- The problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- The risk
- If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Saturn Vue Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 632 complaints about the 2003 Saturn Vue with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (321) and the electrical system (127). Those complaints describe 30 crashes, 9 fires and 28 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2014 for the ignition. For comparison, the 2002 has 177 and the 2004 has 276.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Vue year, for its age
#23 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 632
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 30
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 28
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Saturn Vue problems
Share of all 632 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Saturn Vue recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
Be the first Vue owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
632 complaints about the 2003 Saturn Vue
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 26.
This is more information related to Complaint 11761129: After online researching of other '03 2.2L Saturn Vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the TRUE ORIGIN of problem. (How much did others spend on repairs that appeared to fix the problem by elapsing time enough for the problem to return to normal without the "repair"?) I stress that when all is...
Read the full complaint
working fine, the driver feels secure because there's no sign of a problem or trace left of the problem. The vehicle did run for years-at-a-time in a stable, reliable fashion. Once the stalling episodes pass, it felt OK to continue driving for years because everything is fine again. Looking back at the times when the stalling occurred, I was always lucky enough to recover and continue driving normally and trustfully for years before the next occurrence. Now I wonder what could have happened if the stall occurred while in more split-second decision, critical situations. I feel really stuck right now because I'm older with an undrivable vehicle. Please advise
Car stalled while driving in traffic [redacted]. Engine died. Warning lights ON. Restarted. Stalled 3 more times in traffic but luckily had space to pull off & engine restarted. Made it into my garage. Restarted, Check Engine Light was ON, but went OFF after time. Car would NOT move in gear. Retried several times. Presently ([redacted]) will crank but WON'T start. Battery good. Looking for anything else obvious. (Had similar problem after buying in 2006 on at least 4 different dates, but restarted after EITHER:...
Read the full complaint
left overnight or after battery disconnect/reset: No Check Engine Light after relearning cycles. Successfully passed all emission tests since ownership.) I have about 34,000 miles on odometer. Have had NO other memorable problems except stalling problems. After first stalling years ago, a Saturn dealer on [[redacted]] replaced VTi transmission fluid & "reprogrammed" the ECM. I have no receipts or records now & that dealer is long gone. Please advise. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V490000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair; however, the new ignition keys provided under the remedy failed to start the vehicle. The contact had to use the old key to start the vehicle. Additionally, the battery was replaced twice because the vehicle failed to turn off, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle needed to be jump-started. The dealer was made aware...
Read the full complaint
of the failure and informed the contact to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that she was disabled and had returned the license plates to the DMV. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
2003 Saturn Vue ignition switch. The switch was replaced under a recall with a switch that has the same defect; the key can be removed while the vehicle is in operation. The dealers refuse to replace it saying the car had the recall completed. They do not acknowledge the replacement has the same problem as the original. I feel they are required to do a second replacement under the recall if it the same problem -- a dangerous one at that. AI shows a number of the replacement key switches were defective like the originals. Can you help me?
The contact purchased a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the used vehicle, the vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood and from the gas tank location. A service warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while pulling to the side of the road, a bystander alerted the contact that there was a fuel leak. The contact and the other...
Read the full complaint
passengers of the vehicle immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire started at the gas tank location and extended to the front of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that the vehicle was significantly burned. The contact could not confirm that a fire department report was filed. There was no property damage. Neither the contact nor the other passengers of the vehicle sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the registered owner. The contact could not confirm whether the vehicle was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
While driving the engine lights kept coming on, so we decided to get it checked by a mechanic and he told us that we have a faulty fuel tank pressure sensor and that the IMRC actuator valve is not working at all.
October 12, 2020 IG Burton stated the recall was complete, given original keys. I went to Willis Chevrolet & Buick recall was completed on April 15, 2022, new keys were issued.
Knocking/grinding noise from under vehicle and shift problems. Taken to automotive service provider for diagnostic and they're evaluation revealed internal fail in the cvt vti transmission.
Both of my rear tires are leaning in and looks like the camber bolts have broken off and could really cause a bad accident even death if I didn't see it. I travel 1800mi a week and just had a blow out because tires wore so bad and they are only a year old.
When my horn fuse in my horn is non stop blaring also my front wipers fuse in good and my wipes are not working
My dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled. The light comes on briefly when I take sharp left turns. The wheel-speed sensors, wires, connectors, control module and other components occasionally conk with intermittent problems. This has cause my reduce power when I drive it, using more gas.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that the vehicle operated in the forward gears but, failed to shift into reverse. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
While driving the vehicle, the power steering suddenly goes out, making steering very, very difficult. It happens more often in cooler weather and usually turning vehicle off and parking for a little while corrects the problem. Tried to check power steering fluid, was told it is an electric system.
My keys come out of the ignition , I keep having electrical failures and my pipes keep messing up
Takata recall security light comes on reduced power while driving all gas and speed gauges are all turned to the right car dosent move when cut on no power steering wheel gets hard unable to turn or steer this has been going on for 3 months now
Gm after bankruptcy: gm's transaxle (cvt m75) in this vehicle is known by all owners to fail. This unit failed to provide forward momentum and left the vehicle stranded high heavy traffic in portland, or year april 2019. Multiple calls to gm found that service providers couldnt even id the proper trans axle that goes in this vehicle so we could get a replacement. We believe gm is in process of a new "class action suite" to repair damages to the second owners. Is, this true - let us know if you know - please thx. This trans axle was built damaged.
Drove my car to a friend's and when I had to leave my car would not go forward.Or backwards and I was in the middle of on coming traffic.Couldnt check transmission fluid there isn't a dip stick.So lucky I had someone with me to push it back to my friends.
I was in a front end collison on 3 12 2019. The driver seat track broke upon collision causing me and the seat to be sent forward into the dash causing personal injury. The lever that moves the seat disconnected and the whole mechanism came toward the dash
It started after turning on my headlights. I was driving home and seen and smelled like he smoke, it was coming from the ignition switch the wires were burning. I turned off car and called my boyfriend. He unclamped the ignition switch and checked, the wires were burned. Once I started the car again my dash lights were not on nor the tail lights but the headlights worked, hazard lights and blinkers all worked. So I drove home with my hazard lights on and my boyfriend following behind me. Had all fuses checked,...
Read the full complaint
replaced ignition switch, tail light wiring harness and the fuse box, still no dash lights nor tail lights. I did call your company for help and was told by the agent that he could not help. I did recently found out about some kind of recall. The information I found is below. Recall 05v245000 electrical & lights, october 17, 2005 original recall from the nhtsa model year(s): 2001, 2002, 2003 manufacturer's report date: october 17, 2005 nhtsa campaign id number: 05v245000 nhtsa action number: pe05010 component: exterior lighting:brake lights potential number of units affected: 291,652
My saturn accelerates all by itself. I'm not touching the gas pedal & my car just starts moving at a high speed & just gets faster. I have to hold my foot on the brakes & downshift to slow it down so I don't crash into someone or something. What would cause that to happen. It just started doing this 2 weeks ago & is still doing it ! Please give me advice on what to do to fix this problem before it's to late. I have to drive to dialysis 3-4 days a week, & it's the only car I own. Thank you, [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
I started my vue to go to work and it sounded normal. As I backed out of my driveway and put it in drive it was good. As I started to speed up the transmission would not go out of 1st gear. I couldn't get it to go any faster than 20 mph. Had it tested by a mechanic on 4 different machines. No codes! Mechanic said I need a new transmission!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving 40 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle lost power. The contact believed the catalytic converter failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Power steering stops working sometimes and it's very hard to turn the wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that the vehicle was not operable after it was shifted into drive and reverse. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle operated as intended. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. *Tt updated 9/19/18*jb
Takata recall. Brake failure. My brakes went out while I was making a right turn off a freeway exit ramp. I tried to brake and pushed the brake pedal to the floor but nothing happened. I had just had rotors and pads put on the vehicle that day. I struck two vehicles and the airbag did not deploy. I struck my head on the steering wheel and my left knee on the dashboard.
Saturn Vue: every year compared
All Vue years2003 Saturn Vue vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Saturn Vue | 632 | 1 | F | |
| 2003 Saturn Ion | 768 | 7 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Saturn L-Series | 192 | 0 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Saturn Vue
Does the 2003 Saturn Vue have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Saturn Vue: ignition (August 2014). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn Vue?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (321), electrical system (127), engine & cooling (90).
How many complaints has the 2003 Saturn Vue had?
632 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 18, 2002 and the latest on September 2, 2026. Of these, 30 describe a crash and 9 a fire, and together they report 28 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Saturn Vue a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 24 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Saturn Vue year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saturn Vue years have the most complaints?
2003 (632), 2008 (406), 2007 (312). See every Saturn Vue year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Saturn Vue has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data