2003 Saturn Vue: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Nov 25, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 115,000 miles · CA

Was driving one day, and I noticed that it was running different. When I would come to a stop, then press the gas pedal to accelerate. It would take a while to shift into gear. It ran like that the first day. The next day when leaving my home, it wouldn't shift into gear. It finally moved after trying a few times, then stopped again. I took it to a shop to find out the problem. Turns out that it was the transmission.

Filed Aug 1, 2012 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the transmission slipped into second gear and would not shift to the other gears. The contact stated that the transmission also slipped into neutral while driving as well. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that there was nothing that could be done to the transmission due to the defective components and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called a local dealer and the dealer stated that the vehicle had two prior transmission replacements. The dealer also confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced again. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact attempted to decelerate but the vehicle would not downshift. The contact then attempted to accelerate but the vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle was pulled over and towed home. The contact replaced the transmission but the failure continued. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were 109,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2010 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · UT

With no advance warning as I was getting on to the highway my car would not shift into 3rd gear and immediately started losing power. I had to hurry and pull in to the emergency lane (which is only about 4 feet wide) on the left side of the road. The car was still running but would not drive faster than 10 miles per hour. Eventually I made it off of the highway and to a gas station. It has been at the mechanics for two days now without a diagnosis.

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Transmission · 62,522 miles · TX

O3 saturn vue purchased with 48,555 miles. 3/20/07 took to independent transmission mechanic due to transmission going out. I was told he could not do a thing to it because of a recall. Took to saturn of mesquite tx, 3/21 assuming that they were going to take care of problem. Customer states veh will not shift gears properly found code po606 in TCM followed doc# 1200876 to check fluid after fluid check found trans a little low on fluid flushed trans and put in additive. 3/26 took back to dealership. Cust states hearing a noise coming from under the hood. Found vehicle to be extremely noisy with intermittent no gear operation. Followed bulletin # 04-07-30-24e to replace case cover, filter and torque converter. After completing bulletin, test drove vehicle. Pulled hard to the left, aligned vehicle, all is fine. The cover assembly, variable drive and driven pulley a repaired. At this time I assumed the transmission had been replaced. 6.4.08 car back to saturn customer states vehicle slipping, light is on. Tech says no light is on and found veh driving and shifting per design. Went back in summer 09, slipping once again, after 5 days they could not find a problem but car was fine. 2.19.10 car towed to saturn, told transmission has to be replaced this time I thought that was what they did in 07. Contacted support to be turned over to gm employee . He contacted me on 2.22.10 to advise he was working on prob.. Saturn informed me 2.25.10 afterward that 2500.is what I could pay for new transmission. I already had a letter dated 11.09 stating the same thing after class action lawsuit. Tanner called 2.25 to update I could pay 2500.00. If I had used my ext warranty contract in 07 I would not be out money and had a new transmission. Said he gm could not help me and if I was not satisfied I could take it up with dealership. They put a bandaid on a recall and now I am to pa.

Filed Aug 3, 2009 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · MN

I purchased this 2003 vue used from my saturn dealer with 15,000 miles on it. Shortly after purchase, I noticed a growling sort of noise when I slowed down and when turning. I brought this into the dealer on a few occasions and was told "they couldn't hear the noise". Since then (in the past year) on occasion the car won't go into gear; I step on the gas pedal and it doesn't move. I stop the car, put the car in park; then put the car back in drive and it works. The same initial noise is still present and recently I was told by this same saturn dealer that it is a transmission noise that "may have been helped with lower mileage" by installation of an upgraded software but most likely will not help much now (I have 113,000 miles on my car at this time). I feel if this transmission was deemed defective that it should be replaced by gm at their expense. I still have two more years to pay for this car and with reduced value I am upside down on this car. Please help and advise ~ thank you!

Filed Jul 17, 2009 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · PA

I purchased my new 2003 saturn vue from york pa saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 5 or 6 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic stop situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear , still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the saturn corp. ! All I ask is for saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2008-09 vue or replace with a new vehicle!!! Its that simple saturn! And until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of saturn dealers etc. Etc... Ps. I have posted this warning on every new car buyers site just to warn prospective buyers of the failed responsibility of saturn and gm. Also I have copied just about every person and business that has exposure to intersections shopping malls etc. So tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about saturn.

Filed Apr 20, 2009 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · PA

I purchased my new 2003 saturn vue from york pa saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 5 or 6 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic stop situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear , still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the saturn corp. Saturn is now being decided in the court system (cas) the final decision should be in the next few weeks so keep checking back on this and other sites that attract lemon vehicles! All I ask is for gm/saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 vue or replace with a new vehicle!!! Its that simple saturn! And until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of saturn dealers etc. Etc... Ps. I have copied just about every person and business that has exposure to intersections shopping malls etc. So tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about gm/saturn.

Filed Mar 4, 2009 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · PA

I purchased my new 2003 saturn vue from york pa saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 5 or 6 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic stop situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear , still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the saturn corp. Saturn is now being decided in the court system (cas) the final decision should be in the next few weeks so keep checking back on this and other sites that attract lemon vehicles! All I ask is for gm/saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 vue or replace with a new vehicle!!! Its that simple saturn! And until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of saturn dealers etc. Etc... Ps. I have copied just about every person and business that has exposure to intersections shopping malls etc. So tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about gm/saturn.

Filed Sep 23, 2008 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · PA

I purchased my new 2003 saturn vue from york pa saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxles 4 or 5 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic jam situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on until this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear , still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the saturn corp. Saturn needs to have a replacement transmission - 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!!!! All I ask is for gm/saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 vue !!! Its that simple saturn! And until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of saturn dealers etc. Etc... Ps. I have copied the consumer product safety, the government recall bureau, astm, and other sites to let them know of this hazard/safety problem. I suggest all other consumers of the faulty 02-03 vue and have these same problems to tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about saturn.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · PA

Let all consumers of the saturn know I purchased my new 2003 saturn vue from york pa saturn (sutliff group) and they have patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. On the vti transmission/transaxle 4 or 5 different times, which they well know will not fix the problem. I still experience transmission failure during extended periods of driving or times of traffic jam situations. I have experienced transmission problems from the 10,000 mile point on til this time. Does not shift properly into higher gear , still makes grinding noises while turning and accelerating and otherwise fails to operate properly. Transmission was looked at by dealer 5 times avoiding the issue of transmission replacement. Several close calls have invoked me to start a major campaign against the saturn corp. Saturn needs to have a replacement transmission - 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!!!! All I ask is for gm/saturn to replace my faulty drive train (engine and transmission) free of all labor and parts with the new type drive train that is in the new 2007-08 vue !!! Its that simple saturn! And until this happens this transmittal will continue on to websites, public posts, flyers, in front of saturn dealers etc. Etc... Ps. I have copied the consumer product safety, the government recall bureau, astm, and other sites to let them know of this hazard/safety problem. I suggest all other consumers of the faulty 02-03 vue and have these same problems to tell all your friends, working colleagues, etc. Get the word out about saturn.

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · PA

My son had my 2003 vue at the dealer for service engine soon light. Dealer advised it was a thermostat and they needed to order the part. My son was told it was okay to drive. The next day he went to go to a friends house and it made a grinding, whine noise. It then wouldn't go up a hill. Finally got it home ( less than a quarter mile) and it wouldn't go into reverse. Took it to a private transmission shop and they said the transmission had "blown apart". The car only had 59,000 miles on it. Had a used transmission installed for 2,500.00. A new one would cost 5500 and rebuilt 3500. Piece of junk... Why doesn't some one make the dealer recall this junker?