21 of the 873 complaints about the 2003 Saturn VUE are about the braking system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 14,000 miles.
21
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TAKATA RECALL. BRAKE FAILURE. MY BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. I TRIED TO BRAKE AND PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD JUST HAD ROTORS AND PADS PUT ON THE VEHICLE THAT DAY. I STRUCK TWO VEHICLES AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I STRUCK MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY LEFT KNEE ON THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #11045518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE CALIBER FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,919.
NHTSA complaint #10662344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS, THE BRAKES 2X IN 2 YEARS, GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #10422599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH ON A SNOW AND ICE COVERED ROAD SURFACE WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT RELEASE. ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE WITH A HAMMER TO THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
NHTSA complaint #10393109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2003 SATURN VUE (2.2L) FUEL LINE FAILURE DRIVEN IN NW INDIANA - CORROSION OF LINE UNDER THE PLASTIC SHEATH.THAT ENDED IN PERFORATION AND STEADY DRIP OF FUEL. THIS FUEL LINE CONNECTS THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION RAIL. CORROSION OCCURRED WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE FILTER. 1. GASOLINE ODOR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED IN ONE PLACE FOR AWHILE UP TO 30 DAYS PRIOR TO DISCOVERY. 2. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW MILES AND PARKING IT, UPON RETURNING TO IT DAMPNESS AND A STEADY DRIP OF GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING STEADILY. 3. ALL NEW REPLACEMENT LINE WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS APPROX 30K MILES AND, CURIOUSLY, SHOWS A FAIR AMOUNT OF UNDERCARRIAGE RUST FOR ITS AGE AND MILEAGE. BRAKE LINES ALSO SHOW SOME EXTERNAL RUST. OLD PERFORATED FUEL LINE STILL AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10279539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 VUE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A RECALL AND AFTER HAVING IT FIX IT BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THEN THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED**CC THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, THE BRAKES SQUEALED WHENEVER THE CONSUMER BACKED-UP AND THE REAR WIPER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10191102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
SQUEAK NOISE INTERMITTENT WHEN FIRST OBTAINED VEHICLE. ADJUSTMENTS MADE PERIODICALLY UNDER WARRANTY ( TO DASHBOARD ETC.) NOISE SEEMED TO GO AWAY BUT ALWAYS CAME BACK. NOISE BECAME LOUDER, AND MORE LIKE A CREAKING NOISE, WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR OVER BUMPS WHEN BRAKE IS NOT BEING PRESSED. TOOK VUE IN WHILE UNDER 49,700 MILES, VISUAL INSPECTION FOUND FRONT STABILIZER LINKS TO BE NOISY. I DECLINED THEM REPAIRING IT AS THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE FRO FREE OR DISCOUNT, EVEN WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, AND NOISE HAS BEEN PRESENT. I STOPPED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP AS THEY HAVE A REPUTATION IN TOWN TO NOT WORK WITH THE CUSTOMER. LATERAL LINKS WERE ALREADY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, I FEEL THE STABILIZER LINKS SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE ALSO, WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I WILL TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC AND HAVE IT DOWN, FOR MY OWN SAFETY, BUT I FEEL I DESERVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT AS WELL AS THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES I JUST HAD PUT ON AND FRONT WHEEL BEARING! I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES ON CAR DUE TO WEAR, AND CAR HAD LESS THAN 4500 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10168529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 NOW AGAINAT 37000 I NEED TO REPLACE THEM. FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 AND AGAIN AT 33000 TIMING BELT AT 20000 NEEDED REPLACEMENT I REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROLLER IN AUG 2006. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN JAN 2003 AND HAVE HAD MAJOR THINGS GO WRONG. I ALSO NEED TO NOW REPLACE THE TIRES ( DULLERS) AT 37000 BECAUSE I AM HYDROPLANNG ALL OVER THE PLACE.I HAD A LOUD SOUND FROM MY PASSENGER WINDOW THAT TOOK 2 YEARS TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AND THE REAR END WAS RECALLED AND THE COOLING FAN REPLACED AT 24000.
NHTSA complaint #10168187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2003 SATURN VUE FAILED TO START. *KB THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS OTHER RUMBLINGS. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS, BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION. A SPECIAL WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE ORDERED AS WELL AS A SPECIAL SIDE COVER AND HARDWARE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REAR WIPERS WOULD STICK. THE GAS GAUGE WOULD ONLY READ 3/4 FULL. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE HOT AND COLD KNOB DID NOT GO ALL THE TO COOL. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. THE TRANSFER CASE SEAL WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10165813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE REAR WIPER MOTOR. THE LATEST FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE SLAVE CYLINDER FOR THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH FLUID WENT WITH A TOTAL COST OF 1100.00 OUT OF FACTORY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY OF COURSE. COMPANY CLAIMS THIS IS A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10159803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE VIBRATES SIGNIFICANTLY. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HICKORY, NC LOOKED AT THE AUTOMOBILE AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SATURN PLACE WHERE THIS TIME THEY SAID THE ROTORS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WARPED. WHEN I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MORE THAN FORTY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO "TURN" THE ROTORS AS SUGGESTED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DIAGNOSIS OF WARPED ROTORS WAS CORRECT, BUT THE SOLUTION OF "TURNING" THE ROTORS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I NOW AM PURCHASING NEW ROTORS FOR THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WERE NO APPARENT REASONS AS TO WHY THIS SITUATION WOULD OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #10140489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING IN MY 2003 V4 MANUAL SATURN: CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING, MY SUNROOF FELL APART. I HAVE HAD ALL FOUR TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED AT INDIVIDUAL SERVICE DATES, MY ROTORS WERE GROUND LAST NOV AND NOW THEY BEEN REPLACED. MY TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED LAST YEAR AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10137083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: 2003 SATURN VUE. THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND TORSION BAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING MADE GRINDING SOUNDS AND THE CAR HANDLED DIFFERENTLY. THEY WERE REPLACED ON MARCH 8, 2004, MARCH 3 2005, AND JULY 27, 2005. THE VEHICLE HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT. SATURN TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SEE THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ABS ACTIVATED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THE WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT. THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10134655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
OCCASIONALLY, SOMETIMES FREQUENTLY, (I CAN GO A MONTH WITHOUT IT HAPPENING), I STEP ON THE BRAKES AND JUST BEFORE THE FINAL STOP, THERE IS A LOUD GROANING SOUND AND THEN THE BRAKES LET THE CAR ROLL FORWARD A LITTLE MORE BEFORE THEY GRAB FOR THE FINAL STOP. I CAN FEEL THE PEDAL PUSHING BACK AGAINST MY FOOT. I HOLD CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR STILL ROLLS FORWARD SLIGHTLY NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH. TWICE, THE CAR HAS ACTUALLY GONE INTO AN INTERSECTION SEVERAL FEET MORE THAN I EXPECTED IT TO. MY HUSBAND WAS WITH ME FOR ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES. ON EACH TRIP, THEY TELL US THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. WE FINALLY JUST TOLD THEM TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB AND PAID $500 FOR THAT WORK. LAST WEEK-END, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CAN THIS BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05020?
NHTSA complaint #10119536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. AS A RESULT, TIRE WAS LEANING OUTWARD. DEALER STATED THE LUGS NUTS CAME LOOSE. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10117531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A RAINY DAY CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE SPEED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN TWICE, AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10083815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MY 2003 FWD SATURN VUE HAS HAD CONSTANT FRONT-END, STEERING, AND BRAKING ISSUES THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE VUE HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE 10,000 MILES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY EVERY MONTH FOR LOOSE FRONT END SUSPENSION PARTS, LOOSE STEERING PARTS, LOOSE BRAKE PARTS, ETC. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. ONCE THEY ARE DUPLICATED FOR THEM, THEY CLAIM TO REPLACE PARTS AND THAT THE ISSUES ARE RESOLVED, ALTHOUGH THERE IS LITTLE OR NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN DRIVING IT, AND THE CURRENT PROBLEMS MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10082772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FRONT END BRAKE PROBLEM. DEALER STATED BRAKES WERE REPAIRED, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. LATER THAT DAY, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MIDAS SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE CORRODED , AND IT WAS CAUSING THE ROTORS AND PADS TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND PREMATURELY.
NHTSA complaint #10067272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
COMING HOME AFTER A 300 MILE HIGHWAY DRIVE THE ABS ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP. THIS HAPPENED JUST AS THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. THE BRAKES CAME ON VERY HARD AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING HOME THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS. I SHUT CAR OFF AT HOME THEN TOOK IT OUT AGAIN AND THE ABS ACTIVATED HARD AND UNEXPECTEDLY AT EVERY STOP. I LET THE CAR SIT THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY, AND TOOK IT IN TO DEALER MONDAY. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE BRAKES OPERATED NORMALLY. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD CARS WITH ABS FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10051414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE HAS TO STOP SUDDENLY AND WHILE APPLYING BRAKES HARD VEHICLE LOSS TOTAL CONTROL OF BRAKES. LATER CONSUMER DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE HOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.