2003 Saturn VUE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 10003235 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
AIRBAG FAILURE IN A 2003 SATURN VUE WITH SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. LUCK PREVENTED SEVERE INJURY, WHILE A VITAL SAFETY FEATURE FAILED. WE ARE ENRAGED BY THE FACT THAT WE BOUGHT A VEHICLE THAT PROFESSED SAFETY, BUT DID NOT PERFORM WHEN NEEDED. WE LOVED THE VEHICLE TO THIS POINT.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004462 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES HE HAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE THAT THE MECHANIC IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. HE STATES THE SERVICE TECH HAS DRIVEN HIS AUTO AND THE NOISE WAS HEARD BY HIM, THEN GOT OUT AND THEY BOTH GOT OUT AND GOT INTO A NEW CAR, AND THE NOISE WAS NOT THERE, YET THE SERVICE TECH WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATES HE HAS HAD HIS AUTO IN FOR VARIOUS THINGS NINE TIMES SINCE HE PURCHASED THE AUTO. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004955 · 2003-01-30 (January 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,284 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004955 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 10007638 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
HORN DOESN'T HONK OR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HONK UNTIL TOO LATE
Owner-reported narrative. 222 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007639 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
VIBRATION IN POWERTRAIN AFTER FIRMWARE UPGRADE....
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007639 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V490000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
NHTSA campaign record ↗