2003 Saturn Vue: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 1, 2017 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · PA

So I bought this car from someone on craigslist and was told the car was in great shape and the history report mentioned a possible transmission issues but I was also told the transmission was replaced not too long ago by the owner who had the car before the guy I bought it from. Well after having the car for 2 days, the subframe cracked which was a $700 fix and took me months to come up with the money and my car was not driveable at the time. I got the vue from the shop maybe 2 weeks ago and now the transmission is going. When I put the car in reverse it either doesn't move or gives me a lot of trouble moving. When I pop it into drive it either doesn't move, gives me trouble moving, goes into reverse, or will make a loud noise and jerk aggressively before driving. I took the car to get looked at and was told it had one of the original CVT saturn transmissions and it will need replaced. The problem is the transmission is near impossible to find and cost most than the car is worth and more than I even paid for the car, according to the mechanics I took the car to. Apparently this is a common problem and even caused a lawsuit with saturn and gm. Since the problem is with the type of engine saturn used, I didn't know if I could get it replaced like most of the people in the lawsuit did. I am a broke and struggling college student and other than the transmission this car is in great condition. I am worried I will be driving ti one day and the car will stop working and I'll crash.

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 Jan 12, 2015 · Transmission · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · MD

I bought a 2003 saturn vue from auto deals located in baltimore, maryland. Approximately 3 weeks later the car begin jerking and pulling. I had my six year old daughter in the vehicle. I notified the establishment on may 7-9 without a return call. I brought my car in on 5/12/2014 and had the owner test drive it. He felt the jerking and pulling. I stated I felt unsafe to drive it. The dealership took my vehicle and I have not seen it since 5/12/2014. I had to find my vehicle at jerry's chevrolet who gave me an invoice for almost $7000 for the transmission having to be replaced. I had the car less than a month. I can't afford to replace this. I would like some help! I am out of my money and a vehicle. Noone is willing to speak with me. It has been a nightmare!

Filed Apr 23, 2014 · Transmission · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated while driving various speeds the vehicle would start to jerk without any warning. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised him that he would need to replace the transmission. The transmission was replaced on three occasions within 1.5 years. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2010 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · NY

2003 awd 4 cylinder saturn vue, car began to lurch at stops at 63k miles. Car rpms began to fluctuate wildly even on highway. Car began to stall out on 35mph road, as though it could not stay in gear. This was one trip that turned into a one-way trip to the dealership.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Transmission · NH

2003 saturn vue-transmission grinds. It takes several attempts to start the vehicle and when it does start, it stalls going into drive. Can drive in reverse without any problems but car will not immediately drive when put in "drive." it can be anywhere between a 30 second to 3-5 minute delay before the car will actually drive. The transmission has now been replaced 3 times since 2004 due to other defects (jerky gear shifting, stalling for several seconds). Each time the car works for a little while (a year or so) but the jerking begins again. This last transmission is the absolute worse! Though I'm required to put an approximate incident date, this problem has been ongoing since my purchase in 2004. The stalling of it going into drive just started 2010.

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated after receiving notification of an unknown recall regarding the transmission, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer advised there were no failures found within the transmission. Six months later, while driving at speeds of 50 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk violently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the transmission had failed. The contact believed the initial dealer should have been able to determine the failure because the component was under recall. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed May 6, 2009 · Transmission · 137,000 miles · NV

2003 saturn vue w/ vti purchased july 30, 2003. Reported problems with transmission to dealer on 12/14/05. Dealer replaced original transmission at that time. Mileage was 59,721 at time transmission was replaced. On 5/1/09 when exiting the freeway, the engine started to shudder and jerk as if not getting power. I was able to pull into a parking lot and put the car in park. When I tried to put the car back into gear, it would no longer engage the drive or rear gears. After having the car towed and checked out, I have been advised must get a new transmission. This current transmission only has 78,000 miles on it.

Filed Apr 9, 2009 · Transmission · SC

The vehicle in question is a 2003 saturn vue. I purchased the vehicle with 53,048 miles on it, so I agreed to buy it in "as is" condition. I got the vehicle on dec. 31st 2007, and I drove it off the lot. I felt a weird shake that reminded me of when a battery was dying. On hills the truck would roll backwards, and kick hard when I pushed the gas. It would just randomly jerk, and it did this all throughout my ownership. The truck was serviced regularly, and mechanics never saw a problem. Finally, about 2 weeks ago, the truck encountered major problems. The truck decided that it was no longer going to accelerate, it was a fight to move forward. The rpms stayed between 1-3 even when the vehicle was not in motion. The transmission is unique, and is said to have less parts. It is said to be bad because the truck is too heavy for the transmission. It is a minimum of 3 thousand dollars to repair. They say that the problem will reoccur. The repairs are frequent and costly and something should be done.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving 50 MPH and greater, the transmission makes strange noises, hesitates, jerks, vibrates, hops, slips, and slams into gear. The transmission slams into gear upon take off. The dealer has replaced the transmission four times on the following dates: 12/05/2007, 12/08/2007, 01/09/2008, and 02/11/2008. The tires were also balanced during the fourth repair, but this did not correct anything. One of the transmissions had to be replaced after the vehicle had only been driven 50 miles. The next time the transmission was replaced, the dealer had the vehicle for twenty one days. The dealer offered him a $1,000 certificate to trade the vehicle. Currently, the vehicle is experiencing the same failure and the transmission needs to be replaced a fifth time. The current mileage was 64,000 and failure mileage was 59,000.