2002 Saturn Vue: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 23, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 107,257 miles · MA

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.

Filed May 12, 2015 · Engine · 145,000 miles · OH

Loss of power and eventually just stopped running. Towed it home. Suspected timing chain. Took off valve cover and tc cover. Noticed that black plastic guide was broken in main pieces and must have been for some time, for chain wore into some bolts and cover. Chain looks brand new and no issues with it. Replaced all timing components (two sprockets, chain, guide, tension arm, tensioner, cam sprocket, etc)., but it would not start. Checked compression (0 psi at all cylinders), double checked timing and was correct. Roller rockers were loose when cam is not pressing on them, so suspect all valves are bent. Fix is to rebuild the "head". I presume that if the black plastic chain guide did not break, it would not have gotten out of time and bent valves. The recall should not be on the timing chain but the plastic guide that is used for the timing chain. Had this part been metal, this would not have happened. Have picture to send if needed.

Filed Dec 3, 2014 · Engine · AL

I was driving on a road with a 50 MPH limit when the engine shut off. I lost all power to the car and thankfully was able to steer it into the drive way of a business on that road. There were no recalls on my car at that time and there still are no engine recalls on this car despite the other recalls where the exact same thing happened. The local dealer said I had a bad sensor in the engine and charged me over $400 to fix. I am lucky to have survived the incident and charging me was wrong.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 41,200 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed May 8, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 108,500 miles · TX

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?

Filed Feb 9, 2009 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MI

My vehicle lost power and would not exceed 10 miles an hour.

Filed Aug 30, 2008 · Engine · 102,639 miles · MI

I was driving my 2002 saturn vue (4 cyl, 2.2 l engine, manual transmission) on the freeway. The engine stalled and then lost power. I fortunately was able to coast down the freeway exit, and I (with the assistance of a few kind hearted motorists) had to push my car out of the exit lane and on coming traffic. My car was towed through aaa to a service garage. The mechanic informed me that the timing chain broke, and in turn damaged the pistons, thus requiring me to replace the engine in my vehicle. Replacing the engine is estimated to cost between $1,800 and $2,800 depending upon the availability of the engine in my area. It is my understanding through reading today that there may have been a recall on this very issue with the saturn 2.2 l engines, but I was never contacted by general motors concerning this issue with the 2.2 l engine. I am fortunate that I was able to exit the freeway safely, that other motorists were able to hold off traffic and assist me pushing the car to safety, and that my child, other family members, and I were not in an accident or injured due to this failure at high speed.

Filed Jan 25, 2008 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn vue. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the engine and reduced power lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle completely lost power. The contact had to shift into neutral in order to pull off the road. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and they stated that the timing chain failed. She has pictures of the failed component. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 117,000. Updated 02/15/08.

Filed Jan 19, 2008 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NY

While driving my 2002 saturn vue 2.2l 4cyl last night at approx. 55-60mph, my reduced power light came on, along with the service engine soon. I had no forewarning noises or indication my car was going into failure. I immediately put my car into neutral, shut the ignition down, and pulled off the road as safely as I could, still at approx. 50 MPH speed as I had my 3 children in the car with me. After the car was shut down for 5 mins and speaking to my gm dealership, they advised me to try to turn the car over in case it was just a "glitch" in the computer system, to no avail. It wouldn't turn over. After being towed to my gm dealership, I was told my vehicle had a "zero tolerance" engine, and that my timing chain had broke. I was told my engine was most likely blown, and that I needed to have my engine replaced. The minimal cost of this timing chain error is $3,000 even with a used engine going into my car. I see many complaints about saturn's 2.2l engine in the approx. 2001-2002 range, and I believe my vehicle is part of this. I am contacting saturn on monday the 21st to see if I can get some sort of help in replacing my engine, as this is apparently an obvious problem with their engines.

Filed Sep 25, 2007 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · NY

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.

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.