Saturn Vue Complaints (2003)

622 consumer complaints on file.

#10058188February 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR BACK A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES TO SATURN OF MORRISTOWN WITH A COMPLAINT OF A SHIMMY/SHUDDER IN THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. INITIALLY THE COMPLAINT WAS FROM 50-75 BUT AFTER THEIR 4TH FIX, THE SHUDDER BEGAN AT 45A ND WAS REALLY BAD AT 65. SATURN IS IN ITS FINAL ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CAR, DENIES THE CAR IS A LEMON, HAS TOLD ME SATURN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT HAS TRIED EVERY FIX AND THEN SOME AND MY CAR WON'T RESPOND TO ANY FIXES AND THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR YET THEY REFUSE TO BUY IT BACK CLAIMING THEY ARE WITHIN THEIR ALLOTED TIME AS A FINAL FIX. FEBRUARY 15 IS THE 12TH CONSECUTIVE DAY WITHOUT MY CAR AND THE 24TH CUMULATIVE DAY. THEY WILL NOT CONTACT ME, I ALWAYS HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO CONTACT THEM AND THE WOMAN I AM SPEAKING WITH AT SATURN AT THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTER REFUSES TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE. THE SHIMMY/SHUDDER HAS BEEN IN THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE AND EVERY TIME THEY GAVE IT BACK TO ME THEY SAID IT WAS ROAD TESTED GOOD YET I COULD IMMEDIATELY UPON REACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS FEEL THE SHUDDER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN IT BACK TO ME 4 TIMES SAYING IT WAS GOOD AND YET KEEP IT FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS *AKA LEMON CONSIDERING THEY KNOW OF THE INHERENT DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056888February 9, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STEERING:COLUMN, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MY COMPLAINTS ARE SEVERAL . ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAKL BULLETINS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES SINCE I OURCHASED IT. NOW, I LIVE WITH THE ISSUES BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE ADDITIONAL WORK , THE WORST PROBLEM IS THE VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN AT IDLE (WHEN IN DRIVE AND THE VIBRATION DRIVING AT 60-65. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR SQUEEKS ( I BELIVE ITS THE INSULATION) MY LUGGAGE BOLTS BROKE, THE SEAT CUSHION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT STAY ATTACHED ON THE FRONT EDGE, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE TRUCK IS IDLING, WHEN YOU CLOSE THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE PLASTIC INTERIOR SEPERATES FROM THE DOOR, WHE IT IS COLD MY STEERING COLUMN MAKE NOISE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057155January 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE BOTTON WAS DEPRESSED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055164January 29, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VTI TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 27650 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054913January 26, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DETECTED A ROAR/RUBBING SOUND IN THE ENGINE OR DRIVE TRAIN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. I CALLED SATURN OF GREENVILLE (NC) AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CARE IN TO BE CHECKED. I DID THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CARE SOUNDED NORMAL, TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR, AND TO BRING IT BACK IF IT GOT WORSE. THE ROARING/RUBBING NOISE CONTINUED TO BECOME WORSE. I AGAIN TOOK THE CARE IN FOR EVALUATION BY THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SATURN OF GREENVILLE ON 12/26/03. THIS TIME, AT MY SUGGESTION, THE TECHNICIAN ACCOMPANIED ME ON A TEST DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO HEARD THE NOISE. I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I PLANNED TO TAKE A TRIP TO FLORIDA THE NEXT DAY AND DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE NOISE WAS SERIOUS NOR WAS THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, AND THAT NO FURTHER DAMAGE WOULD BE DONE TO MY CAR IF I DROVE IT TO FLORIDA. I ASKED THAT HE PUT THIS IN WRITING AND IF I COULD SPEAK TO THE OWNER. THE OWNER AGREED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANOTHER CAR AND TO FIX MINE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A BELT IN THE TRANSMISSION RUBBING AGAINST THE TRANS-CASE, WHICH WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK ON 1/10/04. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054914January 26, 2004
STEERING:COLUMN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE HAD TO FILE. THIS CAR KEEPS BREAKING DOWN ON ME AND IT IS NOT EVEN ONE YEAR OLD! ON 1/12/04 I NEEDED TO DRIVE TO ROCKY MOUNT, NC THEN ON TO ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC SCHOOL. AFTER ARRIVING IN ROCKY MOUNT, MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, BUT STARTED FINE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE CARE STALLED AND TURNED OFF. I THEN ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AGAIN AND PLACE IT INTO GEAR ONE MORE TIME. IT STARTED AND WENT INTO GEAR AND SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. I CALLED SATURN OF GREENVILLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY IS LIKELY TO BE THE PROBLEM AND TO NOT TURN MY CAR OFF FOR ONE HOUR, I THEN STATED THAT I WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO ROANOKE RAPIDS. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY FINAL DESTINATION, MY CAR AGAIN STALLED AND TURNED OFF WHEN I PLACED IT INTO GEAR. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND GET A RENTAL CAR WHICH WERE BOTH HUGE INCONVENIENCES TO ME. FINALLY, ON 1/16/04, I CALLED SATURN TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THEY SAID THAT AIR WAS TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND THAT DURING THE REPAIR PROCESS, DAMAGE WAS DONE TO A DRAIN BOLT ("STRIPPED"). I WAS THEN TOLD I COULD PICK MY CAR UP ON 1/17/04. AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK, IT IS STILL MAKING A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT MAKES WEIRD NOISES CONSTANTLY, AND THE RPMS ARE MESSED UP. THEY REV UP WHEN I TAP THE PEDAL, BUT WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE, THEY DO NOTHING. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE SATURN VUE AND THEIR TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE RECALLED! *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054642January 22, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
2003 SATURN VUE - THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CRACKED FROM EXPOSURE TO SNOW/ICE. THIS SPLIT MAKES VIEWING OUT THE BACK DIFFICULT AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE MIRROR CRACKED WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED OR MOVED. THIS IS ALSO DOCUMENTED AT A SATURN OWNERS FORUM SATURNFANS.COM UNDER THE VUE FORUM. THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER SO THIS MUST BE OCCURING A LOT. I DON'T KNOW IF SATURN IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054537January 20, 2004
STEERING
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 SATURN VUE AND DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS OFF FROM A FULL STOP IT PULLS SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED - MOST RECENTLY OVER THE PAST 10 DAYS (ALLOWING FOR ALL THE EMAIL TRAFFIC). THE "HEAD" MECHANIC AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DID NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT ALL. INSTEAD, HIS COMMENT REGARDING IT WAS, "THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST". TODAY, A (SUPERVISOR) OF CUSTOMER RELATIONS TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS "NOT A DESIGN FLAW" EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS INFORMED THAT MY PROBLEM IS IN EACH AND EVERY VUE BEING SOLD. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION STANDARDS WITH THIS DEFINITIVE PROBLEM. TRUE, IT MAY NOT (TO SOME) APPEAR TO BE A "MAJOR" SAFETY RISK BUT TO OTHERS, IT IS. AS I EXPLAINED TO SATURN TODAY, THIS FAULT WAS PURPOSELY KEPT FROM ME FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SELLING THE VEHICLE. HAD SATURN BEEN UP-FRONT IN ADVISING ME OF THIS FAULT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE CLOSED THE DEAL AND WOULD HAVE EITHER PURCHASED A DIFFERENT MODEL (NO OTHER SATURN HAS THIS PULLING PROBLEM) OR GONE TO SOME OTHER AUTO MANUFACTURER. THIS PROBLEM (TO MY KNOWLEDGE) HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR FAILURES (TO DATE) BUT I WISH TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ANYWAY IN THE HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BEFORE IT LEADS TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THE SELLING PRACTICES OF SATURN IN THIS MATTER ARE NOTHING SHORT OF FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070208January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. RECALL TRANSAXLE 2. SAME DAY ---CHECK INGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THEY FIXED IT AND SAME DAY IT CAME ON AGAIN, THEY FIXED IT AGAIN 3. SAME DAY CAR IS LURCHING SHEN COMING TO A STOP. THEY FIXED IT. 4. NEXT WEEK THE CAR IS NOT GETTING ANY GAS WHEN PRESS THE EXCELERATOR. 5. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED IN BECASUE IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL.THEY FIXED IT. 6. SAME DAY AFTER PICK UP HEAR KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURN A CORNER AND THEN RATTLE WHEN INCREASE IN SPEED. THEY SAID THEY DONOT HEAR ANYTHING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052992January 12, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
EXCESS ACCUMULATION OR DIRT, DEBRIS AND ROAD SALT IN REAR DOOR JAMS. REAR DOORS OFTEN FREEZE SHUT IF WINTER WEATHER AND MAKE ENTERING REAR SEAT DIFFICULT WITHOUT GETTING DIRTY. ALSO MAY LEAD TO PREMATURE CORROSION. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048613January 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, TIRES, POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARD HESITATION, LACK OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND LOST OF ACCELERATION WHEN THE PAVEMENT WAS WET OR UNEVEN. *JB THERE WAS ALSO A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053640January 7, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL COMING SOUTH AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A SLIGHT STERNUM FRACTURE AND OTHER MINOR BRUISES TO THE ARMS AND NECK. THE POLICE ARRIVED BUT NO ONE WAS CITED AT THE TIME. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10051410December 31, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH MY V6 AWD VUE I WAS AT 72 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED A LONG INCLINE. INITIALLY RPM'S WERE ABOUT 2500, CAR DOWNSHIFTED TO 3500 RPM THEN AGAIN TO 4500 RPM. AFTER INCLINE THE TERRAIN BECAME FLAT AND THE RPM STAYED AT 4500 AND WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AUTOMATICALLY AS I WOULD EXPECT. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 2 MILES AND THEN TOOK ONE MPH OFF OF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN CAR UPSHIFTED TO 2500 RPM. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER NEXT WORKING DAY AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE DRIVETRAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051414December 31, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
COMING HOME AFTER A 300 MILE HIGHWAY DRIVE THE ABS ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP. THIS HAPPENED JUST AS THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. THE BRAKES CAME ON VERY HARD AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING HOME THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS. I SHUT CAR OFF AT HOME THEN TOOK IT OUT AGAIN AND THE ABS ACTIVATED HARD AND UNEXPECTEDLY AT EVERY STOP. I LET THE CAR SIT THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY, AND TOOK IT IN TO DEALER MONDAY. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD CARS WITH ABS FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050888December 21, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 SATURN VUE IN 8 TIMES FOR HIGH IDLE (1000 RPM) IN NEUTRAL, SES LIGHT ON, AND ENGINE COOLING FAN GOING ON. THE DEALER STOPPED ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON VISIT 6 (WHEN THEY LET MY CAR SIT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 13 DAYS WITH 1 DIAGNOSIS ATTEMPT). ANOTHER DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR FOR THE LAST TWO VISITS. SATURN SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. YET I HAVE FOUND A SATURN SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE HIGH IDLE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT AFFECTS MY SHIFTING. AN INDEPENDENT ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE HIGH IDLE AND ENGINE FAN RUNNING WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE FAN, ENGINE MOUNTS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. OF COURSE, MY GAS MILEAGE IS COMPROMISED AS WELL AS MY SAFETY. THE SERVICE BULLETIN PERTAINS TO THE SES LIGHT, CODE P0171 FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051692December 17, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND ACCELERATING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051595December 16, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WHICH WAS EFFECTED BY THIS METHOD. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS................................................................*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050065December 4, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE DRIVER PULLED THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT. THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED TO RELEASE OR DISENGAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047602November 26, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE ACCELERATOR FLOORED, RPM SHOT UP TO 6000 AND I WAS DOING ONLY 35 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047477November 24, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 SATURN VUE 4 CYL VTI HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, CONTINUES TO MAKE RUMBLING NOISE ALONG WITH APPARENT LOSS OF PERFORMANCE. SATURN ADMITS THAT THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MODEL, BUT CANNOT REPAIR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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