2002 Saturn Vue Complaint Log

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD WITH THE GM VTI TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TWO DAYS AGO I EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION/ENGINE FAILING FOR THE FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME SINCE 2006. THE VERY FIRST TIME I TOOK MY VUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I HAD TO ARGUE WITH FIRST MY SERVICE REP. FOLLOWED BY HIS MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, THEY ORIGINALLY BLAMED ME FOR POOR DRIVING, RESULTING A BAD BCM WHICH THEY MADE ME PAY IN SPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR MY CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HOWEVER WAS QUITE AN ORDEAL SINCE MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST POWER ON THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH WHAT I KNEW WAS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BUGGING THEM ALMOST EVERYDAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THEY FINALLY ADMITTED GMS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION ON THE THIRD VISIT. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION LASTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. IN 2007 I HAD RELOCATED WITHIN THE STATE AND WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND RELUCTANTLY CALLED MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. HERE WE GO AGAIN ANOTHER $500 FOR ODDS AND ENDS AND THIS TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE ECM AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINALLY REPLACED ON MY THIRD TRIP! HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY FOR MY LOANER CAR THOUGH I REQUESTED ONE. BRINGS US TO 2009, WHEN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND I OF COURSE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! LUCKILY I FOUND A DEALERSHIP NEAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY CONFIRMED BY THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD! THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND CLOSED FOR BUSINESS WITHIN THREE DAYS. NO LOANER CAR AGAIN. HERE I SIT AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY GOING OUT, AND DREADING THE THOUGHT OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FIASCOES. AT WHAT POINT WILL GM TAKE THESE DANGEROUS 2002-2005 CARS OFF THE ROAD? *TR

CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVE WAY WITH KIDS IN IT. MY FINDINGS WERE THAT IN MY 2002 SATURN VUE WAS IN THE ACC POSITION ON THE KEY THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO PUSH THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT IS UNLOCKED. I FEEL THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS LUCKY NO INJURIES TO MY KIDS JUST THE CAR. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NO REPAIR I COULD DO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING BELL SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST FAILED AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UDDATED 08/04/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RUN HOT AND INSTEAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,163.

2002 SATURN VUE AWD AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED. WE WERE ON TOP OF A HILL AND LUCKILY WERE ABLE TO FORCE IT UP BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT APPEAR TO FAIL. WHEN CONTACTING SATURN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IT IS NOT A "RECALL" ALTHOUGH IT WAS ADMITTED TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH READING THE MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NOT WORKING AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IN OPERABLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE 4WHEEL DRIVE IN FEBRUARY 28,2009. THIS VUE WENT FROM 55 MILES AN HOUR TO 1MILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. THE "LOW POWER LIGHT COMES ON" AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, $255.00 DOLLARS LATER THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT DO THIS AGAIN. THEN MONDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. I PULLED OUT AND "NOTHING" IT WONT GO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WASN'T KILLED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. HOLY COW! FOR THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALMOST DEAD. THE MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT CAN'T FIGURE WHICH "GEAR" TO GO INTO? I CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION TRYING TO GO AND THE MOTOR INCREASES IN SOUND BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO GO INTO GEAR. WHAT THE HECK! CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT NEEDS A :"THROTTLE BODY" REPLACES IT WILL BE AT LEAST $1000.00. HE SAID 800.00 FOR PART 200 TO PUT IT ON. WHAT THE HECK? I ALMOST DIED. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. I HAVE LISTENED TO "CAR TALK" AND IT IS KNOW TO THESE FOLKS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? IS IT REALLY 800.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT " THROTTLE BODY? COULD THERE BE AN SIGHT WHERE WE COULD SEE THIS IS CORRECT PRICE? COULD I REPLACE THE PART? OR WILL IT NEED TO BE ON A RACK BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET TO IT. MY FATHER JOHN B PHARR RETIRED FRO GENERAL MOTORS IN GEORGIA AND TAUGHT ME ABOUT CARS. BUT HE PASSED AWAY. I NEED HIS HELP, BUT AS A OVER 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL CONSIDER THIS AND HONOR HIS DEDICATION TO GENERAL MOTORS . I AM GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED US HEALTH INSURANCE GROWING UP. I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP POSSIBLE OR DISCOUNT. I WILL HAVE PARK IT AND RIDE THE BUS FOR NOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN RECOVERING FROM A MEDICAL LEAVE OF 60 DAY FROM MY EMPLOYER HENNEPIN COUNTY IN MINNESOTA. I AM NOW EARNING MY INCOME AGAIN. MY INCOME IS LIMITED DUE TO THE TIME OFF FOR SHORT TERM DISABILITY. I HAVE RETURNED TO WORK BUT AM REPAYING LATE PAYMENTS BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL LEAVE. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY. *TR

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A BRAND NEW HARNESS SINCE THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT WORK WITH THE EXISTING WIRES. THEY WANT $3,000.00 FOR THIS. WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY REPLY THAT THIS SUV WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WANTS $860 FOR THE PART PLUS PROGRAMMING CHARGES. *TR

2002 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND THE SPEED DROPPED DOWN QUICKLY TO 5 MILES/HR. OVER THE PAST 4 WEEKS I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND PULLEY BELTS BECAUSE THEY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. *TR

I HAD JUST LEFT A STOP LIGHT ON A BUSY STREET IN CHICAGO DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR AND THE ENGINE JUST DIED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TAKEN BACK TO MY REPAIR SHOP. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND CRUSHED THE CASING AND VALVES AND THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $3,200.00. I SPOKE WITH THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN TINLEY PARK, IL AND THEY AGREED TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN FOR $2,200.00. I SPOKE WITH THE SATURN MAIN OFFICE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND THEY STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE MADE ON THE 2002 SATURN VUE'S AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. *TR

THE TURN SIGNALS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THEY WILL WORK AND THEN STOP WORKING, REQUIRING A RESTART OF THE VEHICLE TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. *TT

I HAD MY 100,000 SERVICE PERFORMED ON MY CAR(2002 SATURN VUE) AND SIX MONTHS LATER (LESS THEN 5,000 MILES) MY TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO A "POSSIBLE OIL LEAK" OR BECAUSE I HADN'T HAD MY OIL CHANGED SINCE MY LAST SERVICE AND SLUDGE HAD POSSIBLE BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I NOTED THAT MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN L SERIES AND A FEW VUES. I WAS TOLD TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHAIN, CYLINDER HEAD, AND GASKETS WOULD COST $2600 OR I COULD REPLACE THE ENGINE (NOT SURE OF THE COST OF A USED ENGINE AT THIS POINT). *TR

2002 SATURN VUE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO A FAILED THROTTLE BODY AND THE PARTS. IT WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO RESERVE POWER AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THIS MUST BE A MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE MY MECHANIC JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS ON BACK ORDER TO APRIL OF 2009. SO IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH OF A REASON THAT THIS IS A DEFECT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS. BECAUSE OF THIS I WILL BE WITHOUT A WORKING CAR FOR 4 MONTHS BECAUSE GM/SATURN MAKES CARS THAT DO NOT FUNCTION. ALSO I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND YOU HAVE NOT FORCED THEM INTO A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM ON THE ROAD TO THE DRIVER AND OR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

SUDDEN, MASSIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK CAME INTO CONTACT WITH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHILE TRYING TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD AFTER A STOP, CLUTCH FAILED. MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A SAFER LOCATION ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. SO MUCH SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT I WAS AFRAID TO OPEN IT. RETREATED TO A SAFE DISTANCE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN VUE (4 CYL, 2.2 L ENGINE, MANUAL TRANSMISSION) ON THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THEN LOST POWER. I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE FREEWAY EXIT, AND I (WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A FEW KIND HEARTED MOTORISTS) HAD TO PUSH MY CAR OUT OF THE EXIT LANE AND ON COMING TRAFFIC. MY CAR WAS TOWED THROUGH AAA TO A SERVICE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, AND IN TURN DAMAGED THE PISTONS, THUS REQUIRING ME TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE. REPLACING THE ENGINE IS ESTIMATED TO COST BETWEEN $1,800 AND $2,800 DEPENDING UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ENGINE IN MY AREA. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THROUGH READING TODAY THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VERY ISSUE WITH THE SATURN 2.2 L ENGINES, BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2.2 L ENGINE. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY, THAT OTHER MOTORISTS WERE ABLE TO HOLD OFF TRAFFIC AND ASSIST ME PUSHING THE CAR TO SAFETY, AND THAT MY CHILD, OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, AND I WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURED DUE TO THIS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

RE: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO STATE HOW BAD A 2002 SATURN VUE IS ON SAFETY. I JUST CAME IN FROM TRYING TO TOW MY SCOOTER MOBILITY TRAILER UP THE HILL IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT IS ON LIKE IT ALWAYS IS. I HAVE TRIED TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO NO AVAIL. ONE THING IT SAYS IS THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE THERMOSTAT IS STICKING. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $400 TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A THERMOSTAT PROBLEM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ALWAYS STAYS ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD MARKS, WINTER OR SUMMER. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER IS THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TAKES TO GET FULLY WARMED UP. THERE IS A HILL BETWEEN MY COMMUNITY AND THE HIGHWAY. IT IS ABOUT MILE LONG. IN THE SUMMER, THE VEHICLE IS FULLY WARMED UP BY THE BOTTOM OF THAT HILL. IN THE WINTER, IT TAKES TO THE TOP OF THAT HILL BEFORE IT IS FULLY WARMED UP. I SPENT ABOUT #100 FOR A NEW THERMOSTAT AND ALL THE NECESSARY GASKETS TO REPLACE THAT THERMOSTAT AND I STILL HAVE THE LIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE IS STILL 1.3 THE WAY BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD MARKS. THE MAIN REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT OF SAFETY IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO 'LIMP MODE' AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AND SUDDENLY I HAVE NO POWER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. ANY VEHICLE WITH A 'CHECK ENGINE SOON' LIGHT SHOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE ON STARTUP, NOT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. *TR

2002 SATURN VUE; L61 2.2 LITER 4 CYL ENGINE; MILEAGE 59,323. AUGUST 3, 2008. PREPARING TO ENTER INTERSTATE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. HAD IT TOWED TO OMAHA SATURN FOR REPAIR. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, AND FALLEN DOWN INTO OIL PAN. ALONG WITH THIS VALVES WERE DAMAGED (BENT) DUE TO MINIMUM CLEARANCES IN CYLINDER HEAD DESIGN. REPAIR INVOLVED NEW CYLINDER HEAD AND TIMING CHAIN ($2650.94) PLUS THE $100.00 TOWING CHARGE. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN HARD. *TR

MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT EXCEED 10 MILES AN HOUR. *TR

I HAVE A SATURN VUE 2002. I TOOK INTO A SATURN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS IN JULY 17, 08. SATURN REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THE PART WAS COMING. ON AUG 3, 2008, THEY ASKED ME TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD NOT BE IN UNTIL THE 18TH OF AUGUST. NOW SATURN IS STATING THE PART MAY NOT COME IN UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. MY THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WILL SIMPLE SHUT OFF WHILE I TRAVELING, I MAY BE GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL SIMPLY NOT START. *TR

APPROXIMATELY 6-9 MONTHS AGO MY 2002 SATURN VUE, 4 CYL, WITH APPROX 55,000 MILES STOPPED WORKING. SATURN OF BOWIE, NOW CLOSED, TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND ENGINE WAS NOW NO GOOD. THEY SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX VEHICLE WAS TO REPLACE ENGINE AT MY EXPENSE. APPROXIMATELY $6,500. I COMPLAINED AND AFTER MY DISCUSSIONS WITH A SATURN HQ PERSON, THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $5,500. I HAVE EXACT FIGURES IN MY FILES. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM AND SATURN RESPONDED THAT IT WASN'T KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS MORNING AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, ON THE INTERNET, RELATING TO ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY SATURN VUE REGARDING THE FUEL GAUGE, I LEARNED THAT SATURN WAS AWARE OF THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE. THEY CHARGED ME ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF POOR ENGINEERING. *TR

OVER THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN AND WON'T START UP. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COME ON AND WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, WHICH I KEPT ON FILLING UP. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WHEN THEY WENT TO LOOK AT IT THE NEXT MORNING, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. ANOTHER TIME I LEFT IT AND WHEN I CAME BACK, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IN BOTH OF THOSE INSTANCES, I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE 3RD TIME THAT THE CAR DIED, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVERT AN ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR, BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ONE AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 8 WEEKS. I RECENTLY HAD THE VUE TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT I NEED A NEW TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. THEY ALSO SAY THAT I NEED TO HAVE AN I-BOLT PULLEY, BELT TENSIONER, ALTERNATOR, AND SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED. OTHER REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED ARE A FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND THE BEARING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 92,000 MILES. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD. AT A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES, NOISE STARTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVE TRAIN. THE NOISE WAS LIKE CONSTANT HOWL. THE NOISE WOULD START AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND INCREASE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO NOTICE THAT THE NOISE WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN TAKING A FREEWAY RAMP TO THE LEFT. THE NOISE SLOWLY GREW LOUDER UNTIL AT 136,000 MILES THE NOISE HAD BECOME VERY LOUD. AFTER SOME INTERNET SEARCHING, THE NOISE WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. NORMALLY, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WHEEL BEARINGS LAST LONGER SO IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE IT HAD GONE OUT. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PLAY IN THE BEARING EITHER ON OR OFF THE VEHICLE. REPLACING THE BEARINGS ELIMINATED THE NOISE. I HAVE THE FULL SET OF SATURN SHOP MANUALS AND THE DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. AT LEAST ON INTERNET POSTING SAID AFTER TAKING APART AN OLD BEARING THAT SATURN HAD ELIMINATED A BEARING RACE. IF THIS IS TRUE, IT PROBABLY SAVED A FEW CENTS FOR SATURN BUT COST ME HUNDREDS. AFTER REMOVAL, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD NOTICEABLE NOISE JUST TURNING IT BY HAND. THE RIGHT BEARING WAS IN BETTER CONDITION BUT STILL PRODUCED NOISE ON THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WILL PROBABLY NEED REPLACEMENT ALSO, SINCE NOW IT APPEARS THAT NOISE IS COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR. *TR

NO KNOWN CRASHES OR INJURIES. HORN ON VEHICLE STUCK IN ON POSITION AND CAN ONLY BE SILENCED BY REMOVING FUSE. DEFECT IS A POORLY DESIGNED CONTACT STRIP THAT IS PART OF AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. COST OF REPAIRS BY SATURN IS BETWEEN $800 AND $1,200 THUS CAUSING MANY OWNERS TO DRIVE WITHOUT A HORN OR PROPERLY FUNCTIONING AIR BAG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE LOW POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 6/9/08 *CN UPDATED 06/09/08

I BEGAN TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ENGINE NOISE THAN NORMAL, LIKE A TAPPING NOISE. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AS I DID REGULARLY AND WITHIN MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND TO CONTINUE WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES. CAR DIED WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH LOCALLY ON THE WEEKEND, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH ON MY WAY TO WORK IF IT WAS A WEEKDAY. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL IMMEDIATELY INTO A SIDE STREET AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. I'VE SEEN INTERNET POSTINGS CITING THE SAME PROBLEMS ON SATURN MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THERE MAY EVEN BE A RECALL FOR THE L-CLASS SATURN CARS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND NOT THE VUE? *TR

THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO CAR TURNING OFF: NO INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO CAR STOPPING AND NO NOISES WERE HEARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AND MOVE OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAS ALL OF IT'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE. DEALERSHIP SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS SHOWS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE "CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR." *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND EACH OF THEM STATED THAT A THROTTLE BODY CONNECTOR WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC COULD BE PERFORMED FOR THE THIRD TIME AT THEIR FACILITY IN ORDER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 08/07/08

I OWN A 2002 SATURN VUE, 4CYLINDER, FWD WITH APPROXIMATELY 86,000 MILES. EARLY THIS YEAR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) ON THIS VEHICLE BEGAN PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM UNLOCKING PROPERLY. I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN MY KEY FOB FOR MY SECURITY SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL TO UNLOCK DOORS, CAUSING THE HORN TO CHIRP IRREGULARLY. I LATER NOTICED THAT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, UNLOCKING THE DOORS USING THE POWER LOCK BUTTON ON EACH OF THE FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. WHEN I WENT TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK, IT STICKS OR DOES NOT DISENGAGE THE LOCK, ESSENTIALLY LOCKING ALL PASSENGERS IN. AFTER CRAWLING TO THE BACK SEAT I AM ABLE TO PUSH THE LOCK BUTTON MANUALLY AND ESCAPE. MY FEAR IS THAT IN AN EMERGENCY, THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WILL SOMEHOW PREVENT ME FROM GETTING OUT OF MY CAR. *TR

UPON FILLING MY GAS TANK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAYS ON--SOMETIMES TILL THE TANK IS HALF EMPTY--SOMETIMES COMING ON WHEN THE TANK REACHES HALF. *TR

ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 SATURN VUE 2.2L 4CYL LAST NIGHT AT APPROX. 55-60MPH, MY REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON. I HAD NO FOREWARNING NOISES OR INDICATION MY CAR WAS GOING INTO FAILURE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL, SHUT THE IGNITION DOWN, AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SAFELY AS I COULD, STILL AT APPROX. 50 MPH SPEED AS I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN FOR 5 MINS AND SPEAKING TO MY GM DEALERSHIP, THEY ADVISED ME TO TRY TO TURN THE CAR OVER IN CASE IT WAS JUST A "GLITCH" IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, TO NO AVAIL. IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO MY GM DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE HAD A "ZERO TOLERANCE" ENGINE, AND THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE WAS MOST LIKELY BLOWN, AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED. THE MINIMAL COST OF THIS TIMING CHAIN ERROR IS $3,000 EVEN WITH A USED ENGINE GOING INTO MY CAR. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SATURN'S 2.2L ENGINE IN THE APPROX. 2001-2002 RANGE, AND I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS PART OF THIS. I AM CONTACTING SATURN ON MONDAY THE 21ST TO SEE IF I CAN GET SOME SORT OF HELP IN REPLACING MY ENGINE, AS THIS IS APPARENTLY AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE AND REDUCED POWER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ

LEAKING RIGHT AXLE SEAL. *TR

THE ONLY "EVENT" WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE WAS ACCELERATING TO THEN MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED/BROKE DURING ACCELERATION WHILE MERGING WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. POWER WAS THEN LOST,THE VEHICLE DIED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF FULL BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE CHAIN THEN DAMAGED MULTIPLE VALVES LEADING TO A POTENTIAL MINIMUM $2000 REPAIR. *TR

MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING. MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS HIS PASSENGER. HE WAS DRIVING A 2002 SATURN VUE. HE HIT A TREE, DEAD-ON, GOING 40 MPH. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, AMBULANCE FOLKS, BODY SHOP REP: THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING AND LOOK AT ME WITH AMAZEMENT THAT THIS HAPPENED (OR DIDN'T HAPPEN). I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH THE IMPRESSION IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH WORKING AIRBAGS. IF A VEHICLE HITS SOMEONE, DEAD-ON, GOING 40MPH, I EXPECT AIRBAGS TO WORK, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME USING THIS AS A FEATURE. LAST NIGHT, A WEEK AFTER OUR ACCIDENT, WE PASSED YET ANOTHER VUE ACCIDENT SO I STOPPED OUT OF CURIOSITY. THIS LADY WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. GUESS WHAT, HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. I SUPPOSE I'LL HAVE TO START MY OWN LITTLE "SATURN" INVESTIGATION SERVICE AS I INTEND TO FIND OUT JUST HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS LADY HAD A 2007 VUE, SO I DO NOT ACCEPT MY CAR BEING OLDER OR ANYTHING ELSE AS AN EXCUSE OF SOMETHING THAT LOOKS TO ME LIKE WAS DEFECTIVE TO START WITH. *TR

IN 8/06 WE PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE FROM A SATURN DEALER FOR OUR 16-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. TODAY, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A 55 MPH ROLLOVER AND FLIPPED HER CAR END-OVER-END 5 TIMES. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. WE WERE SHOWN A CARFAX AND TIME OF PURCHASE. HOWEVER, TODAY'S ACCIDENT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT (A) AIRBAGS WERE FAULTY (B) AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED IN A PRIOR ACCIDENT AND WERE NOT RE-BUILT (C) AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED OR TAMPERED WITH SOMETIME PRIOR. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, SHOULD BE TAKEN. *JB

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED (APP 47K MILES ON IT) IN MARCH 2006. DURING SUMMER OF 2006 THERE STARTED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEREIN THE CAR, WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, WOULD SUDDENLY SWITCH, WITHOUT WARNING, INTO A "REDUCED POWER MODE". A SMALL LIGHT WOULD COME ON INDICATING THIS, BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS THAT ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER THIS LIGHT COMES ON, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BREAK DOWN TO 30 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE POWER WAS TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR 30-60 SECONDS. ***I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR CENTER THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WITHIN SATURN FOR THIS DEFECT, SO THEY KNOW IT EXISTS. *** HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR (TO CONSUMERS) IS OVER $1300, THEY HAVE NOT MADE A RECALL OF WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY DEFECT. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED SEVERAL SHORTCUTS IN THE PAST YEAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EACH TIME WITH ONLY TEMPORARY SUCCESS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BOTH THE SATURN REPAIR CENTER AND SATURN CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, NEITHER WILL OFFER ANY CONCESSIONS OTHER THAN COVERING A $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AFTER I HAD ALREADY PAID SUCH FEE TWICE. A DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO FORCEFULLY SLOW DOWN TO 30 MPH IS RISKING THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY, SINCE WE OFTEN TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE GOING. CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND ARE FORCED TO USE OUR OTHER CAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE HEARD A NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND REDUCE POWER LIGHT WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INTO THE SLOW LANE ALLOWING HIM TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT FAULTY WIRING CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE WIRING; HOWEVER, THE TIMING CHAIN FELL OFF. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN UP TO DATE SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,165.

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

MY WIFE PULLED UP TO A HOUSE THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS VISITING AND HONKED THE HORN FOR HER TO COME OUT. THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND UNTIL THE FUSE WAS PULLED. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. *TR

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2002 SATURN VUE, THAT HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT, BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE DESTROYED. (ENGINE DESTROYED WAS VERIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO, THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD NEVER SEEN HAPPEN, YET I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR L SERIES HERE. MY CAR HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR THE VUE WAS MADE AND THE ENGINE WAS THE SAME AS THE L SERIES THAT YEAR). *TR

2002 SATURN VUE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT 74,000 MILES. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WITHOUT WARNING, SHUTTING DOWN VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. CAUSED DAMAGE TO EIGHT OF THE SIXTEEN VALVES. HAVE TO REPLACE CHAIN, HAVE CYLINDER HEADS MACHINED AND OTHER WORK DONE (STILL IN PROGRESS). PARTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM SATURN.*AK

DRIVING AT @ 35 MILES PER HOUR IN OUR 2002 SATURN VUE WHEN IT STOPPED. JUST STOPPED. WAITED 2 HOURS IN FRIGID CONDITIONS FOR A TOW. FOUND OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED. THIS IN TURN DAMAGED TWO OF THE ENGINE VALVES CAUSING 1400 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 MILES , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 MILES AS OF 04-24-07. *AK UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

HORN CONSTANTLY ON IN THE VERY EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING. WAS TOLD BY SATURN DEALER THAT THIS WOULD COST OVER $700 BECAUSE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG WOULD NEED REPLACING! I NEEDED TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE HORN CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. THIS IS A VERY LARGE PROBLEM SATURN HAS WITH ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE IT. *JB

ALL GAUGES ON THE DASH FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 MILES/HR, GAS GAGE READ 0, ETC. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE BCM WAS NOT GROUNDED AND THE ELECTRICITY ARCHED AND SHORTED THE BCM. THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES AND DEALER QUOTED ME $409 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

2002 SATURN VUE (42000 MILES): NOTICED RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATION COMING FROM AREA OF RUBBER BOOT WHERE STEERING COLUMN ENTERS FLOOR BOARD. APPLIED LUBRICANT AND THIS TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT IT SOON RETURNED. DEALER CLAIMS STEERING COLUMN IS BAD AND NEED REPLACEMENT - $1000+ FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

INCIDENT = SECOND INSTANCE IN 54,438 MILES OF: TIMING CHAIN 'SLIPPED' DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THIS IS ON MY 2002 SATURN VUE, 4 CYL. ENGINE - FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. SATURN BLAMES ME FOR NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE EVERY 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE REQUIREMENT. (AND IS SATISFIED TO LOOK NO FURTHER FOR OTHER CAUSES.) I HAVE SEEN A REPORT, ON THIS SITE, OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO FREQUENT TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN L-SERIES MODELS (HAVING THE SAME ENGINE). THE REPORT REFERENCES LACK OF OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN WHEN OPERATING AT LOW RPM. (THIS IS THE TYPE OF DRIVING I DO.) THE REPORT ALSO REFERENCES "ALL TIMING CHAIN SERVICE KITS NOW AVAILABLE WILL INCLUDE AN OILER NOZZEL, A NEW DESIGN THAT WILL INCREASE OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN UNDER LOW RPM OPERATING CONDITIONS". THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTEE AT 24,663 MILES. THE CURRENT INSTANCE OCCURRED AT 54,438 MI. , AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTEE. DAMAGE RESULTING = ENGINE DAMAGE FOR THE SECOND INSTANCE IS "BEYOND REPAIR", AND I AM TOLD THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARANTEE, SATURN OFFERS TO PAY 50% OF THE COST OF A REBUILT ENGINE REPLACEMENT. BUT, I CANNOT AFFORD EVEN 50% AT THIS TIME. I HAVE OPENNED A CASE WITH SATURN TO GET MORE SUPPORT. THE CASE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING ACTION BY THE DISTRICT MANAGER WHO IS ON VACATION UNTIL THE FIRTST OF THE YEAR. *NM

THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE IN 54,438 MILES OF: TIMING CHAIN 'SLIPPED' DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING (AT LOW SPEED), THEN RESTARTED WITH REDUCED POWER/PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THIS TIME, THE ENGINE WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. SATURN BLAMES ME FOR NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE EVERY 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE REQUIREMENT. (AND IS SATISFIED TO LOOK NO FURTHER FOR ANY OTHER CAUSES.) I HAVE SEEN THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT (PE06-006), ON THIS SITE, OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO FREQUENT TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN L-SERIES MODELS (HAVING THE SAME ENGINE AS THIS VEHICLE). THE REPORT REFERENCES LACK OF OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN WHEN OPERATING AT LOW RPM. (THIS IS THE TYPE OF DRIVING I DO.) THE REPORT ALSO REFERENCES GM TSB 03-06-01-017 STATING "ALL TIMING CHAIN SERVICE KITS NOW AVAILABLE WILL INCLUDE AN OILER NOZZLE, A NEW DESIGN THAT WILL INCREASE OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN UNDER LOW RPM OPERATING CONDITIONS". THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE EXISTENCE OF THE IMPROVED DESIGN FOR THE VUE ENGINE. THE FIRST FAILURE INSTANCE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT 24,663 MILES. THE CURRENT INSTANCE OCCURRED AT 54,438 MI. , AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. SATURN IS OFFERING TO TAKE 50% COST OF AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE ALARM SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.