2004 Saturn Vue Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 93about this part
- Share
- 34%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 93 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Saturn Vue, 34% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We bought a 2004 Saturn VUE in2007. In 2010 we started having trouble with the transmission. We were told that there was a class action suit because we had a vti transmission. We paid 50/50 to have the transmission changed. Now 40 000 miles later the transmission is gone again. Gm knew this was a faulty transmission. The only compensation we were offered is $4,000 toward a new GM car!”
NHTSA complaint #10524035, filed 2013-07, 140,000 miles“I just brought a 2004 Saturn VUE, and it takes a long time to get to 2nd and 3rd gear, and if I am driving 30 MPH or lower it shakes. I have taken it back to the dealer twice already and it is still doing the same thing. It also makes a rough grinding, and growling sound. It does all of the above while driving on the highway and city streets. It is also hard at times for me to turn the key to start the car , and the key can come out at any time.”
NHTSA complaint #10897909, filed 2016-08, 155,000 miles“My car is having transmission problems again wont kick into drive until car has been running atleast 30 min then when I was driving on the highway about 40 is what I got to the car just stopped accelerating and was coming to a stop which could have caused a big accident if it would have been during high traffic times and when driving in town I come to a full stop and the car wont kick into drive again until I put it in low and move up manually. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566072, filed 2014-02, 172,244 miles“My transmission began slipping on my Saturn VUE at 76000. I took it into the dealership they said nothing was wrong. 6 days later I hit the gas it went to the floor and my car did not move, ut my RPM went up to 5000 +. Saturn replace my transmission at half the cost. Now 9000 miles later my transmission has begun to slip again. Saturn said nothing was wrong a second time (4/3/09).”
NHTSA complaint #10264032, filed 2009-04, 68,178 miles“I am paying on a 2004 Saturn VUE and after 101,000 miles I was on my way to daycare with my 3 year old daught and the car transmission slipped into neutral now it continuously slips into neutral while driving. 3 months after buying vehicle the steering wheel started creaking and making like a honking sound and we took it back to dealership and were turned away due to it being a personal problem. It also makes popping noises and slips into neutral while on freeway after 50 MPH and when making some right turns.”
NHTSA complaint #10876026, filed 2016-06, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 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
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Saturn Vue
78 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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