2003 Saturn VUE FWD 2.2L I4 from North America

Summary:

Raises doubt about the quality and integrity of the vehicle

Faults:

Axle feed.

Steering loose (felt extremely unsafe).

Sway links a problem.

Transmission makes noise.

Leakage.

Having the VUE for 5 years now and only accumulated 31,824 miles, what is to be expected? What does it say about the quality and integrity of this vehicle?

Fortunately, I am still under warranty (5yr/75,000 miles) and won't have to pay the high cost. The resale value of the VUE runs between $6,000 to $11,000. I may be lucky if I get the high end $11,000.

General Comments:

How long do you have to wait to find out the integrity and quality of a vehicle before you purchase?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th May, 2008

2003 Saturn VUE from North America

Summary:

Run away from the 2003 Saturn Vue!

Faults:

I own a 2003 Saturn Vue. In July of 2007 I began experiencing problems with the transmission hesitating, shuddering, and making a grinding noise. I immediately took it to my local dealership. They admitted that it was a problem with the transmission and they put in an additive, flushed the system, etc. The service technician even admitted at that time that I may need a new transmission at some point, but not to worry because I was still under the extended GM warranty and because I had already brought it in with transmission issues, I had begun a "paper trail." He stated that even if I fell outside the 5 year warranty date, which was within a year, Saturn would most likely honor it because my car has such low mileage. To date, I have 43,000 miles.

On May 9, 2008, my transmission went out completely. I had it towed to the dealership, since it was not drivable. I received a phone call from the dealership today and was informed that it is a transmission problem (transmission valve body), but that the warranty had expired on April 13, 2008, so Saturn would not be paying for the repairs. I have not been quoted a price as of yet, because the repairs may be covered through an extended warranty plan that I purchased, however I would still have to pay a $200 deductible.

I am just sick about this. I still owe $11,000 on this vehicle and would like to trade it in, but would be stuck in an upside down loan. I am a single parent of two children living on a teacher's salary in California.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th May, 2008

2003 Saturn VUE from North America

Summary:

The Saturn Vues of 2003 have a defective transmission in my opinion

Faults:

My Saturn Vue ran smoothly for the entire time we have owned it (NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP).

The only problem that we have had before the transmission problem was the rear wheel bearing had to be replaced ($400 cost).

Now just this year @ approx. 50,000 miles, we began to notice the car would stall when we accelerated, and would not go right away or almost jerk backwards, and in some instances would go reverse when we were waiting for a light to change green.

We took the Vue into the dealership immediately, and they said everything seemed to be okay, and it may be the transmission. When they saw the mileage they recommended a transmission flush, which should only be done after 100,000 miles, but did it anyways, and said if this would not solve the problem, then we need a new transmission, which would cost us approx. $5000.00. We have now done the flush and about 2 weeks later we are encountering the same problem, (car stalled on freeway, went from 65 mph to 20 mph in a matter of seconds).

General Comments:

Saturn may have fixed the problem now, since I read on another comment they no longer use the same type of transmission, but I feel there should be a recall on the Vue's with the defective transmission.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th April, 2008

28th Apr 2008, 08:46

Saturn extended the warranty on your VTi transmission to 75,000 miles, so if it fails in that time, the repair should be free.

I would recommend getting rid of the car prior to the end of the warranty period--the VTi is a known problematic transmission and WILL fail.