RoadVitals

2003 Saturn Vue Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
48
Latest Apr 25, 2021
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.
8%
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.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 48 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 suspension

The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Apr 25, 2021

BOTH OF MY REAR TIRES ARE LEANING IN AND LOOKS LIKE THE CAMBER BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF AND COULD REALLY CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT EVEN DEATH IF I DIDN'T SEE IT. I TRAVEL 1800MI A WEEK AND JUST HAD A BLOW OUT BECAUSE TIRES WORE SO BAD AND THEY ARE ONLY A YEAR OLD.

NHTSA ID
11413751
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
157,233 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 14, 2016

IN OCTOBER 2016 MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. AS HE TURNED A CORNER IN THE CITY HE HEARD A CRACK AND THE VEHICLE STEERED INTO A CURB. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS NOR OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY. HE WAS ABLE TO GINGERLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME (1 MILE). DURING A TEST DRIVE, IT WAS APPARENT THE VEHICLE HAD A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION. INVESTIGATION INDICATED ALL BALL JOINTS, SWAY BARS AND EQUIVALENT WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER TAKING IT INTO A SUSPENSION SHOP THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE UNSTABLE STEERING. THEY NOTED THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. LIKEWISE WITH THE AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER NEITHER REPLACING THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. RESEARCHING THIS CONDITION ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN CERTAIN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. UP UNTIL THIS SUMMER I USED TO DRIVE THIS DOWN THE INTERSTATE DAILY. I'M THANKFUL I STOPPED AND LIKEWISE THAT MY SON WAS NOT ON AN OPEN ROAD. THE CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND ALL MECHANIC SHOPS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATING FOR THIS PREMATURE FRAME FAILURE. INJURY ACCIDENTS WILL BE A GUARANTEE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
10925762
Incident
Oct 5, 2016
Mileage
154,877 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 24, 2015

MY VEHICLE IS UNDER SAFETY RECALL FOR IGNITION AND REAR LATERAL LINKS. I ORDERED PARTS AT CROPPER'S CHEVROLET IN NOGALES, AZ ON 12/29/2014. THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT IN DESPITE MY FOLLOW UP CALLS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION AND THE KEY GETS STUCK. THEY SAID GM IS NOT SENDING THEM THE PARTS IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHILE I WAS TYPING THIS, THE PARTS DEPARTMENT OF CROPPER'S CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY DO HAVE THE PARTS AND MY APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 8 AM ON 2/26/2015. AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU FINALLY START TO COMPLAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID
10690255
Incident
Dec 29, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 22, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10476773
Incident
Sep 14, 2012
Mileage
115,293 mi
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Sep 11, 2012

2003 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION ISSUES *TGW IN MARCH OF 2004, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SATURN STATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VTI TRANSMISSIONS AND IT WOULD REQUIRE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME BY SATURN. HOWEVER, SINCE THEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULD CHARGE HIM HALF FOR REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE LINK BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10474884
Incident
Jan 16, 2006
Mileage
37,707 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 10, 2012

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.

NHTSA ID
10474521
Incident
Sep 3, 2012
Mileage
83,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jan 10, 2012

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH HEARD A CLUNK BY THE BACK REAR PASSENGER TIRE, THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS TILTED IN. APPEARED TO HAVE A BROKEN LATERAL ARM WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING ANY RATE OF SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I CONTACTED SATURN WHO TOOK MY CLAIM AND ADMITTED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LATERAL ARM IN 2005. THIS SUPPOSELY WAS TAKEN IN TO A DEALERSHIP AND FIXED. I DIDN'T OWN THIS VEHICLE THEN. SATURN REFUSES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND SAID IT VERY LIKELY COULDVE BEEN A FAULTLY PART BUT SINCE IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF IN 2005 NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE. I FEEL I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF, LOST CONTROL AND/OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE IF I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443371
Incident
Jan 5, 2012
Mileage
102,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 30, 2011

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS, THE BRAKES 2X IN 2 YEARS, GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10422599
Incident
Jul 2, 2010
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+3 more
Filed Jan 8, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2002. SHE STATED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH THROUGH A BRUSH-LESS CAR WASH, WATER ENTERED INTO THE SUN ROOF HOUSING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, SHE ALSO SMELLED OIL BURNING AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT INNER CV JOINT BOOT. THE HAZARDS LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND WERE REPAIRED TWICE DUE TO REPEAT FAILURES. WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE HAZARD SWITCH, IT COLLAPSED INTO THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE PER THE WARRANTY. THE REAR LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLY RECALL NUMBER 04067001 2002-2004 VUE REAR SUSPENSION RECALL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE IMPROPER LEVEL OF FUEL THAT WAS IN THE FUEL TANK; ALTHOUGH, THE FUEL SENDING UNITS WERE REPLACED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED MORE THAN ONCE. THE HORN WOULD ALSO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER FOUND A SHORTAGE IN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND REPLACED THE OPERATING DESIGN SYSTEM WHICH FORCED THE MECHANIC TO REPROGRAM THE KEYS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED A SECOND TIME WHEN THE CONTACT SMELLED OIL BURNING. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR MOST OF THE OTHER FAILED COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,002 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,501.

NHTSA ID
10298766
Incident
Mar 6, 2009
Mileage
14,002 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 18, 2008

ON 5TH SET OF TIRES, UNEVEN WEAR, MAINLY RIGHT REAR. GETTING ONLY 12,000 MILES FOR 1ST 2 SETS, BOUGHT BETTER TIRES ELSEWHERE. TOLD OF NOISE AND VIBRATION. WAS TOLD WAS CAUSED BY WORN TIRES. WHEN TIRES WORE AGAIN, WENT TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE WORST, RIGHT REAR, AND TOLD OF UNEVEN WEAR, NOISE AND VIBRATION. WAS BLAMED WITH POOR MAINTENANCE, DEALER DID NOT TEST DRIVE. OFFERED ALIGNMENT, COULD NOT GET RIGHT REAR TO ALIGN. THEY SAID REPLACE KNUCKLE JOINT, BUT COULDN'T TELL ME IT WOULD FIX IT. TOLD THEM I COULDN'T AFFORD AT THAT TIME, DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. DIDN'T LIKE HOW I WAS TREATED, WENT ELSEWHERE FOR OTHER 3 TIRES. THEY ALSO SAID THE NOISE/VIBRATIONS FROM WORN TIRES. THEY ALIGNED NO PROBLEMS. REPLACED WHEEL BEARING MONTH LATER. EVERY 10 -12 MONTHS REPLACED TIRES AND ALIGN, ALL TOLD ME THE NOISE/VIBRATION FROM WORN TIRES (THE NOISE/VIBRATION WOULD GO AWAY WITH NEW TIRES). LAST ROUND, HAD TIRES, ALIGNMENT, NEW FRONT BRAKES, AND REAR BRAKES CLEANED. FOUND BROKEN REAR AXLE. REPLACED AXLE, NOISE/VIBRATION BACK, WITH NEW TIRES. THEY PULLED UP SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 2004, DEFECTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL LEAKING CAUSING THE CLUTCH DRUM TO GO. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY CONFIRMED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH DRUM NEEDED REPLACED. THEY WOULD NOT PAY , AS NO WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THEY MISSED THE DIAGNOSIS IN 2006, UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE OLD AXLE (I HAVE ). THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE IT FELL APART, NOT BROKEN. BEEN TRYING TO REACH CORPORATE INVESTIGATOR OVER 3 WEEKS WITH NO LUCK. SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHERS WITH THESE SAME ISSUES. NOTES: MILEAGE WAS DOCUMENTED 3000 MILES OVER ACTUAL ON 2 OCCASIONS (DEALER), WAS GIVEN A COMPETITOR WARRANTY COMPANY'S PHONE NUMBER WHEN I ASKED FOR DEALERS WARRANTY COMPANY PHONE NUMBER, AND CORPORATE DOCUMENTED MY PHONE NUMBER WRONG (EVEN AREA CODE) AND THEN TRIED TO BLAME ME. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,962, DEALER HAS ME DOCUMENTED AT 85623 ON 06/23/08. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234883
Incident
Dec 9, 2006
Mileage
54,757 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2008

WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 3 TIMES NOW ON THE SAME WHEEL. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BARRING TWICE SO FAR FOR A 2003 VUE, NONE OF THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ACCORDING TO SATURN, IT ALL STARTED WHEN I HAD TO MUCH MILEAGE. I'M ABOUT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME AND I THOUGHT I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT APPARENTLY NOT. THERE IS NO CRASH TO REPORT BECAUSE IT MAKES THIS TERRIBLE NOISE THAT LETS ME KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND I CAN REPLACE IT BEFORE IT GETS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234301
Incident
Jul 14, 2008
Mileage
117,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed May 19, 2008

I HAVE HAD CONTINUED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 SATURN VUE AWD V-6. I HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL SETS OF TIRES WITH THE TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, COMPLAINING OF LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END NEAR THE TIRES. THEY DID NOT FIND IT. I HAVE HAD THE SWAY BARS REPLACED, AND NOW BELIEVE THAT MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, OF SUSPENSION, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MULTIPLE CASES WHERE OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR WHEEL BEARING MORE THAN ONCE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY, NOW THAT I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228224
Incident
May 19, 2008
Suspension
Filed Apr 19, 2007

I AM DISSATISFIED WITH THE CORRECTIVE ACTION TOWARDS SATURN VUE RECALL CAMPAIGN # 04067001. THE INSIDE PIVOT BOLT ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LATERAL LINK SHEARED OFF ON OUR SATURN VUE BEFORE HAVING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. THE BOLT I AM TALKING ABOUT IS THE M12-1.75X85MM 10.9 HARDNESS BOLT. MOMENTS BEFORE THE BOLT BROKE, MY WIFE AND ONLY CHILD WERE ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY SHE WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONLY TRAVELING AROUND 20 MPH ROUNDING A CORNER WHEN THE BOLT SHEARED OFF. THAT VERY BOLT THAT SHEARED OFF WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXACT SAME DIAMETER AND HARDNESS BOLT AS PART OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. TO ME, SATURN IS STILL COMPROMISING THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND ONLY CHILD. I CRAWLED UNDER A 2007 SATURN VUE ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AT SATURN OF BINGHAMTON. JUST AS I SUSPECTED...........THAT VERY SAME PIVOT BOLT UNDER THE 2007 WAS MUCH LARGER IN DIAMETER (16MM IN DIAMETER ROUGHLY). SO THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY APPARENT IN THE ENGINEERS DESIGN, BECAUSE THEY MADE A CHANGE TO THE NEWER VEHICLES. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, SO WHY WASN'T OURS FIXED CORRECTLY? WHAT'S FROM KEEPING THIS SAME BOLT FROM SHEARING OFF AGAIN IN SAY 2 OR 3 YEARS. THE M12 BOLT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T HAVE THE SHEAR STRENGTH FOR THAT APPLICATION. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE NOW PUTTING A MUCH LARGER DIAMETER BOLT IN ITS PLACE ON THE NEWER MODELS. ALL THESE 2002-2004 SATURN VUE OWNERS IN THE COUNTRY HAVE WARM AND FUZZY FEELINGS ABOUT FEELING SAFE IN THEIR VEHICLE AGAIN NOW THAT THEY HAD THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PERFORMED. WHEN IN FACT THE MAJORITY DON??T EVEN HAVE A CLUE WHAT THE RECALL ENTAILED. SATURN IS BANKING ON THESE VEHICLES TO BE IN THE SCRAP YARD BEFORE ANYTHING MAJOR HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! I ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE ALREADY. THEY ARE BASICALLY SAYING TOUGH LUCK, THE RECALL CORRECTIVE ACTION IS WHAT IT IS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10188387
Incident
Apr 12, 2007
Mileage
71,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 SATURN VUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A PLANE TAKING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR ABOVE. WHILE TURNING AT SLOW SPEED THERE WAS A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD A FAILURE WITH THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT 40,644 MILES AND REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. AT 46,972 THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AND REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THEY HAD IN THE PRIOR FAILURES BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE ANY INVOICE REPAIR IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10183993
Incident
Mar 2, 2007
Mileage
40,644 mi
BrakesSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Sep 18, 2006

SQUEAK NOISE INTERMITTENT WHEN FIRST OBTAINED VEHICLE. ADJUSTMENTS MADE PERIODICALLY UNDER WARRANTY ( TO DASHBOARD ETC.) NOISE SEEMED TO GO AWAY BUT ALWAYS CAME BACK. NOISE BECAME LOUDER, AND MORE LIKE A CREAKING NOISE, WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR OVER BUMPS WHEN BRAKE IS NOT BEING PRESSED. TOOK VUE IN WHILE UNDER 49,700 MILES, VISUAL INSPECTION FOUND FRONT STABILIZER LINKS TO BE NOISY. I DECLINED THEM REPAIRING IT AS THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE FRO FREE OR DISCOUNT, EVEN WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, AND NOISE HAS BEEN PRESENT. I STOPPED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP AS THEY HAVE A REPUTATION IN TOWN TO NOT WORK WITH THE CUSTOMER. LATERAL LINKS WERE ALREADY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, I FEEL THE STABILIZER LINKS SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE ALSO, WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I WILL TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC AND HAVE IT DOWN, FOR MY OWN SAFETY, BUT I FEEL I DESERVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT AS WELL AS THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES I JUST HAD PUT ON AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING! I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES ON CAR DUE TO WEAR, AND CAR HAD LESS THAN 4500 MILES ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168529
Incident
Sep 16, 2006
Body & structureBrakesEngine+3 more
Filed Sep 13, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10168187
Incident
Jan 9, 2003
Mileage
1 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2006

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE @51,000 MILES BOTH FRONT AND BACK WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AT MY EXPENSE ($550.77) THE BACK ONE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS NOT ONLY TO MYSELF, ANY PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE OR OTHER MOTORISTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167005
Incident
Aug 1, 2006
Mileage
51,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+5 more
Filed Aug 9, 2006

2003 SATURN VUE FAILED TO START. *KB THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS OTHER RUMBLINGS. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS, BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION. A SPECIAL WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE ORDERED AS WELL AS A SPECIAL SIDE COVER AND HARDWARE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REAR WIPERS WOULD STICK. THE GAS GAUGE WOULD ONLY READ 3/4 FULL. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE HOT AND COLD KNOB DID NOT GO ALL THE TO COOL. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. THE TRANSFER CASE SEAL WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10165813
Incident
Nov 17, 2003
SuspensionTransmission
Filed Jul 5, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY AND TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE. THE SALES DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THE 30-DAY LIMIT ON A LEMON HAD EXPIRED.

NHTSA ID
10161421
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
3 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 13, 2006

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NOW HAD 5 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, ONE PER WHEEL AND 2 ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. THE FIRST 4 WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE LAST ONE COST $410 TO HAVE REPLACED. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE COST AND SINCE I HAD EACH WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY CHARGED ME 25% OF THE COST. FIVE WHEEL BEARINGS IN 3 YEARS IN NOT A VERY GOOD RECORD. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESEARCHED BECAUSE, TO ME, IT SEEMS THAT IT IS EITHER A LEMON OR A RECALL ITEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159711
Incident
Jun 9, 2006
Suspension
Filed Mar 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM LINKAGE AND BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED THE REPAIR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION LATERAL LINK ASSEMBLIES. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153212
Incident
Mar 17, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Feb 7, 2006

2003 SATURN VUE HOOD RELEASE CABLE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *TS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED (WARRANTY). WHILE REPAIRING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE PROMPT SHAFT CENTER BEARING WAS BROKEN (WARRANTY). THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSAXLE. THE TECHNICIAN UPDATED THE TCM AND ADDED CVT ADDITIVE (WARRANTY). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY (WARRANTY). THE AIR BAG AND HORN WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10149784
Incident
Jan 16, 2006
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningSuspension
Filed Nov 2, 2005
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10142139
Incident
Nov 25, 2004
BrakesSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Sep 29, 2005

DT: 2003 SATURN VUE. THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND TORSION BAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING MADE GRINDING SOUNDS AND THE CAR HANDLED DIFFERENTLY. THEY WERE REPLACED ON MARCH 8, 2004, MARCH 3 2005, AND JULY 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT. SATURN TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SEE THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ABS ACTIVATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT. THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10134655
Incident
Feb 10, 2004
Mileage
12,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 13, 2005

DT: THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT AND BACK WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE SATURN DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM , INSISTING THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT PROPERLY ROTATED. WENT BACK TO SATURN AGAIN AND SAID THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES. SATURN REPLACED THE FRONT TWO TIRES THEMSELVES. CURRENTLY, THE BEARINGS E FAILED AGAIN ON THE FRONT AND BACK. THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SATURN FOR BEARING REPLACEMENT WAS ON AUGUST 6, 2003. *AK

NHTSA ID
10136322
Incident
Aug 6, 2003

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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