FaultScore

Saturn VUE body problems

94 of the 3,274 complaints filed about the Saturn VUE are about the body and structure — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

94

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

12

Crashes

2

Fires

Body & Structure complaints by model year

2002 VUE 4 4.3%

Median failure at 96,000 miles

2003 VUE 24 25.5%

Median failure at 28,900 miles

2004 VUE 11 11.7%

Median failure at 79,993 miles

2005 VUE 5 5.3%

Median failure at 35,533 miles

2006 VUE 19 20.2%

Median failure at 106,400 miles

2007 VUE 8 8.5%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2008 VUE 15 16.0%

Median failure at 92,612 miles

2009 VUE 8 8.5%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

What owners said

2008 Saturn VUE Bruce TWP, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

Excessive frame rust at 107,000 miles. Major holes and chunks of supporting materials are missing. This is near the rear subframe on both sides of the vahicle. Makes it dangerous to drive and should be recalled by GM

NHTSA complaint #11633260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn VUE at 20,000 miles Newberlin, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE SATURN VIEWS IT IS WHERE THE ENGINE CARRIAGE BOLT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME THE WATER FROM THE ROAD IN EVERYTHING SHOOTS RIGHT UP ON IT AND RUST THIS AREA WHERE I HAD TO WORK ON THIS AREA AND REMOVE THE BOLTS IN THE FRONT THERE WAS SO MUCH RUST THAT NOW THE BOLT CANNOT BE REATTACHED THIS WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD IF IN A WRECK IT WOULD FOLD UP NOW I'M TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO FIX IT. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OF THE CARS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON. THE FRAME OF A CAR SHOULD NOT RUST OUT LIKE THIS. SHOULD B THE LAST THING TO RUST OUT.THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME WAS REPLACING SWAY BAR COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #11405745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn VUE at 160,000 miles Feeding Hills, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE IGNITION BROKE AFTER MANY OF TIMES THE KEY COMING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11352361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saturn VUE at 169,540 miles Graphton, NH

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMROCK AUTO BROKERS, LLC (322 B NH-104, NEW HAMPTON, NH 03256, (603) 548-3165) TO GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE PERFORATIONS ON THE SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. GREENWOOD AUTO (6 FARRARVILLE RD, BELMONT, NH 03220, (603) 528-0158) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,540.

NHTSA complaint #11341601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 160,000 miles Hilo, HI

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES(BOTH SIDES) AND WIRE HARNESS KEEPS MELTING. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I HAVE NOW PURCHASED THE WIRE HARNESS AND I HOPE THIS WILL NOT BURN ALSO. 2. THE CAR JUMPS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE WHICH INDICATES THE PARKING PAWL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND NO RESPONSE RETURNED. 3. WATER IS LEAKING INTO MY CAR. THE FRONT AND BACKSEAT FLOORS ARE SOAKED. LOOKS LIKE THE SEAL AROUND THE FIREWALL IS NOT SEALING PROPERLY. I SAW MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2008-2010 SATURN VUE. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11321338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 71,000 miles NEW City, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN ADDITION TO THE 284 HOWEVER, THIS CONCERNS UNIBODY RUST TO THE FRONT K MEMBER CAUSING SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILING INSPECTION. THE CAR WAS UNDER COATED. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND BODY SHOP, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATES EXCEED $10K. WHAT CAN NHTSA DO TO CORRECT TO CORRECT THIS MFR DEFECT. THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH VERY LITTLE USE.

NHTSA complaint #11244919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 106,400 miles Fort Myers, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT I NEEDED MOTOR MOUNTS. IT TURNS OUT THAT MY WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED. I'M LUCKY THE ENGINE DIDN'T FALL OUT. EVERYTHING IS ELSE IS WORKING FINE AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #11173152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 100,000 miles Freeport, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, TWO SMALL LOCK ICONS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EAST HILLS CHEVROLET OF FREEPORT (42 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, FREEPORT, NY 11520), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11165161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 107,044 miles Greensboro, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAMARA RECALL. THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STOPPED LATCHING WHEN CLOSED. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOOR WILL RANDOMLY SWING OPEN. THE LATCH TO LOCK THE DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY TUNED AND THEN THE DOOR HAS TO BE HELD IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE TO LATCH.

NHTSA complaint #11152154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Saturn VUE 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.

2004 Saturn VUE at 160,000 miles Kingston, RI Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING FROM PROVIDENCE RI TO ATHENS OH. I WAS IN WEST VIRGINIA AROUND MORGANTOWN, DRIVING FROM 68 WEST TO 79 SOUTH RAMP, AND I WAS DRIVING IN THE RANGE OF SPEED LIMITS. SUDDENLY IN THE RAMP, I FELT CAR IS TURNING UNWANTEDLY TO THE LEFT, AND I TRIED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE ROAD BUT I COULD NOT, AND THE CAR HIT ORTHOGONALLY THE JERSEY BARRIERS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE RAMP. MY AIRBAGS OPENED, ONE OF MY TIRES EXPLODED, AND FRONT OF MY CAR COMPLETELY WRECKED. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE HIT ME FROM SIDE AND BEHIND. I COULD REALLY DIE, I SEE DEATH IN FRONT OF MY EYES WHEN I WAS TURNING WITH THE CAR. I HAD REPLACED MY CONTROL ARM, SHOCKS ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, ALL IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT. BUT THIS CAR WAS TERRIBLY BAD IN THE TURNS AND RAMPS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM DID NOT WORK WELL IN THESE CARS IN COMPARE TO THEIR HEIGHTS, AND ALWAYS YOU HAVE THE CHANCE OF COLLAPSING. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT COLLAPSE. IT HAD HAPPENED A LOT FOR ME THAT I FELT THESE CAR IN NOT STABLE IN RAMPS AND TURNS, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME. I ALSO DID NOT HAVE COLLISION INSURANCE, AND I HAD TO SELL MY CAR FOR A 100 $ TO A JUNK YARDS. I AM ALMOST SURE THERE IS SOME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, AND I AM REQUESTING TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE IN THESE CARS.

NHTSA complaint #11110846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 115,000 miles Cleveland, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

NOW THIS IS LIKE THE 5TH TIME I THINK I HAVE WROTE A LETTER TO THIS COMPANY AND NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR BEING PARKED ON A HILL AND IT ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN NO ONE'S INSIDE OF IT AND OTHER LITTLE THINGS THATS ON THE SATURN RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT ON THE LIST. BUT NOW I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY BACK DOOR NOT SHUTTING WHEN I SHUT IT IT OPENS UNEXPECTENTLY. IN THE WORDS OF CAR TALK IT'S CALLED 1. TRANSMISSION CASE POROSITY AT PARK PAWL 2. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE STICKS/BIND. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE TRANS STICK IS OUT, MY WARNING DASH BOARDS LIGHT COME IN FOR NO REASON 1ST IT WAS OIL LIGHT WHICH I RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH AGO AND NOW IT'S THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CAR ALARM GOES OFF WHEN THE BACK DOOR ACTS UP. NOW I HOPE TO HERE FROM SOMEONE SOON. I MIGHT GO TO THE NEWS CAUSE I NEED HELP AND YOU PEOPLE NOT HELPING SO THAT MIGHT MAKE U MOVE FASTER. BUT IF I DIE OF MY CAR ROLLS AWAY AND KILLS ONE OF THESE KIDS OUTSIDE I WILL SUE YOU PEOPLE SO HARD. WAITING FOR AN AWSER BYE. FYI IVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2014.

NHTSA complaint #11085014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn VUE at 50,000 miles East Greenbush, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CONSISTANTLY WHEN CLOSING FROM OUTSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11084517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 142,000 miles Oakland, AR

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SATURN VUE. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #11074059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 48,000 miles Atwater, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

HOOD STRUTS FAILED AT 48,000 MI AND HOOD SLAMMED SHUT WHILE CHANGING OIL.. NEW STRUTS WERE INSTALLED .

NHTSA complaint #11062249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn VUE Summit, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT END FRAME RAILS LEFT AND RIGHT RUSTED OUT BY THE ENGINE CRADLE ATTACHMENT POINTS TO RAILS, BOTH RAILS MUST BE REPLACED PART # 15842675 , 10367494, PART ARE N.L.A. !!. TRIED TO FIGHT THE RUST FOR FEW YEARS ALREADY, NO LUCK, IT TOOK ONLY 4 YEARS SINCE FIRST SIGN OF RUST, MILAGE - 115K, GARAGED ALL THE TIME,

NHTSA complaint #11043995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 108,000 miles Nashville, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY, AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES F, THE INTERIOR ITEMS FLASH ON AND OFF UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARMED UP. I ALSO LEARNED THAT IF THE IGNITION WAS ON FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES IT WAS THE SAME AS IF IT WAS RUNNING. I LIVE IN NASHVILLE AND FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS IT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 24 DEGREES OR BELOW. THE FLASHING ON AND OFF OF THE LIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE PROTECTING THEM WHEN THE CHARGE RATE IS TOO HIGH. IT WAS CONSIDERED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND WHO CAN TROUBLESHOOT AT OR BELOW 24 DEGREES? A MONTH AGO (JULY) IT STARTED ALL THE TIME, NO FLASHING, NO STEERING, NO DASH INSTRUMENTS, ETC. LONGER STORY SHORT WITH THE PLUG REMOVED FROM THE ALTERNATOR (IT CONTROLS THE FIELD VOLTAGE THROUGH THE ECM/PCM) THE ALTERNATOR WAS STILL PUTTING OUT 18.5 VOLTS. THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT OCCUR BUT SOMETHING WAS BAD WRONG INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR. IT WAS BOILING THE ACID OUT OF THE BATTERY TOO. ONCE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REMOVED (BENCH CHECKED FAILED) AND REPLACED IT ALL WENT AWAY. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BELOW 24 DEGREES AGAIN. THIS ALTERNATOR IS MANUFACTURED BY GM, IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM GM. ONLY REMANUFACTURED UNITS FROM CHINA ARE AVAILABLE AT THE AFTERMARKET PARTS STORES. THERE IS NO TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE IN THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR PLUG CAN BE DISCONNECTED WITHOUT ANY DISASSEMBLY. THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR ON THIS VUE THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 87,000 MILES. IT SEEMS THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COMPONENTS OF THIS ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA complaint #11013448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 89,000 miles Freedom, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER (KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET NORTH, 22010 PERRY HWY, ZELIENOPLE, PA 16063, (724) 609-5069) MADE NO MENTION OF THE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STATE INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME MAINLY NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC AT THE INSPECTION STATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO RECALL CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA complaint #11006618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE ST Louis, MO

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION AT THE MIDWAY POINT FROM THE CHANNEL TO THE FRAME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/17/17

NHTSA complaint #10947092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn VUE at 116,000 miles Clearwater, KS Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND 55MPH VEERED OFF ONTO LOOSE GRAVEL. HIT A DRAIN CULVERT FLEW INTO THE AIR, SLAMMED DOWN INTO A DITCH, AND HIT SEVERAL CUT TELEPHONE POLES USED AS LANDSCAPE DECORATIONS WITH NO FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND FILED POLICE REPORTS.

NHTSA complaint #10935222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn VUE problems