Model year record

2003 Saturn VUE

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 889 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V490000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 202,155
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-08-08
Owners notified: 2014-10-20

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission	200	66,000 mi
Power train	93	104,000 mi
Electrical system	83	102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	38	56,699 mi
Engine	31	98,000 mi
Steering	30	102,000 mi
Air bags	28	94,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	20	39,180 mi
Suspension: rear	18	18,500 mi
Vehicle speed control	17	40,000 mi
Unknown or other	16	49,765 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	15	50,000 mi
Suspension	14	102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	13	18,900 mi
Electrical system: ignition	10	82,400 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	10	95,483 mi
Air bags: frontal	9	36,000 mi
Equipment	8	70,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	7	6,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	7	10,000 mi
Steering: column	7	10,686 mi
Suspension: front	7	12,000 mi
Exterior lighting	6	135,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	6	50,000 mi
Tires	6	1 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	5	43,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	5	22,000 mi
Structure	5	50,000 mi
Structure: body	5	77,000 mi
Structure: body: door	5	22 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	5	16,358 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	4	50,101 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	4	100,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	6,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	4	96,000 mi
Power train: driveline	4	1,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	4	51,000 mi
Wheels	4	83,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	95,483 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	3	69,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	3	6,300 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	3	90,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	3	23,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	3	5,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	3	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	172,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	3	16,500 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	3	1 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	3	500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	3	1,284 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	2	39,180 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	2	39,180 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	2	55,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	38,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	14,002 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	42,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	41,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	2	14,117 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	2	92,500 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	2	3,070 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	2	35,000 mi
Seats	2	170,000 mi
Service brakes	2	83,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock	2	5 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	12,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	2	12,500 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	2	1,800 mi
Steering: linkages	2	10,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	2	3,200 mi
Visibility/wiper	2	150,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	2	—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor	2	4,700 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	2	14,002 mi
Visibility: windshield	2	40,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	2	36,837 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	117,547 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	15,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	56,699 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	22,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	1	14,002 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	1 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail	1	35,774 mi
Fuel system, other	1	—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Fuel system, other: storage	1	35,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock	1	—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	100,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	1	14,002 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly	1	41,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	9,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	30,000 mi
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	76,000 mi
Structure: body: hood	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	115,293 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	75,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	16,500 mi
Suspension: front: hub	1	40,644 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	—
Suspension: multiple axle	1	22,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	13,000 mi
Visibility	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	15,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	14,002 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	12,000 mi

The 2002 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.