After talking to a saturn car care specialist in january 2014 because of a loud noise in steering column, and after having been told there was no recall for the problem I was experiencing, it was recommended that I make an appointment with local gm dealership to have problem inspected which I did. When I turn the steering wheel, there is a loud noise like a rubber band is being stretched to the point of breaking. The following is what dealership reported on repair invoice: "steering wheel air bag coil making a noise. The noise is due only to plastic items making contact with one another. This noise is common in cold weather and is not an area of concern at this time". I live in a high temperature/high humidity state and the problem is constant - not only in winter. After visiting the dealership and they inspected, the noise was gone but that lasted only for a week or so and it returned and it still persists to this date. I was then advised by the service department manager to use a dry silicone spray on the steering column/air bag area and that should take care of the problem. It did not. Or, I could have the current driver's side air bag replaced at my own cost which I opted not to do because of the expense. I have been concerned about this air bag problem for a long time. It originally started while I was still living in another state until three years ago when I moved to my current address. My question is this: have other owners of vehicles with air bag problems also experienced this noise prior to the air bags exploding with sharp metal objects seriously injuring them? Or, was a noise like this reported to friends/relatives by those killed prior to the incidents? Other comments by saturn owners on web site also could not get answer from gm as to cause of this noise which they were also experiencing. Am I driving a time bomb???
2003 Saturn Vue airbags complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 41, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My 2003 saturn vue continues to run when the key falls out of the ignition. If involved in a crash will air bags deploy ? This model is not on the recall list for gm products with this problem. Help!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. Additionally, smoke emitted from the center of the steering wheel where the horn was positioned. The contact also mentioned that the key released from the ignition while the engine was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate a problem. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,343. Updated 06/10/14*lj updated 8/21/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the low power light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) that the vehicle was not included in. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 6/10/14*cn updated 8/17/17
Car parked at work - informed horn was blowing on car. Turned off alarm - still blowing. Thumped center of steering wheel - blowing stopped. Happened one week later - same scenario. Two days later - blew horn at dog while driving - had to thump center of steering wheel to make blowing stop. Have had six (6) more incidents since april '13 = seems to happen when heat builds up in car. Thumping center of steering wheel stops blowing. Afraid to disconnect horn due to safety of having a horn. Have read multiple, similar complaints on internet - focuses mainly on '02 and '03 saturn vue. Wondering if there is a recall? Have seen estimates for repair of horn switches and airbags above $700.00. Seems to be chronic problem - could lead to fire in airbag due to faulty switch???? Very concerned. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I notice the beginning of the week when I started my car the air bag light and the service engine light remained on in my vehicle. I called my mechanic immediately and he told me that seemed be be a wiring or mechanical issue with the vehicle. He stated that saturn did have a recall on the vehicle for this issue and I needed to get a hold of someone immediately. That is why I am filing his complaint asking for immediate assistance with the critical issue with my vehicle. Please if someone can contact immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while attempting a turn, another vehicle crashed into her. The air bags did not deploy and the contact was injured. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 128,000.
My horn started blowing early 1 morning and I had to disconnect my horn the switch went out the horn switch is in the air bag assembly. This was a common problem with the 2003 saturn vue.
Driving on highway in 55-MPH zone, forced to lane change by merging traffic traveling fast. Had to come back into first lane as another car sped up in passing lane at same time we moved over. Nowhere to go; car spun out, rolled and hit hill on side of highway. Vehicle had front airbags (driver and passenger), and side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers. Airbags never deployed throughout accident. Vehicle was totally demolished. Thank god, we are alive, but total demolition with no airbag deployment? How and why did this malfunction?
Air bag light remains on- for a few years. Which, in turn, keeps the check engine light on. Dealer looked at it a few years ago, and said all that could be done would be fix the computer. It would need a replacement and that would be my responsibility. It would cost well over $500. Wonder if there is a recall or some way I would not need to pay.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. As a consequence, in a situation that warrants, the air bags may fail to deploy. The contact is aware that a serious injury could occur in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the air bag control module needed to be replaced; however, since the parts were on back order no repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 57,632.
On 9/7/09, I was involved in a rollover accident in a 2003 saturn vue. The air bags did not deploy on the passenger or driver's side, causing my face to hit the steering wheel. I blacked out behind the wheel and the car flipped and then wrapped around a tree.
Air bag and service light on. Brought car to dealer only to find out the air bag module is defective. Dealer said it would cost $750.00 to repair. Talked to local auto repair shop they said they thought there was a law that manufacturers have to correct a safety issue for up to 10 years after car is manufactured at no charge to consumer. Called dealer they said they have no knowledge of this of course. Stuck with problem and concerned.
Traveling south bound at aprox. 30-35 MPH enter busy urban intersection when a car traveling west bound ran a red light. I collided into the passenger side of his vehicle straight on (t-boned). Causing damage to the complete front end of my vehicle. The air bags never deployed. I suffered bruising and soreness from the impact. My vehicle the saturn vue was totaled by the insurance company.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving 15 MPH, the horn engaged without warning. The contact stated she removed the fuses for the horn however, the failure continued to occur. The dealer stated that the airbag padding caused the failure. As of april 29, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice, traveled down a hill, and crashed head on into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained neck injuries. A police report was filed. The front end and sides of the vehicle were damaged. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or the insurance company. The current and failure mileages were 89,000.
The switch in the airbag module gets stuck and the horn blows continuously and when it wants to; it has failed for me at least 6 times in one day before burning out the horn. Then after a body control module was replaced (not needed) and the horn the following tuesday the horn began to blow out of control again. I have had to disable the horn (a safety feature of a car) to keep from it blowing more.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving 40 MPH, the contact veered off the road and crashed into several trees. The vehicle rolled and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact injured her neck and her vehicle was destroyed. The VIN, purchase date, and engine size were unknown. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 58,000.
Failed vti transmission..started on 12/03/03 with 9199 miles. Reduced power light, car would not go when placed in gear, fix-code p0107, map sensor low circuit voltage transmission control system on 6/28/04 with n14807 miles. Wrench lit, saturn allegedly not found on 12-02-04 with 20178 miles not properly shifting,wrench light,fixed. Dtc b2707 into shift lock transmission on 6/30/05 with 27797 miles ses light, not found. On 7/17/06 with 48664 mi.les wont shift gears. Fix total rebuild as per saturn extended warranty. On 11/21/06 4with 8664 miles not shifting , stopped, then went into heavy traffic. Would not go in reverse, fix ed again. On 3/10/07 with 50107 miles stopped in heavy traffic then went. Intermitently shook in heavy traffic when at operating temperatures. As per saturn not found. Also, air bag/horn issues, on 1/31/06 with 38441 miles air bag light was on. .saturn alledged not found on 4/10/06, and on 41040 miles again air bag li, as per saturn dtcb1800472,,dtcb1001, replaced modual assembly.was charged $578.40 .after that horn was going on own , assumed was part of alarm system . Horn burned out, and saturn wanta about $1500 to repair when there iwas a an admitted design flaw. Alarm system was verified by outside source operational, not even sure if air bag will deploy in an accident.
It started with having strange clicking in the turn signals. Then the temp light would come on and the needle would bury itself into the red portion of the dial. We noticed no smell or problems with driving the car and the radiator and coolant resevior checked out to be fine. Next came the oil light on after we had already had the oil changed. Then the air bag light would stay on longer after starting the car. Then as suddenly as things started, everything went back to normal except the turn signals. A few weeks later it began. This time with the horn getting stuck, then the service light coming on and staying on along with the oil light. Then the airbag light started staying on longer and longer. By this time it is winter and I'm hearing strange sounds from the front of the car. One day we notice the horn is no longer working and the front end sound like it's going to fall off. We're afraid to use the heater defroster too much for fear the car may over heat. I take the vehicle in for oil change and diagnotic. It was not bought at a saturn dealer. I am told that the housing for the oil filter is broken and needs replacing. I pay for half of that. I need new links in the front. The horn works. The temp gauge is going into the red. After I explained what was going on with the gauges. It was suggested I take it to a saturn dealer. I went to my local saturn dealer and they replaced the front links. They diagnosed the other problems as: airbag steer wheel contacts collapsed - $800.00, shorted bcm- $449.00, horn shorted- $101.00, fuse blown-$23.60, not including labor. Spoke with saturn corp, they have agreed to pay $500.00 toward repair of airbag as long as we go to the saturn dealer. Presently we're seeking monetary assistance from the selling dealership which has moved over 50 miles away. This case is still pending.
Saturn vue horn failure due to poor engineering design. Dealer advised that airbag, horn, and horn relay has to be replaced. However, the horn relay is the same relay part number as the rear window wiper - trading out the relays did not cause the rear window washer to stop working, therefore the problem is not in the horn relay. The dealer disconnected some of the systems, including the flasher, to disconnect the horn when it would have been easier to unplug the horn at the horn rather than under the dash. The dealer advised that this is a design failure but wants ~$800 to replace the airbag, horn, and relay. This is not an uncommon problem based on the other complaints listed. I purchased a saturn strictly because of service dependability --- and apparently that is not sufficient reason to remain with saturn now that gm has taken over.
2003 saturn vue hood release cable and windshield wiper motor was replaced. *ts the rear differential was replaced (warranty). While repairing the rear differential the technician noticed that the prompt shaft center bearing was broken (warranty). There was noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The technician determined that the transaxle. The technician updated the TCM and added CVT additive (warranty). The check engine light illuminated on the dash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the oxygen sensor was faulty (warranty). The air bag and horn were also replaced.
The horn in my 2003 saturn vue malfunctioned. When taken to the local saturn dealer for repair, they replaced several components ($400) and ultimately told me they had to replace the computer module that governed the horn ($700). They also told me that this module governed the airbags. However, the airbag warning light was not lit because the computer module had failed. A horn part shorted out and resulted in my son driving a car with no airbags and no warning of that.
Today is 02/02/05. A few weeks ago, the horn on my '03 saturn vue became stuck. The only remedy was to pull the fuse. Yesterday, the vue was at the dealer (to have work done on the rear suspension per recall notice). I had the dealer check out the horn. They stated that the diagnostic computer gave the code that the "airbag needed to be replaced". The vue has just 49,000 miles on it and is only 2 years old. The cost will be $810.00. Ever since I have owned the vehicle, the horn was difficult to activate. I conducted an internet search and found that many other saturn owners had this same problem. (while the dealer had the car today, they re-installed the fuse and the horn was fine. I picked the vehicle up at 6 pm. All was well until 1:30 am this morning, when the horn went off all by itself. And again the only remedy was to pull the fuse).
While traveling at 60 MPH consumer was involved in a collision, where he struck a cement barrier on the road. Upon impact,the air bags did not deploy. No other vehicles was involved, however, consumer's vehicle was totaled.
While driving at 65 MPH on a rainy day consumer applied the brakes to slow down the speed, but the brakes failed. Vehicle rolled down twice, and landed upside down on an embankment. Upon impact, airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries.
As I was driving on the highway, my vehicle drifted onto the grassy shoulder. Without hitting my brakes, I steered back onto the road. The rear end of my vehicle fish-tailed slightly. As this was happening, the driver's back wheel bent underneath the vehicle causing it to roll over, passenger side first, onto the side of the highway. During the roll-over, none of my airbags deployed, both driver- side tires blew, both axles bent, the tops of the passenger-side doors crumpled, the passenger-side windows shattered, and the roof crumpled like a crushed aluminum can. I received numerous injuries, including neck/back/shoulder strains, broken ribs and damage to my right knee and ankle.
Consumer was driving north on a highway at about 30 MPH when another vehicle lost control coming south and collided head on with consumer's vehicle. Consumer was wearing seat belts, but the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained a slight sternum fracture and other minor bruises to the arms and neck. The police arrived but no one was cited at the time.
Horn doesn't honk or almost impossible to honk until too late
Airbag failure in a 2003 saturn vue with severe front end damage. Luck prevented severe injury, while a vital safety feature failed. We are enraged by the fact that we bought a vehicle that professed safety, but did not perform when needed. We loved the vehicle to this point.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Saturn Vue?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history