RoadVitals

2003 Saturn Vue Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
24
Latest Jul 8, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 620 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. 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. 24 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.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 8, 2019

TAKATA RECALL SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON REDUCED POWER WHILE DRIVING ALL GAS AND SPEED GAUGES ARE ALL TURNED TO THE RIGHT CAR DOSENT MOVE WHEN CUT ON NO POWER STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD UNABLE TO TURN OR STEER THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 MONTHS NOW

NHTSA ID
11230221
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 4, 2019

DROVE MY CAR TO A FRIEND'S AND WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD.OR BACKWARDS AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC.COULDNT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID THERE ISN'T A DIP STICK.SO LUCKY I HAD SOMEONE WITH ME TO PUSH IT BACK TO MY FRIENDS.

NHTSA ID
11193762
Incident
Feb 15, 2017
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 16, 2019

MY SATURN ACCELERATES ALL BY ITSELF. I'M NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL & MY CAR JUST STARTS MOVING AT A HIGH SPEED & JUST GETS FASTER. I HAVE TO HOLD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES & DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW IT DOWN SO I DON'T CRASH INTO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. WHAT WOULD CAUSE THAT TO HAPPEN. IT JUST STARTED DOING THIS 2 WEEKS AGO & IS STILL DOING IT ! PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT'S TO LATE. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO DIALYSIS 3-4 DAYS A WEEK, & IT'S THE ONLY CAR I OWN. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11170272
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
1 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 18, 2016

CAR KEY KEPT GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WILL COME OUT WHILE IT IS ON. CAR ALARM FAILED NO WARNING. WE REPLACED BATTERY AND NOW CAR HAS NO POWER. WHEN WE TURN KEY NOTHING HAPPENS. NO LIGHTS. NO POWER AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
10936030
Incident
Dec 11, 2016
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 10, 2016

SATURN VUE 2003 HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. HAS STALLED DOING 80 MPH ON HWY HAS STALLED DOING 25-30 IN TOWN. SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, POWER IS LOST TO ENGINE AND WHEN SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF, THEN THE ENGINE WILL START AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10883801
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
125,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 30, 2014

THE REDUCEDPOWER LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, COMES ON A EVERYDAY TRAVEL WHETHER TRAVELING NEAR OR FAR WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON THE VEHICLE POWER REDUCES AND YOU ARE FORCED TO PULL OFF ROAD, I KEEP TAKING IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS THEY CAN NOT DETECT PROBLEM, ALSO THE KEY CONSTANTLY GET STUCK I EMAIL SATURN ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT OTHER CARS MADE BY SATURN WAS RECALLED ABOUT THE KEY IGNITION REPLACEMENT BUT NOT THE VUE. I HAVE SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR SOLUTION TO THE REDUCED POWER PROBLEM AN I FOUND A EXTREMELY LARGE AMOUNT OF FOLKS WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE MODEL WITH ISSUES AND NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10595033
Incident
May 4, 2014
Mileage
159,877 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Mar 13, 2014

THIS VEHICLE HAS STOPPED A FEW TIMES AT A STOP LIGHT, ALSO WHEN SITTING IDLE IT WONT START SOMETIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10569138
Incident
Mar 6, 2014
Mileage
95,483 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 25, 2013

WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, AND I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RUNNING DIFFERENT. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP, THEN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT RAN LIKE THAT THE FIRST DAY. THE NEXT DAY WHEN LEAVING MY HOME, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT FINALLY MOVED AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES, THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553775
Incident
Aug 19, 2013
Mileage
115,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 4, 2013

MOTOR TRANSMISSION FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS EVEN THOUGH ENGINE STARTS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523152
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
76,592 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 14, 2011

MY SATURN VUE 2003 EXPERIENCES SERIOUS HESITATION IN POWER WHEN TRAVELING OVER 45 MPH. THE DANGEROUS SPUTTERING GETS HARDER WHEN I NEED TO DRIVE MORE THAN 45 MPH SUCH AS WHEN I HAVE TO TRAVEL ON PARKWAYS OR EXPRESSWAYS. ON DECEMBER 3, 2011, I ENTERED EXIT 36 OF THE GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY AND MAINTAINED A STEADY SPEED OF 55 MPH IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. AS THE TRAFFIC INCREASED TO EXIT 17, THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AND APPEAR TO WANT TO COME TO A STOP. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A DECREASED SPEED OF 45 MPH TO AVOID THE SPUTTERING AND HALTING. I GOT INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND EXITED THE PARKWAY AS MY CAR JOLTED THEN CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED 15 MINUTES, PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND MANEUVERED IT INTO AN OPEN SPACE ALONG THE CURB ON 78TH AVENUE. I TRIED AGAIN AND ONLY WITH HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL WAS THE CAR ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO STRAIGHTEN INTO A POSITION TO BE TOWED. I CALLED AAA AND WAS TOWED TO A SATURN AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDER, NORTHSHORE CHEVROLET OF SMITHTOWN, WHERE IT SITS TO THIS DAY. THE BRAND NEW 2010 VT1 TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10439883
Incident
Dec 3, 2011
Mileage
121,848 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 18, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE. THE HORN SENSOR WAS MELTED, CAUSING THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FRACTURED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES TO FILL THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE MUFFLER WAS ABNORMALLY LOUD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE HAZARD LIGHT ACTIVATION BUTTON ALSO FRACTURED THEREFORE; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED IN THE VEHICLE BUT NEITHER PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ID
10430665
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 23, 2010

2003 SATURN VUE -- SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. RECURRING ISSUE. THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BEGAN DECEMBER 2006 ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP, TECH "RESET LIGHT," RECURRED MAY 2007 ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP "WIRING AND/OR CONNECTER ISSUE," AUGUST 11, 13, & 14-21, 2008 HELD AT DEALERSHIP (RECURRED THREE TIMES) -- ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP "RESISTANCE LOW CIRCUIT/INTERNAL FAULT PEDAL SENSOR REPLACED," JULY 16-17 & 21-24, 2009 RECURRED ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP 1ST "PEDAL ACCELERATOR REPLACED," 2ND ADVISED "BROKEN WIRE BEHIND LEFT FRONT KICK PANEL - REPAIRED THROTTLE POSITION." JUNE 2010 ISSUE RECURRED, VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING EVALUATED BY IMPARTIAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ON-GOING ISSUE(S) IS THAT WITHOUT WARNING YOU ARE LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN NEED OF A TOW BLOCKING TRAFFIC OR IN A PERILOUS SITUATION. THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY ON-GOING ISSUES THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE MORE THAN UTILIZED -- THIS VEHICLE IS THE TRUE REPRESENTATION OF A "LEMON". *TR

NHTSA ID
10339803
Incident
Jun 23, 2010
Mileage
62,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 8, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. SHE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL REV AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE CAR WILL JERK AND HESITATE. SHE HAS NOTICED THIS ON ROADS WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE. SHE CAN TRAVEL THE SAME ROAD TWICE AND THE PROBLEM MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10123860
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Jun 10, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10120562
Incident
Oct 25, 2003
Mileage
16,358 mi
Driver assistanceEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed May 10, 2005

SATURN VUE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHIELD, WINDSHIELD, ACCELERATOR, REAR SUSPENSION, DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINTS, STRUTS AND BUSHINGS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHIELD WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE EXHAUST AREA OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE MUFFLER. THE WINDSHIELD RATTLED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10121506
Incident
May 1, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 21, 2004

UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE OFF OF THE ROAD. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A FLAW IN THE 2003 MODEL BUT CORRECTED IN THE 2004 MODELS. *TC

NHTSA ID
10108872
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2004

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
10092025
Incident
Sep 14, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DURING A LIGHT SNOWSTORM, I PASSED UNDER A BRIDGE WHERE THERE WAS SOME ACCUMULATION OF WATER. I WAS TRAVELING (COASTING) AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 55 MILES PER HOUR (SPEED LIMIT 65) AND WHEN I BEGAN CROSSING THE WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE THE CAR'S ENGINE ACCELERATED FROM ABOUT 2500 RPM TO 5500 RPM. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLIDE, AND ONLY RECOVERED AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED ITS ACCELERATION OF RPM. ONCE I WAS OUT FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE AND THE ROAD WAS NOT AS WET THE RPM RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CAR STRAIGTHENED OUT. AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATION, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL ENTIRELY, AND ALTHOUGH THE "TRACTION CONTROL" BUTTON IS TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU START THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHT THAT NORMALLY COMES ON DURING TRACTION CONTROL DID NOT LIGHT, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRACTION CONTROL THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CONTROLS ARE ON THE STEERING WHEEL I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON (I RARELY IF EVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS SAFE). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN RECORDED ON THE COMPUTER AND NOTHING WAS MALFUNCTIONING. HE BELIEVED I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL INADVERTENTLY, WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE HAS AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10082892
Incident
Feb 5, 2004
Mileage
22,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 3, 2004
Crash reported

GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL SEEM TO BE TOO CLOSE. WHEN BACKING UP PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE CAUSING CONFUSION. L

NHTSA ID
10060292
Incident
Mar 3, 2004
Mileage
13,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 22, 2003

WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND AT SPEED, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING BUT CONTINUED TO PRODUCE RPM'S. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 4 TOTAL TIMES DEALING WITH ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. CREATES MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! DEALERSHIP HAS "WASHED HANDS" OF PROBLEM WE ARE NOW TAKING UP ISSUE WITH MANUFACTURER. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047369
Incident
Nov 14, 2003
Mileage
13,028 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 18, 2003

WAS ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WOULDN'T GO OVER AROUND 25-30 MPH. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047085
Incident
Nov 17, 2003
Mileage
9,780 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 5, 2003

WHEN USING THE RESUME BUTTON ON CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM THE BUTTON STICKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10038345
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Aug 15, 2003

CONSUMER DROVE 2003 SATURN VUE WITH THE VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION ON A DIRT ROAD WHICH LED TO THE TOP OF CHELAN BUTTE, IN CHELAN COUNTY ON JULY 6, 2003. THIS WAS A FREQUENTLY USED ROAD BECAUSE THE TOP OF THE BUTTE WAS USED TO LAUNCH HANG GLIDERS. CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN ON THE SAME ROAD WITH 1986 AUDI, THE PREVIOUS DAY JULY 5, 2003, AND IT COMPLETED THE CLIMB WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE SATURN VUE ALMOST STALLED IN NEGOTIATING ANY GRADE ABOVE 5%. TRANSMISSION WOULD REDUCE THE RPMS TO 1500 AND BELOW WHILE BEING DRIVEN WITH FOOT TO THE FLOOR, ASKING FOR MORE POWER. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THEN, SUDDENLY A VERY LOW RATIO WOULD ALLOW THE ENGINE TO REV TO OVER 2000 RPMS, ONLY TO REPEAT THIS CYCLE AT THE NEXT TURN OR GRADE. THE FACTORY AND DEALER HAVE MAINTAINED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING "AS DESIGNED." CONSUMER CONTENDED THAT HAVING TRANSMISSION CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY A CAR OUT OF CONTROL. COULD HAVE EASILY STALLED WITH NO WAY TO CONTINUE UP THE GRADE. VEHICLE WAS CARRYING 4 PASSENGERS ON THE INCIDENT DATE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOTHING TO THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER TOOK IT UP THE BUTTE ALONE AS AN UNLOADED VEHICLE. IT REPEATED THE ABOVE THREE TIMES IN THE COURSE OF 5 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10032913
Incident
Jul 6, 2003
Mileage
8,008 mi
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Jan 30, 2003

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE RPM REV'S TO 4000 RPM, SPEEDOMETER INDICATES A SPEED OF 80-90 MPH, WHILE PHYSICALLY GOING 10-15MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR APPEARS AS WELL AS THE REDUCED POWER INDICATOR. ALSO HAPPENED WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO VUE'S, BOTH TIMES WITH LESS THAN 1300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, BOTH WITH 4 CYL, VTI AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. ONE INCIDENT ON DEC 24 - DEC 27 2002 WAS THE FIRST.

NHTSA ID
10004955
Incident
Jan 28, 2003
Mileage
1,284 mi

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.

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