Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Saturn VUE

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 363 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V519000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
6,134
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-19
Owners notified
2003-12-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system5496,000 mi
Power train4495,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3883,000 mi
Unknown or other18139,300 mi
Suspension: rear1650,000 mi
Suspension15103,000 mi
Air bags1374,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1369,000 mi
Steering13102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1085,987 mi
Engine8145,192 mi
Exterior lighting675,000 mi
Structure: body6154,000 mi
Equipment545,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear54,230 mi
Air bags: frontal418,100 mi
Electrical system: horn448,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch466,004 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic415,000 mi
Suspension: front420,000 mi
Vehicle speed control461,000 mi
Wheels4103,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel345,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline376,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system345,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit38,102 mi
Seat belts335,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module240,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2216 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2104,000 mi
Fuel system, other2300 mi
Power train: axle assembly26,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly240,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner245,000 mi
Service brakes276,000 mi
Steering: column2104,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars2950 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring138,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash137,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1172,244 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline112,786 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys173,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1115,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch128,720 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft111,300 mi
Power train: manual transmission121,495 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly125,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip110,555 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor135,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system154,577 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1425 mi
Structure: frame and members192,132 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields185,987 mi
Tires115,000 mi
Tires: sidewall189,800 mi
Traction control system155,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control120,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1107,353 mi
Visibility: windshield125,000 mi
Wheels: hub145,169 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has about 1.5 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.