KnownCarProblems2004 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 276 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Saturn Vue, most often about the transmission (34% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 5th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Saturn Vue problems
Transmission
93 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
2004 Saturn Vue transmission failure estimated 150,000 cars have this failure faulty transmission wire installed in autos from 2002 thru 2005.
I own a 2004 Saturn Vue with a variable transmission. It has 83,000 miles. I took it to the dealership to be looked at because of hearing all the transmission problems these cars have had. Somehow while they were looking at it the transmission went and I couldn't drive my car over 20 MPH. I was stuck there at the…
Electrical
78 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
Went to use horn to warn another vehicle that they were swaying into my lane and when did so horn kept going off and would not disengage. Had to pull off road and was able to pull horn relay in order to get horn to stop before burning it out. Due to location of horn switch (inside airbag) the approximate cost for what…
While driving about 25 MPH, the ignition switch turned off and the engine stalled. There was only one other key on the key ring at the time I was driving. I was able to stop the SUV and restart it to continue. This is same ignition safety defect as in the other saturns I have read about. I lost steering and braking…
Suspension
33 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH when a loud bang was heard. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder of the road, but the contact could not locate the failure. The contact continued to drive and noticed that the steering wheel was difficult to control. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a loud bang from the rear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technicians advised that the rear suspension link was fractured and caused the frame rail to fracture as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Engine
24 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
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.…
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise emitted from the engine without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Air bags
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I was on my way home in my 2004 Saturn Vue when a buck jumped out in front of me. I stomped on the brakes, however, I ended up hitting the buck (deer) that then ran away. My entire front in was smashed in, the air bags never deployed, the seat belts didn't lock when I stomped on the breaks. My daughter and I were both…
Traveling at 65mph the key & key fob fell out of the ignition. I was able to slow down but had lost power steering, power brakes, and the airbags would not have deployed. I was able to get to the shoulder of the road.
Other or unspecified
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 139,500 miles.
Tamara recall , the key came out of the ignition while the car was on. We brought it to the dealership and the confirmed it but would not fix it or send US anywhere to get it fixed. Our ABS went the 3rd week we had the car, the dealership refused to even look at it. The other recall made our tires only hold air for a…
Ignition switch would not shut off turned,key and it seemed to bind,up had to force key to turn to off positionmaking the key break off I'm the ignition switch itself. Before this,happened key had been randomly turning to different positions when in motion
Steering
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist system.
I am paying on a 2004 Saturn Vue and after 101,000 miles I was on my way to daycare with my 3 year old daught and the car transmission slipped into neutral now it continuously slips into neutral while driving. 3 months after buying vehicle the steering wheel started creaking and making like a honking sound and we took…
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. After the key was removed from the ignition, the headlights remained illuminated and smoke appeared near the steering column. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 104,000.
Body and structure
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I was on my way home in my 2004 Saturn Vue when a buck jumped out in front of me. I stomped on the brakes, however, I ended up hitting the buck (deer) that then ran away. My entire front in was smashed in, the air bags never deployed, the seat belts didn't lock when I stomped on the breaks. My daughter and I were both…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
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 2004 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (93 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); electrical (78 complaints, typically around 78,500 miles); suspension (33 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is 5th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints, with 276 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.