2003 Saturn Vue: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jul 28, 2009 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · MI

I bought a used 2003 saturn vue two months ago, and since then it has been nothing but trouble. The major problem with it know is the transmission (automatic vti). When driving on the freeway two days ago, the car was on cruise control at 65 MPH, when all of the sudden, the rpms red lined at 7000. After that I disengaged the cruise control and attempted to drive the car onto the shoulder, but it would not accelerate. Also when stopping the car, the engine starts to rumble and shake, then when accelerating again the engine revs up but no movement. After about five to ten seconds the car catches gear and it feels like I've been in a rear end collision when it does. Three days ago the car did this in the middle of an intersection while I was making a left hand turn (it stopped and just revved the engine), I was almost hit by an oncoming car but they managed to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision. The vue is currently in the shop and I am unable to afford a new transmission so I am stuck with a dead vehicle which I just purchased two months ago.

Filed Mar 10, 2008 · Engine · 110,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the engine began to rev without warning. While approaching a stop, the vehicle revved very loudly and then lost power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not gain speed. He turned the vehicle off for ten minutes and restarted it, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the repair would cost $6,000. The manufacturer stated that they would attempt to work out a resolution, but have not contacted him back in reference to the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · CO

While driving on the interstate during a light snowstorm, I passed under a bridge where there was some accumulation of water. I was traveling (coasting) at approximately 50 to 55 miles per hour (speed limit 65) and when I began crossing the water under the bridge the car's engine accelerated from about 2500 RPM to 5500 RPM. The car began to slide, and only recovered after the engine stopped its acceleration of RPM. Once I was out from under the bridge and the road was not as wet the RPM returned to normal and the car straigthened out. At the point of acceleration, I removed my foot from the gas pedal entirely, and although the "traction control" button is turned on automatically when you start the car, the warning light that normally comes on during traction control did not light, indicating that it was not the traction control that was the problem. Since the car is equipped with cruise control and the controls are on the steering wheel I do not drive with the cruise control on (I rarely if ever use the cruise control as I do not believe it is safe). I took the car to the dealer and explained what happened, the technician checked the car and said that nothing had been recorded on the computer and nothing was malfunctioning. He believed I used the cruise control inadvertently, which is not possible. I believe the vehicle has an unexpected acceleration problem.

Filed Dec 31, 2003 · Transmission · 13,800 miles · WI

During highway driving with my v6 awd vue I was at 72 MPH on cruise control and started a long incline. Initially RPM's were about 2500, car downshifted to 3500 RPM then again to 4500 RPM. After incline the terrain became flat and the RPM stayed at 4500 and would not upshift automatically as I would expect. I waited for about 2 miles and then took one MPH off of the cruise control and then car upshifted to 2500 RPM. Took car into dealer next working day and they could not find the problem. I've been driving for 25 years and never experienced this before. I have concerns about the drivetrain.

Filed Sep 5, 2003 · Acceleration · WI

When using the resume button on cruise control system the button sticks and causes the vehicle to accelerate. Dealer replaced the cruise control system.

Filed May 12, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 3,200 miles · MD

Misc electrical problems, car won't start, service engine soon light on, service soon light on, speedometer to zero, tachometer to zero, cruise control wouldn't work. This happened on 4 different occasions.

Filed Jan 30, 2003 · Acceleration, Transmission · 1,284 miles · IN

While accelerating from a stop, the engine RPM rev's to 4000 RPM, speedometer indicates a speed of 80-90 MPH, while physically going 10-15mph. Additionally, the service engine soon indicator appears as well as the reduced power indicator. Also happened with cruise control on. Exact same problem occurred on two vue's, both times with less than 1300 miles on the vehicle, both with 4 cyl, vti automatic transmissions. One incident on dec 24 - dec 27 2002 was the first.