The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound at start up, and it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition switch after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The worst 2004 Saturn Vue problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission93
- Electrical78
- Suspension33
- Engine24
- Airbags18
- Steering16
- Body11
- Brakes10
- Fuel system10
- Lights8
- Visibility7
- Acceleration5
- Wheels5
- Seat belts4
- Driver assistance2
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Tires2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Saturn Vue
Transmission failure 17Shudder 12Stalling 11No deployment 9Slipping 9Won't start 9Check engine light 8Ball joint 7Grinding brakes 6Loss of power 6
Recalls 2
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Risk
- If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Recall number 14V490000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5l v6 (l66) engines fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars." the front and rear wheel rim size specifications on the tire/certification label are not correct. The printed wheel rim designation specified a 16-inch wheel when a 17-inch wheel designation was required.
- Risk
- If the wheel rim size is incorrectly printed on a tire/certification label, a service technician who solely uses the tire/certification label for service information may attempt to replace a damaged wheel with an incorrect wheel.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with a corrected label and installation instructions. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000.
Recall number 03V519000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2004 Saturn Vue
Defect investigations
Rear suspension toe control link
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of rear suspension failure in the subject vehicles during certain severe driving maneuvers.the investigation was prompted by the federal safety agency-conducted ncap dynamic rollover test incidents involving my 2004 saturn vue vehicles and one consumer complaint that alleged when recovering from a road edge departure, the left-rear wheel of a my 2003 saturn vue ?bent underneath the vehicle,? Resulting in a rollover crash.odi analysis indicates that rear suspension failure during the ncap tests was the result of wheel rim-pavement contact transmitting significant compressive forces to the toe control link, thus causing it to buckle.this failure occurred at low speed during a severe test used to assess roll stability.the forces generated during this type of wheel-rim pavement contact are more than six times the greatest forces measured during gm?s most severe vehicle development and validation testing.odi inspection and analysis of consumer complaint vehicles showed that damage to the toe control link appeared to be the result of vehicle crashes and did not precipitate the crashes.to date, odi is aware of no vehicle crashes or rollover incidents related to the alleged defect.additionally, the manufacturer has notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary customer satisfaction service campaign to strengthen the rear suspension of the subject vehicles.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report attached for further detail.
PE04052
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Saturn Vue 479
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
2004 Saturn Vue fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 26 | 22-23 |
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 20 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 |
What 2004 Saturn Vue owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The ignition (key) has stopped working again after being recalled a few years ago, and being replaced. The key will not turn and start the car.
Transmission has Lube issues for Honda and TRANSGO HONDALK fixes that but requires several hours labor pulling transmission. Transmission and torque converter overheat causing failure. Mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. Caused accident.
My Father's car key can be taken out of the ignition when it is not in the off position but his specific VIN is not listed as part of the recall.
Rusted front subframe/ engine cradle I carried my saturn vue to have the catalytic converters replaced and my master-mechanic discovered the rusted subframe and brought it to my attention. He showed it to me and explained the the danger in operating this vehicle.
My 2004 vue had a recall in 2014 for the ignition key could be removed without being in the off position, I had this repaired on 12/11/14. Recently my ignition key can again be removed without being in the off position.
The ignition broke after many of times the key coming out.
I have all ready taken my saturn vue to the dealer in hemet ca. ( gosch chevrolet). The ignition switch broke again a week later. I took it back but gosch would not fix it again. The reason was because the housing had damage around it. Now the reason for that was because I was stranded 20 miles from nothing when the ignition would not turn my vehicle on, I was alone for 2 days before I had to mess with it to get it started. This has been an ongoing problem for me. I've missed an air flight. And 2 jobs fired me because I could not get to work. Its been a downward spiral ever since. Saturn's are great cars otherwise.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. While operating the vehicle, the key came out of the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Valley chevrolet (525 hwy 7e, hutchinson, mn) and the manufacturer were notified and stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system); however, the part was not available. The failure mileage was 248,000.
There was a recall back in october 20th, 2014 regarding an issue with the ignition. Where you can pull the key out while its running. I've never gotten a call from the federal safety agency regarding the issue. May I have it done free of charge. The vehicle was stationary
Compare the 2004 Saturn Vue
Other model years
Questions about the 2004 Saturn Vue
Is the 2004 Saturn Vue reliable?
Owners have filed 276 complaints about the 2004 Saturn Vue, close to a typical Vue model year.
What is the 2004 Saturn Vue year score?
The 2004 Saturn Vue scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Vue: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Saturn Vue?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 93 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is electrical (78).
How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn Vue have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and equipment.
What year does the Saturn Vue have bad transmission?
The Saturn Vue model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (316 complaints), 2008 (120 complaints) and 2004 (93 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Saturn Vue get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Saturn Vue range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26 highway.
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