Saturn Vue Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 2,351 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Saturn Vue (2002–2010) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 622. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (683 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Vue model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | 33,938 | 0 | 1,094 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 118 | 80,000 | 2 | 1,019 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2008 | 406 | 75,337 | 3 | 966 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 286 | 75,000 | 0 | 816 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 300 | 75,000 | 0 | 667 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 170 | 75,674 | 0 | 522 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 276 | 78,456 | 2 | 398 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 622 | 70,000 | 1 | 370 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 167 | 70,000 | 2 | 310 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system683 28%
- Transmission and drivetrain649 26%
- Air bags307 12%
- Steering286 12%
- Engine cooling148 6.0%
- Engine143 5.8%
- Other or unknown138 5.6%
- Suspension129 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “I bought a 2008 Saturn VUE used and immediately noticed a vibration. Had it checked by 4 mechanics including a transmission specialist who concluded it was the torque converter. I noticed a recall on the 2007 model but this vehicle was manufactured in 2007 and has the same problem but no recall. When vehicle is in motion it vibrates mainly when picking up speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11300415, filed 2020-01, 110,000 miles2004: “I just bout my 2004 staurn VUE from a private owner and have to replace my ignition for the 2nd time in less then a month. I looked online and seen that the 2004 Saturn VUE have had a recall on this same problem. I am not able to locate my vehicle in the registration of the recall system. My ignition locks to where I can start the car and key get stuck.”
NHTSA complaint #11164417, filed 2019-01, 183,000 miles2003: “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!”
NHTSA complaint #11170222, filed 2019-01, 134,000 milesOther Saturn models
4,340 complaintsSaturn SL
2,218 complaintsSaturn LS
1,457 complaintsSaturn Aura
1,434 complaintsSaturn Outlook
1,352 complaintsSaturn Sky
516 complaintsSaturn SC1
413 complaintsSaturn SC
296 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology