2002 Saturn VUE electrical problems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING WITH ALMOST A FULL TANK OF GAS, I LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY. SCARIER THAN THAT, IT WAS RIGHT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON THE FREEWAY. I FREAKED. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. I LET IT COAST TO A STOP. I ALMOST GOT SLAMMED BY A 18 WHEELER. I THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. I WENT TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE KEYS FELL OUT OF THE CARS IGNITION SWITCH. IT TOOK ME TRYING TO GET IT RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING IT WHEN IT FINALLY RESTARTED. I'M GLAD TO BE ALIVE DON'T GET ME WRONG. BUT, BEING STUCK ON A FREEWAY IN 106DEGREES AND ALMOST DYING SUCKED. I HAVE ACCESS TO ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THIS AUTO. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND ONLY HAS 41K MILES ON IT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA complaint #10611112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE PROCESS OF RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10606391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

MY HUSBAND CAME OUT OF WORK AND COULDN'T GET HIS CAR TO START. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. AT THIS POINT WE'LL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO GET THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. GM HAS RECALLED 2003 - 2007 SATURN IONS FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY LEFT OUT 2002 SATURN VUES. IT'S THE VERY SAME PROBLEM!

NHTSA complaint #10599192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEYS FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION AS YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. IS THIS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE GM VEHICLES?

NHTSA complaint #10604389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE INSERTED IN THE DOOR IN ONE POSITION TO UNLOCK, THEN TURNED OVER TO TURN ON THE IGNITION, THEN IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE RUN POSITION, THE ACC. POSITION WILL NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING, HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET IT TO WORK, IF GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2001, WHY DID THEY NOT RECALL MY SPECIFIC CAR WHICH IS 2002 SATURN VUE. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT THIS VIN. WAS NOT RECALLED. THE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO GM DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, WHICH I HAVE TO PAY FOR, BUT I KNOW THE IGNITION IS DEFECTIVE. IF THIS IS HOW THEY INTEND TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHY ISSUE A RECALL. I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME IN EXCESS OF 200.00 I HAVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT KEYS CUT FOR IT, WITH NONE OF THEM WILL WORK. YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS PROBLEM POPS UP. MAYBE THIS WILL KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM GETTING INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON GM FIXING THE PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10593360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WILL STALL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SOMETIMES WILL COMPLETELY DIE OR WILL GO OFF FOR 10-30 SECONDS, TURNING SIGNALS WILL OCCASIONALLY WORK BUT WILL GO OUT. NO CODES WILL SHOW UP WHEN TESTED, SO THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10592297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEY IN VEHICLE LOCKS UP AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT ON. KEY ALSO COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. NOW WHEN START THE CAR SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10587875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE IGNITION IS NOT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10583083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME DAMAGED AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH SPORADICALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO START. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE THAT WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE KEYS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO UNPLUG AND REATTACH THE BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179000.

NHTSA complaint #10579576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT THIS AWD 2002 SATURN JUNE 28 2013 FROM TOYOTA NATION IN BUENA PARK AND EVEN WITHIN 3 HRS OF OWNING THE CAR IT QUIT WORKING SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK I HAD TRADED IN MY 2010 CHEVY COBALT THAT ONLY HAD 25K MILES ON IT ANYHOW I VE HAD IGNITION REPLACED I HAD SOME OTHER THINGS SPENT ALMOST $1000 ALREADY I CANT GET DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT LAST I REPLACED BCM AND STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT I LL BE DRIVING 45 MPH AND POOF SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES I LOOSE GAS AND IT DIES I LIVE IM MOUNTAINS SCARY AS HECK WITH MY KIDS IM SINGLE PARENT PLS HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10579380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION KEY MAY BE REMOVED WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE IGNITION REGARDLESS OF SHIFT LEVER POSITION; IT CAN BE REMOVED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND ASSUMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A WORN KEY OR IGNITION BARREL SO I HADN'T REPORTED IT. THE NEWS ITEM THAT DETAILED THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FAILED TO MENTION THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF THE SATURN BRAND. I AM NOW FILING THIS FORMAL REPORT TO INCLUDE THE SATURN VUE AS PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM CAUSED BY GENERAL MOTORS. PLEASE RESPOND TO LET ME KNOW YOUR ACTION REGARDING THIS FILING.

NHTSA complaint #10579267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS AN IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE EXACT REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,440.

NHTSA complaint #10576837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTING TO ACT UP (EVERY DASHBOARD LIGHT COMES ON) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. STEERING POWER WAS LOST AND BRAKES BECAME VERY SOFT. HAPPENS AT RANDOM SPEEDS FROM 20MPH AND UP TO 65MPH. VERY SCARY! I HAVE A CHILD AND I COULDN'T GET MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL CALMED DOWN. WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10562730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATED THE ALARM IT CAUSED THE HORN TO REMAIN ENGAGED. THE DRIVER DISCONNECTED THE HORN RELAY IN ORDER TO SHUT THE HORN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT EITHER THE AIR BAG SWITCH ASSEMBLY OR BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #10550743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN ON ME AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE .

NHTSA complaint #10521260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED, IT ACTIVATES THE HEADLAMP (BRIGHTS) AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF IS TO FLIP THE BRIGHT SWITCH UP ( TOWARDS DRIVER). THE HEADLAMPS DO NOT NEED TO BE TURNED ON. THE BRIGHT BEAM INDICATOR ON DASH ILLUMINATES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING.

NHTSA complaint #10427929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A BRAND NEW HARNESS SINCE THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT WORK WITH THE EXISTING WIRES. THEY WANT $3,000.00 FOR THIS. WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY REPLY THAT THIS SUV WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WANTS $860 FOR THE PART PLUS PROGRAMMING CHARGES.

NHTSA complaint #10359068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RUN HOT AND INSTEAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,163.

NHTSA complaint #10329708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2002 SATURN VUE AWD AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED. WE WERE ON TOP OF A HILL AND LUCKILY WERE ABLE TO FORCE IT UP BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT APPEAR TO FAIL. WHEN CONTACTING SATURN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IT IS NOT A "RECALL" ALTHOUGH IT WAS ADMITTED TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH READING THE MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10301703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.