2003 Saturn Vue Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 124about this part
- Share
- 20%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 124 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 20% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,400 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Had the recalled Saturn ignition switch replaced. Now my car stalls out and dies when driving down the road, has happened on highway and residential, and doesn't restart for at least 2 min.after turning everything off. Then it happens again within 10 mins. After restarting. Has happened to me 4 times on 2 separate occasions. Once on hwy going 55 then residential going 25.”
NHTSA complaint #10822971, filed 2016-01, 178,000 miles“Occasionally there has been a line of smoke coming from my steering column when I start the car. Now my windshield wipers will not turn off unless I remove the fuse. I am concerned about a fire and will be getting it fixed, however I have read of other Saturn owners having this same problem. So I know mine is not the only car out there to have this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10640922, filed 2014-10, 150,000 miles“I have a Saturn VUE 2003 someone was sitting in passenger they thought I had my car in park and they tried to open the door and when I put my car in park the passenger door wont open from inside so I went out and tried to open the passenger from the outside. I was able to open with the remote now I can't get it to open with the remote it has to do with security system.”
NHTSA complaint #10521396, filed 2013-06, 123,000 miles“Car misfiring and probably needed new plugs. Was told that I needed an ignition coil pack, ignition control module and that it would more than $700.00. Found this to be a problem with other vehicles that are my same year and make. 2003 Saturn VUE. Campaign number for the complaint/recall is 03v231000.”
NHTSA complaint #10294537, filed 2009-12, 100,000 miles“Horn was always hard to honk. I honked the horn and it wouldn't stop. I had to remove the fuse to get it to stop. I took it to Saturn and they said it would cost $889 to fix. The horn and airbag are in the same module. I've seen too many complaints about this and I refuse to have to pay to fix a manufacturer defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10178971, filed 2007-01, 40,050 milesRelated recalls
- 14V490000Aug 8, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected…Covers: Saturn Vue 2002–2004
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10230605Jan 6, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 10176649May 20, 2020This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10167434Oct 10, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 50% |
| 2009 | 35 | 30% |
| 2008 | 88 | 22% |
| 2007 | 128 | 45% |
| 2006 | 103 | 34% |
| 2005 | 72 | 42% |
| 2004 | 78 | 28% |
| 2003 | 124 | 20% |
| 2002 | 52 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Vue
316 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
48 complaintsSteering
45 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsEquipment
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn Vue
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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