2002 Saturn Vue Complaint Log

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING.*JB. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE ILLUMINATION. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS PROBLEMS AS WELL AS THE BRAKES.

I HAD MY 2002 SATURN VUE PARKED IN A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. TWENTY TO THIRTY MINUTES LATER, MY CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR, BACKED UP, TURNED, AND ROLLED OFF AN EMBANKMENT, LANDING IN BETWEEN TREES AND ONTO SHOULDERS. WHEN I CALLED THE WEEK BEFORE THE ACCCIDENT, I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING MY CAR INTO GEAR. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THAT OUT AND I ALSO SCHEDULED AN OIL CHANGE AT THAT TIME. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICHLE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GEAR PROBLEMS HAD BEEN A FLUKE OF THE VUE. PRIOR TO THAT, I HAD NO GEAR PROBLEMS OTHER THAN A NOISE WHEN I SHIFTED THAT I REPORTED TO THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT AXLE NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED PROPERLY. THEY WERE RETORQUED PER BULLETIN 02T52. THE HOUSE THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT HAS A SENSOR IN THE DRIVEWAY, SO I KNOW THE CAR TOOK AT LEAST 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR. I REPORTED THE PORBLEM ON THE MORNING AFTER MY ACCIDENT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO CALL THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, I HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT SOMEONE FROM THE SATURN CORPORATION COME TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE, AND THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION/ AND PERHAPS THE TRANSMISSIONS OF OTHER SATURN VUE'S. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 25 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE SUN ROOF DEFLECTOR FLEW OFF FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IF THE SUN ROOF DEFLECTOR HAD FALLEN, WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

ELECTRICAL/IGNITION . *CB

RUBBING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALER SAYS SATURN KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IS LOOKING FOR A FIX. HAVE BROUGHT IT IN 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS WORKED. *JB

WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE CHUGGS (SURGES) AND ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER AND THEY BASICALLY SAY "ALL SYSTEMS OPERATING AS INTENDED". THIS SITUATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 567762. *NLM

I HAVE ALSO FOUND A METAL CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER''S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK, OR REVERSE. IT STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 12 TO 30 MPH, AGAIN THE PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COASTING AND LOSING MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT ANY AID OF BRAKING OF ANY KIND AND AS THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DOWN SHIFT, IT WOULD SOMETIMES MAKE A CLANKING NOISE, OR BUCK, OR IN THE MOST EXTREME CASES COMPLETELY STALL OUT. ALSO THE WIPER SPRAYERS HAVE BROKEN TWICE, AND THE DEALER EXPECTS THEM TO BREAK AGAIN.

DURING DRIVING A THUMP IS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN ROAD BUMP OCCURS AND IS SOMETIMES STARTLING. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, SERVICE REP. REPLACED A SPRING PART AS PER SERVICE BULLETIN, HOWEVER, THIS ACTION DID NOT REPAIR STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. THE THUMPING IS FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN STEERING COLUMN. SERVICE REP. INFORMED ME IT IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM.*AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS VEHICLE MAY RESTART, DEALER STATED THAT A SENSOR WAS NOT LETTING THE PEDAL KNOW THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE, DEALER REPLACED THIS PART, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *TT

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2002 SATURN VUE LEAVING MY DAUGHTER & ME STRANDED. IT ONLY HAD 68K MILES. SATURN DEALERSHIPS ONLY SUGGESTION: NEW ENGINE @ $3400 INSTALLATION @ $1600. I CHOSE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNAWARE OF THE ZERO TOLERANCE ENGINE. WHAT IS THAT?! I AM HEARING ABOUT CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NATIONWIDE DUE TO THIS SAME MALFUNCTION. THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION FOR YEARS & FAIL TO DO A RECALL. ISN'T IT TIME THEY BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE. THERE ARE MANY MANY SIMILAR STORIES TO MINE. PLEASE RESEARCH!! *TR

TIRE PLIES WERE SEPARATED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES AS MANUFACTURED CAUSING OUT OF ROUND CONDITION AND VEHICLE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEED (45-50). *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*763208

PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 SATURN VUE SUSPENSION.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH THROUGH A RED LIGHT. INITIALLY THE CONSUMER HAD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THEN IT SUDDENLY PULLED THEN THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED TWICE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT BADLY INJURED. THE CONSUMER WONDERS IF THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

THE TRANSMISION DOWN SHIFT VERY HARD IN STOP AND GO DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR MANY TIMES TO SATURN. HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT THIS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION IS DESIGNED PROPERLY. MY CAR DOWNSHIFT SO HARD I DO NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE.*AK HAS ANYBODY ELSE COMPLAINT ABOUT IT?

SATURN VUE 2002.SUNVISOR DOES NOT SWING ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL PART. (THE DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED AS REQUESTED) HAVE CONTACTED SATURN IN THIS REGARD AND THEY INSIST I MUST PURCHASE A NEW, NOW REDESIGNED PART. INCE THERE IS A DANGER OF NOT SEEING THE ROAD AS I DRIVE, I INSIST THAT SATURN MUST REPLACE THESE PARTS ON ALL 2002 SATURN VUE.*AK

WHEN SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR, THE SHIFTER HAD BROKEN. TS THERE HAD BEEN A CHATTER IN THE SHIFTER WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS RELEASED, ALSO WHEN THE GAS WAS APPLIED, SOMETIMES CAUSING A SURGE IN THE FIRST GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE AND ADJUSTER HAD BROKEN. SCC

I WAS HEADING UP A HILL WITH 3 CARS AHEAD OF ME, 3 BEHIND... WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE 3 CARS AHEAD CAME TO A FULL STOP, WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, AND IT FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN, AND I HEARD THE SOUND OF SANDPAPER SCRATCHING WOOD. I'VE HAD CARS WITH ABS BEFORE, SO I'M FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH THEM TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. THE CAR HIT THE BACK OF AN SUV AND THATS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR. THE ROAD WAS DRY, WARM, NO SAND OR ROCKS, IT WAS A PAVED ROADWAY. I HAD 3 TO 4 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I BEGAN BRAKING. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE STOPPED! THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS. IT DIDNT EVEN ATTEMPT TO STOP. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY BLEW ME OFF WITH THIS "IT WILL BE 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE WE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL INVESTIGATE; AND WE MAY OR MAY NOT CALL YOU". I HAD THE CAR TOWED, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARED DRIVABLE. I DIDNT WANT THE RISK OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT SATURN OF WEST COUNTY IN ST LOUIS, 63021, AND WILL BE INSPECTED BY ONE OF ALLSTATE'S INDEPENDENT ENGINEERS TODAY OR TOMORROW. *AK

WHEN ON AN INCLINE AND IN PARK, THE ENGINE SURGES AND SOUNDS AS IF IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT.*AK

THIS ACCESSORY IS POORLY ENGINEERED. THE LONG TERM USE OF THIS ROOF RACK COULD RESULT IN A SAFETY HAZARD. DESPITE THE USE OF THREADLOCK THE ROOF PINS LOOSEN DUE TO VIBARATION AND OTHER FACTORS. WATER COLLECTS IN THE ROOF PIN WELLS ADDING TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT OVER TIME THE ROOF PINS WILL RUST AND FAIL. A PROACTIVE RECALL AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DESIGN ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS.*AK

ROOF RACK IS ATTACHED VIA A CUSTOMER/DEALER INSTALLED STUD THAT REPLACES THE FACTORY INSTALLED MOUNTING SCREW. THE STUD IS RUSTING AND DOES NOT REMAIN TIGHT AFTER RACK AND CARGO BOX USAGE. EITHER THE RUST OR THE LACK OF TIGHTNESS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CARGO BOX AND RACK BEING TORN FROM ROOF DURING TRAVEL. THERE IS THE POSSIBLILITY FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

WHEN COMING TO STOPS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. AFTER THE INITIAL SURGE THE VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL, STOP OR CUT OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN LOOKED AT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. CONSUMER DOESN'T FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE, CONSUMER BELIVES THIS IS TRANSMISSION RELEATED ,HOWEVER THE DEALER IS STATING IT IS A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.*JG

TRANSMISSION DESIGN PROBLEMS. *AK

DESIGN FLAW IN ALL WHEEL FORWARD DRIVE. *AK

THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY.*JB

THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO REACH. *TS *JB

VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING MECHANISM. THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN POOR STEERING AND LOSS CONTROL. *AK