Owners have filed 220 complaints
about the 2002 Saturn VUE with NHTSA between 2002 and 2021.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Saturn VUE. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 66
12.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 33
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Horn
920.9%
Automatic Transmission
920.9%
Engine
614.0%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
49.3%
Gasoline
49.3%
Column
49.3%
Frontal
49.3%
Switch
37.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
42.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
116.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
148.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
179.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3821.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2313.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
5631.8%
150,000+ miles
137.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2002 Saturn VUE 4-DR.
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2002peak 10Feb 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Saturn VUE
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE06006Opened 24 Jan 2006Closed 6 Jun 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLA...
PE04052Opened 22 Jul 2004Closed 1 Nov 2004SUSPENSION
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF...
Recalls on the 2002 Saturn VUE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201434213,072 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, a defect may allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch when the key is not in the "OFF" position. This could result in unintended vehicle movement if the transmission is not in the "PARK" position (automatic transmission) or not in the reverse gear with the parking brake engaged (manual transmission), and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition lock cylinder and/or ignition key. Note: Until recall repairs are performed, owners should make sure that the transmission is in the "PARK" position (automatic transmission) or is in the reverse gear with the parking brake engaged (manual transmission) when exiting the vehicle.
Recall 200807778,583 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
On certain vehicles, the Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) resistor may crack. If water and road salt enters the crack, it could corrode the resistor. This could result in a loss of DRL illumination, and therefore, vehicles may be less visible to other motorists and pedestrians during daylight hours, possibly resulting in a crash causing personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the resistor until 7 years or 112,000 km from date vehicle was originally placed into service.
Recall 20022034,497 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the front seat belt assemblies do not include the statement required by CMVSS 209 for certain load limiting retractors. Correction: Dealer will place a label with the required information inside the front seat belt shoulder harness faster cover on both sides of the vehicle.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 160,000 milesSeaside, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/8/15
NHTSA complaint #10736046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRome, GACrash
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED IF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10653979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesRome, GACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED IF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10653979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesNorth Canton, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VUE STOPPED IN PARKING LOT OTHER VEHICLE HIT ME HEAD ON VUE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY MY SATURN VUE KEY WAS ON FLOOR FELL OUT OF IGNITION I WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL ERIE TOTALED MY VUE.
NHTSA complaint #10650880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesNorth Canton, OHCrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VUE STOPPED IN PARKING LOT OTHER VEHICLE HIT ME HEAD ON VUE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY MY SATURN VUE KEY WAS ON FLOOR FELL OUT OF IGNITION I WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL ERIE TOTALED MY VUE.
NHTSA complaint #10650880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,500 milesDiamond BAR, CAFire
STEERING
AFTER THE MORNING DRIVE OF 4 MILES, SMOKE START COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE AREA OF THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10592629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 107,257 milesChicopee, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.
NHTSA complaint #11397618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,257 milesChicopee, MA
ENGINE
CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.
NHTSA complaint #11397618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,257 milesChicopee, MA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.
NHTSA complaint #11397618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AIR INTAKE THROTTLE IS FAULTY. MAKING THE ENGINE RUN ROUGH AND CAUSING OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION.
NHTSA complaint #11327414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE IGNITION IS FAULT. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ON POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #11326985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION IS FAULT. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ON POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #11326985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSEA Grit, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SEVERAL DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED OPERATION TEMPORARILY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING ON LEVELED GROUND. A FAX WAS SENT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SAFETY AT GENERAL MOTORS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11297354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremerton, WA
STRUCTURE
2002 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE AMOUNT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRAME WAS BROKEN AND RUSTED MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED AT AN IMPOUND YARD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11128990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesConnelly Springs, NC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT STOPPED TO CHECK THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE CONTAINED OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #10970331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesLindenhurst, NY
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLED,AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE COASTED TO LANE OFF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. FAMILY OF FOUR IN VEHICLE. HAD A POLICE OFFICER SHUT DOWN LANE OF TRAFFIC. VERY VERY DANGEROUS. DIAGNOSIS: TIMING CHAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10939543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesMorongo Valley, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STARTED THE CAR, TURNED AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD, VEHICLE JUST STALLED AND REFUSED TO START AGAIN, ENGINE CRACKS AND TURNS OVER BUT WONT START. THANK GOD THERE WASNT ANY TRAFFIC OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN T BONED. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK OFFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE STILL WONT START
NHTSA complaint #10910890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesFredonia, KS
ENGINE
MY CAR SEIZED UP WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD I COULD BARELY TURN OR PUSH ON THE BRAKES! THANKFULLY I HAD JUST LEFT WORK SO I WAS ONLY DOING 10 MPH. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHOM SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT, AND THAT WITH THAT TYPE OF MOTOR A V6 THAT IT MOST LIKELY BENT THE VALVES AND ID HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE!!! IM CURIOUS IF THIS HAPPENS OFTEN?????
NHTSA complaint #10881941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesCocoa Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE AS NEW, SO THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON DEC 2008 AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH I PAID FOR. I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER PER THE RECALL IN 2015 AND WAS TOLD ALL IS GOOD, SO I COULD CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE 2008 REPAIR. TO DATE, AFTER FILLING IN THE REQUIRED FORMS AND SUBMITTING THEM TO A LOCAL GM DEALER, AND CORRESPONDING WITH GM CORPORATE, THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KEEP ANY SATURN MAINTENANCE RECORDS WHEN THE DIVISION WAS SHUTTERED, EVEN THOUGH CORPORATE WAS THE OFFICE THAT NOTIFIED ME OF THE EXACT DATE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIR SO I COULD SUBMIT MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AS PROOF. THE LAST CONTACT FROM CORPORATE WAS 15 DEC 2015 WITH NO RESPONSE FROM SEVERAL MESSAGES LEFT WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER, PAULA (866-790-5700, EXT. 5913223).
NHTSA complaint #10821179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSavannah, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON; MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY; MY BLINKERS WORK AT WILL. MY FUEL LINE SENSOR CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN I REVERSE. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS AND HARD TO TURN. READ THE MANUAL; VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE POWER STEERING FLUID. MUST CONTACT A DEALER PER THE MANUAL. WILL CALL TODAY. FUEL LINE ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2015 OTHER ISSUES TO DATE 12/28/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10816439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSavannah, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON; MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY; MY BLINKERS WORK AT WILL. MY FUEL LINE SENSOR CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN I REVERSE. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS AND HARD TO TURN. READ THE MANUAL; VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE POWER STEERING FLUID. MUST CONTACT A DEALER PER THE MANUAL. WILL CALL TODAY. FUEL LINE ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2015 OTHER ISSUES TO DATE 12/28/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10816439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSavannah, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON; MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY; MY BLINKERS WORK AT WILL. MY FUEL LINE SENSOR CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN I REVERSE. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS AND HARD TO TURN. READ THE MANUAL; VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE POWER STEERING FLUID. MUST CONTACT A DEALER PER THE MANUAL. WILL CALL TODAY. FUEL LINE ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2015 OTHER ISSUES TO DATE 12/28/2015.
NHTSA complaint #10816439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 350 milesMorongo Valley, CA
AIR BAGS
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER. NEVER IN MY 40 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE I EVER "TESTED" HORN OPERATION... SEEMS I SHOULD HAVE AS THE HORN DOESNT WORK. I FOUND AND REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON ALL 2002 SATURN VUE VEHICLES.... WHY THIS ISNT A RECALL ISSUE I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE THE HORN AND AIR BAG WORK OFF THE SAME POWER LINE AND THE CONTACT FOR THE HORN IS THE PROBLEM HORN WISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE "FIX" AND IT WOULD COST ME 1100 BUX TO REPLACE THE FAULTILY DESIGNED UNIT GUARANTEED TO FAIL WITH ANOTHER FAULTILY DESIGNED UNIT GUARANTEED TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10779626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesSeaside, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/8/15
NHTSA complaint #10736046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesMount Sterling, KY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #10731534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Falls, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CYLINDER AND KEYS REPLACEMENT RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN OCTOBER 2014 REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER SENT IN THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. EVEN THOUGH THE GM HAD THE PROOF THE WORK WAS DONE, THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, TO MAKE SURE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY. ONCE IT WAS VERIFIED, THE CONSUMER NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THE GM REPRESENTATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10694534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesHartville, OH
ENGINE
LOSS OF POWER AND EVENTUALLY JUST STOPPED RUNNING. TOWED IT HOME. SUSPECTED TIMING CHAIN. TOOK OFF VALVE COVER AND TC COVER. NOTICED THAT BLACK PLASTIC GUIDE WAS BROKEN IN MAIN PIECES AND MUST HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME, FOR CHAIN WORE INTO SOME BOLTS AND COVER. CHAIN LOOKS BRAND NEW AND NO ISSUES WITH IT. REPLACED ALL TIMING COMPONENTS (TWO SPROCKETS, CHAIN, GUIDE, TENSION ARM, TENSIONER, CAM SPROCKET, ETC)., BUT IT WOULD NOT START. CHECKED COMPRESSION (0 PSI AT ALL CYLINDERS), DOUBLE CHECKED TIMING AND WAS CORRECT. ROLLER ROCKERS WERE LOOSE WHEN CAM IS NOT PRESSING ON THEM, SO SUSPECT ALL VALVES ARE BENT. FIX IS TO REBUILD THE "HEAD". I PRESUME THAT IF THE BLACK PLASTIC CHAIN GUIDE DID NOT BREAK, IT WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF TIME AND BENT VALVES. THE RECALL SHOULD NOT BE ON THE TIMING CHAIN BUT THE PLASTIC GUIDE THAT IS USED FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. HAD THIS PART BEEN METAL, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. HAVE PICTURE TO SEND IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10715965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesPortland, OR
POWER TRAIN
THE TIMING CHAIN RUINED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING FROM LACK OF OIL BEING APPLIED. APPARENTLY AS SOON AS I HEARD THE CLANGING SOUNDS IT WAS TOO LATE. I AM BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OILING MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SATURN VUE.
NHTSA complaint #10692389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesPortland, OR
ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN RUINED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING FROM LACK OF OIL BEING APPLIED. APPARENTLY AS SOON AS I HEARD THE CLANGING SOUNDS IT WAS TOO LATE. I AM BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OILING MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SATURN VUE.
NHTSA complaint #10692389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesFairport, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #10681148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH A 50 MPH LIMIT WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO STEER IT INTO THE DRIVE WAY OF A BUSINESS ON THAT ROAD. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR AT THAT TIME AND THERE STILL ARE NO ENGINE RECALLS ON THIS CAR DESPITE THE OTHER RECALLS WHERE THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID I HAD A BAD SENSOR IN THE ENGINE AND CHARGED ME OVER $400 TO FIX. I AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED THE INCIDENT AND CHARGING ME WAS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10661939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
