131 of the
873 complaints about the 2003 Saturn VUE are about the
electrical system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
84,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V490000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair; however, the new ignition keys provided under the remedy failed to start the vehicle. The contact had to use the old key to start the vehicle. Additionally, the battery was replaced twice because the vehicle failed to turn off, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle needed to be jump-started. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that she was disabled and had returned the license plates to the DMV. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clayton, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
October 12, 2020 IG Burton stated the recall was complete, given original keys. I went to Willis Chevrolet & Buick recall was completed on April 15, 2022, new keys were issued.
NHTSA complaint #11461144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSuger Nocth, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN MY HORN FUSE IN MY HORN IS NON STOP BLARING ALSO MY FRONT WIPERS FUSE IN GOOD AND MY WIPES ARE NOT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11387658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesBoise, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES OUT, MAKING STEERING VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COOLER WEATHER AND USUALLY TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND PARKING FOR A LITTLE WHILE CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. TRIED TO CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID, WAS TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11282260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY KEYS COME OUT OF THE IGNITION , I KEEP HAVING ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND MY PIPES KEEP MESSING UP
NHTSA complaint #11265876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesHarvey, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON REDUCED POWER WHILE DRIVING ALL GAS AND SPEED GAUGES ARE ALL TURNED TO THE RIGHT CAR DOSENT MOVE WHEN CUT ON NO POWER STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD UNABLE TO TURN OR STEER THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 MONTHS NOW
NHTSA complaint #11230221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Townsend, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT STARTED AFTER TURNING ON MY HEADLIGHTS. I WAS DRIVING HOME AND SEEN AND SMELLED LIKE HE SMOKE, IT WAS COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH THE WIRES WERE BURNING. I TURNED OFF CAR AND CALLED MY BOYFRIEND. HE UNCLAMPED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CHECKED, THE WIRES WERE BURNED. ONCE I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN MY DASH LIGHTS WERE NOT ON NOR THE TAIL LIGHTS BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED, HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS ALL WORKED. SO I DROVE HOME WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND MY BOYFRIEND FOLLOWING BEHIND ME. HAD ALL FUSES CHECKED, REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS AND THE FUSE BOX, STILL NO DASH LIGHTS NOR TAIL LIGHTS. I DID CALL YOUR COMPANY FOR HELP AND WAS TOLD BY THE AGENT THAT HE COULD NOT HELP. I DID RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT SOME KIND OF RECALL. THE INFORMATION I FOUND IS BELOW. RECALL 05V245000 ELECTRICAL & LIGHTS, OCTOBER 17, 2005 ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2001, 2002, 2003 MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2005 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V245000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05010 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 291,652
NHTSA complaint #11184864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesPennsauken, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HORN WAS SOUNDING ALL THE TIME WAS INTERMITTENT NOW ON ALL THE TIME , HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE
NHTSA complaint #11015121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesGreen Cove Spring, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL BUCK CHEVROLET WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11005027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO A GM DEALERSHIP IN JUNE OF 2016 TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO THE RECALL. IT'S BEEN EXACTLY A YEAR AND HAVE STARTED HAVING SEVERE ISSUES WITH MY NEW IGNITION SWITCH SUCH AS, THE STEERING WILL LOCKS AND I TRY TO TURN THE KEY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS TO THE POINT THAT I CAN NOT GET IT UNLOCKED. I WAS STRANDED AT A SHOPPING CENTER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH TO UNLOCK FOR OVER A HALF AN HOUR AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ALSO MY KEY WHICH WAS BRAND NEW LAST JUNE HAS HAD ALL OF THE SILVER METAL COATING SCRAPED OFF OF IT BY MY IGNITION SWITCH. I NOW HAVE BEEN HAVING TO START MY CAR BEFORE ENTERING THE VEHICLE SO THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK OTHERWISE IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT UNLOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10995885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 188,000 milesAtlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAGS LIGHT ON. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. POWER STEERING HARD. GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING AUTO LIGHT GONE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. GAS NEEDLE NOT WORKING. KEY COMES OUT WHEN CAR IS STARTED. RPM NOT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #10990765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesNeedmore, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AS SO FAR HAVE LOST POWER STEERING, GAUGES SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN CAR AFTER PARKING AND COULDN'T EVEN USE MANUAL LOCKS, CAR TURNS ITSELF ON WHEN REBOOTING COMPUTER WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. .LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF, AND LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING.CAR WOULD NOT START FOR OVER AN HOUR AFTER PUTTING IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #10971847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bernardino, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR KEY KEPT GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WILL COME OUT WHILE IT IS ON. CAR ALARM FAILED NO WARNING. WE REPLACED BATTERY AND NOW CAR HAS NO POWER. WHEN WE TURN KEY NOTHING HAPPENS. NO LIGHTS. NO POWER AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10936030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesForest Grove, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE RECALLED SATURN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. NOW MY CAR STALLS OUT AND DIES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY AND RESIDENTIAL, AND DOESN'T RESTART FOR AT LEAST 2 MIN.AFTER TURNING EVERYTHING OFF. THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN WITHIN 10 MINS. AFTER RESTARTING. HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ONCE ON HWY GOING 55 THEN RESIDENTIAL GOING 25.
NHTSA complaint #10822971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whistler, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10758814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,000 milesPerryville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A LONG TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.
NHTSA complaint #10736218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SATURN JUST STOPPED CRANKING BATTERY IN KEY CHAIN WENT DEAD AND HAD TO CHANGE IT. NOW I NEED THE PROGRAMMING CODES SO I CAN SYNCHRONIZE THE TRANSMITTER W/RECEIVER PLEASE HELP ME I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SHUTTING DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10733428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE IGNITION COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO GM RECALL AND TODAY THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10704419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesRousseau, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT UNINTENTIONALLY STRUCK THE KEY WITH HER HAND AND EJECTED IT OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10703296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesKettering, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10684299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesKnoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING MY VEHICLES RECALL 14506 BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2004. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO SCHEDULE A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. RICE BUICK GMC , 8330 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 865-693-0610 I AM TOLD THE PART FOR THIS FIX HAS YET TO ARRIVE AND I WILL BE CALLED WHEN THE PART ARRIVES. IT HAS BEEN MONTHS, I BELIEVE 4 MONTHS IS PLENTY OF TIME TO RECEIVE PARTS. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE MY CALL. I AM AFRAID I WILL HAVE ANOTHER INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. ANY HELP OR ADVICE WILL BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10672439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 271,469 milesStockton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), WEEKS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 271,469.
NHTSA complaint #10669141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,000 milesToms River, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REMEDIED, THE AIR BAG AND SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
NHTSA complaint #10659335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,000 milesToms River, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REMEDIED, THE AIR BAG AND SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
NHTSA complaint #10659335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, INCrash2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL AS THE CONTACT APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10652346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesHudson, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OCCASIONALLY THERE HAS BEEN A LINE OF SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN WHEN I START THE CAR. NOW MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF UNLESS I REMOVE THE FUSE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE AND WILL BE GETTING IT FIXED, HOWEVER I HAVE READ OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. SO I KNOW MINE IS NOT THE ONLY CAR OUT THERE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10640922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,482 milesDoylestown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. SERVICE MANAGER SAID KEY WAS WORN DOWN AND COULD BE REMOVED WHILE NOT IN PARK. SAID A NEW KEY NEEDED TO BE CUT AND THEY CHARGED FOR IT. I TOLD THE MANAGER I NEVER HAD A KEY WEAR DOWN, AND THE KEY WAS ON A RING WITH OTHER KEYS, INCLUDING AN OLDER CAR, AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH KEYS WEARING DOWN. MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. SOUNDS RELATED TO THE IGNITION RECALL, SO I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF IT, AND STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ABOUT THE RECALL. IF THAT IS NOT COVERING UP THE IGNITION ISSUE, IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POOR REPORTING AND TRACKING OF THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10637835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION AND KEY PROBLEMS. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10629755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amarillo, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY INADVERTENTLY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10629163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesHarvey, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE IGNITION SWITCH KEEPS FAILING AND IT IS VERY COSTLY. WHEN I STOP AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF IT WON'T RESTART WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IT ALSO STICKS AND THE KEY IS HARD TO REMOVE. I HAVE THREE TIMES REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THIS COSTLY PROCESS IN NOT HOLDING UP. TO DATE. I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALLS BUT IT IS A RECALL ISSUE. MANY MECHANICS TELL ME THEY KNOW THIS ISSUE BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE ADDRESSED IT. I HOPE THAT I AM NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT CAUSES A DISASTER FOR ME AND OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10617039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.