE ENTIRE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIR ON MY SATURN VUE DID NOT SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF THE FAILURE BEING CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS OR VEHICLE ABUSE. MY SATURN VUE HAD APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR ON AUGUST 27, 2004. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY DURING MY TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED (NO FAST STARTS, FULL-THROTTLE ACCELERATIONS, ETC.). FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE DID NOT LEAD TO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, OR, WORSE, TO AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE BROKEN PARTS COULD HAVE HIT OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID 10088716 · filed Aug 27, 2004

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