Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Saturn Vue submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
FRONT END FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT RUSTED OUT BY THE ENGINE CRADLE ATTACHMENT POINTS TO RAILS, BOTH RAILS MUST BE REPLACED PART # 15842675 , 10367494, PART ARE N.L.A. !!. TRIED TO FIGHT THE RUST FOR FEW YEARS ALREADY, NO LUCK, IT TOOK ONLY 4 YEARS SINCE FIRST SIGN OF RUST, MILAGE - 115K, GARAGED ALL THE TIME,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,900.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ELECTRONIC LOCK AND UNLOCK FUNCTIONS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE KEY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WAS TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ON 4 OCCASIONS,...I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR.IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN (POWER WINDOWS) TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK EACH TIME,...IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS,...THEN I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.AT ONE POINT THIS WEEK,..MY WINDOW GOT STUCK,..AND I COULD NOT GET MY ARM THRU IT TO REACH THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE.THIS IS A DEATH TRAP !!!!! NORTHEAST AUTO/CREDIT (BHPH) REFUSES TO TRADE ME OUT OF THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN EIGHT INCH RUST HOLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE AND MULTIPLE SMALL RUST AREAS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,404.
AS I WAS DRIVING MY AND IT CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE TIRES BEGAN TO SQUEAL. IN MY MIND I THOUGHT I THOUGHT I NEEDED BETTER TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AS I WAS DRIVING TO GET THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT I HEARD A CRACKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR, THIS REALLY SCARED ME. AT THIS POINT THE PULL TO THE RIGHT WAS EVEN STRONGER. I ARRIVE TO A TIRE SHOP AND PUT TIRES ON THINKING THIS WOULD BE BETTER BUT IT WAS THE SAME SO I DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO A MECHANIC TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHEN HE CAME BACK UP HE STATED THAT "YOUR SUBFRAME AND CHASIS IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, PARK IT IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS, IN HIS 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANIC HE ONLY SAW HIS TWICE THE FIRST TIME WAS IN ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS RECALLED AND MINE THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL WITH THE LEVEL OF DANGER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I SEE YOU HAVE A BABY'S CAR SEAT IN YOUR BACKSEAT". HE ALSO SAID EVEN AN OLDER CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE A SUBFRAME CRACK LIKE THIS, AND THAT THE MOTOR CAN FALL OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE WHEELS WILL COLLAPSE. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN AND IT'S WORTH $5500 AND THE COST WOULD BE FANANIMAL TO FIX. I CAN'T GET TO WORK AND EVEN CHILD CAR THIS IS HORRIBLE. PLEASE HELP.THIS IS A DEFECTIVE CAR AND THE WORST I HAVE EVER HAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A BOLT BROKE OFF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAUSING THE SUB FRAME TO CRACK AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING AS WELL AS THE DOOR HINGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BUT THE DOORS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
AFTER RAINY DAYS THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR IS SOAKED WITH WATER, OVERHEAD ON ROOF IS ALSO WET ALONG SIDE THE DRIVER DOOR AND SUNROOF CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT TO BECOME WET. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A MOLD FORMING IN MY VEHICLE, WHICH IS USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN DAILY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE LOCKS AND LATCHES ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, AND HE REALIGNED THE DOORS' TRACK. HOWEVER WHEN IT RAINS THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER, A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $80.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
FIRST I HAD TO REPLACE THREE OF FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2006 FOUR MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. THEN JUST TWO MONTHS AGO A SWAY BAR LINK BROKE AND BROKE A STRUT SO I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A 2003 SATURN VUE IN MY DRIVEWAY STILL PAYING FOR IT WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GOOD AFTER THE STRUTS I THOUGHT I HAD IT ALL FIXED BUT THEN MY GIRLFRIEND WENT TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE IS NO REVERSE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
DAMAGE TO MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCHES ON MY AWD 2003 SATURN VUE. THE VENT THAT LETS AIR IN AND OUT OF THE CLUTCH HOUSING WOULD ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AS WELL. WATER WOULD THEN MIX WITH THE GEAR OIL IN THAT CLUTCH HOUSING CASE AND CAUSE THE CLUTCH PACK TO "WHINE" OR "GROWL" ON A SHARP TURN. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE 2003 SATURN VUE AND SATURN RE-DESIGNED THE VUE IN 2004. *JB
CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 NOW AGAINAT 37000 I NEED TO REPLACE THEM. FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 AND AGAIN AT 33000 TIMING BELT AT 20000 NEEDED REPLACEMENT I REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROLLER IN AUG 2006. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN JAN 2003 AND HAVE HAD MAJOR THINGS GO WRONG. I ALSO NEED TO NOW REPLACE THE TIRES ( DULLERS) AT 37000 BECAUSE I AM HYDROPLANNG ALL OVER THE PLACE.I HAD A LOUD SOUND FROM MY PASSENGER WINDOW THAT TOOK 2 YEARS TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AND THE REAR END WAS RECALLED AND THE COOLING FAN REPLACED AT 24000. *NM
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON 2003 SATURN VUE, DUE TO PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY, MOLDING PEELING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSING WHICH CAUSED THE ROLL OVER. *SC
CONSUMER STATES: TOOK IN VEHICLE ON 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION, WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD, ALMOST LIKE THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. WAS ON HIGHWAY, AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS CONSUMER GAVE IT VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. WHEN GIVING IT MORE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT STILL WOULDN'T GO. BEFORE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AT A SEPARATE TIME, SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER WENT WRONG. IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SUCH AS GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY TANK AND SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO.*AK WHEN AT A STOP IDLE SEEMS TO DROP AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP, VEHICLE HESTIATES AND LURCHES. TRANSAXLE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMED DUE TO WHINING NOISE. HOOD WON'T OPEN. HOOD CABLE READJUSTED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WASHER NOZZLE MISSING AND REPLACED. STEERING WHEEL MAKING NOISE. SHAFT BOOT GREASED. SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT ON. OXYGEN SENSOR WAS CONTAMINATED AND REPLACED. *TT
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT ON 2003 SATURN VUE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THREE WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF A TRANSMISSION RELATED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (VTI TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VTI TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THE STARTER AND REAR WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. BOTH FUEL SENDERS FAILED RESULTING IN INACCURATE FUEL READINGS. THE LIFTGATE BECAME STUCK WHEN OPENED. *NM
WHILE DRIVING IN NEW FALLEN SNOW THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO UP A SMALL GRADE. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BEGAN TO SLIDE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE HOOD RELEASE WAS NOT WORKING BECAUSE THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE WAS STRETCHED AND BENT *AK *NM
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 VUE. FIRST, THE VTI TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HESITATE AND OR SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, IT COMES AND GOES. IT ALSO SEEMS LOUDER THAT IT SHOULD BE WITH CLICKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. SECOND, THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO USE, MY WIFE DOES NOT LIKE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE SHE DOES MOSTLY CITY DRIVING AND NEEDS A HORN. IT'S NOT BROKEN, JUST VERY DIFFICULT TO USE AND I THINK A POTENTIAL HAZARD. FINALLY THERE ARE MANY OTHER SQEAKS AND RATTLES THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY. THE HEADLINER AROUND THE SUNROOF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE RATTLES A LOT. ALSO THE REAR TRUNK/LIFTGATE SQUEEKS AND AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION I SAW THAT THE INSIDE PLASTIC WAS COMING APART FROM THE REAR TRUNK/LIFTGATE. I PUSHED IT BACK TOGETHER, BUT I THINK IT LOOSENS EVERYTIME I CLOSE THE TRUNK/LIFTGATE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS. *AL
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.
MY COMPLAINTS ARE SEVERAL . ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAKL BULLETINS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES SINCE I OURCHASED IT. NOW, I LIVE WITH THE ISSUES BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE ADDITIONAL WORK , THE WORST PROBLEM IS THE VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN AT IDLE (WHEN IN DRIVE AND THE VIBRATION DRIVING AT 60-65. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR SQUEEKS ( I BELIVE ITS THE INSULATION) MY LUGGAGE BOLTS BROKE, THE SEAT CUSHION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT STAY ATTACHED ON THE FRONT EDGE, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE TRUCK IS IDLING, WHEN YOU CLOSE THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE PLASTIC INTERIOR SEPERATES FROM THE DOOR, WHE IT IS COLD MY STEERING COLUMN MAKE NOISE.
EXCESS ACCUMULATION OR DIRT, DEBRIS AND ROAD SALT IN REAR DOOR JAMS. REAR DOORS OFTEN FREEZE SHUT IF WINTER WEATHER AND MAKE ENTERING REAR SEAT DIFFICULT WITHOUT GETTING DIRTY. ALSO MAY LEAD TO PREMATURE CORROSION. *LA
THE HEADLIGHT AND DAYTIME RUN LIGHTS BURN OUT WHEN IT RAINS... INSTEAD OF FINDING OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS, THE DEALER JUST REPLACES THE BULBS AND SENDS ME ON MY WAY. THE FOLLOWING RAINY DAY, THERE I AM BACK AT THE DEALER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SO FAR THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME, NOT INCLUDING THE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVETRAIN/REAR DIFF THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DASH AND CABIN RATTLES THAT NONE CAN SEEM TO FIX, AND THE TRANSMISSION THAT ONCE LEFT ME STRANDED AT A STOP SIGN. *LA
THE CONSUMER STATED WATER LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED AN UNSAFE DISTRACTION WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.*AK CONSUMER ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND HER MAIN CONCERN WAS THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS SCARED OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALER. SHE WOULD LIKE SATURN TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. *PH *JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .