FaultScore

Saturn VUE suspension problems

133 of the 3,274 complaints filed about the Saturn VUE are about the suspension — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

133

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

17

Crashes

0

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

2002 VUE 10 7.5%

Median failure at 82,500 miles

2003 VUE 50 37.6%

Median failure at 37,707 miles

2004 VUE 34 25.6%

Median failure at 70,100 miles

2005 VUE 5 3.8%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2006 VUE 13 9.8%

Median failure at 46,570 miles

2007 VUE 10 7.5%

Median failure at 83,500 miles

2008 VUE 9 6.8%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

2009 VUE 2 1.5%

Median failure at 119,000 miles

What owners said

2004 Saturn VUE at 35,000 miles Cypress, TX

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound at start up, and it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition switch after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #11689505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn VUE Dayton, OH

SUSPENSION

Stalls stops, with Engine power reduced, stabilitrak off. After turning or braking. Engine light with down arrow. Accident probability. DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF ON HIGHWAY OR COUNTRY RD!

NHTSA complaint #11618624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn VUE Mooresville, IN

SUSPENSION

The brackets welded to the frame of the vehicle holding the steering knuckle/subframe together was designed in a very poor way. This design issue causes the vehicle to collect excess moisture in a way that is difficult if not impossible to drain, resulting in eventual rust build up in this area of the vehicle at an increased rate. Additionally, this section of the frame did not use thick enough steel, resulting in this bracket rusting off much quicker than the age of this vehicle should allow. This resulted in the engine dropping about an inch and a half, damage to the suspension, gasket and valve cover leaks, damaged wheel hubs, and general inoperability of the vehicle due to unsafe conditions created. It's unsafe driving condition has been confirmed by the lead mechanics at our GM Dealership, and is currently undergoing inspection by GEICO for a possible total loss claim. No indications were given other than excessive wear on the wheel hubs shortly before the engine dropped and the corner of the frame rusted/broke off. We live in a salt state yes, but the poor design of this frame is to blame and should be recalled for total replacement by the manufacturers due to the incredible safety risk that this poses to the public.

NHTSA complaint #11501729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE Flint, MI

SUSPENSION

My car is very rusted out,underneath the body and no one will work on my car because they feel it's a hazard to drive and work on. I went to an iron works shop and mechanic said it's a common problem with Saturn Vue's,I took it back to where I bought it because they knew it before I bought it . All they wanted to do was put me ina sports car,my car is a hazard to drive it plus I have 1 more year to pay for it. Seems like something could be done about this

NHTSA complaint #11442648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 122,896 miles Tuttle, OK

SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle pulled left and was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 122,896.

NHTSA complaint #11433808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE Dallas, TX

SUSPENSION

Stability Bar / Stabilizer Bar broke on the passenger side. Upon going to the salvage yard we found in almost all the same vehicles were broke in the same area on the same passenger side.

NHTSA complaint #11430452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn VUE at 157,233 miles Cleveland, TN

SUSPENSION

BOTH OF MY REAR TIRES ARE LEANING IN AND LOOKS LIKE THE CAMBER BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF AND COULD REALLY CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT EVEN DEATH IF I DIDN'T SEE IT. I TRAVEL 1800MI A WEEK AND JUST HAD A BLOW OUT BECAUSE TIRES WORE SO BAD AND THEY ARE ONLY A YEAR OLD.

NHTSA complaint #11413751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 156,000 miles Hilo, HI

SUSPENSION

THE CAR SHAKES/VIBRATES WHEN HITTING 45/50 MPH AND GETS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SHAKE IS BAD. FIND IT VIBRATES ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES, DID THE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. REPLACED MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS AND STILL THIS CAR SHAKES VERY BADLY. 3 AUTO REPAIR SHOPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REPAIR. MY FAMILY TRAVELS IN THIS CAR AND I NEED ANSWERS. PLEASE ADVISE

NHTSA complaint #11321339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saturn VUE at 161,921 miles Port Saint Lucie, FL

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON I-95 DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I NOTICED A SLIGHT SHAKE IN THE STEERING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS BEFORE MY VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL TOWARDS THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE AND PLACED MY VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW MY VEHICLE DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #11258515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn VUE at 26,600 miles Stanhope, NJ

SUSPENSION

GOING 40 MPH MADE A LEFT TURN, MEDIUM LOUD NOISE AND FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM TORE IN 2 (BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE PART) AND BACK LEFT TIRE NOW TILTED IN AT TOP ABOUT 1 INCH( STILL TRYING TO GET FIXED ).

NHTSA complaint #11182690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn VUE at 157,228 miles Solvay, NY

SUSPENSION

LOWER CONTOL ARM LEFT REAR SUSPENTION,PULLED OUT OF MOUNT. BODY RUSTED AND MAIN COMPONENT PULLED OUT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL .

NHTSA complaint #11118685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

SUSPENSION

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

SUSPENSION

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.

2008 Saturn VUE at 155,000 miles Cleveland, OH

SUSPENSION

2008 SATURN VUE THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IM WRITING A COMPLAINT I HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING BACK NO CALL NO LETTER FROM ANYONE AT THE RECALL. BUT MY TRUCK IN THE WINTER IT HAS TROUBLE GOING UP A LOW HILL WHILE DRIVING IT AND WHEN ITS SITTING ON A HILL PARKED ILL LOOK OUTSIDE AND FIND IT SITTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. WHEN ITS PARKED AND I TRY TO SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE TO GO THE STICK LOCKS UP AND IT WOULDNT MOVE. AND WHEN DRIVING ON A STREET WITH NOT MUCH SNOW I CAN FEEL THE BACK OF THE CAR SLIDE. IF I DONT HEAR ANYTHING BACK I WILL BE GOING TO THE NEWS FOR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11063187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn VUE at 65,000 miles Sweet Home, OR

SUSPENSION

CARS SHAKES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50

NHTSA complaint #11044321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn VUE at 89,000 miles Cape Coral, FL

SUSPENSION

TRAVELING AT 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE, STEPPED ON GAS TO CHANGE LANES, AND ENGINE REVVED, BUT NO POWER TO MOVE. HAD TO RUN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE GRASS BERM. BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN ACTING STRANGELY - MUCH VIBRATION AND PLAY. MY SISTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE CAR OVERTURNED OR SOMETHING AT THAT SPEED. NOW I AM TOLD THE CAR NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, STRUTS, AND POWER STEERING ISSUE STILL BEING LOOKED AT. CAN I GET ANY HELP FROM GM DEALER WITH THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I READ THAT THESE EXACT ISSUES AFFECTED MY MODEL AND YEAR, WITH RECALLS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #10955607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Saturn VUE at 154,877 miles Lincoln, NE

SUSPENSION

IN OCTOBER 2016 MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. AS HE TURNED A CORNER IN THE CITY HE HEARD A CRACK AND THE VEHICLE STEERED INTO A CURB. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS NOR OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY. HE WAS ABLE TO GINGERLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME (1 MILE). DURING A TEST DRIVE, IT WAS APPARENT THE VEHICLE HAD A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION. INVESTIGATION INDICATED ALL BALL JOINTS, SWAY BARS AND EQUIVALENT WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER TAKING IT INTO A SUSPENSION SHOP THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE UNSTABLE STEERING. THEY NOTED THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. LIKEWISE WITH THE AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER NEITHER REPLACING THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. RESEARCHING THIS CONDITION ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN CERTAIN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. UP UNTIL THIS SUMMER I USED TO DRIVE THIS DOWN THE INTERSTATE DAILY. I'M THANKFUL I STOPPED AND LIKEWISE THAT MY SON WAS NOT ON AN OPEN ROAD. THE CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND ALL MECHANIC SHOPS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATING FOR THIS PREMATURE FRAME FAILURE. INJURY ACCIDENTS WILL BE A GUARANTEE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10925762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn VUE Lancaster, CA

SUSPENSION

TAKATA RECALL IT STARTING MAKING A WHISTLE NOISE AND IT FEEL THAT IT'S SLIPPING IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #10862445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Saturn VUE at 144,000 miles Piqua, OH

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STATE ROUTE (THANKFULLY AT LOW SPEED) THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED ON OUR 2004 SATURN VUE. THIS WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 2004 UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN #04067001. HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS, MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10839649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn VUE at 119,000 miles Plymouth, MN

SUSPENSION

THE SELLING DEALERSHIP LISTS THIS VEHICLES CURRENT CONDITION AS, "SUBURB CONDITION." THE FOLLOWING INSPECTION COMMENTS WERE PROVIDED TO ME WHEN AT THIS DEALERSHIP: A) DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR BROKEN, DOESN'T STAY IN PLACE; B) LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT OUT; C) NO HEAT CONTROL (ALWAYS BLOWING COLD); D) DRIVERS SIDE LUMBAR ADJUSTER BROKEN OFF; E) AIR FILTER DIRTY; F) FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AT 3 MM. RECOMMEND FRONT AND REAR PADS AND ROTORS; G) "SMALL" OIL LEAK NEAR TRANSFER CASE; H) FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS "RATTLE" OVER BUMPS. AN ESTIMATE WAS PROVIDED FOR PARTS AND LABOR COSTS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE PARTS AND LABOR COSTS FOR FIXING THE HEAT OR THE ENGINE LEAK(S). ALSO, LABOR COSTS WERE NOT PROVIDED FOR REPAIRING THE LUMBAR SUPPORT. THE TOTAL COST FOR THESE REPAIRS IS SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. BASED ON THESE INSPECTION RESULTS, AND MY OWN OBSERVATION (I.E. THE TIRES DOT DATES AND WEAR INDICATE INSTABILITY IN CARS PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY), THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT "SUBURB."

NHTSA complaint #10816688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn VUE problems