19th Oct 2008, 18:34

My '03 Saturn Vue has had its transmission repaired and/or replaced three times as of last week. With the potential settlement of the class action law suit, Saturn has become increasingly polite in dealing with my transmission issues. I was told by the dealership, however, that the VTI warranty expires at 75,000 miles (NOT 125,000) and that there was NO WAY to extend it (I'm only at 68,000 now). Frankly, if it were extended, it would only mean the warranty would cover me for the inevitable future breakdowns. Saturn can keep replacing and repairing the VTI, but unless the design is changed, what is the point? I'm only grateful that the potential settlement of the class action supposedly includes damages for those who lose money on a trade-in because of the flawed transmissions. That seems like the only way out for me.

20th Oct 2008, 10:49

Google "the truth about cars saturn VTi" and read the section regarding GM settling the VTi lawsuit. It absolutely DOES extend to 125,000 miles.

Find a different dealer, get your tranny fixed, and then trade it in. Yep, you'll take a hit, but it's a lot better than trading in a broken vehicle.

15th Nov 2008, 06:34

My neighbor has the same faulty transaxle problem but does not want to mess with the warranty. Can I buy it from him and take it in to be covered under the extended warranty, or is there mention in the class action lawsuit regarding date of purchase. It is a 2002 VUE with 99k miles.

30th Nov 2008, 06:41

Just wanted to add my misery to the list - bought my Vue 03 VTI in June 03 and am currently driving a rental while Saturn repairs my transmission for the second time, at 54,000 miles. This time it died taking my 6 year old son home from the dentist on a rainy night in downtown. Saturn dealership spent no time even talking with me - just sent me to Saturn corporate, who have been semi-helpful, but the second I get this car back, I'm trading it in and going back to Volkswagen, which was the car I was so faithful to before I decided to try Saturn.

8th Dec 2008, 11:01

I am a disabled person with a 5 year car note. I bought my 2003 Saturn Vue Feb 2006. The transmission went out March of 2006 a month later. My Vue has been sitting almost 6 months cause the mileage is passed the recommended mileage so they don't want to fix it. They are trying to have me take it to the Saturn dealer and find out what is wrong with it first, but like I told them, I can't afford the price they are asking for a transmission. I will never buy one again. They shouldn't get a bail out. Good luck to everyone else.

23rd Dec 2008, 18:11

I own a 2003 4-cyl Saturn Vue manual transmission and have been experiencing a power loss problem. Has anyone else had the same problem?

27th Feb 2009, 16:15

Driving down the expressway, same problems as written in above. The Vue died in the middle of I94 going 70mph. It was towed to its second home at Saturn. They want 6000 to do 9 hours of exploratory to see if may if it may be something else... Blue book is about that...

People are almost giving cars away, why would we pay 600 for exploratory surgery???

16th Mar 2009, 21:38

I bought a 2003 Saturn Vue in December 2008. I love the car, but hate all the problems I am having with it.

I brought it to the Saturn dealership and they looked it over and cleaned an inside valve. (I was only able to get the car to drive with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake while on my way to the dealership) kinda scary!!

A few weeks later, I got the fluids changed out and including the tranny. There's now a LOUD grinding noise... I also need to turn off the radio to roll up the window!! PLEASE HELP with advice. I'm a single mom now stuck without a car!! This is the 2nd tranny according to the Saturn dealership!!! Other than those issues I like the car overall!!! Hahaha.

24th Mar 2009, 23:14

I found a class action for Canadians: http://www.merchantlaw.com/saturn.html

My VUE has had the same issues as described in many posts on this site. I have joined the lawsuit, as I too, have stalled in a very bad spot in the midst of driving at normal speed. My spot just happens to be in busy Toronto. Thank God, we did not get hit and I was able to push my way to a parking lot nearby with my nephew in a car seat with me. I prefer to keep my stalled VUE in my driveway instead of paying what the dealership thinks is a new workable tranny. I'm trying to work with head office to get them to pay for the "damage"/repairs. I'll let you know if I'm successful.

14th May 2009, 14:08

I too have become a victim of the CVT transmission. I own an immaculate 2002 Saturn Vue, 2.2 liter 4 cylinder all wheel drive. I do not want to replace my failed transmission with another CVT transmission. I would like to have a 5 speed manual transmission installed. I understand this is an involved process, but I believe it can be done. Has anyone tried this? Does anyone have any information on what parts would need to be exchanged? I would consider eliminating the AWD feature and have a front wheel drive situation if this is possible.

17th May 2009, 11:20

To the poster that wants to install a manual tranny. It would be a very involved process. The first thing you need to do is check out what "brain boxes" are used with the auto trannies and the manual trannies. The Saturn Vue has lots of "brains".

If this switch over is possible, you will need clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, clutch pedal. I have researched a bit on even changing my motor and tranny with a 6 cylinder motor and tranny. I was told this is pretty much impossible to do without changing ALL wiring and brain boxes, and even then it would never run correctly. The manual tranny swap is going to be the best and least expensive fix for the car. Another option would be get Kelly blue book value, subtract around 4500 to 5000 bucks, run an add in the paper for that amount, and get as far away from the car as physically possible. That's what I'm going to do. Good luck with whatever route you take.

28th Jul 2009, 12:36

I too am having problems with my 2003 Saturn Vue. It just recently started when we were headed to Chicago one weekend. It slips when taking off from stop and go traffic. Then sometimes it will just sound like it is in neutral. It won't go any faster than if we are coasting. Scares me cause I do not want anything happening to us when we have to pull over real fast to get out of traffic. Please help! I don't know what to do.