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EquipmentPart report

2002 Saturn Vue Equipment Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
2%of 167 total for the year
Median mileage
52,253miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the equipment of the 2002 Saturn Vue, 2% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,253 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I'm the original owner of a 2002 Saturn VUE awd with the GM vti transmission and engine. Two days ago I experienced my transmission/engine failing for the fifth or sixth time since 2006. The very first time I took my VUE to the dealership in austin, tx where I had to argue with first my service rep. Followed by his manager that the problem was with the transmission. Since the faulty GM design was still relatively new, they originally blamed me for poor driving, resulting a bad bcm which they made me pay in spite of my argument the faulty GM design was the origin of the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10329399, filed 2010-05, 108,500 miles

“On my 2002 Saturn VUE (with a 4-cylinder engine, 2 wheel drive, and manual transmission), the air-conditioner compressor clutch unit broke off from the compressor. As I understand it, there was a failure in the assembly attaching the compressor clutch to the compressor. The physical breakage of the air-conditioner compressor clutch resulted in pieces of the assembly coming into contact with other engine parts that could have resulted in a failure of the engine. He failure would appear to indicate a defect in the compressor assembly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10088716, filed 2004-08, 52,253 miles

“This vehicle has had this trouble since its puchase. After the first break down, Saturn returned it to us stating that it was a loose battery terminal. The second time Saturn stated that they replaced two of the three on board computers, they also stated that a full diagnostic and repair record would be fowarded to us. That never came. Yesteday 7/6/03 the engine shut off in traffic. I could not get it started and had to have it towed. I will not put my family back in this car again, I don't trust Saturn, the company or the vehicle with my families lives.”

NHTSA complaint #10070255, filed 2004-01, 16,000 miles

“This accessory is poorly engineered. The long term use of this roof rack could result in a safety hazard. Despite the use of threadlock the roof pins loosen due to vibaration and other factors. Water collects in the roof pin wells adding to the possibility that over time the roof pins will rust and fail. A proactive recall and improvements to the design are necessary to prevent future accidents.”

NHTSA complaint #767232, filed 2002-09

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200943%
200841%
200721%
200631%
200532%
200473%
2003152%
200242%

Other parts of the 2002 Saturn Vue

Electrical system
52 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Saturn Vue

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology