2003 Saturn Vue Problems, Recalls & Reliability
873 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Saturn Vue, alongside 1 recall campaign and 2 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 75,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2003 Saturn Vue sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings.
Avoid
Where 2003 sits among all Vue years
What owners report
“Engine has only 52000 miles and the transmission is slipping. While driving on the street or highway the car loses power and will not go any further.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
“Car key kept getting stuck in ignition. Car will come out while it is on. Car alarm failed no warning. We replaced battery and now car has no power. When we turn key nothing happens. No lights. No power at all.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
“The transmission mount didn't fit the transmission and engine completely. As a result, the transmission and engine vibrated. The transmission had made a knocking sound which had come from the catalytic converter heat shield. When the vehicle was driven down an incline, it would make a noise.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
“Saturn has a defect in their rear wheel bearing on their 2003 vue. I have had three replaced on my vehicle and have another out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
“Takata recall security light comes on reduced power while driving all gas and speed gauges are all turned to the right car dosent move when cut on no power steering wheel gets hard unable to turn or steer this has been going on for 3 months now”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
“Due to the horn design, on the steering wheel airbag, at night it is almost impossible to activate the horn.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Vue
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 626 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 70,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 26,000 and 105,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
507 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2003 Saturn Vue. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 Saturn Vue reliable?
The 2003 Saturn Vue drew 873 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2003 Saturn Vue problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Saturn Vue are transmission & drivetrain (321 complaints), electrical (140), and engine (90).
At what mileage do 2003 Saturn Vue problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Saturn Vue problems around 70,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 26,000 and 105,000 miles.
Does the 2003 Saturn Vue have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2003 Saturn Vue. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.