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2003 Saturn Vue transmission complaints

Page 9 of 12: complaints 221 to 250 of 316, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2003 Saturn Vue transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Nov 13, 2007 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · PA

York pa> saturn has patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves sensors etc. Which they well know will not fix the problem. After regular preventable maintenance, 2003 saturn vue has continuously experienced transmission problems from 10,000 point on. Vehicle while just traveling down a road at 30-40 MPH), does not shift properly into higher gear , makes loud grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly transmission was looked at by dealer several times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Problems continue after servicing. Have read extensive reports and complaints involving saturn vue vt1 transmission. Saturn needs to have a recall - it's consumers can't afford all of these repairs for what is clearly a faulty transmission that has been discontinued! Next step is class action suit by owners!!!!!!!!!! Think about all of these unhappy people when sales get tough saturn??? I will not consider another saturn under these irresponsible conditions saturn has brought on itself!!!

Filed Oct 30, 2007 · Transmission · NY

2003 saturn vue with acceleration problems. Customer states the vehicle sometimes will not accelerate. Mechanic told her the transmission needed to be fixed or replaced. After the repair was made, the car is sometimes hard to accelerate or it over accelerates. *kb the consumer also stated the vehicle began to smoke and it smelled like burnt rubber. The consumer returned the vehicle back to the dealer, however when she picked it up and began to drive, several things started to happen:the vehicle slowed down and wouldn't accelerate, as she pressed the accelerator, the vehicle would bolt and speed up, and just before arriving home, it slowed down again and the consumer was barely able to park the vehicle.

Filed Aug 17, 2007 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · TX

Total failure of the vti transmission (saturn vue 2003, 4 cyl). Replaced 3 times. Car junked, waste of over $20,000, I can't believe there has been no recall. Multiple consumer complaints. Contact me, anyone so I can get on class action lawsuit. Saturn service and products terrible.

Filed Aug 16, 2007 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · VT

After regular preventative maintenance, 2003 saturn vue has continuously experienced transmission problems from 70,000k point on. Vehicle drops gear (often in busy traffic, at intersections, occasionally while just traveling down a road at 30-40 MPH), does not shift into higher gear (causing sudden loss of speed during highway travel), makes loud grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Recently had vehicle serviced ($1,000 in charges) and was told that modular was cracked and transmission fluid needed replacement. Problems continue after servicing. Have read extensive reports and complaints involving saturn vue vt1 transmission. Saturn needs to have a recall - it's consumers can't afford all of these repairs for what is clearly a faulty transmission that has been discontinued!

Filed Jul 26, 2007 · Transmission · 86,973 miles · NH

Saturn of manchester has advised us that saturn is no longer utilizing the vti transmission in any of their awd 4 cyl. Saturn vehicles, because the transmission just did not work out. We have had problems with this transmission in our vehicle. However, as the vehicle gets older, it seems to require more and more transmission service. The 100,000 mile extended warranty we purchased ourselves is now almost over. As seniors living on a fixed income, we thought this automobile would last us for more than only 100,000 miles. Who would buy it knowing about the transmission? We think this problem makes this model a lemon from the beginning. We have read so many complaints about the vti transmission on this vue. We read that over 88,000 were sold. The only thing saturn has done, is extend the original warranty from 36000 to 75000 miles. Saturn claims to have all american parts, but this transmission seems to have been made in hungary. There is in progress a class action suite being formed against saturn for using the vti transmission. We found the following online: "26th mar 2007, 07:15 there is current a class action case under review in madison co, il for the awd 2.2 saturn vue transmission. If you email or phone us, we will give you the attorney's email address, phone number, and name of the investigator and his phone number. We pursued it and have been in touch with the investigator at the law firm. He claims that he now has just about enough claims in enough states to file a class action case against saturn corporation. Would you please be kind enough to look into this problem asap. See if this is true or not and let us know if we can claim our car as a lemon or get some kind of compensation? Just yesterday, the saturn service had to replace half of the vti transmission and gave us a 12,000 mile warranty on it. This warranty does us no good because we still have 13,000 miles of warranty on our warranty we purchased ourselves, so they overlap.

Filed Jun 7, 2007 · Transmission · 92,500 miles · NE

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. On may 10, 2007, the contact stated that the transmission failed. While driving 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the engine would run but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The purchase date was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 92,500. The consumer stated that the warranty on the transmission was 50,000 and then changed the mileage to 75,000. The consumer stated the cost of the repair is $4,950 and a credit was issued by the dealer of $1,000. The consumer stated wanted to know why was the full amount not provided? Updated 09/05/07

Filed May 29, 2007 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · PA

My 2003 saturn vue vti transmission failed at 59k miles. It was repaired under the extended warranty on the transmission. This new transmission lasted 12 hundred miles. It was again repaired under the warranty, then 1200 miles later it failed again. It was "rebuilt" by the saturn dealership each time. It is now driving exactly the way it did after the 2nd repair and I believe it is only a matter of time until it fails again.

Filed May 10, 2007 · Brakes, Locks · NY

2003 vue customer states that the transmission had a recall and after having it fix it began to have problems a couple of months later then the whole transmission had to be replaced**cc the drivers door would not open from the inside, the brakes squealed whenever the consumer backed-up and the rear wiper was replaced.

Filed May 2, 2007 · Transmission · DC

2003 saturn vue vti with a defective transmission. Customer states that it has been many reposts of bad transmissions**cc

Filed Mar 29, 2007 · Airbags, Electrical · 50,101 miles · NY

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.

Filed Mar 3, 2007 · Transmission · PA

2003 vti transmission in saturn vue. The transmission requires constant trips to dealership for monitoring updates or repairs. Gets fixed, only to have same problems return again very soon. See www.saturnfans.com blog to see high reports of problems. Tried to trade in vehicle on newer vue without vti transmission. Dealer offered trade-in value substantially lower than kelly blue book. Dealer stated "we won't put a vti vue on lot for resale." saturn discontinued problematic transmission in 04.

Filed Feb 9, 2007 · Transmission · NM

On 11/19/2004 29,021 miles. Noise in engine area. Saturn replaced transmission fluid. Was told if it happened again would have to replace transmission. 9/12/2005 61,695 miles. Car wouldn't go when put into gear. All gears were tried. Contacted saturn was told to get it towed in and they would inspect it. Brought to attention that the letter I received about the vti transmission having problems and again was told it was my responsibility to have car towed in. Also had to rent my own car. Was reimbursed but only for a small portion on the rental car cost and nothing for the tow. Finally got my car back on 9/21/2005. 5/31/2006 89,412 miles. Again car would not go into gear. Took it to a transmission specialist as I will not go back to saturn. Another transmission was put in another vti as no other transmission can be put in this car. This one at my expense. 9/26/2006 105,000. Car lost power on a canyon road had to pull over and be towed. Was told transmission overheated and was now running fine. 2/8/2007 117,000 miles. Here we go again the transmission needs to be replaced again. When will a recall be issued. How many people need to complain about this unsafe and shoddy transmission. Please help. I cannot afford another transmission.

Filed Jan 8, 2007 · Body, Transmission · 50,000 miles · FL

Damage to my rear differential clutches on my awd 2003 saturn vue. The vent that lets air in and out of the clutch housing would allow water to enter as well. Water would then mix with the gear oil in that clutch housing case and cause the clutch pack to "whine" or "growl" on a sharp turn. There has been no recall on the 2003 saturn vue and saturn re-designed the vue in 2004.

Filed Dec 5, 2006 · Transmission · PA

Vti transmission has a propensity to reduce power when wheels slip. If pulling out into an intersection, when engine rpms drop there is a chance for being broadsided by vehicles. We've had several near misses. Driver is never quite sure if the power will be available to safely enter traffic or cross intersection. This reduction in power can result from a light dusting of snow to slippery crosswalk painted lines, to dirt, gravel or oil on roadway.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Transmission · CA

Transmission shift failures.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Transmission · CA

Transmission shift failures.

Filed Nov 9, 2006 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60mph on the interstate, the vehicle operated at a reduced speed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who determined the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. After the repair, the problem persisted, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer. The dealer determined the automatic transmission was not large enough to accommodate size of the engine and the automatic transmission needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was not alerted.

Filed Sep 13, 2006 · Body, Brakes · 1 miles · MA

Cv joints were replaced at 22000 now againat 37000 I need to replace them. Front rotors were replaced at 22000 and again at 33000 timing belt at 20000 needed replacement I replaced the main computer controller in aug 2006. This car is a piece of crap and I will never buy a saturn again I bought this brand new off the lot in jan 2003 and have had major things go wrong. I also need to now replace the tires ( dullers) at 37000 because I am hydroplanng all over the place.I had a loud sound from my passenger window that took 2 years to diagnosis and repair and the rear end was recalled and the cooling fan replaced at 24000.

Filed Aug 16, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 35,000 miles · IN

When stopping the vehicle and sitting still for a few seconds, there is a loud thumping sound (occurring three or four times) from the rear of the vehicle (sounds similar to a loose fuel tank baffle). The dealer stated they weren't aware of any fix for this problem, though they tried a couple of ideas. While I've found this on several websites online, nobody seems to know the cause. Everyone seems to live with the problem. It's difficult to diagnose as it seems intermittant, but happens on average once per day. Being that this seems to be eminating from the fuel system, I think that saturn should take this issue more seriously, and more than likely this is something they can correct by replacing the fuel tank, I feel that they just don't want that expense. Also, I would like to take the opportunity to complain about the horn switch, as it is extremely difficult to operate in a panic situation, which is what it is designed to be used in. Lastly, I beleive that the federal safety agency should investigate the awd system on these vehicles. I've done my own tests and I have to say I am surprised about how easily it is to loose control of the vehicle in light snow. When the rear comes on, if the engine is revving high, it can spin the vehicle around like a top.

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

2003 saturn vue failed to start. *kb the vehicle made squeaking noises when the consumer made a right turn, in addition to various other rumblings. The consumer experienced problems with the rotors, bearings and transmission. A special wheel bearing had to be ordered as well as a special side cover and hardware for the transmission. The coolant switch was defective. The rear wipers would stick. The gas gauge would only read 3/4 full. The air condition stopped working and the hot and cold knob did not go all the to cool. The starter was replaced which was the reason the vehicle wasn't starting. The transfer case seal was replaced.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Transmission · 47,500 miles · CA

Saturn has ongoing problem with transmissions that they are refusing to recognize. My wife's vue suddenly lost power today in traffic when the transmission failed and almost got in to a wreck. I am tired of them failing to take notice of this; the complaints about this are all over the internet.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Suspension, Transmission · 3 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated there has been ongoing problems with the vehicle since it was purchased. The suspension was unstable which caused the vehicle to sway and transmission caused the vehicle to pull to one side. The sales dealer has inspected the vehicle several times and determined there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The contact was informed by the dealer the 30-day limit on a lemon had expired.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Transmission · 38,500 miles · OH

The vti transmission in my 2003 saturn vue has failed repeatedly and without warning, usually on highways at high speeds. Suddenly, the transmission will disengage and the car cannot be driven. Saturn has now fixed the problem five times in 38,000 miles and most recently admitted that it did not know why this failure occurred and did not know if the repairs it made would fix the problem. The incident date noted below is the most recent date this occurred. When these incidents occur, sometimes the transmission will reset after turning the car off and restarting it. But other times, the vehicle has required towing to the dealership. We are concerned about the ongoing safety and reliability of this car, as the consequences of one of these unannounced failures could be catastrophic. So far, we have been lucky that no injury or accident has occurred.

Filed Jun 14, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 4,700 miles · NY

With less than 50,000 miles on this vehicle, I have replaced the rotors and the rear wiper motor. The latest failure left me stranded and needed to be towed to the dealer. The slave cylinder for the hydraulic clutch fluid went with a total cost of 1100.00 out of factory and extended warranty of course. Company claims this is a wear and tear issue.

Filed Feb 17, 2006 · Electrical, Transmission · NV

Have taken car to dealer more than once for following items: (1) ignition does not release when key removed. The first time all they did was make a new key, today (feb 16, 2006) they changed a spring on the 1st "level". Problem still exists intermittent, after I left dealer. First reported apx sept 2005. (2) major skidding on slight grades when sudden braking. Dealers maint fluffed it off each time saying nothing wrong. Problem since 2004. (3) when shifting down from drive to park intermittent sticking at reverse position, very subtle but definitely not normal. Problem just started (jan 2006). Date listed under "incident date" was just to be able to input into computer. There are 3 different issues from different dates and yrs. All are apx.

Filed Feb 14, 2006 · Transmission · 35,062 miles · CA

First time driving saturn vue on free way, motor started racing and vue had no gears, lost speed , had to get off road and have vue towed to dealership, they installed new transmission calibration and new transmission fluid and additive and informed me for the first time that my vue had a vti transmission and this type of transmission may experience certain transmission concerns that might affect customer satisfaction and may require repair or replacement. 2nd time I was driving on road and again motor started to race and gears would not work, again I had to get off road and have vue towed to dealer, they replaced transmission speed sensor inside transmission valve body cover. 2nd time driving on road.

Filed Feb 13, 2006 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at any speeds, the engine revs high and the vehicle completely stops. The transmission slipped out of gear and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was towed into the local dealership for inspection. The dealer determined the transmission needed replaced. However, the same transmission would be used. Although, the dealer was aware of the problem but no repairs were made.

Filed Feb 7, 2006 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

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.

Filed Dec 30, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 41,000 miles · IN

Purchased my saturn vue used in march 2005...at that time I had 6k miles left on the original warranty...in june 2005 took it to my local saturn dealership to take care of all normal issues & get a maint checkup...at that time they replaced the resistor- engine cooling fan (due to blowing hot air when air conditioner was on), head lamp assembly composite on front left (cracked where bolted to frame), obd system upgrade (recall), replacement of rear lateral link assembly (recall), and last the gear shift cable was replaced/adjusted & lubed due to going bad - at that time they never disclosed to me that the gear shift cable had already been replaced 3x's since jan 2003. On dec 24th @ 10:00am...my entire gear shift assembly failed and left me stranded...the car was towed to the dealership that I purchased it from...due to me being 5,000 over my warranty...they were not going to replace it...approx cost of $450. I went directly over to my local dealership....fort wayne, in saturn...a service consultant pulled up the history of my vue and displayed to me that the gear shift had been worked on 4 other times...his service manager stated he would not take care of it due to the warranty had expired & it was not his fault...I called saturn's corporate office informed them of the issue...they informed me that they would get it taken care of with no questions asked...waiting to see what is done...my vehicle is currently at the dealership....as for the service manager @ fw, in saturn dealership...I have heard numerous complaints about how he treats customers from friends that are also saturn owners... 8jb

Filed Oct 3, 2005 · Transmission · 12,272 miles · FL

The problem I encounter with my car is transmission related. Last year, I was stopped at a traffic light, then the light turned green, I accelerated as usual, the engine??s speed increased and the car did not move. Suddenly, with a loud noise the car jerked forward. The car behind me almost crashed into my car, and the driver screamed at me and waiving his hands. The car was taken to the saturn dealer on july 30, 2004. They kept the car for a week, and repaired or replace the transmission. The problem recurred, and I brought the car to the dealer again on june 30, 2005. They could not duplicate the problem this time. Last july, the 07, I brought my car to the dealer for the same problem, and this time they replaced the transmission fluid, and reprogrammed the TCM. Septembers, 2005, I stopped at a stop sign to leave the complex where I reside, and the same phenomenon recurred: I accelerated, but the car did not move, then suddenly jerked forward, and again I almost crashed in the car coming from my left. I love my car, but I am afraid to drive it now! The first time the transmission was repaired, the car was about 10,000 miles. I had the same problem last june at 21,831 miles, and again last july, at 22,164 miles.

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