2003 Saturn Vue: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

This is more information related to Complaint 11761129: After online researching of other '03 2.2L Saturn Vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the TRUE ORIGIN of problem. (How much did others spend on repairs that appeared to fix the problem by elapsing time enough for the problem to return to normal without the "repair"?) I stress that when all is working fine, the driver feels secure because there's no sign of a problem or trace left of the problem. The vehicle did run for years-at-a-time in a stable, reliable fashion. Once the stalling episodes pass, it felt OK to continue driving for years because everything is fine again. Looking back at the times when the stalling occurred, I was always lucky enough to recover and continue driving normally and trustfully for years before the next occurrence. Now I wonder what could have happened if the stall occurred while in more split-second decision, critical situations. I feel really stuck right now because I'm older with an undrivable vehicle. Please advise

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Car stalled while driving in traffic XXX. Engine died. Warning lights ON. Restarted. Stalled 3 more times in traffic but luckily had space to pull off & engine restarted. Made it into my garage. Restarted, Check Engine Light was ON, but went OFF after time. Car would NOT move in gear. Retried several times. Presently (XXX) will crank but WON'T start. Battery good. Looking for anything else obvious. (Had similar problem after buying in 2006 on at least 4 different dates, but restarted after EITHER: left overnight or after battery disconnect/reset: No Check Engine Light after relearning cycles. Successfully passed all emission tests since ownership.) I have about 34,000 miles on odometer. Have had NO other memorable problems except stalling problems. After first stalling years ago, a Saturn dealer on [XXX] replaced VTi transmission fluid & "reprogrammed" the ECM. I have no receipts or records now & that dealer is long gone. Please advise. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 13, 2017 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on the interstate. When the failure occurred, all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle operated normally until the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system) was remedied. The vehicle was taken to bill buck chevrolet where it was diagnosed that the failure could not be replicated. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 125,000 miles · IL

Saturn vue 2003 has stalled while driving on multiple occasions. Has stalled doing 80 MPH on hwy has stalled doing 25-30 in town. Security light comes on, power is lost to engine and when security light goes off, then the engine will start again.

Filed Jan 29, 2016 · Electrical · 178,000 miles · OR

Had the recalled saturn ignition switch replaced. Now my car stalls out and dies when driving down the road, has happened on highway and residential, and doesn't restart for at least 2 min.after turning everything off. Then it happens again within 10 mins. After restarting. Has happened to me 4 times on 2 separate occasions. Once on hwy going 55 then residential going 25.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Engine · 150,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after five attempts. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be flashed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 177,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving on the highway at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the electrical power failed. The vehicle was able to restart after being parked for a long time. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 190,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact unintentionally struck the key with her hand and ejected it out of the ignition while the shift lever was in drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2015 · Engine · 84,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact diagnosed that the ignition control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired four times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2015 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and then accelerated to 70 MPH independently. In addition, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.