2003 Saturn Vue Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 316about this part
- Share
- 51%of 622 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 316 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 51% of the 622 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 5 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.
“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 miles“Transmission problem: we were driving about 45 miles per hour and transmission started bucking and engine completely shut down -- was not getting any acceleration and would not go. We waited about 10 minutes and restarted the engine and continued on. Since then this problem has been repetitive through today, july 10, 2014.”
NHTSA complaint #10609568, filed 2014-07, 119,000 miles“The transmission of this vehicle has caused a class action lawsuit already, but they are still being sold with these horrible transmissions. I bought my 2003 VUE less than two weeks ago and while I was driving around to run errands my transmission would not go in gear in order to drive. It would go in reverse, but not forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10512237, filed 2013-05, 99,200 miles“2003 Saturn VUE vti transmission failures. First failure in 12/2006 w/84k miles, Saturn paid for half and it still cost me $1700 to fix. Now we have 132331 miles and the transmission has failed again. Saturn wants $6000 to replace transmission. The car is worth $0 with or without replacement. Saturn has known about past failures and does nothing to help”
NHTSA complaint #10307529, filed 2010-02, 132,331 miles“Was driving one day, and I noticed that it was running different. When I would come to a stop, then press the gas pedal to accelerate. It would take a while to shift into gear. It ran like that the first day. The next day when leaving my home, it wouldn't shift into gear. It finally moved after trying a few times, then stopped again. I took it to a shop to find out the problem. Turns out that it was the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10553775, filed 2013-11, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This 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…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
- 10090042Apr 8, 201514319a - special coverage (revised model year vehicles). Some 2005-2006 model year (my) chevrolet equinox, 2006 my pontiac torrent and 2002-2007 my saturn vue vehicles may have a…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Saturn Vue
124 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 31, 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