2004 Saturn VUE problems
Owners have filed 360 complaints about the 2004 Saturn VUE with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 25.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 22.8%.
Complaints360
Crashes36
Fires7
Injuries33
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 25.8% · 93
Electrical system 22.8% · 82
Suspension 9.4% · 34
Air bags 5.0% · 18
Unknown or other 4.7% · 17
Engine and engine cooling 4.4% · 16
Steering 4.4% · 16
Structure 3.1% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 36 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 33 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Saturn VUE in this data, 2004 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 33 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn VUE. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stopped responding to the accelerator pedal. The driver applied pressure to the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not accelerate further. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 127,000. Power train · reported at 127,000 miles
My 2004 Saturn VUE that has 54600 miles on it and the automatic transmission is slipping when I drive at a constant speed in a range form 35 - 55 miles per hr. I had in for a diagnosis at a Saturn dealership. They said it is the torque converter that is faulty and it will cost $2100 to replace it. This part has to be defected. I never had an automatic transmission problem in 40 years of driving cars. Power train · reported at 54,650 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn VUE. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly decelerate and fail to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the trans axle was defective. The trans axle was repaired, but the defect recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,500. Power train · reported at 6,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…