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2003 Saturn VUE Problems and Repair Histories

2003 Saturn VUE  Problems:

2003 Saturn VUE problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys

See what people are saying about 2003 Saturn VUE problems

 

2003 Saturn VUEs for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2003 Saturn VUE problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.

For 2003 Saturn VUE problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2003 Saturn VUE problems and repair histories that follow it.

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Non-members can see only ten 2003 Saturn VUE problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.

Repair costs are in local units.

2003 Saturn VUE

Engine not specified

Saturn VUE in New York, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2010 120000   First odometer entry
May 2010 121000 1400 Some electrical thing near left side of wheels. Also the hood mechanism had to be replaced. The hood could not be opened initially. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

181-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2010 34000   First odometer entry
Apr 2010 35000 10 Vacuum leak, Replaced Gas Cap. Fixed problem. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jan 2008 93000   First odometer entry
Jun 2008 99000 0 Car kept stalling, computer reported errors, car wouldn't start any more. 
Jun 2010 134000 300 Thermostat sticking open 
Apr 2011 145000 100 Vibration / Shaking in steering. Intermediate steering column was tightened. 
May 2011 146000 280 Car misfiring badly. Coil Pack replaced 
Jul 2011 147000 125 AC compressor leak 
Sep 2012 172000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in New York, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2005 0 Front Wheel Hub Assy 
Jul 2006 116 Rear Wheel Hub Assy 
Oct 2009 94000 400 Replaced thermostat.  100k mi Maint (Plugs, Timing Belt, Water Pump) 
Jul 2010 103700 120 Replaced Left Front Wheel Hub Ass'y 
Apr 2012 108300 67 Replaced Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) 
Mar 2013 110000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Arizona, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2007 74000   First odometer entry
Jun 2012 117000 100 Replace leaking radiator 
Mar 2013 123000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2005 110 replace front hub assembly on driver side 
Jul 2012 62000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Alaska, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2012 87000   First odometer entry
Jan 2013 87000 0 Just got car, needed engine mod sensor. 

 

Saturn VUE in Nevada, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2012 136000   First odometer entry
Jan 2013 137000 1000 driving at about 45mph car boged down and came to a stop towed it home discovered catalyit conv pluged replaced runs fine 

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

181-horsepower 3.0L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

Saturn VUE in Maryland, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2003 0 Horn came on at night & burned itself out. Airbag & horn replaced under warranty. 
Jan 2004 0 Anti-lock brake warning light activated. Wheel speed sensor replaced under warranty. 
Mar 2005 0 Rear suspension campaign. Front swaybar links/bushings replaced. Rear wiper motor replaced. Intermediate steering shaft replaced. Replaced worn wires (SES light, transmission failed to shift properly). Covered by warranty. 
May 2005 0 SES light, transmission failed to shift properly. Transmission EPROM reprogrammed. Hazard light on dash repaired. Covered by warranty 
Jul 2005 0 Center console bezel replaced for peeling paint. Speedometer needle jumps - wheel speed sensor & instrument cluster replaced. SES light, transmission failed to shift properly - unable to diagnose. Covered by warranty. 
Oct 2005 280 New brake pads. Front rotors machined. Peeling cloth on sunroof shade replaced under warranty. 
Nov 2005 0 Noisy steering column replaced. Noisy airbag coil replaced. Swaybar links/bushings replaced. All covered by warranty. 
Feb 2006 1646 Oil cooler leak repaired. Valve body gasket replaced. Oil pan leak repaired. 2 tires replaced w/ alignment. 
Jun 2006 2064 SES light, transmission failed to shift properly. Leak found in windshield. Leak causing transmission not to shift properly. Windshield replaced. Wiring harness replaced. 2 tires replaced. 
Mar 2007 988 Horn stuck on when locking vehicle w/ keyfob. Ignition cylinder/lock replaced. Horn replaced. Body Control Module replaced. Engine cooling fan resistor replaced. New BCM makes gas gauge read short 1/8 tank. 
Apr 2007 60 Horn stuck on when locking vehicle w/ keyfob. Sound from radio/CD player intermittent. Horn replaced twice. Radio wiring harness repaired. 
May 2007 104 Horn stuck on when locking vehicle w/ keyfob. BCM replaced 2nd time. Aribag replaced. Fuel senders replaced. Fuel gauge still reads short 1/8 tank 
Nov 2007 56000 512 Rattle in suspension/steering wheel/gas pedal. Intermediate steering shaft replaced. Alignment & wheels balanced. 
Dec 2007 57000 0 intermediate steering column (through firewall) replaced for 2nd time. Suspension still rattles at low speed on uneven pavement. Slight vibration exists at 65+ mph. 
Oct 2008 66000 1500 Replaced upper steering column / power steering motor. Still rattles & vibrates somewhat less than before. 
Dec 2008 68000 1106 Right from wheel bearing started howling on acceleration / deceleration. Bearing replaced.  Body control module failed. Interior lights stuck on, no power steering/doors/locks. Computer was replaced 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Aug 2010 75000   First odometer entry
Dec 2011 78000 375 ABS right rear sensor within the hub was bad and was replaced. 
Feb 2012 79000 1100 2 front reflex struts 2 mounting plates adjust right front spring F.E.A. (front end alignment) Upon replacing right front strut notice front spring not installed properly from factory. Corrected and front end had to be aligned 
Mar 2012 79000 1837 1 front Y pipe and catalytic converter. 1 front pipe and catalytic converter. Exhaust noise detected one converter bad removed and second failed while removing the first. Vehicle has 3 converters overall. 

 

Saturn VUE in Wisconsin, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2008 84000   First odometer entry
May 2009 93000 200 ignition ground all the keys down - needed an entire new set. cleaned and lubed tumbler fixed the problems 
Dec 2009 105000 25 Threw a code (was it P1025 or something) car not up to temp; replacing the $25 thermostat requires $2000 of labor to pull the engine apart, decided not to replace since car runs normally. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Minnesota, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2010 295000   First odometer entry
Nov 2010 298000 545 Front brake hoses replaced. Also turned rotors. Valve and intake manifold gaskets replaced. Valve cover gaskets blew out within 200 Miles. Suspect PCV was clogged up. It was blowing oil all over the exhaust manifolds. Looked like James Bond from the back!! Traded with valve cover gaskets blown. Leaked about a quart onto the exhaust manifold during the 50-mile drive to the dealer, smoke city! 

 

Saturn VUE in Nova Scotia, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2010 40920   First odometer entry
May 2010 42160 310 Had to order new gas tank straps as one had rusted off. (Replaced 2 tires.) 
Mar 2011 44640 700 Support bearing in Drive shaft wore out, not support for driveshaft, clunking while driving 
Jul 2011 48360 75 Replaced flex pipe in front exhaust 
Jan 2012 52080 60 Intermittent starting problems Saturn would start cold, but after driving for 15-30 min, and letting car cool for 15 min would not start back up, will crank, but will not start until quickstart sprayed in air intake, then runs fine 
Mar 2012 52080 25 Saturn will not start, codes for oxegen sensors, emmission pressure sensor, misfires in 3 cyl. All seems to be related to fuel delivery, but no mechanic seems to be able to pinpoint to part that is the problem. 

 

Saturn VUE in Georgia, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2008 59000   First odometer entry
Feb 2009 60000 450 Thermostat as indicated by check Engine light. Went off by itself while living in warm climate GA but had to be replaced upon move back to cold OH. 
Aug 2010 74000 750 First replacement of front brake pads and rotors 
Apr 2011 83000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in New York, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2007 250 Right Front Wheel Bearing. 
Dec 2007 84000 250 Left Front Wheel Bearing. 
Jun 2008 100000 800 Sway Bar Links, also engine timing belt, transmission tuneup, water pump, accessory drive belt,and spark plugs. 
Jul 2008 102000 535 Plastic engine cooling fan broke off a large piece. Had to replace whole unit. Left Rear Wheel Bearing. 
Sep 2008 104000 0 Replaced Sway Bar Links installed earlier in summer. Both were broken. Do not buy cheap after market parts for Saturns. Stick to AC Delco or original parts designed for vehicle. By the way, the second set of Sway Bar Links have also broke.  
Nov 2008 107000 50 Dashboard Light "Service Engine Soon" came on. After having AutoZone check codes, determined I needed a new Fuel Cap. 
Dec 2008 112000 274 Two Emission Sensors failed. Caused CHECK ENGINE SOON light to come on. Would not pass NY state inspection without this light being out. 
Mar 2009   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2008 102000   First odometer entry
Sep 2008 107000 10 Fog light bulb burned out on passenger side, replaced. 
Oct 2008 110000 400 Front brakes. 
May 2009 121000 30 vehicle would not start. towed to shop. found battery cables to have corrosion 
Jan 2010 133000 300 Then also had rear windshield wiper motor replaced. 
May 2010 142000 117 Headlight-bright lights stalk stopped working 
May 2011 161000 400 Central cupport bearing came loose 
Jul 2012 192000 1400 replace timing belt 
Mar 2013 206000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Arizona, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2008 55000   First odometer entry
Jun 2008 58000 700 Fuel tank leak. Replaced tank. 
Jun 2010 81000 1900 Tires, alignment/balance, water cooler 
Aug 2012 105700 400 key stopped working, they had to put in a new key mechanism 
Dec 2012 110000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Dec 2010 58000   First odometer entry
Jan 2011 58300 554 Lube Oil Filter Transmission Fluid topped off Intake Manifold Gasket Fuel Injector O Ring top and bottom 
Oct 2011 63000 280 Steering clock spring replaced. Oil change. 

 

Saturn VUE in Florida, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2011 84000   First odometer entry
Apr 2012 94000 290 passenger right rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced 
Dec 2012 98000 565 Replaced rear shocks and had to replace both rear tires because the wore too much on inside tread. 
Mar 2013 100000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2007 0 Replace Battery $ routine maintenance water pump - $441 ext warentee covered $182 transmission warentee repair - $3480 
Jan 2008 303 Tensioner 
Mar 2009 379 Drive Belt & Tensioner replacement 
Apr 2011 113700 223 Engine noisy - replaced plugs, oil lube filter. The transmission is noisy and should be flushed. This is a VTI transmition. Flushing the transmition may not fix the noise problem. The cost was $280. I decided not to have the flush. Too costly. 
Oct 2011 120000 20 Engine made chattering noise. getting white smoke from exhaust pipe sometimes. Added 2 quarts of oil. Cannot find oil leak. I think the engine is burning oil. 
Apr 2012 126000 0 Engine clattering, sometimes making white smoke when sold. 

 

Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2006 3400 Transmission replacement 
Dec 2006 2000 Engine Replacement 
Jun 2008 179000 4800 Transmission replacement 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in California, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2009 72000   First odometer entry
Jan 2010 77000 90 The variable transmission squeals at take off and slips at about 70mph. This problem was supposedly fixed 2 years ago under warranty. Dealer does not take responsibility, and the cost is not worth it. 

 

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2008 325 Transmission wires replaced. Fortunately we did not have to replace the entire transmission. 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2006 161 replace ignition column switch 

 

Saturn VUE in Ontario, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2006 0 Transmission failure. Replaced under warranty. 

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT AWD

Saturn VUE in Pennsylvania, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2012 118000   First odometer entry
Aug 2012 118000 400 Check engine light came on and a humming noise was apparent when accelerating. 

 

Saturn VUE in Ontario, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2008 46500   First odometer entry
Mar 2008 47120 180 Catalytic converter shot and injectors clogged. Muffler also rusted out, but I went after market for that. 
Jun 2008 47740 100 Replaced muffler. reported a knocking sound but it was not present for the techs, could have been from the faulty muffler. 
Apr 2009   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in New Jersey, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2007 0 My CVT trans went @ 51,000 it was repaired under the GM 75,000 miles extended warrenty. 

 

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2009 97000   First odometer entry
May 2009 98000 1015 Bolt broke on rear driver side lower strut control arm, replaced myself. Brand new tramsmission (Covered). new fuel pump front linkage (3rd time) 
Apr 2011 120000 3000 Engine replaced 

 

Saturn VUE in Pennsylvania, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Apr 2011 70000   First odometer entry
Jan 2013 90000 83 Rattle on drivers side around strut area when going over rough roads or bumps, but not all the time. Noise more or less had a mind of it's own, worse at slower speeds, not high speed, very annoying. Tech tightened strut nuts. 

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saturn VUE in Manitoba, Canada
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2006 0 Purchased May 9, 2006. Almost immediately needed a new CVT. Wholesaler who sold vehicle covered cost of installing a used CVT with 40k on it. This one lasted 90 days. 

 

Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Aug 2012   First odometer entry
Aug 2012 550 Emissions test failed. Had to replace exhaust parts downstream of cat conv. 
Apr 2013 128000 400 Rough idle at low temperature better as engine warmed up. Problem was the ignition coil but got there after replacing other cheaper parts. 

 

Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Mar 2008 44000   First odometer entry
Apr 2008 44500 0 Fuel injectors replaced; valves adjusted/replaced; throttle control system repaired. No charge under dealer warranty. 
May 2008 45000 0 Ignition, throttle body. 
Dec 2008 49000 50 New thermostat, fixed coolant leak. 
Apr 2011 55000 0 Two major water leaks. Cabin air filter housing became clogged and overflowed into car via AC vents. Sunroof drains become clogged and caused leak into interior. Both fixed by cleaning them out. Both easily clogged during leaf season! 
May 2011 56000 0 I went in for an oil change. Dealer noted an oil leak in the AC compressor. Compressor was replaced under warranty. 
Feb 2013   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2011 88000   First odometer entry
Sep 2011 89000 885 Body Control Module (BCM) failure required replacement 
Mar 2013 99000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Wisconsin, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Oct 2009 82000   First odometer entry
Nov 2009 85000 300 DRL's failed. ABS failed along with traction control. Strut bushings failed, making constant squeeking noise.  
Feb 2010 94000 200 Have to replace another wheel bearing, the third. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Minnesota, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2008 40000   First odometer entry
Apr 2009 49000 250 Front tie rods replaced to eliminate groaning in steering assembly. 
Mar 2013 61000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
May 2009 81000   First odometer entry
Jul 2009 83000 150 Replaced rear wiper motor 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2007 40000   First odometer entry
Mar 2012 88000 450 Timing belt 
Jun 2012 91000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Colorado, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Sep 2007 34000   First odometer entry
Feb 2010 54000 310 Clutch hydraulic line leak. 
Mar 2010 55000 950 Replaced timing chain due to inadequate design of original oiler nozzle. TSB referenced the defect but GM did not deem it worthy of a recall, only that the oiler should be replaced along with the timing chain. 
Mar 2013 70000   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Jul 2010 138000   First odometer entry
Feb 2011 150300 549 Brakes and rotors. 
Jun 2011 158000 711 body control module fixed all kinds of odd problems from the dashboard display lights to car not running after starting with the door open. 
Mar 2012 164000 1440 Brake flex line had rust in it which caused driver side brake to stay engaged. Dealer replaced the drums, rotors, etc. and the problem remained (and they THEN replaced the flex line). 
Sep 2012   Most recent odometer entry.

 

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Feb 2011 90000   First odometer entry
Apr 2011 93000 650 Water pump leaking, replaced 

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

Saturn VUE in New York, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Dec 2009 106000   First odometer entry
Jan 2010 107000 600 Had to replace rear bushing driver side and front bushing pasenger side. 
Jun 2011   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saturn VUE in Florida, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Dec 2007 78000   First odometer entry
Jan 2008 78000 2500 Known VUE problem of the timing chain tensioner breaking - which it did - causing timing chain to shatter valves and metal through the pistons requiring new engine. 
Jun 2008   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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2003 Saturn VUE 4-door

4-cylinder CVT 2WD

Saturn VUE in Illinois, United States
Month Year Odometer
(in miles)
Cost Problem/Repair Description
Nov 2007 28000   First odometer entry
Dec 2007 28000 0 We have had issues with the VTI transmission where the car will stall in extreme cold conditions. We have gone back to the dear regarding a noise and pull at acceleration and they keep telling us that it is normal behavior for the VTI transmission. Last 
Mar 2010   Most recent odometer entry.

 

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Expert 2003 Saturn VUE Repair Advice

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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2003 Saturn VUE

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