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.
Saturn Vue transmission failure problems
168 of the 2,351 owner complaints about the Saturn Vue describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 168
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,950
- typical mileage
- 77,000
By model year
Often reported together
Won't shift 13Loss of power 13Grinding brakes 13Check engine light 12Slipping 7Jerking 6Hesitation 6Stalling 4
What owners say
I have only 68,329 miles. My transmission lost reverse. When first driving it will only go up to 10 mph and over time the maximum speed is 30 to 40 mph. Even if it gets to this speed it hesitates. The car is a danger and not drive able. I took the car to a GM dealer requesting a Policy Evaluation according to the Service Bulletin Warranty. The evaluation showed GM will not help me with any repairs or replacement of transmission. A car should not have a major component fail like a transmission especially with such low mileage. It is expected to have maintenance and repairs on a vehicle. What is not expected or normal servicing is transmission repair or replacement. It was estimated from the GM dealerships Policy Evaluation it will cost $5,500 to replace the transmission. My car is in great shape other than the transmission failure. I love my car and anticipated to have this car many years. This is an unaffordable repair and essentially makes this a throw away car. I feel extremely disappointed in GM's decision to not remedy this major problem.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the transmission felt like it was slipping while driving at various speeds. The transmission failed to shift gears or lock into the desired gear. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Engine light is on. Have been told by several mechanics that the transmission needs to be replaced. Several years ago spent over &1000.00 on it ( transmission) at a gm dealer only to have the issue to still exist. Never buying a gm vehicle again.
The vehicle has only 122,000 and is in good physical condition, yet the transmission is slipping badly. After doing some investigation, we found out that this is often the case for this model and year after 120,000 miles. We brought it into our local gm dealer/shop and they told us it needs a new transmission, which ranges from rebuilt at $2500 and new for over $4000. This seems very wrong considering kbb says it books for $4500?
I just bought an 08 saturn vue v6 xr with the 6 speed automatic 94k miles and I’ve been reading a lot of complaints about the 3-5 wave plates I where the transmission won’t shift out of first gear when the car is warm. I experienced the first signs of it the day I bought it and took it to the shop and they said it was just the sensor but after I got it back I had the same problem and the shop said the whole transmission needs to be replaced which is a 3-4k job. Gm does not take responsibility for it although many many many people have had the same problem and it leaves people like me stuck with no solution as I had just spent all my money buying the car.
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn vue. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the transmission failed. While the vehicle was stationary in the park position, the vehicle rolled forward. The contact applied the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse position, the vehicle was able to move partially and stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move any further in the reverse position. In addition, the rpms increased rapidly on more than one occasion and the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 30 MPH. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Was driving at about 20 MPH and it stuck in first gear. Check engine light came on and it won't shift gears. I am now without a car. Its code po700 and po752. The first is transmission controller and the later is shift solenoid. Typically happens when wave plate breaks. Car is paid for and I like it. Cannot afford to replace transmission. I am disabled now without wheels and no way to fix it. Is it a recall? Can the agency help fix it?
Needed a new transmission now every time I kill the engine I have to start the vehicle with a jump starter camshaft and timing advances problems
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 26 my 2008 saturn vue vehicles equipped with a 6t70 6-speed automatic transmission. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission case side bore that holds the park pawl pivot pin may have a casting porosity. This condition, coupled with normal operating stresses, could lead to failure, eliminating the ability to secure the transmission in 'park' position.
- Risk
- If this happens while the vehicle is parked on a non-level surface, the vehicle could roll without warning and cause injury to people in its path.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission free of charge. The recall began on may 5, 2008. Owners may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V200000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn Vue transmission failure
Which Saturn Vue years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (107 complaints), 2008 (28 complaints) and 2004 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Saturn Vue?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,950 (median of 31 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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