8th Dec 2009, 00:00

I also have Vue 2003. Had it since 05. I have spent some decent money on it. Engine light comes on and off. Currently is on.

I had a Camry before. Drove it for 10 yrs and the only thing I did was to change the oil.

I think there is a very serous quality issue with Saturn and GM overall.

15th Feb 2010, 22:38

My husband bought his 2002 Vue 10 months ago with 80k miles, it now has 90k. About 6 weeks ago the car's check engine light came on, but he didn't take it in. Three days later it wouldn't start, turned out to be the battery. Two weeks later the light came on again, radiator thermostat and sensor needed to be replaced. The light came on again last week. Just had it looked at, guess what, it's the throttle body. $1,000 repair.

We bought this car for $8,000 instead of replacing the engine, $3,000, in our other car that was a great car until it hit 300k mile mark. We didn't want to deal with that repair, so we bought the Vue, thinking it was a great deal (obviously not). My car's an '07 Ion, no problems with it. My other experience with Saturn, 95 sedan, was great! No problems until 250k miles. Wish we'd done more research on the Vue, instead of basing it on previous experience because would've spent a little more for a better model. Hindsight I guess.

7th Apr 2010, 17:11

I am an owner of a 2002 Saturn Vue since Sept 02 when I bought it brand new. Still have car and have learned how to survive all the problems mentioned previously.

I have put the car in neutral while losing power at 65mph and restarting, and luckily getting power back. I have kept my foot on gas ever so lightly on steep hills, because if I just used the brake, I'd have no power when I hit the gas. I'm not proud of these moves, or that I tell the dealership not to replace the throttle assembly, because 3x's is not a charm.

The engine modulator is the new problem at $1200. Someone made mention of this part being on a recall list, but so far I can't find proof. Dealership listens as if these are problems related to my Vue only. Glad to know I'm not alone in this battle.

22nd Apr 2010, 16:29

I have had my 2002 Vue for 2 years, and for the amount of money I have dumped into it, I could have purchased a brand new car.

I have replaced the battery and the radiator/thermostat.

It has been in the shop 4 times to diagnose, and eventually fix the throttle body unit to the tune of over $1200. Why is this not a recall? Clearly there is a HUGE problem!

15th May 2010, 11:37

I bought a 2002 Saturn Vue 6 weeks ago, and the service engine soon light came on the first day after I gave someone a jump. The dealership said I should never do that, because it messes up the computer.

They put some lean gas additive in the gas tank and the light went out briefly, but came back on the next day. It has been back to the dealership twice, but the SES light keeps coming back on. They said they replaced the fuel pump and the problem should be fixed, but the next morning the SES light is back on.

It failed emissions twice because the computer has not had a chance to reset itself and there are "unready" codes. The dealership told me to bring it back and leave it for two days, and they will drive it around a lot so the computer will reset. They already did that, and then the SES light came back on and everything has to start all over and the computer needs to reset itself again. I am not sure whether giving the jump caused the problem or not.

After reading all the negative comments, I wish I had not bought a Saturn.

22nd Jun 2010, 23:01

I have also had the same SES and reduced power problems with my 2002 Saturn Vue.

This began after my battery died. A code reader tells me there is a misfire in cylinders 1,3,5. I have ruled out plugs and ignition modules, and have removed the throttle body to check and clean. So far I have not solved the problem.

I have learned to live with it by not allowing the engine to idle lower than 800 RPMs at stop lights etc. If it goes into reduced power mode, I shift into neutral, allow the engine RPMs to drop to idle, stop and restart the engine, this gives me all cylinders again. I don't recommend you do this on the fly, pull off the road.

When I take holidays this summer I am going to get to the bottom of this problem. After reading all the similar problems I will look deeper into the throttle stepper motor. If I solve this I will let you know.

4th Jul 2010, 23:45

I also have a 2002 Saturn Vue AWD with a V6. The electronic throttle body was replaced (at a Saturn dealership) in 2007 when the car would not accelerate and the SES light came on. While it was in the shop, the technician ruined my computer system in the car, so they had to bring in another specialist from Saturn to fix it.

I drove the car for about 4 months and the SES light came back on, so I took it back to the dealer. They told me I needed another throttle body. This time I said forget it.

So now I drive the car with the SES light on, and when the car has reduced power, I simply turn it off then start it up again and that usually works. I pray we can fix this problem.

27th Sep 2010, 15:49

I have a 2003 Saturn Vue 2.0L, and the service engine soon light is on. I have taken it to two dealerships and 2 local mechanics, and they all say the same thing, pass - no codes found. However I can't get it to get emission tested until the light is off. Not sure what to do.

Back in July, the alternator went out, I replaced the alternator and belt. Then a week later, the slave cylinder went out, I replaced the entire clutch assembly. The oil has been changed, as well as the filters. I can't figure out what to do, other than set it on fire and be done with the piece of junk.