2003 Saturn Vue Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 5%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 5% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 11/13/2013, I started my car and there was a horrible sound and it stalled. I had to have the vehicle towed to the people who usually worked on my vehicle. I did not take it to a dealer, as I could not afford a dealer. I was told it was the timing chain as they could hear it whipping around when they tried to start the vehicle. They advised me that when this happens it damages the engine. I called a hyundai dealer as hyundai is the dealership I bought the vehicle from. …”
NHTSA complaint #10555556, filed 2013-12, 78,178 miles“It dosent matter what time of day it is but when I turn on car there is a whinding noise that is very distinctive sound and seems to be getting louder in park and neutral. When I put car in drive it goes away put in park comes back. I also have rattling in left front driver side around tie road end area. When I turn to the right but not turning left at this time. I was told by some one the Saturn VUE 4cylinder have some real problems with transmission and that they are going out. ## VIN passed ##”
NHTSA complaint #10500628, filed 2013-02, 88,000 miles“I purchased this car in 12/2009 and one day in april 2010,I was driving down the street and all of a sudden, my car didn't want to go anywhere. I have to get a new transmission that cost me $4200 and I even worked for the company where I had bought the car and where I had to have it repaired at. Then in 11/2012, good thing the transmission was still under warranty because I had to have it replaced again. Well I was once again driving down the street and my car did the exact same thing as it did the last 2 times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10556806, filed 2013-12, 105,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10883801, filed 2016-07, 125,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10605133, filed 2014-06Related service bulletins
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10143445Jun 15, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a loud tick or rattle noise under the hood at all operating conditions…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Vue
316 complaintsElectrical system
124 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
48 complaintsSteering
45 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsFuel system
33 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 27, 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