KnownCarProblems2002 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saturn Vue, most often about the electrical (31% of complaints, typically around 86,500 miles). It is 7th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Saturn Vue problems
Electrical
52 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: horn, ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
I own a 2002 Saturn Vue, 4cylinder, FWD with approximately 86,000 miles. Early this year the body control module (BCM) on this vehicle began preventing the doors from unlocking properly. I first noticed the issue when my key fob for my security system began to fail to unlock doors, causing the horn to chirp…
Keys fall out of the ignition as you're driving down the road. This has happened more than once. Is this one of the defective gm vehicles?
Engine
47 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Car will stall at various speeds, sometimes will completely die or will go off for 10-30 seconds, turning signals will occasionally work but will go out. No codes will show up when tested, so the cause is unknown.
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Vue. While driving 45 MPH, the timing chain failed and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Transmission
24 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), clutch assembly.
I have a failed transmission, on a 2002 Saturn Vue with 56k miles on it. I brought it in three months after I bought because the transmission was slipping they claimed they changed the fluid, did a tune up etc., but the ride really didn't change. Well the transmission finally went out, and they're ordering parts to…
2002 Saturn Vue transmission problems on highway. The car made a loud sound and the speed dropped down quickly to 5 miles/hr. Over the past 4 weeks I had to replace the alternator and pulley belts because they stopped working as well.
Steering
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist system, electric power assist system, linkages.
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Vue. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the gauges on the dashboard failed and an unknown warning bell sounded in the vehicle. The steering wheel then became extremely stiff and difficult to maneuver. The dealer advised that the electric power assist failed and the body control…
The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Vue. The contact was driving 25-35 MPH when smoke was emitted from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 104,365 and the…
Air bags
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Consumer had the air bag module replaced four times. Dealer simply continued to replace the defective air bag module, but did not solve the problem.
I was driving my vehicle and all of a sudden the horn blew constantly. I pressed the area where the horn is to try to shut it off, to no avail. I had to pull over to the side of the highway, open the hood, pull off the fuse cover, find the fuse and pull it out, which finally stopped the horn from blairing. I brought…
Suspension
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I wrecked a Saturn Vue going 55 miles an hour when the car began to sway then slding to the left hitting a ditch going airborn rolling over severl times hitting the mountain with the drivers side and ended on the driver side. The rear tire broke off the bent under the car.
I have had problems since I bought the vehicle. Shocks, struts, rear suspension, brakes, electrical, oil has been either leaking or burning to the existent I put some in everyother day because it is low, the sway bar and the steering column, the transmission and drive train, and the timing chain. There are many other…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
I bought this AWD 2002 Saturn june 28 2013 from toyota nation in buena park and even within 3 hrs of owning the car it quit working so I had it towed back I had traded in my 2010 chevy cobalt that only had 25k miles on it anyhow I ve had ignition replaced I had some other things spent almost $1000 already I cant get…
Car power shuts down while driving, unable to start again in any traffic or road conditions to move car to a safe area. Full loss of power unexpected, vehicle simply stops running. This vehicle was purchased 'used' from a private seller I suspect was well aware of the situation but didn't expose it. $2300 spent so far…
Brakes
6 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Abs light remains on; my electrical system is faulty; my blinkers work at will. My fuel line sensor causes my vehicle to shut off after driving a distance. There is a noise when I reverse. My service engine light is now appearing and the wheel locks and hard to turn. Read the manual; vehicle does not require power…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Saturn Vue recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: If these bolts were incorrectly installed, they would not withstand the load requirements of the standard. If an anchorage failed in a crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained and could have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shoulder guide anchor bolts. Owner notification began december 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some vehicles were produced with rear outer seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were incorrectly installed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Timing chain failure
Summary
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 cause
Rear suspension toe control link
Summary
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, thu
Questions about the 2002 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (52 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); engine (47 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); transmission (24 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Saturn Vue have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 8, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is 7th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints, with 167 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.