2003 Saturn VUE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
622 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 481 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 200 of 622 complaints (32.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 278 | 44.7% |
| Engine operation | 64 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 54 | 8.7% |
| Braking behavior | 40 | 6.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 200 |
| Power Train | 90 |
| Electrical System | 82 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 38 |
| Steering | 30 |
| Engine | 29 |
| Air Bags | 28 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 20 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 200; Power Train: 90; Electrical System: 82; Engine And Engine Cooling: 38; Steering: 30; Engine: 29; Air Bags: 28; Electrical System:Horn: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 118 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 60 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 69 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 99 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 99 |
| 150,000 and above | 36 |
Under 25,000: 118; 25,000 to 49,999: 60; 50,000 to 74,999: 69; 75,000 to 99,999: 99; 100,000 to 149,999: 99; 150,000 and above: 36
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (118). 141 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 46 |
| 2004 | 82 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 28 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2008 | 60 |
| 2009 | 60 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2011 | 46 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2002: 4; 2003: 46; 2004: 82; 2005: 37; 2006: 28; 2007: 31; 2008: 60; 2009: 60; 2010: 62; 2011: 46; 2012: 15; 2013: 18; 2014: 64; 2015: 26; 2016: 9; 2017: 11; 2018: 2; 2019: 9; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 278 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 64 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001536 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT DIDN'T FIT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COMPLETELY. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE VIBRATED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD MADE A KNOCKING SOUND WHICH HAD COME FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DOWN AN INCLINE, IT WOULD MAKE A NOISE. (MICHAEL LIVINGSTON IS THE SECOND CONSUMER IN REFERENCE TO THIS COMPLAINT) TS SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027010 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032913 · 2003-08-15 (August 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, ASKI…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,008 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054914 · 2004-01-26 (January 26, 2004)
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE HAD TO FILE. THIS CAR KEEPS BREAKING DOWN ON ME AND IT IS NOT EVEN ONE YEAR OLD! ON 1/12/04 I NEEDED TO DRIVE TO ROCKY MOUNT, NC THEN ON TO ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC SCHOOL. AFTER ARRIVING IN ROCKY MOUNT, MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, BUT STARTED FINE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE CARE STALLED AND TURNED OFF. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AGAIN AND PLACE IT INTO GEAR ONE MORE TIME. IT STARTED AND WENT INTO GEAR AND SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. I CALLED SATURN OF GREENVILLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002312 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOST COMPLETE CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO KEEP IN THE SAME DIRECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,686 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007635 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
STEERING PULLS RIGHT NO OR SHORTLY AFTER ABRUPT START FROM STANDSTILL. JUMPED A CURB FROM PARALLEL PARK AT DEALER SERVICE CENTER IN ST CHARLES WITH TECHNICIAN IN PASSENGER SEAT OBSERVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021596 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE HAS TO STOP SUDDENLY AND WHILE APPLYING BRAKES HARD VEHICLE LOSS TOTAL CONTROL OF BRAKES. LATER CONSUMER DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE HOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039640 · 2003-09-27 (September 27, 2003)
2003 SATURN VUE: WHILE DRIVING, THE "REDUCED POWER" LIGHT COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN REDUCED IN SPEED TO 15 TO 20 MPH. THIS SUDDEN REDUCTION, WITHOUT WARNING IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE SUDDEN REDUCTION HAS THE SAME EFFECT AS PUTTING ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018558 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
MISC ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CAR WON'T START, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON, SERVICE SOON LIGHT ON, SPEEDOMETER TO ZERO, TACHOMETER TO ZERO, CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T WORK. THIS HAPPENED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023039 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN THE LIGHTING SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON (NOT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS) THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT CONTROL STALK WILL GET HOT TO THE TOUCH IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I CONTACTED SATURN VIA EMAIL AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER. THAT'S ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT SATURN OF ROCHESTER (NEW YORK) IS A JOKE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140899 · 2005-10-26 (October 26, 2005)
MY 2003 SATURN VUE W/VTI TRANS HAS HAD 4 EPISODES OF NEAR-STALLING, HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION IN 3-WEEK PERIOD IN OCTOBER. 1ST EPISODE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED. FINALLY RESPONDED WITH A LURCHING FORWARD. TEMP IN 90'S OUTSIDE. SECOND EPISODE SITTING FOR 8 HOURS AT WORK. HEATER TURNED ON. WENT TO LEAVE PARKING LOT & STOPPED AT SIGN. WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED, THERE WAS BRIEF RESPONSE AND THEN A "NEAR-STALL"/HESITATION. HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION BEFORE LEAVING PARKING LOT. THIRD EPISODE 3 DAYS LATER. VEHICLE WAS IN …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,445 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165605 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SITTING STILL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THERE IS A LOUD THUMPING SOUND (OCCURRING THREE OR FOUR TIMES) FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE (SOUNDS SIMILAR TO A LOOSE FUEL TANK BAFFLE). THE DEALER STATED THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH THEY TRIED A COUPLE OF IDEAS. WHILE I'VE FOUND THIS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES ONLINE, NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW THE CAUSE. EVERYONE SEEMS TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. IT'S DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AS IT SEEMS INTERMITTANT, BUT HAPPENS ON AVERAGE ONCE PER DAY. BEING THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE EMINA…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165605 at NHTSA ↗