2004 Saturn Vue: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · MI

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 power train 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. The 2004 saturn vue with the honda supplied engine/auto transmission has this problem and gm needs to reprogram the 2004 power train control module as they have done with the other model years.

Filed Mar 22, 2011 · Transmission · 44,550 miles · VA

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.

Filed Mar 11, 2011 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · KS

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2010 · Transmission · 50,450 miles · NY

On many occasions my 2004 saturn vue v6 awd appears to shudder when the automatic transmission is shifting from a lower gear at speeds usually less than 40mph. When this happens it is unnerving to say the least. I have read accounts of similar problems from other saturn owners and have found that a service bulletin was issued 2/09/06. Concerning torque converter shudder. I believe that a recall should be issued as my vehicle had only a bit over 50000 miles when the problem first occurred. I subsequently took it to the local saturn dealer and they could not find a problem although they had access to the service bulletin information. Shortly thereafter my extended warranty ran out and although they advised me to bring the vehicle back should the problem reoccur it is not at all clear whether the repair will be made at no cost to me. I believe that gm should fix this problem for all vehicles on a case by case basis whether under warranty or not, especially for vehicles under 100k miles. Any suggestions or assistance would be most helpful. ( the service bulletin number is 3713).

Filed Aug 23, 2009 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NC

My 2004 saturn v6 saturn vue has started a shudder/growling noise in the drive train that's prevalent in the 20 -25, 30-35mph, 40 -45mph and now at 50-50mph. Or when moderately acceleration or coasting. The vehicle had about 100k miles on it now but started around 70k. I purchased the car at 68,500k miles. The frequency of occurrence is difficult to predict but seems to be happening as often as those specific conditions (MPH/coasting) present - does not happen when accelerating quickly. I have taken my car to numerous shops engine repair, transmission, and other well names repair places. All of them tell me my car is fine,but the last shop which did the transmission check on computer said the engine had over 1,000 miss fires. I called to saturn and there tech said " u don't have to explain no more" it is the torque converter and I have replaced many." if this is such a well occurring problem why isn't saturn paying for these repairs. My concern now is when it rains and the car stutters I lose all wheel traction going up heels and on turns. I feel like I have no control. I have read online and found may issues that are the same I believe saturn needs to fix these manufacturing issues and not leave them on the consumer. I spent $10,000 on my saturn and just finished college I do not have $4,5000 to spend on a car that is only worth $9,000 -$7,000 blue book.

Filed Nov 9, 2008 · Brakes, Transmission · 49,900 miles · WI

There is a terrible whole vehicle shudder a low speeds and low RPM. It seems like the transmission goes into "lock - up torque converter" mode at too low rpms(about 1000 to 1200).this happens constantly at low speeds and is very distressing and distracting. You have to step down harder on the accelerator to kick the transmission into a lower gear which tends to make the car speed up. This is very distressing and distracting and must cause undo wear and tear on the drivetrain. There are many saturn vue (2004) owners nation wide with this problem. This and the wheel bearing and brake problems should be nation wide recalls. No wonder people are buying imports at an incredible rate.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · MI

I also have the same problem with a 2004 saturn vue v-6 fwd. I have shudder problems in the transmission at low speed between 20-35mph. I have 75,000 miles and have had this problem for a while.

Filed Jun 18, 2008 · Electrical, Suspension · 124,072 miles · MI · crash

Problem 1: my 2004 saturn awd v6 saturn vue has developed a "shudder" in the drive train that's prevalent in the 20 -25 and 30-35mph range under moderate acceleration or coasting. Hooked up to a code reader, no codes appear; however, the torque converter is slipping as it displays a read out of over 8,000 RPM's when this occurs and the tachometer bounces back and forth with the shudder. Frequency of occurrence is higher in hotter weather and when car has been driven for several minutes. Slight whine also noticed by the transmission mechanic. Problem 2: this problem was noticed on 03-28-08. Vehicle was also purchased with defective horn. Two + weeks after the car was purchased I was hit in the rear quarter panel by a careless teenager that did not look before he backed out of his parking space. I realized shortly after that my horn was not properly working. There was no way I could have sounded the horn to alert him that he was about to back into me if had wanted to. Had it repaired recently in which the horn was found to be completely non-operational. Once repaired, it was apparent that all was working well with the horn as it honks when the doors are locked. We did not realize that the car would do that at the time that we purchased it. That should have been a big clue to the dealership that it was not functioning properly. I've been told that selling a car without a properly functioning horn is a safety violation. I'm appalled that this was not caught by the dealership! More over, they stuck me with an expensive bill to replace something that should have been operational at the time of sale! Problem 3: repaired on 05-22-08. Also, both lower control arm bushings had to be replaced as they were found to have separated. Major front end noises heard prior to this getting fixed and slop in the front end when driving. Felt like car might loose control when cornering!

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · IL

My 2004 saturn fwd v6 saturn vue has developed a "shudder" in the drive train that's prevalent in the 20 -25 and 30-35mph range under moderate acceleration or coasting. It has never lost traction to the road. The vehicle 75 thousand miles when this started. The frequency of occurrence is difficult to predict but seems to be happening as often as those specific conditions (MPH/coasting) present - does not happen when accelerating quickly. I have addressed the issue with my local mechanic who has been service the vehicle for 2 years - local saturn dealership is too expensive and can never seem to correct problems satisfactorily. My concern with this the issue is could it possibly cause loss of traction and possibly lead to an accident or complete transmission failure. As this seems to be occurring in this model, can the federal safety agency investigate?

Filed May 21, 2008 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · MO

Our 2004 saturn fwd v6 saturn vue has developed a "shudder" in the drive train that's prevalent in the 30-35mph range under moderate acceleration. It is akin to a transmission slippage although we've never lost traction to the road. The vehicle presently has between 50 and 55 thousand miles. The frequency of occurrence is difficult to predict but seems to be happening more often as we put on more miles. We have addressed the issue to our local saturn dealership and they have looked into the problem however have found nothing in the onboard diagnostics that would reveal any failures. They kept the car overnight and drove it numerous times but could not reproduce the problem. They have been as helpful as possible but to no avail. Our concern is the issue, which certainly seems transmission related, may present itself at a bad time and could possibly cause loss of traction at a crucial time and leave us (my wife mainly drives the vehicle) in a vulnerable position. However, until the dealership witnesses the problem they have no obligation to do anything. Can the federal safety agency bring this to the attention of gm and saturn? Again it is a 2004 saturn vue with the v6 fwd configuration.

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · MI

We have a 2004 saturn vue awd and the transmission floats between overdrive and the lower gear constantly, when driving between 35 and 45 MPH. There is a low grinding noise and a shudder in the car when it shifts to the lower gear, requiring your to downshift the car manually to avoid the problem at low speed. The car only has 53,000 miles on it and with all the complaints I've found online, I'm now afraid to let my wife take the vehicle on long trips. Surely gm has to know about this? *tr. Updated 01-14-08. *kb the consumer stated the dealer has reluctantly offered to cover the cost of the parts only. Updated 12/12/07.

Filed Feb 19, 2006 · Transmission · 29,011 miles · 00

Saturn vue 4 cyl with vti trans . Shudder felt & heard on light up hill grades. Really bad with cruise on. Shakes vehicle. 3 repairs made including replacing the trans.problem still occurs. Other saturn owners have complaind also, thier trans failed completly leaving them stranded on the high way.