2003 Saturn Vue: complete transmission failure

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · 110,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact purchased a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the used vehicle, the vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood and from the gas tank location. A service warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while pulling to the side of the road, a bystander alerted the contact that there was a fuel leak. The contact and the other passengers of the vehicle immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire started at the gas tank location and extended to the front of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that the vehicle was significantly burned. The contact could not confirm that a fire department report was filed. There was no property damage. Neither the contact nor the other passengers of the vehicle sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the registered owner. The contact could not confirm whether the vehicle was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · Transmission · 134,000 miles · KY

I started my vue to go to work and it sounded normal. As I backed out of my driveway and put it in drive it was good. As I started to speed up the transmission would not go out of 1st gear. I couldn't get it to go any faster than 20 MPH. Had it tested by a mechanic on 4 different machines. No codes! Mechanic said I need a new transmission!

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 Aug 20, 2015 · 117,000 miles · NC

Driving was rough, which sounds like wheel bearings in left wheel. I had it checked only to find out no strainer, had to replace transmission? I'm in limbo. I just bought this vehicle from a lady an hour and half away. Nice looking vehicle but bad transmission!

Filed Aug 13, 2015 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving at numerous speeds, there was a loud noise as the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on four separate occasions. The technician diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on all four occasions, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

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 Nov 25, 2014 · Transmission · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated that the key failed to start the vehicle and could be remove from the ignition switch while the vehicle was in motion. The failure progressed. In addition, the contact mentioned that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · ME

I was driving home going 35-45 MPH and all of a sudden had no power. Managed to safely pull to the side of the road. Tried to turn car back on, put into gear and nothing happened. Had car towed to mechanic and the said I needed a new transmission. Unfortunately he didn't know I had recently purchased this vehicle ( a little over a year ago) and the transmission had been rebuilt. I put on less then 20000 miles on it when this happened.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Transmission · 98,652 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission failed. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer of was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,652.

Filed Dec 20, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 105,000 miles · PA

I purchased this car in 12/2009 and one day in april 2010,I was driving down the street and all of a sudden, my car didn't want to go anywhere. I have to get a new transmission that cost me $4200 and I even worked for the company where I had bought the car and where I had to have it repaired at. Then in 11/2012, good thing the transmission was still under warranty because I had to have it replaced again. Well I was once again driving down the street and my car did the exact same thing as it did the last 2 times. I had to have it towed to a garage and found out that there's metal chips in my transmission. I contacted the dealership where the first transmission was put in and my warranty expired 4/2013. I contacted gm and everyone I could with no help. I've read several people are having the same exact thing going on with their vues and heard that gm settle a recall on vues transmissions. When are you going to do something about this problem and when are we getting reimbursed for our troubles.

Filed Jul 15, 2013 · Transmission · NY

2003 saturn vue. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure and consumer seeks reimbursement for repairs. *smd the repair shop stated the transmission had disintegrated and it could not be re-built. Ten days after the transmission was replaced, the check engine light illuminated followed by the loss of power light, at which time the vehicle dangerously slowed down to 10 MPH. The vehicle was towed back to the repair shop, where they replaced the electronic accelerator pedal unit at their expense, which was a known saturn factory service bulletin issue. The vehicle was fine for a couple of days, then the problem returned. It was towed back to the repair shop again. The repair shop performed an extensive diagnostics, but they could not find a definitive source. The problem happened again, after retrieving the vehicle. The repair shop had the vehicle towed to another facility. However, they were unable to resolve the issue.

Filed Jun 16, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

Much regret I ever purchased this saturn vue 2003, I left my home yesterday was left stranded in the road as the transmission started felt like skipping and when I had to stop for a vehicle coming in the road it wouldn't drive at all! Wouldn't go in gear for the drive or reverse!! So someone called a sheriff. I then called a friend who had to come and push vehicle out of road traffic. This transmission was replaced in 2010 it's as if it was never done! This is my only means of transportation for work so needless to say I am out of work yesterday, and today!!! Calling saturn service at 7:30 am sure they are going to jump right on it (sarcasm). The past month the electrical will blink on and off. Then after a while of driving it goes completely out. Until the next drive then the blinking starts. I hope no one has a young new driver attempting to drive these vehicles. They are by no means safe!!! My 16 year old daughter wouldn't have been able to handle what I went through with this vehicle yesterday. It would have put a young female at risk!!! I do not have thousands of dollars to sink into this vehicle I still owe $7,000 on an undriveable vehicle. I am a homeowner with a mortgage and a single parent that work hours have been cut back drastically at work. I didn't know about the lawsuit until now I now understand why when I went to try and trade this vehicle a few months back to no avail makes sense now why no car dealer wanted this vehicle!!! Everything makes sense why no one would trade! I have always been able to trade vehicles until now. This is my last gm vehicle. To say the least. I have no family here to help with my problem so I am certainly open for suggestions should someone have any??? Thanks