KnownCarProblems2003 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 622 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saturn Vue, most often about the transmission (51% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Vue model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 Saturn Vue problems
Transmission
316 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
The 2003 Saturn Vue ,,,has a fron end suspension ...that had not been recalld for the front end of my Saturn had inumerus parts replaced ...not only one time but more than 5 times, each part was replaced ... Saturn dont help ,,,neither my attorney general office . Please look on customer surveys site and you will see…
I have been having continual all wheel drive issues with my 2003 Saturn Vue. It has been stuck in both sand and snow of moderate depth and been unable to drive out under it's power. I have had it to the dealer a number of times and now I am told that the problem is in fact a "safety feature". The feature nearly…
Electrical
124 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: horn, ignition, wiring, starter assembly.
2003 Saturn Vue, AWD, v6,upon pulling out of intersection, accelerating, automatic transmission not up shifting on accelerating. Loss of power. Engine accels but vehicle movement slows. Transmission does not engage. Dealership states that the computer needs to be "dummied up". Vehicle is not use to a different driver.…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving 10 MPH, the engine vibrated and then misfired. The vehicle decelerated to 1 MPH and the contact was unable to accelerate. The mechanic stated that the ignition control module caused the failure. The mechanic replaced the ignition control module; however, the failure…
Engine
90 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving 65 MPH, the timing chain failed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to or during the failure. The vehicle was difficult to control, but the contact was able to move it to the side of the road. He took the vehicle to the dealer for…
My 2003 Saturn Vue is shutting down without warning or notice even on the expressway. My check engine light came on one day and went out and since then my car will shut off and not start back up. The car will attempt to turn over but not run as if it is not getting any gas. I had to be pushed into a cvs paking lot…
Suspension
48 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front, multiple axle.
2003 Saturn Vue. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission issues in march of 2004, the consumer received a letter from Saturn stating there was a problem with vehicles equipped with vti transmissions and it would require repair or replacement. The transmission was replaced at that time by Saturn. However…
The 2003 Saturn Vue ,,,has a fron end suspension ...that had not been recalld for the front end of my Saturn had inumerus parts replaced ...not only one time but more than 5 times, each part was replaced ... Saturn dont help ,,,neither my attorney general office . Please look on customer surveys site and you will see…
Steering
45 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, linkages, hydraulic power assist system, electric power assist system.
Car starts, however check engine, brake, service light all come on. Power steering does not work, nor does rear wiper. Have in past been able to reset the issue by pulling and replacing fuses which solves issue temporarily. However that fix no longer working. Also, need to wrench hard on steering wheel to be able to…
My dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled. The light comes on briefly when I take sharp left turns. The wheel-speed sensors, wires, connectors, control module and other components occasionally conk with intermittent problems. This has cause my reduce power when I drive it, using more gas.
Air bags
41 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Car parked at work - informed horn was blowing on car. Turned off alarm - still blowing. Thumped center of steering wheel - blowing stopped. Happened one week later - same scenario. Two days later - blew horn at dog while driving - had to thump center of steering wheel to make blowing stop. Have had six (6) more…
Air bag light remains on- for a few years. Which, in turn, keeps the check engine light on. Dealer looked at it a few years ago, and said all that could be done would be fix the computer. It would need a replacement and that would be my responsibility. It would cost well over $500. Wonder if there is a recall or some…
Fuel system
33 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
- the contact stated that his 2003 Saturn Vue is having fuel problems. He stated that while driving his vehicle he continues to smell gas. The contact stated that he has to drive with his windows open because the fumes are so strong. The contact stated that this started happening in october of 2006, when he had the…
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…
Body and structure
23 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Damage to my rear differential clutches on my AWD 2003 Saturn Vue. The vent that lets air in and out of the clutch housing would allow water to enter as well. Water would then mix with the gear oil in that clutch housing case and cause the clutch pack to "whine" or "growl" on a sharp turn. There has been no recall on…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system). Approximately one month after the recall repair was performed, the interior driver side door would no longer open from inside the vehicle. The failure recurred each time the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
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 2003 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (316 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); electrical (124 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); engine (90 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn Vue have?
- 1 recall 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 2003 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is the most complained-about Vue model year since 2000, with 622 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.