Faults:

I am not as crazy as the service department would have me believe!

General Comments:

My problems began two months after I purchased my VUE. I took the vehicle on vacation and the service engine soon light began to appear, then the reduced power light came on and the car would only travel about 20 miles an hour. I had to pull off the road and rest for approx. 20-30 minutes then it would start up and go. This has happened several times since it was supposedly fixed.

Also the driver's side door had a leak. The service dept. said that they could not find one. Now when it rains the car leaks as though someone had turned a hose on in my car. I have no idea what this would cost to fix.

Then, the steering column would make noise. They said that the steering boot needed to be greased. I have returned two more times to have this problem fixed. The service dept. told me that I was the only customer who had returned more than once for this problem.

My horn began to go off one night. The neighbors loved that. I had to pull the fuse to make it stop. I brought it to the service dept. and had to return the next day because it went off again that night. They had no idea what was wrong. Then they came to me and said the the air bag was damaged. And since I was out of warranty it would be $800 to repair. I lost my mind. How could a problem that was, apparently, there when I purchased the vehicle cost me? I raised so much stink that they offered to replace it for $50.

Other problems, the passenger rear door window goes up slowly (service dept. says motor needs to be replaced $300), fluid does not come out of wipers (flush system $50), service engine soon light comes on for no apparent reason, rear passenger door will not open, (I have had the same problem with the front passenger door $45 to fix plastic holder thingy).

I am sure there are other things I can't think of off the top of my head. I have sat at the Saturn dealership for hours to have a problem fixed and I get in my vehicle and drive and the problem is still there. So, I turn right back around and wait again. What is going on?

When Saturn first arrived on the scene it was all about customer service. I have found the service manager to be abrasive and condescending. I will not purchase another Saturn. My daughter was wanting to purchase an ION, but because of the problems I have had she refuses to purchase a Saturn.

Faults:

Engine block cracked at 70,000 miles.

Directional signal works only some of the time.

General Comments:

The car is a lemon and should be taken off the market.

A lot of problems with the vehicle and no reason for them.

Faults:

Ignition key block malfunctioned causing all accessories (AC, Radio,...) to fail - No AC with my family in Florida in July for a week. This was replaced and within 2 days locked up preventing the car to start (towed back to dealership).

Loud noise from dash when turning required a dealer modification.

Load noise from front end when turning required new stabilizer bar.

AC leaking water under dash.

Load clunk from rear end whenever shifting to reverse.

All of the above in the first six months of operation.

Post warranty:

38,000 replaced front wheel bearing $350.00.

42,000 replaced other front wheel bearing $350.00.

AC pressure valve failed $250.00.

50,000 rear wheel bearing $350.00.

55,000 other rear wheel bearing $350.00.

60,000 Driver side electric window failed $380.00.

70,000 Clutch failed (suspect clutch actuator documented by others) - Dealer charged $94.00 to diagnose - Diagnosis is they need $750.00 to diagnose the trans - will not refund the original $94.00.

General Comments:

This car has been a horrible nightmare. I attempted to return the car after the first 3 weeks and Saturn would not take it because it was 200 miles over their limit. The dealership personnel have been rude and inconsiderate with every problem I have had.

I bought this car because my experience with another Saturn purchase in 1993 was excellent. This is not the same company at all. Quality and dependability just do not exist with the current product.

I have contacted the corporate customer service center several times on the issues and they are just as inconsiderate and unconcerned as the dealership.