46 of the 873 complaints about the 2003 Saturn VUE are about the steering — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
46
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING SOMETIMES AND IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEELS
NHTSA complaint #11144053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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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.
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HORN STARTING SOUNDING OFF, KEPT SOUNDING UNTIL BATTERY DIED. HORN SWITCH IS IN THE STEER WHEEL AND CONNECTED TO THE AIRBAG. ONLY WAY TO FIX IS BY HAVING HORN FUSE IN PLUGGED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10897414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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MY VEHICLE IS UNDER SAFETY RECALL FOR IGNITION AND REAR LATERAL LINKS. I ORDERED PARTS AT CROPPER'S CHEVROLET IN NOGALES, AZ ON 12/29/2014. THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT IN DESPITE MY FOLLOW UP CALLS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION AND THE KEY GETS STUCK. THEY SAID GM IS NOT SENDING THEM THE PARTS IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHILE I WAS TYPING THIS, THE PARTS DEPARTMENT OF CROPPER'S CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY DO HAVE THE PARTS AND MY APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 8 AM ON 2/26/2015. AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU FINALLY START TO COMPLAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10690255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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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.
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THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION, WHICH CAN CAUSE A LOT OF SERIOUS ISSUES. NOT ONLY THE KEY CAN COME RIGHT OUT, BUT ALSO WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION AND I GO TO SHUT IT OFF IT WILL GO PAST THE OFF SPOT AND I COME TO FIND A DEAD BATTERY WEEKLY BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS NOT STOPPING THE KEY. THE STEERING FROM THE IGNITION WILL LOCK AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10637645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKED THE STEERING, WHERE YOU COULD NOT DRIVE IT. IT HAPPEN TWICE IN 2 WEEKS AND TOOK FOREVER TO GET OFF. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT. YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOU GOING TO MAKE HOME. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #10616267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP I CAN PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND IT LOCKS UP THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. THE KEY CAN SLIDE IN AND OUT WHILE THE CAR IS TURNED ON. I CAN BECOME STRANDED BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO TURN ON. I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE WHEEL AND HIT THE BRAKE AND EVEN THEN IT IS NOT ENOUGH. I AM VERY UPSET AND HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10597967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CAR STARTS, HOWEVER CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, SERVICE LIGHT ALL COME ON. POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK, NOR DOES REAR WIPER. HAVE IN PAST BEEN ABLE TO RESET THE ISSUE BY PULLING AND REPLACING FUSES WHICH SOLVES ISSUE TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER THAT FIX NO LONGER WORKING. ALSO, NEED TO WRENCH HARD ON STEERING WHEEL TO BE ABLE TO START IGNITION. ONCE ON, ABLE TO REMOVE KEY WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10597596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10596363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN TRYING TO START THE VUE, WE HAVE ONE PERSON PULL ON THE WHEEL WHILE THE OTHER PERSON TRIES TO START THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT GOES RIGHT AWAY, OTHER TIMES WE HAVE TO KEEP TUGGING ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET IT TO START. ALSO THE KEY CAN COME OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR STILL STAYS RUNNING. I AM MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOCKING STEERING WHEEL, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT LOCKS WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10578516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I NOTICE THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON IN MY VEHICLE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY AND HE TOLD ME THAT SEEMED BE BE A WIRING OR MECHANICAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT SATURN DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND I NEEDED TO GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY. THAT IS WHY I AM FILING HIS COMPLAINT ASKING FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE WITH THE CRITICAL ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. PLEASE IF SOMEONE CAN CONTACT IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint #10496249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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AS I WAS DRIVING MY AND IT CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE TIRES BEGAN TO SQUEAL. IN MY MIND I THOUGHT I THOUGHT I NEEDED BETTER TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AS I WAS DRIVING TO GET THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT I HEARD A CRACKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR, THIS REALLY SCARED ME. AT THIS POINT THE PULL TO THE RIGHT WAS EVEN STRONGER. I ARRIVE TO A TIRE SHOP AND PUT TIRES ON THINKING THIS WOULD BE BETTER BUT IT WAS THE SAME SO I DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO A MECHANIC TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND WENT UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHEN HE CAME BACK UP HE STATED THAT "YOUR SUBFRAME AND CHASIS IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, PARK IT IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS, IN HIS 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANIC HE ONLY SAW HIS TWICE THE FIRST TIME WAS IN ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS RECALLED AND MINE THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL WITH THE LEVEL OF DANGER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I SEE YOU HAVE A BABY'S CAR SEAT IN YOUR BACKSEAT". HE ALSO SAID EVEN AN OLDER CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE A SUBFRAME CRACK LIKE THIS, AND THAT THE MOTOR CAN FALL OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE WHEELS WILL COLLAPSE. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO I CAN'T EVEN TRADE IT IN AND IT'S WORTH $5500 AND THE COST WOULD BE FANANIMAL TO FIX. I CAN'T GET TO WORK AND EVEN CHILD CAR THIS IS HORRIBLE. PLEASE HELP.THIS IS A DEFECTIVE CAR AND THE WORST I HAVE EVER HAD.
NHTSA complaint #10476773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, THE IGNITION WANT TURN OR CRANK SOMETIMES, YOU CAN SMELL OIL WHEN THE CAR STOPS.
NHTSA complaint #10430400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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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.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2002 MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2003 VUE. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SATURN SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD FAIL AT ANY MOMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,358 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,050. UPDATED 4/14/09 *CN UPDATED 04/17/09.
NHTSA complaint #10262183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAUGES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A/C, HORN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERNAL LIGHTS, AND ODOMETER ALL WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AUSTIN SATURN TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE FUSE BLOCK BOLTS, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY WORSE AFTERWARDS. THEY REPLACED THE BCM FOR HALF PRICE. UPDATED 02/01/08
NHTSA complaint #10192107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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I PURCHASED MY 2003 AWD V6 VUE NEW FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT I TAKE IT TO FOR REPAIRS. SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, I HAVE REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE VEHICLE "STALLS" WHILE ACCELERATING. USUALLY AROUND 40 MPH. THE RPM'S REV UP (TO THE RED) AND THE CAR GOES NOWHERE, LIKE IT HAS SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED. I FEEL THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT TO REPEAT. WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT HAVING ONE OF THE SERVICE TECH DRIVE IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET IT TO OCCUR. IT HAPPENS TO ME AT LEAST 3-6 TIMES A MONTH, BUT INTERMITTENTLY. I DO NOT HAVE A VTI TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TWO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY VUE THAT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO BE FIXED; THE FIRST IS THE STEERING/ALIGNMENT. IF I HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT ON, THE CAR GOES TO THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP WILL FIX THE ALIGNMENT, AND WITHIN 2 DAYS IT OFF AGAIN. I HAVE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK AND I CAN SEE NO REASON FOR THE ALIGNMENT TO GO OFF SO QUICKLY. SECONDLY, THE CAR MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN IDLING IF THE A/C OR HEATER IS ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE VENTS ALSO BLOW AIR WHEN THE SYSTEM IS OFF. MY VUE HAS 46,001 MILES. I STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND MY DEALERSHIP. I JUST WISH THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO REV OUT THE WAY IT DOES. IT IS QUITE ALARMING WHEN IT HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10136576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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UPON ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE OFF OF THE ROAD. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A FLAW IN THE 2003 MODEL BUT CORRECTED IN THE 2004 MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10108872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, AND NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE. UPON TRYING TO STEER THE VEHICLE BACK ONTO THE ROAD THE LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH REAR WHEELS FELL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10110895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I WAS NOTIFIED AUG., 2004 OF RECALL ON 2003 SATURN VUE. CALLED DEALER FOR DETAILS AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS A "COURTESY", NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. IT WAS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION. HEARD NOTHING UNTIL JAN. 05. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND POINTED OUT A RECURRING NOISE IN THE REAR. I WAS CONTACTED AND TOLD THE WHEEL BEARING WAS WORN (ONLY HAVE 24,000 MI. ON CAR). I PICKED UP CAR THE NEXT DAY - RECALL WORK COMPLETED, WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, TIRES ROTATED. DRIVING HOME, I NOTICED A DEFINITE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT BACK, THE TECH WHO TEST DROVE IT WITH ME AGREED THERE WAS A VIBRATION, SIMILAR TO A VIBRATING CHAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, "MIGHT" BE DUE TO INCREASED TIRE PRESSURE FROM RECALL. TOLD ME I COULD LET SOME AIR OUT OF THE TIRES, BUT THEN IT WOULDN'T BE SAFE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, MOST CENTERING ON THE STEERING. NOW I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING CARSICK!
NHTSA complaint #10107558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.