2002 Saturn Vue transmission problems

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 113,000 miles · WY

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 .

Filed Sep 10, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 12,000 miles · NM

When operating at any speed the vehicle will shut down and steering braking and all control is lost' this constantly happens.

Filed Jun 7, 2012 · Transmission · 111,955 miles · LA

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2010 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 25,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed May 19, 2010 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · OR · crash

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.

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 Jan 21, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 94,000 miles · ME

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2009 · Transmission · 118,661 miles · MN

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.