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2003 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Vue years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Saturn Vue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 276.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

482 reports with mileage · 140 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 316 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Power Train complaints

316 reports
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140,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Power Train

THIS IS REGARDING MY 2003 SATURN VUE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 140K MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE AT ABOUT EXACTLY 95K, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GAVE OUT WITHOUT NO INDICATION, JUST COASTED OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CAR ONLY IDLES I HAVE NO GEARS. AFTER I CALLED SATURN TO REPORT T…

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THIS IS REGARDING MY 2003 SATURN VUE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 140K MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE AT ABOUT EXACTLY 95K, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY GAVE OUT WITHOUT NO INDICATION, JUST COASTED OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CAR ONLY IDLES I HAVE NO GEARS. AFTER I CALLED SATURN TO REPORT THIS, THEY INDICATED TO TAKE IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, I INFORMED THEM THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THEY INDICATED THAT I COULD HAVE IT TOWED. I TOLD THEM I WASN'T GOING TO INCUR THE EXPENSE OF TOWING FOR SOMEONE TO INFORM ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD. AT THIS POINT, STILL WAITING FOR SATURN TO CALL TO LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY WILL DO, I AM NOT HOPEFUL, SHE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 100K OR MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND IT WAS MAY WHEN I CONTACTED THEM. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE HAS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HONOR SOMETHING... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405341

102,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VIT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT COULD BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, IT MAY OR MAY NOT LAST BEYOND 20,000 MILES. THE DEALER GUARANTEED THE REPAIR FOR ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES WITH EXCEEDS THE CONTACTS COMMUT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VIT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT COULD BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, IT MAY OR MAY NOT LAST BEYOND 20,000 MILES. THE DEALER GUARANTEED THE REPAIR FOR ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES WITH EXCEEDS THE CONTACTS COMMUTE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER $5,000 TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE COULD NOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10404581

87,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LEFT IDLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE BECOMING RESPONSIVE YET, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES ENTERING INTO THE INTERI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LEFT IDLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE BECOMING RESPONSIVE YET, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES ENTERING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN TO AVOID BECOMING SICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT EVEN IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO VERIFIED THE DEALER'S ADVICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. UPDATED 07/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10402826

106,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE IT DISPLAYED REDUCE SPEED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE IT DISPLAYED REDUCE SPEED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS IS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,445 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398120

69,800 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRON…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,800. UPDATED 04/25/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10395742

91,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Power TrainCrashInjury

2003 SATURN VUE CVT/VTI TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALREADY "FIXED" AT A SATURN DEALER 2 YEARS AGO AFTER COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY 55 MPH COUNTRY ROAD. AN ACCIDENT WAS POSSIBLE AT THAT TIME AND LUCKILY I HAD A PARKING LOT PULL OFF TO ACCESS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A HIGHLY APPARENT KNOW DEFE…

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2003 SATURN VUE CVT/VTI TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALREADY "FIXED" AT A SATURN DEALER 2 YEARS AGO AFTER COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVY 55 MPH COUNTRY ROAD. AN ACCIDENT WAS POSSIBLE AT THAT TIME AND LUCKILY I HAD A PARKING LOT PULL OFF TO ACCESS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A HIGHLY APPARENT KNOW DEFECT. THIS SATURN WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE AND ONLY AFTER A SATURN DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM 2 YEARS PRIOR AND NOT MANY MILES LATER. LUCKILY, I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER RETURNING MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO HER MOTHER JUST TEN MINUTES AND 6 MILES EARLIER. IF SHE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. I WAS BANGED UP AS THE DRIVER. THIS VTI TRANSMISSION IS AN EPIC FAILURE! HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO LOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM UNTIL I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. BEYOND SHOCKING, TO SAY THE LEAST. I AM CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY AND INQUIRING ABOUT BEING STUCK WITH THIS UNSAFE LEMON. I HAVE BEEN REFERRED BY SATURN TO A LOCAL GM DEALER FOR SERVICE VIA MAIL, SO I WILL START THERE. I AM DISMAYED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE WITH THIS EVEN AFTER A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS AWARDED WHICH I WAS UNAWARE OF UNTIL TONIGHT 4/6/11. CAN YOU LIVE WITH THE GUILT OF KNOWING ABOUT AN ONGOING AND EVIDENT PROBLEM AND THE LIVES THAT WILL LIKELY BE LOST DUE TO KNOWN PROBLEM. WHY IN THE WORLD HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS A FEW GAS PEDAL ISSUES AND BINGO. I WOULD RATHER BE DRIVING ONE OF THOSE AFTER SEEING AND EXPERIENCING WHAT I HAVE RECENTLY. HOW MANY OF THESE TICKING TIME BOMBS ARE STILL OUT ON THE ROAD. I SEE SEVERAL ALMOST DAILY. THERE IS ANOTHER FORM OF A DOMESTIC TERRORIST AND IT IS THE POOR UNASSUMING SATURN DRIVERS. THIS CAR FELL SHY OF BEING A TOTAL. INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL HAVE INTEREST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394374

78,500 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Power Train

WE PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN VUE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. WE HAD THE CAR ALMOST ONE MONTH AND WE WERE OUT TO EAT ON A SUNDAY IN HENDERSONVILLE TN WHEN MY HUSBAND GOES TO PUT OUR VUE INTO REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF A STALL AND IT WOULD BACK UP IT JUST WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION F…

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WE PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN VUE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. WE HAD THE CAR ALMOST ONE MONTH AND WE WERE OUT TO EAT ON A SUNDAY IN HENDERSONVILLE TN WHEN MY HUSBAND GOES TO PUT OUR VUE INTO REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF A STALL AND IT WOULD BACK UP IT JUST WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE FILLED IT WITH SOME AND IT STILL DIDNT MOVE FORWARD ONLY REVERSE. WELL WE CALL FOR IT TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SATURN DEALER IN GOODLETTSVILLE TN. NOW GM IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND ABOUT GIVING US ANY MONEY AT ALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WE FURTHER FOUND OUT UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET THAT SATURN ADMITTED THERE WAS TROUBLES WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY WERE NEVER MADE TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. NOW AS A CONSUMER THAT MAKES ME MAD, WE WENT ON CRAIGSLIST AND THERE ARE A TON OF THESE BEING SOLD RIGHT HERE IN TENNESSEE. MORE SUCKERS THAT HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE GETTING INTO. WHAT IF MY HUSBAND WERE TO HAVE BEEN IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THAT DAY AND A SEMI RAMMED INTO HIM BECAUSE HE COULD ONLY GO BACKWARDS???????? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!! I AM MAD AS A CONSUMER AND I DONT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392539

75,000 miles · Feb 26, 2011
Power Train

I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN VUE NEW IN 2003, IN 2006 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT , THE SATURN DEALER SHIP REPLACED IT. THEN IN 2008 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE DEALER SHIP SAID IT WAS KNOW LONGER UNDER WARRANTY . WHY CAN THEY NOT RECALL THESE SUV'S TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IT COST 4500 DOLLARS IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. MY CAR…

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I BOUGHT A 2003 SATURN VUE NEW IN 2003, IN 2006 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT , THE SATURN DEALER SHIP REPLACED IT. THEN IN 2008 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE DEALER SHIP SAID IT WAS KNOW LONGER UNDER WARRANTY . WHY CAN THEY NOT RECALL THESE SUV'S TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IT COST 4500 DOLLARS IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. MY CAR STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW BUT JUST DOESN'T RUN , I'M AM SO DISCUSSED AND NOW SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO ARE WE JUST OUT OF LUCK? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384631

90,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Power Train

I AM APPEALING WITH ALL DUE RESPECT FOR A COMPLETE REMEDY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. IN 2007 I PURCHASED A 2003 FROM SATURN OF MARIETTA IN MARIETTA GEORGIA. INITIALLY I EXPRESSED THE DESIRE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE (A HONDA SUV) BUT THE SALES PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE ADAMANT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AND FINALLY TALKED ME INTO IT. THEY…

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I AM APPEALING WITH ALL DUE RESPECT FOR A COMPLETE REMEDY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. IN 2007 I PURCHASED A 2003 FROM SATURN OF MARIETTA IN MARIETTA GEORGIA. INITIALLY I EXPRESSED THE DESIRE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE (A HONDA SUV) BUT THE SALES PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WERE ADAMANT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AND FINALLY TALKED ME INTO IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BETTER THAN A HONDA SUV, ETC. IN MARCH 2008 I MOVED TO CHARLOTTE N.C. BECAUSE OF A JOB OPPORTUNITY. THEN IN THE SUMMER OF 2009 THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A VERY PECULIAR NOISE. I TOOK IT TO TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. AT THE TIME I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSED THIS WORK. HOWEVER, I WAS BLESSED WHEN THE SECOND ONE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD HEARD OF SOME ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE SATURN OF SOUTH BOULEVARD. I DID SO. IT TOOK ME THE ENTIRE SUMMER TO SCRATCH AND SAVE TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT GM WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE BULK OF THE COSTS BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO SECOND OWNERS ON THE VEHICLE. THAT'S ALL THEY TOLD ME. IN AUGUST OF 2009 I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PICK UP THE CAR WHICH THEY REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF APPROXIMATELY $3400.00. FAST FORWARD TO APPROXIMATELY ON JANUARY 16, 2011 THE CAR BEGAN MAKING THE SAME PECULIAR NOISES. NOW THIS IS ONLY 27,000 MILES AND 18 MONTHS LATER. SO I TOOK IT TO 3 REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING STEVE MOORE CHEVROLET ON SOUTH BOULEVARD (BECAUSE THEY DO ALL THE WORK FOR SATURN NOW I WAS TOLD). THE ISSUE HAS NOW RECURRED. ONLY TWO WEEKS AGO I FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR WAS INITIALLY PUT ON THE STREET WITH THE WRONG TRANSMISSION WHICH IS WHY IT HAS ISSUES. AND I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IN 2009 SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT SOME $5000 REIMBURSEMENT SO I COULD HAVE TRADED IT IN. DRIVING IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN STOP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10385028

124,000 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Power Train

MY 2003 SATURN VUE SEEMS TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS SLOW TO START, LACK OF POWER, AND HAVE NOTICED WHILE IN GEAR RPM'S UP TO 5000 - 6000. AFTER IT SITS IT SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS BUT RPM'S STILL TOO HIGH WHEN IT DOES SHIFT. I TOOK IT TO ONE SHOP THAT WAS NOT WILLING TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT …

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MY 2003 SATURN VUE SEEMS TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS SLOW TO START, LACK OF POWER, AND HAVE NOTICED WHILE IN GEAR RPM'S UP TO 5000 - 6000. AFTER IT SITS IT SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS BUT RPM'S STILL TOO HIGH WHEN IT DOES SHIFT. I TOOK IT TO ONE SHOP THAT WAS NOT WILLING TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH SATURNS, HE DID TELL ME THAT THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND IT CAME BACK WITH A "TRANSMISSION CODE". IT IS NOW AT ANOTHER SHOP FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10380997

Official recalls

1

14V490000 · Electrical System:ignition

Aug 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure

Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).

PE04052 · Rear Suspension Toe Control Link

Opened Jul 22, 2004 · Closed Nov 1, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Suspension:rear

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.