2004 Saturn VUE Saturn VUE 2004

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2004 Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

Engine (21%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (14%)

Brakes and Traction Control (10%)

Suspension and Steering (31%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 229 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Saturn VUE.

2004 Saturn VUE transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (7%)

$1000 - $2499 (20%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (13%)

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Chart based on 30 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Saturn VUE

Engine not specified

116000 mi

US $2200
Transmission only operates in Drive or reverse. I have previously replaced the Torque Convertor and did not want to sink more money into this vehicle's transmission. It has been a problem since I bought the car. 

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2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

250-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic FWD

145200 mi torque converter shot 
217000 mi

US $490
Replaced drivers side cv/axle assembly. Boot torn bearing failing. 
152000 mi transmission making noise when starting off and when shifting 

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2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

250-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

225000 mi

US $245
Jack shaft mounting bracket broken and worn out bearing on shaft. 
228000 mi

US $280
Half shaft replaced. 
133000 mi

US $1100
also found CV joint and axel needed replacement as well. 
142300 mi

US $756
Axle 
79944 mi

US $312
FRONT SUSPENSION HUB + BEARING RIGHT SIDE 
103406 mi

US $330
front axle shaft, right inner 
67450 mi

US $1700
Replaced torque converter. Input shaft grinds upon entry into torque converter. Transmission shop claims this is a transmission defect. NOTE: This is a Honda transmission and I feel they are responsible for the defect, not GM. 
56000 mi

US $100
Drive shaft had to be rebalanced due to a vibration & fluttering noise. 
100300 mi

US $600
4 wheel half shaft bearing & joint 
44640 mi

C $200
Growling noise on awd. 
47740 mi Rear drive module (RDM) changed again just before warranty end, lots of metal particles in oil. Chewed up.... 
97340 mi

C $536
center drive shaft bearing replaced and shaft balanced 
127140 mi

C $50
universal joint to the rear wheels was removed to cure noise from u-joints and middle support bearing. vehicle is now regular front wheel drive but driving noise is tolerable. 
66000 mi

US $175
Was told that the drive shaft bearing needed to be replaced. I chose not to have the work done at that time. 
77000 mi

US $125
Drive shaft bearing was worn and needed to be replaced.Had car inspected at the dealership, technician would not pass me unless part was repaired.However part was on back-order, so drive shaft removed.Vehicle is front wheel only until shaft repaired. 
78000 mi

US $512
drive shaft bearing was replaced and AWD was restored 
84000 mi

US $150
humming, buzzing, droning noise from front driver side area. CV half shaft assembly replaced. Did not resolve 

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2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 CVT FWD

114700 mi

US $5200
CVT transmission belt shattered, destroyed transmission - 

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2004 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

89000 mi

US $1500
Master cylinder went out, taking clutch, and slave cylinder with it. Total cost was half parts, half labor. 
177000 mi

US $415
Clutch, slave cylinder, rear main oil seal, both output seals. 
90000 mi

US $840
Cable end link(s) failed in manual transmission dropping Reverse gear. 
96000 mi

US $3790
Whole 5 speed transmission failed. No choice given except to replace. Dealer couldn't fix it. Nearly impossible to shift into gear or between gears etc. Just plain unsafe. 
138000 mi

US $360
Cables from Gearshift to transmission broke and needed replacement. 2nd time in 2 years. 
190000 mi Clutch failed. Slave cylinder failure. Car towed to charity donation site. 
104700 mi

US $600
Replace shifter cables. 
186000 mi

US $1289
Needed to replace master and slave clutch cylinders, along with clutch. 

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2004 Saturn VUE

4-cylinder automatic AWD

145000 mi

US $1770
the 3rd transmission on this Vue went out. Just stopped this time with no warning. 

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2004 Saturn VUE Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Saturn VUE problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.