Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports5 fire reports15 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

16 reports

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85,987 miles · Aug 13, 2014

Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

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I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF THE RECENT ONSET OF AN UNUSUAL RUMBLING SOUND WHEN DECELERATING. AFTER A TEST DRIVE AND INSPECTION THE MECHANIC WROTE THESE COMMENTS ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. "DETERMINED FRONT FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING EXTREME MOVEMENT OF ENGINE CRADLE AND ENGINE ASSEMBLY. UNIBODY IS RUSTED OUT. THIS VEHICLE IS PROBABLY TOTALED AND THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NHTSA. CAUTION: THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET IMMEDIATELY." BOTH THE MECHANIC AND MYSELF FEEL THAT THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEDED TO A TEN YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 86,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN PRPERLY MAINTAINED. THE MECHANIC ALSO PHOTOGRAPHED THE DAMAGE. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621979

88,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I TRIED TO RESTART MY ENGINE. ALTHOUGH IT TURNED OVER, IT WOULDN'T START. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED A FUSE TO BE BLOWN. HE REPLACED THE FUSE, AND MY CAR STILL DIDN'T START. AFTER THAT, HE USED HIS DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND SAW THAT I NEEDED…

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NHTSA ODI #10607230

115,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, TO FIX THE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY 02 SENSOR. UPDATED 10/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10462725

142,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, AND COSTS MORE TO REPAIR THAN THE PRICE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433759

73,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THIS IN TURN CAUSED MAJOR VALVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. POOR ENGINEER DESIGN/FLAWED. STILL PAYING PAYMENTS AND NOW OWE LARGE REPAIR BILL. IT WAS 1,500 MI OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED AT THE DEALER. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE BARELY 2 YEARS …

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NHTSA ODI #10427969

105,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING, THE AC STOPS ALTOGETHER. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT DOES RUN AT FULL CAPACITY AND WILL SOMETIMES EVEN BLOW HOT AIR EVEN THOUGH THE AC IS TURNED ON. IT IS HIT OR MISS WHEN TURNING THE VENT SETTINGS AS IT DOESN'T ALWAYS REDIRECT THE AIR FLO…

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NHTSA ODI #10418543

90,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS. I RECENTLY HAD MINE GO OUT ON MY VUE AT 90,000 MILES AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $2,000. IS THERE ANY FORM OF A RECALL O THIS AND WHAT ARE IF ANY ARE MY OPTIONS FOR EITHER SATURN FIXING IT OR REIMBURSING ME ANY AMOUNT. COULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE . THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295918

107,000 miles · Apr 2, 2009

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

REPEATED FAILURE OF IGNITION CONTROL MODULE/COIL PACK ON 2004 VUE 2.2 ECOTEC MOTOR CAUSED DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSOR JANUARY 6, 2009 THEN AGAIN MARCH 31, 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263982

34,000 miles · Sep 6, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR HAD A STRANGE TICKING NOISE ,DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT SATURN DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN,FOR A FEE OF 1,000 DOLLARS ,I SEARCHED NHTSA AND FOUND A RECALL EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE BUT FOR A 2001 ONLY. MY CAR IS A 2004 AND ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241149

76,050 miles · Jan 26, 2008

Engine And Engine Cooling

SATURN VUE AWD 2004 PISTON ROD BECAME BENT , ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL IN THE CAM CASE, THE ENGINE WIL NOT RUN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE CONCERNING THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216162

Official recalls

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.

03V519000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 19, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L V6 (L66) ENGINES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL RIM SIZE SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL ARE NOT CORRECT. THE PRINTED WHEEL RIM DESIGNATION SPECIFIED A 16-INCH WHEEL WHEN A 17-INCH WHEEL DESIGNATION WAS REQUIRED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE WHEEL RIM SIZE IS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON A TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SOLELY USES THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR SERVICE INFORMATION MAY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED WHEEL WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.

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

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

Suspension:rear