2003 Saturn Vue Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 7%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 7% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,500 miles. 2 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.
“My dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled. The light comes on briefly when I take sharp left turns. The wheel-speed sensors, wires, connectors, control module and other components occasionally conk with intermittent problems. This has cause my reduce power when I drive it, using more gas.”
NHTSA complaint #11364312, filed 2020-10, 83,000 miles“The key can be removed while in the on position, which can cause a lot of serious issues. Not only the key can come right out, but also when the key is in the ignition and I go to shut it off it will go past the off spot and I come to find a dead battery weekly because the ignition is not stopping the key. The steering from the ignition will lock and will be difficult to unlock.”
NHTSA complaint #10637645, filed 2014-09, 148,000 miles“When trying to start the VUE, we have one person pull on the wheel while the other person tries to start the car. Sometimes it goes right away, other times we have to keep tugging on the steering wheel to get it to start. Also the key can come out while driving and the car still stays running. I am most concerned about the locking steering wheel, what happens when it locks when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10578516, filed 2014-04, 195,110 miles“As I was driving my and it car began to pull to the right and the tires began to squeal. In my mind I thought I thought I needed better tires and a wheel alignment. As I was driving to get the tires and alignment I heard a cracking from underneath the car, this really scared me. At this point the pull to the right was even stronger. …”
NHTSA complaint #10476773, filed 2012-09, 115,293 miles“Steering wheel locks up I can put the key into the ignition and it locks up the wheel will not turn. The key can slide in and out while the car is turned on. I can become stranded because I can not get the car to turn on. I have to wiggle the wheel and hit the brake and even then it is not enough. I am very upset and have seen so many complaints online about this problem and it has not been addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10597967, filed 2014-06, 90,857 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 38 | 32% |
| 2008 | 86 | 21% |
| 2007 | 33 | 12% |
| 2006 | 29 | 10% |
| 2005 | 20 | 12% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 45 | 7% |
| 2002 | 18 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Vue
316 complaintsElectrical system
124 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
48 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 29, 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