While driving down a city avenue during rush hour, the transmission failed. No warning, just failed. Several good samaritans pushed me across 3 lanes of traffic to get me off the busy road. It died while I was in gear and driving. I did find out that this model was part of a recall and I ended up paying 2500 for a new transmission because they said the recall had expired that I did not take in on time. 5 years later, it's doing the same thing. A new transmission costs around 3000. What part did they pay? Did they even replace it? 2 years after that the engine quit on a highway off ramp with less than 100k miles. I had to replace that. Then 1 year later, the entire brake system had to be replaced to the tune of 1200. We got a tune up and oil change as we were headed to breckenridge, the tech said we were lucky because the brakes would have been useless in mountain driving. That was a scary thought for sure.
2004 Saturn Vue transmission complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 93, newest first, as owners wrote them.
3.5 l honda with honda mdra 5 speed automatic. 78930b honda transmission lube correction kit (6 cylinder models) and valve update for transmission is not known to saturn/gm. Valves failed, overheated transmission on i20, burned up torque converter, lost 4th & 5th gear, temp light came on, revved from 2000 RPM to 4000 RPM and loss of power/surging. Got off interstate before semi hit me. Transmission shop stated recall / update / service bulletin for new self cleaning lube/cooling valves and vale body update for smother shifting. When ignition recall done gm showed nothing about honda mdra transmission also gm recall department unaware saturn used honda power train. Honda is aware of problem but gm wasn't. Gm VIN so honda can't pull up any info.
After I got out of work I got in the car had some trouble getting it into reverse got it out of the parking lot and drove home. Now the car wont go into reverse any more, it goes in to drive but no reverse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated that the key would eject from the ignition while the vehicle was started on several occasions. In addition, while parked in a driveway, the vehicle started to roll away independently. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated that the shift lever became stuck in third gear and the vehicle failed to accelerate past 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
1st insident was driving down busy bulivard and the vehicle quit and costed to a stop there was no steering. We had to get a ride home and pay towing. 2nd insident we were driving down a hill in alabama just finished the last curve and the vehicle stopped no steering no ability to get off road and coasted to a stop in a parking lot. We were stranded on out trip to see my grand kids. We had to get a tow to a mercury dealer because this vehicle is no longer made. We had to get a motel and a ride for the rest of the trip as it would take a week to get fixed. Gm was ordered by the court to pay 100% for this part and for me it failed twice the second time almost taking our lives. I've tried for over two years now to get some justice! Each time I was forced to pay 1/2 the repairs that is 2400.00 each time! Let alone getting letters of this recall taking the letters to the dealer and being told in fine. I want at the very least what the court order them to pay and that is 100% of this part that stopped working twice. 4800.00 and if I could get my motel and towing I would be grateful.
Vehicle was going thru an intersection and the transmission quit. Car would not move.
I have contacted gm several times to be passed on, hoping I will go away. I have had several problems with my saturn a new transmission was installed at 8,500 miles. After the warranty I had to replace the main brain. I called approximately 2 months ago to tell them about the ignition switch. My key will pull right out while the car is running and my air bag light comes on. They want me to pay to see what is going on. I know this model isn't in the recall, but I have spoken to [xxx] who's wife has one and a friend of mine his brothers does the same thing. They don't want to admit that there is a problem with the ignition. It also stalls and has that was why they replaced the main brain. I feel like my vehicle is a death trap and I am stuck in it and hoping I don't get killed while driving it. I want an investigation into this make and model. I don't want to become one the statistics because gm won't admit that there is problem like they have with all the other recalled vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Sitting at a stop sign the transmission stopped working.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly decelerate and fail to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the trans axle was defective. The trans axle was repaired, but the defect recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,500.
My car is having transmission problems again wont kick into drive until car has been running atleast 30 min then when I was driving on the highway about 40 is what I got to the car just stopped accelerating and was coming to a stop which could have caused a big accident if it would have been during high traffic times and when driving in town I come to a full stop and the car wont kick into drive again until I put it in low and move up manually. Then it is having a serious problem with the axel or something I was driving at 35 hit a small bump in the road and the car reared off to the right and I had no control of the steering for a few seconds and then it was like it locked back in when I started moving the steering wheel side to side and the t/c light is always on now and I was told there is a switch to turn it on or off and that could have something to do with the steering problem but I have found no such switch. Please help me and tell me what I can do about these issues as gm will not do anything they should recall this yrs model completely and pay the owners for a new vehicle since this is there fault.
Transmission totally destroyed as per towing company. As many claimants before this is a well known problem of this year car. I think a class action settlement was reached with general motors.
The transmission for my saturn vue (2004) was replaced in 2010 when my vehicle had 77637 miles. The transmission was replaced in 2010 after receiving a letter from saturn notifying of issue with intelligence (vti) transmission and my vehicle experiencing issues. My now second transmission is having the same problems the first transmission had. The mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle has said that it is not normal for a vehicle to have the same transmission issue and I know my family and friends have not experience this type of issue with their vehicles. This leads me to believe that this is not normal and that the issue with the intelligence (vti) transmission has not been resolved. I am asking for gmc to cover the cost to replace the new defected transmission for my vehicle. I would like for this issue to be escalated. My experience with gmc product and customer services I receive from jay has left me very disappointed and dissatisfied with gmc. I would like to know if there is anyone who can help me fight this issue with gmc.
2004 saturn vue. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate and began slipping out of gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the transmission was slipping and would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
We bought a 2004 saturn vue in2007. In 2010 we started having trouble with the transmission. We were told that there was a class action suit because we had a vti transmission. We paid 50/50 to have the transmission changed. Now 40 000 miles later the transmission is gone again. Gm knew this was a faulty transmission. The only compensation we were offered is $4,000 toward a new gm car!
Check engine light went on and at the same time a visible loss in acceleration was noticed at all times when taken off. Also a whining noise was heard coming from the engine compartment idling and when moving. Taken in to the dealership, a slipping transmission was diagnosed and it was replaced for another (different number) original gm transmission part number, cooler flushed, TCM calibrated. A charge for $ 5324 was paid for the replacement, no extended warranty was available any longer, although forced to buy when the vehicle was purchased.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the transmission would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer of the transmission was no longer in business. The vehicle manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure and the current mileage was 115,000. Updated 07/06/12 *bf the consumer also stated she returned to the dealer several times, to fix the fuel gauge problem. The check engine light illuminated, which turned out to be a faulty 02 sensor. Updated 10/02/12
Started having transmission problems about a month ago. I went online to find that the transmission I have is a known problem for saturn. I called saturn and they informed me that nothing could be done for me. I then called gm and they informed me that they would pay half of the trans cost or give me 5000 for new gm vehicle. That's not an option cause this car is paid off and don't want car payments at this time. My issue is if saturn or gm knows about this problem why aren't they doing anything about it and what do I need to do to get this solved and get a new transmission in my vehicle. My vehicle only has 78*** miles on it I should not have to be worrying about this so soon. Thank you for your time and help.
To start with it started shuttering when it would shift in the lower gears . As time went on it got where it didn't want to shift out of first and second gear . However one morning I was on my way to a doctors appointment ,I stopped filled up with gas and get some coffee and as I returned for my destination I pulled out of the store and was waiting on it to shift and something popped and I had to get off the road because it lost all power .I have since been told that there is no transmissions to be found because there is so many problems with the same vehicle and the same part ! So how many complaints does it take for a recall to be investigated? I'm broke and cant afford to put any more money into a vehicle still paying for and on a fixed income.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The instrument panel lights illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was located at the transmission, which would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and denied any assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 142,000.
The transmission is faulty, and costs more to repair than the price of the entire vehicle.
At slower speeds when cold the 2004 awd v6 saturn vue vehicle changed rpms (200-300rpm) with a steady pedal and load. The symptoms appeared to get better after driving for 15-20min. My repair shop first thought an eternal valve and then transmission software programming.
My 2004 saturn vue is on it's second transmission. After 50,000 miles the transmission went out and I had to get a new one. The mechanics did not see any reason why the transmission would go out. Another 50,000 miles my car started making a noise almost like something was dragging on the ground. The mechanic did not see anything wrong and did not see a reason to inspect. About 20,000 miles later the noise got louder and my car would move but was not picking up speed as I press the gas. I had to park my car in a walmart parking lot and wait for a wrecker to come pick it up. The mechanic at the yard where the wrecker came from told me that the transmission went out and they could not see a reason why. My car is not under warranty anymore and I do not have 6000 dollars to get it repaired.
My 2004 saturn vue awd, equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission (engine/transmission supplied to gm by honda) has 44,550 original miles on the odometer when I recently experienced a transmission vibration or shaking motion (judder or shudder) while driving at speeds between 20 and 45 MPH. Gm has issued customer satisfaction program recall 10285 - v2386 in february 2001 for this exact same problem but it only covers 2005, 2006 and 2007 vues. The recall reprograms the powertrain control module to correct the problem. The exact same engine/transmission is used in the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 vues yet gm has chosen to ignore 2004 vue owners with the problem. I have written to gm's customer & relationship services but their only reply is "your VIN is not covered". Someone needs to force gm to acknowledge the 2004 saturn vue with the honda supplied engine/auto transmission has this problem and make them reprogram the 2004 powertrain control module as they have done with the other model years.
My vehicle has a shudder / vibration in the front end while speeding up between the speeds of 20-45mph. It occurs multiple times per day. I purchased the vehicle used so I cannot be for sure when it started but it has done it ever since I bought the vehicle.
2004 saturn vue. Consumer states failure of transmission *tgw the consumer was driving the vehicle at the time of the failure. However, the vehicle belongs to her aunt.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stopped responding to the accelerator pedal. The driver applied pressure to the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not accelerate further. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 127,000.
I own a 2004 saturn vue with 137,000 miles on it, the transmission has went out on it. I was told it would cost between $3,800 and $4,200 and they still could not guarantee to fix it. I notice the numerous complaints on the saturn vue and decided to voice mine also. Mainly, because I notice that the 2004 saturn vue is still being sold by dealers when they know of the transmission problems with this vehicle. I am one of the ones that is having to let my vehicle be reposessed due to lack of funds to get the vehicle fixed. I brought my car new and never received any information on a recall. Saturn (or dealers selling this vehicle) knowing of this problem should be made to recompense people for their expenses. I am having to depend on friends/family to get around. With all these complaints something should have been done about this by now!
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. She stated that in june 2009, while driving 45 MPH the vehicle lunged forward and began losing power at a low speed. The contact was forced to shut the engine off and allow the vehicle to reset itself. She contacted the dealer and was informed that the vehicle had a faulty transmission and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure re-occured four times within a year and the vehicle had to be taken back to the dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 93,000 and current mileage was 104,000.
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