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2003 Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

Engine (44%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (2%)

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Chart based on 174 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Saturn VUE.

2003 Saturn VUE repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (13%)

$500 - $999 (16%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (35%)

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Chart based on 152 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Saturn VUE model years.

Saturn VUE in New York, United States Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
May 2010 121000 mi US $1400	Some electrical thing near left side of wheels. Also the hood mechanism had to be replaced. The hood could not be opened initially.

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Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States Jan 2008 - Apr 2014
Jun 2008 99000 mi	Car kept stalling, computer reported errors, car wouldn't start any more.
Jun 2010 134000 mi US $300	Thermostat sticking open
Apr 2011 145000 mi US $100	Vibration / Shaking in steering. Intermediate steering column was tightened.
May 2011 146000 mi US $280	Car misfiring badly. Coil Pack replaced
Jul 2011 147000 mi US $125	AC compressor leak
Apr 2014 164000 mi	AC compressor leak

Saturn VUE in Illinois, United States Mar 2010 - Apr 2017
Oct 2014 46000 mi	GM recall to replace bad ignition tumbler and keys. The key can be removed in IGN or ACC position. If you remove it too quickly you cannot re-insert the key. You have to use a small screwdriver to get it back to the "lock" position.
Dec 2015 50000 mi	Replace keys and ignition steering wheel lock.

Saturn VUE in New York, United States May 2005 - Jul 2022
Feb 2005 40547 mi	Front Wheel Hub Assy
Jul 2006 64589 mi US $116	Rear Wheel Hub Assy
Oct 2009 93500 mi US $400	Replaced thermostat.
Jul 2010 103300 mi US $120	Replaced Left Front Wheel Hub Ass'y
Apr 2012 108200 mi US $67	Replaced Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
Aug 2013 110000 mi US $1000	Front Brakes Locking - replaced Rotors, Pads, Calipers and LF Brake Hose Exhaust leak - replaced 2 Flex Connectors
Jun 2014 113000 mi US $75	Replaced Spark Plug Boots, Cam Cover and Throttle Body Gaskets.
Aug 2014 113000 mi US $400	Replaced RF Brake Line. Replaced A/C Compressor, Expansion Valve and Accum/Dryer.
Nov 2014 114000 mi US $700	Replaced 2 pre-Cats and Main Cat
Aug 2015 115300 mi US $13	Replaced RR Spring Isolator
Aug 2016 117000 mi US $650	Engine stalling and rear wiper, DRLs and door locks malfunctioning. Replaced ECM and BCM.
Nov 2016 117000 mi	Replacement ECM failed. Returned ECM under warranty - replacement ECM did not effect a repair.

Saturn VUE in Arizona, United States Nov 2007 - Jun 2013
Jun 2012 117000 mi US $100	Replace leaking radiator

Saturn VUE in Arizona, United States Jul 2013 - Oct 2014
Jan 2014 176800 mi US $85	Mass air sensor failed causing p0606 p0172 p0171 p0175 p0174 p0638 p0700 OBD codes. Replaced MAS and now running great.
Apr 2014 184700 mi US $20	Had obd code for throttle body not responding, electrical female connector failed to throttle body. Replaced connector with aftermarket product and now works great!
Oct 2014 192000 mi US $6	Oil pressure sending unit leaking oil.

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010 35000 mi US $10	Vacuum leak, Replaced Gas Cap. Fixed problem.

Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States Nov 2005 - Apr 2016
Oct 2005 21000 mi US $110	replace front hub assembly on driver side

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Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States Feb 2017 - Jul 2018
Apr 2017 122000 mi US $300	Front brakes locking up. Replaced right front caliper, turned both rotors, replaced damaged ABS wire, replaced front pads and hardware..
May 2017 124000 mi	Clunking noise in front end. Replaced left front control arm and ball joint.
Sep 2017 134000 mi US $800	Water pump failure and timing belt replacement. The engine is a 3.0 l v6, dual overhead cam. Water pump failure, as well as replace timing belt, serpentine belt, tension pulley, and idler pulleys.
Mar 2018 140000 mi US $600	Timing belt failure
Apr 2018 140000 mi US $400	broken engine mounts
May 2018 142000 mi US $300	Exhaust failure, rusted off engine

Saturn VUE in Nova Scotia, Canada Mar 2010 - Sep 2013
May 2010 42160 mi C $310	Had to order new gas tank straps as one had rusted off. (Replaced 2 tires.)
Mar 2011 44640 mi C $700	Support bearing in Drive shaft wore out, not support for driveshaft, clunking while driving
Jul 2011 48360 mi C $75	Replaced flex pipe in front exhaust
Jan 2012 52080 mi C $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 mi C $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.
Sep 2012 52700 mi	Replaced fuel pressure sensor, fixed no start problem. I ran into a problem of it starting but only running for about 15 min, So I replaced the Crank Position sensor. Part was $129.

Saturn VUE in Minnesota, United States Sep 2010 - Nov 2010
Nov 2010 298000 mi	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 Wisconsin, United States Sep 2008 - Jun 2011
May 2009 93000 mi US $200	ignition ground all the keys down - needed an entire new set. cleaned and lubed tumbler fixed the problems
Dec 2009 105000 mi US $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.

Saturn VUE in Georgia, United States Nov 2008 - Apr 2011
Feb 2009 60000 mi US $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.

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States May 2008 - Aug 2013
Sep 2008 107000 mi US $10	Fog light bulb burned out on passenger side, replaced.
May 2009 121000 mi US $30	vehicle would not start. towed to shop. found battery cables to have corrosion
Jan 2010 152000 mi US $300	oil leaking out the bottom of engine, found o ring cracked from prior oil change. Then also had rear windshield wiper motor replaced.
May 2010 142000 mi US $117	Headlight-bright lights stalk stopped working
May 2011 161000 mi US $400	Central cupport bearing came loose
May 2013 209000 mi US $1200	hole in condenser, freon leaked out. possibly caused by rock. dashboard light indicated problem with abs, abs sensor was replaced on rt rear wheel, also had to replace wheel bearing While wheel bearing was off, mechanic noted that part of stabilizer bar had broken

Saturn VUE in New York, United States Oct 2007 - Mar 2009
May 2007 76000 mi US $250	Right Front Wheel Bearing.
Dec 2007 72000 mi US $250	Left Front Wheel Bearing.
Jun 2008 100000 mi US $800	Sway Bar Links, also engine timing belt, transmission tuneup, water pump, accessory drive belt,and spark plugs.
Jul 2008 102000 mi US $535	Plastic engine cooling fan broke off a large piece. Had to replace whole unit. Left Rear Wheel Bearing.
Sep 2008 104000 mi	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 mi US $50	Dashboard Light "Service Engine Soon" came on. After having AutoZone check codes, determined I needed a new Fuel Cap.
Dec 2008 112000 mi US $274	Two Emission Sensors failed. Caused CHECK ENGINE SOON light to come on. Would not pass NY state inspection without this light being out.

Saturn VUE in Oklahoma, United States Feb 2013 - Mar 2017
Jan 2014 US $339	Replaced Thermostat
Jun 2014 137000 mi US $26	Replaced approx 18oz of R134 refrigerant.
Dec 2014 138000 mi	Registering OBD II code P1799 Trans ECM Module + low voltage at throttle body. Checked under hood fuse/relay panel, disconnected and cleaned battery terminals, cleared code-no recurrence so far.
Feb 2015 139000 mi	As above in Dec 2014 OBD II codes indicated throttle body/transmission again. Removed TB electrical connector, checked connections/dielectric grease/reassembled. Info via Tech Bulletin from Saturn Forum. So far, all OK
Feb 2016 149000 mi US $1144	Replace left front wheel bearing replaced refrigeration compressor
Oct 2016 154300 mi	replaced water pump, timing belt/idlers--ac tune up
Mar 2017 156000 mi	Ice in PCV line--pressurized crankcase--oil everywhere. Tech bulletin from Saturn forum explained problem and fix. Due to cold temps in winter.

Saturn VUE in Arizona, United States May 2008 - Feb 2017
Jun 2008 58000 mi US $700	Fuel tank leak. Replaced tank.
Jun 2010 81000 mi US $1900	Tires, alignment/balance, water cooler
Aug 2012 105000 mi US $400	key stopped working, they had to put in a new key mechanism
Mar 2013 113000 mi US $1200	needed a full a/c replace

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States Aug 2010 - Mar 2012
Dec 2011 78000 mi US $375	ABS right rear sensor within the hub was bad and was replaced.
Feb 2012 79000 mi US $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 mi US $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 Maryland, United States Oct 2003 - Mar 2010
Oct 2003 7992 mi	Horn came on at night & burned itself out. Airbag & horn replaced under warranty.
Jan 2004 12023 mi	Anti-lock brake warning light activated. Wheel speed sensor replaced under warranty.
Mar 2005 27095 mi	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 28202 mi	SES light, transmission failed to shift properly. Transmission EPROM reprogrammed. Hazard light on dash repaired. Covered by warranty
Jul 2005 30490 mi	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 34501 mi US $280	New brake pads. Front rotors machined. Peeling cloth on sunroof shade replaced under warranty.
Feb 2006 38360 mi US $1646	Oil cooler leak repaired. Valve body gasket replaced. Oil pan leak repaired. 2 tires replaced w/ alignment.
Jun 2006 41582 mi US $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 49802 mi US $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 49946 mi US $60	Horn stuck on when locking vehicle w/ keyfob. Sound from radio/CD player intermittent. Horn replaced twice. Radio wiring harness repaired.
May 2007 50444 mi US $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 55899 mi US $512	Vibration in steering column & accelerator pedal at 65+ mph. Rattle in suspension at speeds under 50 mph. Rattle in suspension/steering wheel/gas pedal. Intermediate steering shaft replaced. Alignment & wheels balanced.
Dec 2007 57000 mi	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 mi US $1500	Replaced upper steering column / power steering motor. Still rattles & vibrates somewhat less than before.
Dec 2008 68000 mi US $645	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

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Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States Dec 2010 - Oct 2011
Jan 2011 58072 mi US $554	Intake Manifold Gasket Fuel Injector O Ring top and bottom Lube Oil Filter Transmission Fluid topped off Intake Manifold Gasket Fuel Injector O Ring top and bottom
Oct 2011 63000 mi US $280	Steering clock spring replaced. Oil change.

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States Aug 2008 - Mar 2010
Mar 2008 69000 mi US $325	Transmission wires replaced. Fortunately we did not have to replace the entire transmission.

Saturn VUE in Ontario, Canada - Apr 2006
Apr 2006 34100 mi	Transmission failure. Replaced under warranty.

Saturn VUE in Ohio, United States Nov 2007 - Apr 2012
Apr 2007 65926 mi US $148	transmission warentee repair - $3480 water pump - $441 ext warentee covered $182 Replace Battery $ routine maintenance
Jan 2008 122000 mi US $303	Tensioner
Mar 2009 82483 mi US $379	Drive Belt & Tensioner replacement
Apr 2011 113500 mi US $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 119500 mi US $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 mi	Engine clattering, sometimes making white smoke when sold.

Saturn VUE in Florida, United States Apr 2011 - Mar 2018
Apr 2012 94000 mi US $290	passenger right rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced
Dec 2012 98000 mi US $565	Replaced rear shocks and had to replace both rear tires because the wore too much on inside tread.

Saturn VUE in Manitoba, Canada - May 2006
May 2006 87420 mi	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 Tennessee, United States May 2006 - Mar 2010
Jul 2006 105000 mi US $3400	Transmission replacement
Dec 2006 90000 mi US $2000	Engine Replacement
Jun 2008 160000 mi US $4800	3rd VTI Transmission Transmission replacement

Saturn VUE in California, United States Sep 2009 - Jan 2010
Jan 2010 73000 mi US $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.

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Saturn VUE in Ontario, Canada Feb 2008 - Apr 2009
Mar 2008 47120 mi C $180	Catalytic converter shot and injectors clogged. Muffler also rusted out, but I went after market for that.
Jun 2008 47740 mi C $100	Replaced muffler. reported a knocking sound but it was not present for the techs, could have been from the faulty muffler.

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States Apr 2009 - Oct 2014
May 2009 98000 mi US $1000	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 mi US $3000	Engine replaced
Aug 2014 184400 mi US $200	Replaced Front Passenger caliper and brake lines

Saturn VUE in New Jersey, United States - May 2007
May 2007 51000 mi	My CVT trans went @ 51,000 it was repaired under the GM 75,000 miles extended warrenty.

Saturn VUE in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2011 - Apr 2016
Jan 2013 90000 mi US $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.
Nov 2013 94600 mi US $920	Exhaust manifold developed leak on passenger side, two of the studs broke off at head. Removed broken studs with engine in car, replaced all studs with new and gasket, also replaced manifold with new one. Both front hubs, rotors and pads.
Jan 2014 96000 mi US $600	Had to replace front right hub, which was new, but defective, with another one, had four wheel alignment done, tire rotation, front right tire also balanced.

Saturn VUE in Pennsylvania, United States Jul 2012 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012 118000 mi US $400	Check engine light came on and a humming noise was apparent when accelerating.

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Saturn VUE in Tennessee, United States Mar 2008 - Feb 2013
Apr 2008 45000 mi	Poor performance, check engine light, throttle body replaced. Fuel injectors replaced; valves adjusted/replaced; throttle control system repaired. No charge under dealer warranty.
May 2008 45000 mi	Ignition, throttle body.
Dec 2008 49000 mi US $50	New thermostat, fixed coolant leak.
Apr 2011 55000 mi	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 mi	I went in for an oil change. Dealer noted an oil leak in the AC compressor. Compressor was replaced under warranty.

Saturn VUE in West Virginia, United States Jun 2017 - Dec 2017
Aug 2017 226000 mi US $1500	Transmission started to go out so ordered a used one and put it in.

Saturn VUE in Colorado, United States Sep 2007 - Jun 2015
Feb 2010 54000 mi US $310	Clutch hydraulic line leak.
Mar 2010 55000 mi US $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.

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States Sep 2007 - Apr 2015
Mar 2012 88000 mi US $450	Timing belt

Saturn VUE in Alaska, United States Nov 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013	Just got car, needed engine mod sensor.

Saturn VUE in Indiana, United States Jul 2011 - Jun 2015
Sep 2011 89000 mi US $885	Body Control Module (BCM) failure required replacement
Dec 2013 105000 mi US $415	Ignition lockset failed and needed to be replaced
Jun 2014 108000 mi US $1300	Vac code for gas cap and seal
Jun 2015 113000 mi US $1400	Broken sway bar replaced

Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States May 2009 - Mar 2010
Jul 2009 83000 mi US $150	Replaced rear wiper motor

Saturn VUE in Wisconsin, United States Oct 2009 - Jun 2011
Nov 2009 85000 mi US $300	DRL's failed. ABS failed along with traction control. Strut bushings failed, making constant squeeking noise.
Feb 2010 94000 mi US $200	Have to replace another wheel bearing, the third.

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States Jul 2010 - Sep 2012
Jun 2011 158000 mi US $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 mi US $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).

Saturn VUE in Minnesota, United States May 2008 - Jun 2018
Apr 2009 49000 mi US $250	Front tie rods replaced to eliminate groaning in steering assembly.
Oct 2013 64000 mi US $1200	Ignitions switch would not turn.
Oct 2014 67300 mi US $931	Leak in fuel line right below the fuel tank. Parts hard to find for Saturns no longer in business. Re-inspected ignition switch.
Apr 2016 73200 mi	Left rear window motor did not function. Did not repair it at this time. Will do so next month.
Jul 2016 74000 mi	Over six months electrical switches for the windows on both sides failed. Replaced the switches.

Saturn VUE in Massachusetts, United States Aug 2012 - Apr 2015
Aug 2012 125000 mi US $550	Emissions test failed. Had to replace exhaust parts downstream of cat conv.
Apr 2013 128000 mi US $400	Rough idle at low temperature better as engine warmed up. Problem was the ignition coil but got there after replacing other cheaper parts.
Jul 2013 130300 mi US $80	Starter motor failed. Replaced with new one.
Apr 2014 134200 mi US $120	Battery cables needed replacement. Starter would not run.
Apr 2015 138000 mi US $150	Muffler replacement

Saturn VUE in Michigan, United States Feb 2011 - Apr 2011
Apr 2011 93000 mi US $650	Water pump leaking, replaced

Saturn VUE in Nevada, United States Nov 2012 - Sep 2014
Jan 2013 US $1000	driving at about 45mph car boged down and came to a stop towed it home discovered catalyit conv pluged replaced runs fine
Feb 2014 149700 mi US $800	Plugged catalytic converters

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Saturn VUE in New York, United States Dec 2009 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010 107000 mi US $600	Had to replace rear bushing driver side and front bushing pasenger side.

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Saturn VUE in Florida, United States Dec 2007 - Jun 2008
Jan 2008 78000 mi US $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.

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Saturn VUE in Illinois, United States Nov 2007 - Mar 2010
Dec 2007 28000 mi	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

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2003 Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

2003 Saturn VUE repair cost distribution

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2003 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

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2003 Saturn VUE 4-door

2003 Saturn VUE Repair Histories