2002 SATURN VUE Electrical System Problems
53 complaints about Electrical System
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Electrical System Complaints (53)
CAR POWER SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO START AGAIN IN ANY TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS TO MOVE CAR TO A SAFE AREA. FULL LOSS OF POWER UNEXPECTED, VEHICLE SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 'USED' FROM A PRIVATE SELLER I SUSPECT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT DIDN'T EXPOSE IT. $2300 SPENT SO FAR WITH NO FINDINGS AS TO WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURS. ONLY AN ADDED 30 MILES TO THE ODOMETER SINCE PURCHASE. PRESENT READING IS 107,251.
Mileage: 107,257
THE IGNITION IS FAULT. THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN ON POSITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SEVERAL DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED OPERATION TEMPORARILY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING ON LEVELED GROUND. A FAX WAS SENT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SAFETY AT GENERAL MOTORS IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *JS
Mileage: 120,000
I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE AS NEW, SO THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON DEC 2008 AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH I PAID FOR. I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER PER THE RECALL IN 2015 AND WAS TOLD ALL IS GOOD, SO I COULD CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE 2008 REPAIR. TO DATE, AFTER FILLING IN THE REQUIRED FORMS AND SUBMITTING THEM TO A LOCAL GM DEALER, AND CORRESPONDING WITH GM CORPORATE, THEY REFUSE TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KEEP ANY SATURN MAINTENANCE RECORDS WHEN THE DIVISION WAS SHUTTERED, EVEN THOUGH CORPORATE WAS THE OFFICE THAT NOTIFIED ME OF THE EXACT DATE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIR SO I COULD SUBMIT MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT AS PROOF. THE LAST CONTACT FROM CORPORATE WAS 15 DEC 2015 WITH NO RESPONSE FROM SEVERAL MESSAGES LEFT WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER, PAULA (866-790-5700, EXT. 5913223).
Mileage: 85,000
ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON; MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FAULTY; MY BLINKERS WORK AT WILL. MY FUEL LINE SENSOR CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING A DISTANCE. THERE IS A NOISE WHEN I REVERSE. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS AND HARD TO TURN. READ THE MANUAL; VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE POWER STEERING FLUID. MUST CONTACT A DEALER PER THE MANUAL. WILL CALL TODAY. FUEL LINE ISSUES SEPTEMBER 2015 OTHER ISSUES TO DATE 12/28/2015.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN REMOVING THE KEY. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/8/15*JB
Mileage: 160,000
2002 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CYLINDER AND KEYS REPLACEMENT RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN OCTOBER 2014 REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER SENT IN THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR REIMBURSEMENT. EVEN THOUGH THE GM HAD THE PROOF THE WORK WAS DONE, THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, TO MAKE SURE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY. ONCE IT WAS VERIFIED, THE CONSUMER NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THE GM REPRESENTATIVE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V490000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Mileage: 154,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED IF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
VUE STOPPED IN PARKING LOT OTHER VEHICLE HIT ME HEAD ON VUE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY MY SATURN VUE KEY WAS ON FLOOR FELL OUT OF IGNITION I WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL ERIE TOTALED MY VUE. *TR
Mileage: 146,000
DRIVING WITH ALMOST A FULL TANK OF GAS, I LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY. SCARIER THAN THAT, IT WAS RIGHT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON THE FREEWAY. I FREAKED. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. I LET IT COAST TO A STOP. I ALMOST GOT SLAMMED BY A 18 WHEELER. I THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. I WENT TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE KEYS FELL OUT OF THE CARS IGNITION SWITCH. IT TOOK ME TRYING TO GET IT RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING IT WHEN IT FINALLY RESTARTED. I'M GLAD TO BE ALIVE DON'T GET ME WRONG. BUT, BEING STUCK ON A FREEWAY IN 106DEGREES AND ALMOST DYING SUCKED. I HAVE ACCESS TO ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THIS AUTO. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND ONLY HAS 41K MILES ON IT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. *TR
Mileage: 41,200
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE PROCESS OF RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 60,000
MY HUSBAND CAME OUT OF WORK AND COULDN'T GET HIS CAR TO START. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. AT THIS POINT WE'LL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO GET THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. GM HAS RECALLED 2003 - 2007 SATURN IONS FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY LEFT OUT 2002 SATURN VUES. IT'S THE VERY SAME PROBLEM! *TR
KEYS FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION AS YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. IS THIS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE GM VEHICLES? *TR
Mileage: 88,238
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE INSERTED IN THE DOOR IN ONE POSITION TO UNLOCK, THEN TURNED OVER TO TURN ON THE IGNITION, THEN IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE IGNITION TO THE RUN POSITION, THE ACC. POSITION WILL NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING, HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET IT TO WORK, IF GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2001, WHY DID THEY NOT RECALL MY SPECIFIC CAR WHICH IS 2002 SATURN VUE. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT THIS VIN. WAS NOT RECALLED. THE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO GM DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, WHICH I HAVE TO PAY FOR, BUT I KNOW THE IGNITION IS DEFECTIVE. IF THIS IS HOW THEY INTEND TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHY ISSUE A RECALL. I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME IN EXCESS OF 200.00 I HAVE HAD 4 DIFFERENT KEYS CUT FOR IT, WITH NONE OF THEM WILL WORK. YOU CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS PROBLEM POPS UP. MAYBE THIS WILL KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM GETTING INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GIVEN UP ON GM FIXING THE PROBLEM. I WILL TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Mileage: 126,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
CAR WILL STALL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SOMETIMES WILL COMPLETELY DIE OR WILL GO OFF FOR 10-30 SECONDS, TURNING SIGNALS WILL OCCASIONALLY WORK BUT WILL GO OUT. NO CODES WILL SHOW UP WHEN TESTED, SO THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *JS
Mileage: 91,000
KEY IN VEHICLE LOCKS UP AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT ON. KEY ALSO COMES OUT OF IGNITION WHILE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. NOW WHEN START THE CAR SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL AREA. *TR
Mileage: 124,862
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE IGNITION IS NOT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME DAMAGED AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH SPORADICALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO START. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE THAT WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE KEYS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO UNPLUG AND REATTACH THE BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179000.
Mileage: 179,000
I BOUGHT THIS AWD 2002 SATURN JUNE 28 2013 FROM TOYOTA NATION IN BUENA PARK AND EVEN WITHIN 3 HRS OF OWNING THE CAR IT QUIT WORKING SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK I HAD TRADED IN MY 2010 CHEVY COBALT THAT ONLY HAD 25K MILES ON IT ANYHOW I VE HAD IGNITION REPLACED I HAD SOME OTHER THINGS SPENT ALMOST $1000 ALREADY I CANT GET DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT LAST I REPLACED BCM AND STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT I LL BE DRIVING 45 MPH AND POOF SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES I LOOSE GAS AND IT DIES I LIVE IM MOUNTAINS SCARY AS HECK WITH MY KIDS IM SINGLE PARENT PLS HELP. *JS
Mileage: 50,000
THE IGNITION KEY MAY BE REMOVED WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE IGNITION REGARDLESS OF SHIFT LEVER POSITION; IT CAN BE REMOVED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND ASSUMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A WORN KEY OR IGNITION BARREL SO I HADN'T REPORTED IT. THE NEWS ITEM THAT DETAILED THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FAILED TO MENTION THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF THE SATURN BRAND. I AM NOW FILING THIS FORMAL REPORT TO INCLUDE THE SATURN VUE AS PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM CAUSED BY GENERAL MOTORS. PLEASE RESPOND TO LET ME KNOW YOUR ACTION REGARDING THIS FILING. *JS
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS AN IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE EXACT REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,440.
Mileage: 79,300
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTING TO ACT UP (EVERY DASHBOARD LIGHT COMES ON) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. STEERING POWER WAS LOST AND BRAKES BECAME VERY SOFT. HAPPENS AT RANDOM SPEEDS FROM 20MPH AND UP TO 65MPH. VERY SCARY! I HAVE A CHILD AND I COULDN'T GET MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL CALMED DOWN. WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATED THE ALARM IT CAUSED THE HORN TO REMAIN ENGAGED. THE DRIVER DISCONNECTED THE HORN RELAY IN ORDER TO SHUT THE HORN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT EITHER THE AIR BAG SWITCH ASSEMBLY OR BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Mileage: 112,000
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN ON ME AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE . *TR
Mileage: 113,000
WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED, IT ACTIVATES THE HEADLAMP (BRIGHTS) AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIGHTS OFF IS TO FLIP THE BRIGHT SWITCH UP ( TOWARDS DRIVER). THE HEADLAMPS DO NOT NEED TO BE TURNED ON. THE BRIGHT BEAM INDICATOR ON DASH ILLUMINATES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. *TT
Mileage: 118,695
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A BRAND NEW HARNESS SINCE THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT WORK WITH THE EXISTING WIRES. THEY WANT $3,000.00 FOR THIS. WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY REPLY THAT THIS SUV WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WANTS $860 FOR THE PART PLUS PROGRAMMING CHARGES. *TR
Mileage: 25,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RUN HOT AND INSTEAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,163.
Mileage: 68,163
2002 SATURN VUE AWD AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED. WE WERE ON TOP OF A HILL AND LUCKILY WERE ABLE TO FORCE IT UP BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT APPEAR TO FAIL. WHEN CONTACTING SATURN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IT IS NOT A "RECALL" ALTHOUGH IT WAS ADMITTED TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH READING THE MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Mileage: 94,000
2002 SATURN VUE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO A FAILED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PARTS. IT WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO RESERVE POWER AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THIS MUST BE A MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE MY MECHANIC JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS ON BACK ORDER TO APRIL OF 2009. SO IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH OF A REASON THAT THIS IS A DEFECT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS. BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL BE WITHOUT A WORKING CAR FOR 4 MONTHS BECAUSE GM/SATURN MAKES CARS THAT DO NOT FUNCTION. ALSO I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND YOU HAVE NOT FORCED THEM INTO A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM ON THE ROAD TO THE DRIVER AND OR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *TR
Mileage: 89,000
NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES. HORN ON VEHICLE STUCK IN ON POSITION AND CAN ONLY BE SILENCED BY REMOVING FUSE. DEFECT IS A POORLY DESIGNED CONTACT STRIP THAT IS PART OF AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. COST OF REPAIRS BY SATURN IS BETWEEN $800 AND $1,200 THUS CAUSING MANY OWNERS TO DRIVE WITHOUT A HORN OR PROPERLY FUNCTIONING AIR BAG. *TR
Mileage: 96,280
I OWN A 2002 SATURN VUE, 4CYLINDER, FWD WITH APPROXIMATELY 86,000 MILES. EARLY THIS YEAR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) ON THIS VEHICLE BEGAN PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM UNLOCKING PROPERLY. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN MY KEY FOB FOR MY SECURITY SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL TO UNLOCK DOORS, CAUSING THE HORN TO CHIRP IRREGULARLY. I LATER NOTICED THAT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, UNLOCKING THE DOORS USING THE POWER LOCK BUTTON ON EACH OF THE FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. WHEN I WENT TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK, IT STICKS OR DOES NOT DISENGAGE THE LOCK, ESSENTIALLY LOCKING ALL PASSENGERS IN. AFTER CRAWLING TO THE BACK SEAT I AM ABLE TO PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON MANUALLY AND ESCAPE. MY FEAR IS THAT IN AN EMERGENCY, THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WILL SOMEHOW PREVENT ME FROM GETTING OUT OF MY CAR. *TR
Mileage: 86,500
UPON FILLING MY GAS TANK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAYS ON--SOMETIMES TILL THE TANK IS HALF EMPTY--SOMETIMES COMING ON WHEN THE TANK REACHES HALF. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
MY WIFE PULLED UP TO A HOUSE THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS VISITING AND HONKED THE HORN FOR HER TO COME OUT. THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND UNTIL THE FUSE WAS PULLED. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED (APP 47K MILES ON IT) IN MARCH 2006. DURING SUMMER OF 2006 THERE STARTED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEREIN THE CAR, WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, WOULD SUDDENLY SWITCH, WITHOUT WARNING, INTO A "REDUCED POWER MODE". A SMALL LIGHT WOULD COME ON INDICATING THIS, BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS THAT ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER THIS LIGHT COMES ON, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BREAK DOWN TO 30 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE POWER WAS TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR 30-60 SECONDS. ***I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR CENTER THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WITHIN SATURN FOR THIS DEFECT, SO THEY KNOW IT EXISTS. *** HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR (TO CONSUMERS) IS OVER $1300, THEY HAVE NOT MADE A RECALL OF WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY DEFECT. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED SEVERAL SHORTCUTS IN THE PAST YEAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EACH TIME WITH ONLY TEMPORARY SUCCESS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BOTH THE SATURN REPAIR CENTER AND SATURN CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, NEITHER WILL OFFER ANY CONCESSIONS OTHER THAN COVERING A $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AFTER I HAD ALREADY PAID SUCH FEE TWICE. A DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO FORCEFULLY SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH IS RISKING THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY, SINCE WE OFTEN TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE GOING. CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND ARE FORCED TO USE OUR OTHER CAR. *JB
Mileage: 68,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 MILES , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 MILES AS OF 04-24-07. *AK UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB
Mileage: 47,000
HORN CONSTANTLY ON IN THE VERY EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING. WAS TOLD BY SATURN DEALER THAT THIS WOULD COST OVER $700 BECAUSE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG WOULD NEED REPLACING! I NEEDED TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE HORN CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. THIS IS A VERY LARGE PROBLEM SATURN HAS WITH ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE IT. *JB
Mileage: 68,600
ALL GAUGES ON THE DASH FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 MILES/HR, GAS GAGE READ 0, ETC. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE BCM WAS NOT GROUNDED AND THE ELECTRICITY ARCHED AND SHORTED THE BCM. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES AND DEALER QUOTED ME $409 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE ALARM SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
Mileage: 70,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE ALARM SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
Mileage: 70,000
SOMEONE WAS PREPARING TO CUT ME OFF, SO I SOUNDED THE HORN AS A WARNING. THE HORN WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I PULLED THE FUSE TO QUIET THE HORN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SAME DAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HORN/DRIVER AIR BAG RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT OVER $700 JUST FOR THE PART! COMMON PROBLEM/POOR DESIGN FEATURE - SEE WWW.SATURNFANS.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-52432.HTML. *NM
Mileage: 65,160
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HORN WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO ANY MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK (11/23/05) *SC
Mileage: 51,045
IN THE MORNING MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK I STARTED THE CAR, BUT THE IDLE WAS VERY ROUGH. I DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE BLOCK (STANDARD TRANSMISSION) AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT GETTING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE IN FIRST GEAR. AS I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE IDLE WAS ROUGH, THE ENGINE WAS UNDERPOWERED, AND WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE #12587426: COIL ASM, #12580215: MODULE AS, #12569190: SPARK PLUG. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT SATURN OF NATIONAL CITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2002 SATURN VUE. IT HAS THE 2.2L (L4) ENGINE. THE PARTS AND THE ENGINE ARE THE SAME ONES FOUND IN THE SATURN L-SERIES SEDAN, WHICH HAD A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. I BELIEVE THAT RECALL IS 03-C-06. I CALLED SATURN'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND SAME PART NUMBERS THAT WERE SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR THE L-SERIES SEDAN. *NM
Mileage: 53,239
MY SATURN HAS TROUBLE STARTING. WHEN IT DOES START AND RUN THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T SHUT OFF, AND THE ODOMETER WENT FROM READING 36,000 MILES TO READING 76,000 MILES. *NM
Mileage: 36,000
MY FIANCE AND I BOTH PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE. DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING SHE USED HER HORN IN ALERTING OTHER DRIVERS AND THE HORN FAILED TO STOP SOUNDING. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO PULL OVER AND REMOVE THE FUSE TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES DURING HER OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND EACH TIME THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM WOULD RETURN SHORTLY AFTER. AFTER MUCH INQUIRY WE FINALLY HAD A MANAGER ADMIT TO US THERE WAS A PRODUCT REDESIGN TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH IT SHORTING OUT WHICH ALSO AFFECTED THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY AS WELL. BOTH SAFETY ISSUES. NOW DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING MY VEHICLE, ALSO A SATURN VUE OF THE SAME YEAR, HAS SUFFERED THE SAME FAILURE. ALTHOUGH THIS IS MY FIRST SUCH INCIDENT WITH THE PROBLEM, I SUSPECT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD COST ROUGHLY $1000 TO REPLACE WHEN WE HAD TO REPLACE HERS THREE TIMES! I AM NOW FINDING MYSELF IN THE SAME SITUATION WHERE I HONKED THE HORN AND IT REFUSED TO TURN OFF UNTIL I PULLED THE FUSE. I ASSUME THEY WILL ALSO TRY TO CHARGE ME $1000 FOR IT'S REPAIR. *NM
Mileage: 25,000
THE HORN FAILED. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT CONSUMER HIT THE HORN PAD TOO HARD AND DAMAGED THE WIRING. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Mileage: 8,000
THE BATTERY DIES CONSTANTLY SINCE EARLY AUGUST OF 2002 (PURCHASED CAR ON JUNE 2002). UNABLE TO OPERATE CAR WHEN THE BATTERY DIES. MUST BE JUMPED TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE RADIO ALSO HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. THE BATTERY DIES IF THE CAR IS NOT USED FOR MORE THAN 3 DAYS. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IDDLE FOR TOO LONG. VISITED THE DEALERSHIPS 8 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS FOR THIS PROBLEM - DEALERSHIP ACTIONS DO NOT FIX PROBLEM. I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH AND THE LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF. I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ALARM - NOT ENGAGING AND MALFUNCTIONING. I ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEEL STEERING - NEEDING REPLACEMENT.*AK
Mileage: 6,628
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 SATURN VUE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF. THE PROBLEMS ACTUALLY STARTED AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS OF MY PURCHASE DATE. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING, NEVER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE ENTIRE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, BUT IS CAUSING ME PROBLEMS AGAIN. I JUST PICKED IT UP LAST NIGHT AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED; THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN THIS MORNING. THIS IS THE SEVENTH TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS DEALING WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. I ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT-END SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE TORSION BAR LINKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE TORSION BAR BUSHINGS TWICE. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED A WEEK AGO AFTER THE SUSPENSION WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PUT THE WRONG SIZE OF BUSHING ON THE TORSION BAR; IT CAME FLYING OFF WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE POSED A PROBLEM IF THE PART WERE TO HIT ANYONE. MY WARRANTY IS ALMOST UP AND I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE STUCK PAYING FOR ALL OF THESE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOTIFIED SATURN CORP., BUT REALLY DID NOT GET ANYWHERE. THEY SENT ME A CHECK FOR ONE MONTHLY PAYMENT, HARDLY COMPENSATION FOR HAVING TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWELVE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR.
ELECTRICAL/IGNITION . *CB
Mileage: 600
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE RADIO/DASH LIGHTS WERE DIM PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION WAS REPLACED. THE GROUND CONNECTOR IN THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER AREA WAS LOOSE AND WAS TIGHTENED/RE-ASSEMBLE. *SC *JB
Mileage: 7,000
THE HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS SO DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THAT IT IS COMPLETELY USELESS. WHILE DRIVING, A PERSON CANNOT FEEL WITH HIS/HER FINGERS THE DIFFERENCE IN TEXTURE ON THE WHEEL FROM WHERE THE HORN IS LOCATED AND WHERE IT IS NOT. ONCE IT IS FOUND, THE PLASTIC IS SO DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MUST APPLY AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WITH THEIR ENTIRE FIST FOR THE HORN TO GO OFF, AND FINALLY, THE AREA TO ACTIVATE THE HORN IS SO SMALL IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, I ESTIMATE IT IS SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN THE NAIL ON MY THUMB...AND I HAVE VERY AVERAGE SIZE HANDS FOR A MAN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HORN ASSEMBLY, AS A RESULT, IT IS USELESS IN REAL LIFE DRIVING SITUATIONS. *JB
WHEN MY 2002 SATURN VUE IS VERY COLD 20 DEGREES OR COLDER INSIDE CAR THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO PUSH THE PLASTIC WILL NOT FLEX MANY WOMEN WUOLD NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE HORM.
Mileage: 2,200