2002 SATURN VUE Power Train Problems

THE TIMING CHAIN RUINED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING FROM LACK OF OIL BEING APPLIED. APPARENTLY AS SOON AS I HEARD THE CLANGING SOUNDS IT WAS TOO LATE. I AM BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OILING MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SATURN VUE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

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 OPERATING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND STEERING BRAKING AND ALL CONTROL IS LOST' THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

I WAS REFERRED TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSIONS,WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT MY PARTICULAR MAKE,MODEL,&YEAR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL ON 2002 TO 2005 VUE AND 2003 TO 2004 IONS VTI TRANSMISSIONS WERE DEFECTED,I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES TO INFORM ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOTHER,TWO KIDS WITH AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND NOW NO CAR,CAUSE MY TRANSMISSION IS RUINED AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO WORK ON.THOUGH GM FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT/SETTLEMENT FOR THE SATURN OWNERS,ALL I WANT /NEED IS MY VEHICLE BACK,MY HUSBAND HAS HIS AND HOURS AT WORK IS LATE IN THE EVENING WHEN IMPORTANT PLACES LIKE DMV,POST OFFICES,AND MY KIDS DOCTORS OFFFICES.I HAD MY SATURN FOR 6 YEARS AND NEVER ONCE DID I HAVE A PROBLEM THIS SERIOUS,TO WHERE I HAVE TO SELL IT OR JUNK IT,CAUSE OF THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT REBUILT,OR IF I WOULD BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A MECHANIC TO DO THE JOB.I AM SO FURIOUS WITH GM AND SATURN,THEY DIDN'T CONTACT ME,I DON'T WANT MUCH,JUST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE AND MY FREEDOM TO DRIVE.I DON'T WANT THEM TO REPLACE IT JUST GIVE ME WHAT IT'S WORTH,SO I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *JS

Mileage: 111,955

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM NIGHT CLASSES ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE AT THE STOP LIGHT (WHILE IDLING) WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GO THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD PUTT THROUGH THE INTERSECTIONS. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS GOT WORSE AS I DROVE AND I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME THAT I WOULD NOT ENCOUNTER ANOTHER RED LIGHT. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMEMBERED THAT SATURN HAD SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT " THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR SATURN VUE VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A VTI, MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE NOISE OR REDUCED PERFORMANCE." SO THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. IF YOU GOOGLE "2002 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSIONS" YOU WILL FIND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. IF THIS HAD OF HAPPENED A DAY EARLIER MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND DIED DUE TO THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 7000.00 ON THIS CAR AND IT WILL COST ALMOST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE. IF SATURN OR GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO FIX IT, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT. *TR

Mileage: 76,000

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

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

CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVE WAY WITH KIDS IN IT. MY FINDINGS WERE THAT IN MY 2002 SATURN VUE WAS IN THE ACC POSITION ON THE KEY THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO PUSH THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT IS UNLOCKED. I FEEL THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS LUCKY NO INJURIES TO MY KIDS JUST THE CAR. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NO REPAIR I COULD DO. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD WITH THE GM VTI TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TWO DAYS AGO I EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION/ENGINE FAILING FOR THE FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME SINCE 2006. THE VERY FIRST TIME I TOOK MY VUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I HAD TO ARGUE WITH FIRST MY SERVICE REP. FOLLOWED BY HIS MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, THEY ORIGINALLY BLAMED ME FOR POOR DRIVING, RESULTING A BAD BCM WHICH THEY MADE ME PAY IN SPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR MY CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HOWEVER WAS QUITE AN ORDEAL SINCE MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST POWER ON THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH WHAT I KNEW WAS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BUGGING THEM ALMOST EVERYDAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THEY FINALLY ADMITTED GMS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION ON THE THIRD VISIT. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION LASTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. IN 2007 I HAD RELOCATED WITHIN THE STATE AND WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND RELUCTANTLY CALLED MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. HERE WE GO AGAIN ANOTHER $500 FOR ODDS AND ENDS AND THIS TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE ECM AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINALLY REPLACED ON MY THIRD TRIP! HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY FOR MY LOANER CAR THOUGH I REQUESTED ONE. BRINGS US TO 2009, WHEN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND I OF COURSE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! LUCKILY I FOUND A DEALERSHIP NEAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY CONFIRMED BY THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD! THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND CLOSED FOR BUSINESS WITHIN THREE DAYS. NO LOANER CAR AGAIN. HERE I SIT AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY GOING OUT, AND DREADING THE THOUGHT OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FIASCOES. AT WHAT POINT WILL GM TAKE THESE DANGEROUS 2002-2005 CARS OFF THE ROAD? *TR

Mileage: 108,500

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

I PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE 4WHEEL DRIVE IN FEBRUARY 28,2009. THIS VUE WENT FROM 55 MILES AN HOUR TO 1MILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. THE "LOW POWER LIGHT COMES ON" AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, $255.00 DOLLARS LATER THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT DO THIS AGAIN. THEN MONDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. I PULLED OUT AND "NOTHING" IT WONT GO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WASN'T KILLED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. HOLY COW! FOR THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALMOST DEAD. THE MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT CAN'T FIGURE WHICH "GEAR" TO GO INTO? I CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION TRYING TO GO AND THE MOTOR INCREASES IN SOUND BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO GO INTO GEAR. WHAT THE HECK! CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT NEEDS A :"THROTTLE BODY" REPLACES IT WILL BE AT LEAST $1000.00. HE SAID 800.00 FOR PART 200 TO PUT IT ON. WHAT THE HECK? I ALMOST DIED. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. I HAVE LISTENED TO "CAR TALK" AND IT IS KNOW TO THESE FOLKS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? IS IT REALLY 800.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT " THROTTLE BODY? COULD THERE BE AN SIGHT WHERE WE COULD SEE THIS IS CORRECT PRICE? COULD I REPLACE THE PART? OR WILL IT NEED TO BE ON A RACK BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET TO IT. MY FATHER JOHN B PHARR RETIRED FRO GENERAL MOTORS IN GEORGIA AND TAUGHT ME ABOUT CARS. BUT HE PASSED AWAY. I NEED HIS HELP, BUT AS A OVER 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL CONSIDER THIS AND HONOR HIS DEDICATION TO GENERAL MOTORS . I AM GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED US HEALTH INSURANCE GROWING UP. I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP POSSIBLE OR DISCOUNT. I WILL HAVE PARK IT AND RIDE THE BUS FOR NOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN RECOVERING FROM A MEDICAL LEAVE OF 60 DAY FROM MY EMPLOYER HENNEPIN COUNTY IN MINNESOTA. I AM NOW EARNING MY INCOME AGAIN. MY INCOME IS LIMITED DUE TO THE TIME OFF FOR SHORT TERM DISABILITY. I HAVE RETURNED TO WORK BUT AM REPAYING LATE PAYMENTS BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL LEAVE. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY. *TR

Mileage: 118,661

2002 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND THE SPEED DROPPED DOWN QUICKLY TO 5 MILES/HR. OVER THE PAST 4 WEEKS I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND PULLEY BELTS BECAUSE THEY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 55,292

SUDDEN, MASSIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK CAME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHILE TRYING TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD AFTER A STOP, CLUTCH FAILED. MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A SAFER LOCATION ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. SO MUCH SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT I WAS AFRAID TO OPEN IT. RETREATED TO A SAFE DISTANCE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

LEAKING RIGHT AXLE SEAL. *TR

I HAVE A FAILED TRANSMISSION, ON A 2002 SATURN VUE WITH 56K MILES ON IT. I BROUGHT IT IN THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING THEY CLAIMED THEY CHANGED THE FLUID, DID A TUNE UP ETC., BUT THE RIDE REALLY DIDN'T CHANGE. WELL THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT OUT, AND THEY'RE ORDERING PARTS TO "FIX" THE TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. IN FACT THEY DON'T MAKE THE TRANSMISSION ANYMORE (WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE, WHO WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK) BUT NOW IF MINE GOES OUT I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE PARTS REPLACED, OR GET ONE OUT OF A WRECKED ONE. *NM

Mileage: 56,300

9/15/04 VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I ALMOST HAD A COLLISION FROM AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. VUE HESITATED AGAIN AND LOST POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO GET UP TO POSTED SPEED. I HAD THE ACCELERATOR FLOORED, RPMS SHOT UP TO 6000 AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR DOWN THE ROAD. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT VUE WOULDN'T EXCEED 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR. WITH 21,937 MILE, I DROVE TO SATURN OF ROCHESTER (MN) AND DROPPED OFF ADVISED DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ENGINE RACED. 9/16/04 SATURN OF ROCHESTER (MN) TECHNICIAN DROVE CAR AND FELT TRANSMISSION SLIP. TECHNICIAN DRAINED FLUID AND FOUND METAL IN FLUID AND BELT SLIPPING. DEALERSHIP CALLED TO ADVISE THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED! RETURNED TO OWNER ON 9/23/04. 9/27/04, WITH 22,060 MILES, BROUGHT VUE BACK TO SATURN OF ROCHESTER (MN) BECAUSE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. SATURN VIE WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 20 - 25 MILES PER HOUR DOWN THE ROAD '' ONCE AGAIN, HAD TO TAKE BACK ROADS TO SAFELY GET TO DEALERSHIP. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THEY HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY HAD REPLACED! WHEN I ASKED IF THEY HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SATURN VIE THE SALES PERSON SAID HE HADN'T HEARD OF ANYTHING. THE GENERAL MANAGER MADE THE SAME STATEMENT. USING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS LISTINGS ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE. I PRINTED OUT THE INFORMATION AND PROVIDED IT TO THE GENERAL MANAGER - - HE PLEAD IGNORANCE. WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED I ASKED THE SHOP MANAGER IF THEY HAD EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD REPLACED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WAS WIDELY KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 21,937

DT: CONTACT STATES THE CLUTCH BECAME DISABLED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH CABLE SNAPPED OR THERE WAS PROBLEM WITHIN THE HYDRAULICS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. *AK

THE TRANSMISION DOWN SHIFT VERY HARD IN STOP AND GO DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MANY TIMES TO SATURN. HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT THIS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION IS DESIGNED PROPERLY. MY CAR DOWNSHIFT SO HARD I DO NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE.*AK HAS ANYBODY ELSE COMPLAINT ABOUT IT?

Mileage: 30

WHILE TRYING TO STOP BY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTOPPABLE IN THAT SHORT DISTANCE. THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE AND HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THE INTERNET AND BY OTHER OWNERS. THE RESULT WAS A COLLISION THAT TOTALED THE SATURN AND ANOTHER DRIVER'S VOLVO. *NLM

Mileage: 9,750

THE CONSUMER INSISTED THE 2002 SATURN VUE WAS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP FOR ANYONE WITH SIGNIFICANT DRIVING REQUIREMENTS. ACCORDING TO VUE OWNER'S MANUAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM HAS THE FOLLOWING FATAL FLAW. IF VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO EXTENDED HEAVY USAGE, THE AWD SYSTEM WILL SHUT OFF TO PROTECT THE SYSTEM FROM OVER HEATING. WHEN THE SYSTEM COOLS, THE AWD SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE ITSELF AGAIN AUTOMATICALLY. COOL DOWN PERIOD CAN TAKE UP TO 20 MINUTES DEPENDING ON OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND VEHICLE USE. CONSUMER PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENTS TO SATURN, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. *AK *JB

WHEN SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR, THE SHIFTER HAD BROKEN. TS THERE HAD BEEN A CHATTER IN THE SHIFTER WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS RELEASED, ALSO WHEN THE GAS WAS APPLIED, SOMETIMES CAUSING A SURGE IN THE FIRST GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE AND ADJUSTER HAD BROKEN. SCC

Mileage: 10,000

IN JULY I BOUGHT A 2002 SATURN VUE. OVER CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING TRANSIMISSION FLUID FROM A CONNECTION IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND THESE LINES TOTALLY UNPROTECTED AND VULNERABLE TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE. DUE TO THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE EXHAUST I'M CONCERNED WITH A RUPTURE AND FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE TO SHOW THE LOCATION OF THESE LINES BUT AM UNABLE TO ATTACH THEM TO THIS TYPE OF FILE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!

Mileage: 8,871

I HAVE ALSO FOUND A METAL CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER''S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK, OR REVERSE. IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 12 TO 30 MPH, AGAIN THE PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COASTING AND LOSING MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT ANY AID OF BRAKING OF ANY KIND AND AS THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DOWN SHIFT, IT WOULD SOMETIMES MAKE A CLANKING NOISE, OR BUCK, OR IN THE MOST EXTREME CASES COMPLETELY STALL OUT. ALSO THE WIPER SPRAYERS HAVE BROKEN TWICE, AND THE DEALER EXPECTS THEM TO BREAK AGAIN.

Mileage: 1,000

I HAD MY 2002 SATURN VUE PARKED IN A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. TWENTY TO THIRTY MINUTES LATER, MY CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR, BACKED UP, TURNED, AND ROLLED OFF AN EMBANKMENT, LANDING IN BETWEEN TREES AND ONTO SHOULDERS. WHEN I CALLED THE WEEK BEFORE THE ACCCIDENT, I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING MY CAR INTO GEAR. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THAT OUT AND I ALSO SCHEDULED AN OIL CHANGE AT THAT TIME. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICHLE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GEAR PROBLEMS HAD BEEN A FLUKE OF THE VUE. PRIOR TO THAT, I HAD NO GEAR PROBLEMS OTHER THAN A NOISE WHEN I SHIFTED THAT I REPORTED TO THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AXLE NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED PROPERLY. THEY WERE RETORQUED PER BULLETIN 02T52. THE HOUSE THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT HAS A SENSOR IN THE DRIVEWAY, SO I KNOW THE CAR TOOK AT LEAST 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR. I REPORTED THE PORBLEM ON THE MORNING AFTER MY ACCIDENT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO CALL THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, I HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT SOMEONE FROM THE SATURN CORPORATION COME TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE, AND THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION/ AND PERHAPS THE TRANSMISSIONS OF OTHER SATURN VUE'S. DT

WHEN COMING TO STOPS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. AFTER THE INITIAL SURGE THE VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL, STOP OR CUT OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. CONSUMER DOESN'T FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE, CONSUMER BELIVES THIS IS TRANSMISSION RELEATED ,HOWEVER THE DEALER IS STATING IT IS A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.*JG