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Engine & cooling

2003 Saturn Vue Engine problems

Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2003 Saturn Vue's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on September 2, 2026. They describe 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
90
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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...

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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

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11761762
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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:...

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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)

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11761129
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11156837
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Saturn vue 2003 has stalled while driving on multiple occasions. Has stalled doing 80 mph on hwy has stalled doing 25-30 in town. Security light comes on, power is lost to engine and when security light goes off, then the engine will start again.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10883801
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact heard an abnormal sound when attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10871083
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving various speeds, smoke emitted from underneath the hood area. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that oil leaked from the engine valve cover onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02/05/16*lj the consumer stated the vavle cover gasget was replaced. Updated 02/16/16*jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 10794432
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after five attempts. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be flashed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10759592
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving on the highway at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the electrical power failed. The vehicle was able to restart after being parked for a long time. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10736218
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. After the vehicle was inspected, the technician stated that the engine cradle was rusted and needed to be replaced. The transmission and engine could disengage from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10730422
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10702129
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I was driving on the freeway when my transmission gave out and would not go. I had to pull over and tow my car from the freeway to my house. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10671330
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the purge valve failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 01/23/15*lj updated 6/8/2015 *js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10663091
BrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the brake caliber fractured without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,919.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · EngineNHTSA 10662344
Engine & cooling

This vehicle while going down the road the engine just cuts off, doesn't matter the speed you are traveling. It will start back up automatically but you loose speed .. It even cuts off when pulling away from stoplights and into traffic, then you have to put it in neutral and restart the engine. No mechanic can figure it out. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10621935
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The ignition switch would fail to turn when the key was inserted. Lock body has been replaced twice over the last two years. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10614817
Engine & cooling

Trying to start car it wouldn't start wait a few minutes then it would this happened 3-4 times. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10614780
Engine & cooling

I just purchased my 2003 saturn vue a month ago and a day after I got it the vehicle started shutting off while driving!! Sometimes it cranks right back up and then other times I have to just let it slowly roll to the side of the road so that I can crank it back up! I have my two children that ride in my car with me and if this doesn't get fixed it will probably end up killing all three of us! Obviously this is a common issue so something needs to be done!! *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10610926
Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline fuel odor coming from inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that there was fuel leaking and that the fuel gauge failed to read the accurate fuel levels. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the service engine warning light would illuminate intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the key could be removed while in the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10606476
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

My car kept cutting off and wouldn't start. So I took it to the dealer I purchased it from and they replaced the ignition sensor in it.. Now it sometimes don't want to crank, they claim there is nothing wrong with it and thy cant figure it out. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10605133
Electrical systemAirbagsEngine & cooling

My 2003 saturn vue continues to run when the key falls out of the ignition. If involved in a crash will air bags deploy ? This model is not on the recall list for gm products with this problem. Help!!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 10596463
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was unable to duplicate the problem because the warning indicator was not illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 32,600.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10585319
Engine & coolingCrashFire

The vue has lost power multiple times with no warning! 3 Times while driving in the freeway with my 3 children!!! I have taken the car with multiple mechanics, invested about 2,700 trying to fix the problem with no luck. I'm out car,my job has been affected because of my continues tadies thanks to the car stopping at random times. It's very dangerous it randomly stops anytime anywhere, it's a accident waiting to happen. I'm low income hard working american who had spent a lot of money on this car. After googling...

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this problem I have come across various people with the same problem, this needs to be investigated asap and gm needs to take responsibility this problem can take a life and that is priceless! *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10574602
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

My key sometimes won't go into igniton and once it does, it sometimes falls out while I am driving or the car loses power while I'm driving. Is this problem a part of the gm recalls for 2003 saturns ?? *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10573268
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while making a right turn at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10568768
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they were unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10568565

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Vue engine problems, every year

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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

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