2002 Saturn Vue: check engine light

Filed Dec 28, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 200,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Engine · 67,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn vue. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled for a brief moment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the reverse wave plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Electrical · 179,000 miles · PA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 89,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2008 · Engine · 101,414 miles · CA

Re: to whom it may concern; I am writing this letter to state how bad a 2002 saturn vue is on safety. I just came in from trying to tow my scooter mobility trailer up the hill in front of my house. The 'service engine soon' light is on like it always is. I have tried to get something done about it on several occasions to no avail. One thing it says is that the engine temperature thermostat is sticking. I was told that it would cost me $400 to replace the thermostat. The vehicle does not have a thermostat problem. The temperature gauge always stays about 1/3 of the way between the second and third marks, winter or summer. The only difference between winter and summer is the length of time it takes to get fully warmed up. There is a hill between my community and the highway. It is about mile long. In the summer, the vehicle is fully warmed up by the bottom of that hill. In the winter, it takes to the top of that hill before it is fully warmed up. I spent about #100 for a new thermostat and all the necessary gaskets to replace that thermostat and I still have the light and the temperature is still 1.3 the way between the second and third marks. The main reason for my complaint of safety is that the vehicle will go into 'limp mode' at any time, even while driving down the freeway, at freeway speeds, and suddenly I have no power to avoid an accident. Any vehicle with a 'check engine soon' light should go into limp mode on startup, not randomly while driving.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Body, Engine · 92,000 miles · MA

Over the past year, I have had several instances where the "check engine" light comes on and the car just shuts down and won't start up. I have also had the low coolant light come on and was leaking anti-freeze, which I kept on filling up. Once it was towed to the dealer and when they went to look at it the next morning, it started right up and they could not figure out what was wrong. Another time I left it and when I came back, it started right up. In both of those instances, I was driving less than 40 MPH and was able to get to the side of the road safely. The 3rd time that the car died, I was traveling 65 MPH on an interstate when the car suddenly died, without any warning. I had just enough time to pull over to the side of the road and avert an accident. I bought a new car, because I was afraid to drive this one and it has been sitting in my driveway for 8 weeks. I recently had the vue towed to a different dealership. They said that I need a new timing belt and water pump. They also say that I need to have an I-bolt pulley, belt tensioner, alternator, and serpentine belt replaced. Other repairs that are needed are a front sway bar links and the bearing on the drive shaft. This car has only 92,000 miles.

Filed Apr 16, 2008 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2008 · Engine · 125,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn vue. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine light and the low power light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle shut off completely and would not restart after several attempts. The vehicle was diagnosed as having timing chain failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling). The current and failure mileages were 125,000. Updated 6/9/08 *cn updated 06/09/08

Filed Aug 1, 2007 · Engine · 880,165 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns 2002 saturn vue. While driving 70 MPH, he heard a noise in the engine. The check engine and reduce power light were also illuminated. The vehicle drifted into the slow lane allowing him to stop. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic stated that faulty wiring caused the failure. The mechanic repaired the wiring; however, the timing chain fell off. Vehicle maintenance has been up to date since he purchased the vehicle. The timing chain should not have failed due to the mileage. The current and failure mileages were 88,165.

Filed Apr 24, 2007 · Electrical · 47,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Engine · 54,430 miles · OH

This is the second instance in 54,438 miles of: timing chain 'slipped' due to lack of lubrication. In both instances, the engine stalled while driving (at low speed), then restarted with reduced power/performance along with the service engine warning light. This time, the engine was badly damaged and must be replaced. Saturn blames me for not keeping up with the every 3000 mile oil change requirement. (and is satisfied to look no further for any other causes.) I have seen the investigative report (pe06-006), on this site, of an investigation into frequent timing chain failures in l-series models (having the same engine as this vehicle). The report references lack of oil flow to the timing chain when operating at low RPM. (this is the type of driving I do.) the report also references gm tsb 03-06-01-017 stating "all timing chain service kits now available will include an oiler nozzle, a new design that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low RPM operating conditions". The dealer does not acknowledge existence of the improved design for the vue engine. The first failure instance was covered under warranty at 24,663 miles. The current instance occurred at 54,438 mi. , and is now out of warranty. Saturn is offering to take 50% cost of an engine replacement.

Filed Sep 4, 2006 · Engine · 68,000 miles · NY

While driving my 2002 saturn vue to work, the reduced power and service engine lights came on simultaneously, and I had no power. I pulled over to the side of the road where a state trooper sat behind me with his lights on so that I would not be rear-ended. My car was towed to a local repair station where it could not be fixed, so it was towed to the saturn dealer. It was reported to me that the timing chain broke and since the engine was a "zero tolerance" engine, the entire engine has to be replaced at a cost of over $2000. I have an extended warranty, but do not have copies of the receipts for oil changes so they will not honor the warranty (for which I paid $1700). Heritage (the company which I bought the warranty from when I bought the car at saturn) says that if I pay $435 to have the engine torn down, they will send an auditor to determine if they will pay for the repairs or not. My concern is that the engine that they will put in has 28,000 miles on it and the timing chain may break on this engine as well.