2003 Saturn Saturn problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (4) · Seats (1) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Saturn Saturn model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (6)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Wheels:rim 2009-05-01 · 050310003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant). 2008 and prior gm passenger car and light duty trucks (including saturn) and hummer h2, h3 and saab 9-7x with cast aluminum wheels. *nj updated 10/23/09. *pe
Structure:body 2003-03-01 · 95T52E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bumps or iron dust on paint surface. *tt
Latches/Locks/Linkages:tailgate:latch 2003-03-01 · 030866004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
intermittent operation of the tailgate release button. 2003 lw200 and lw300 saturn vehicles. *tt
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2002-10-01 · 02T75 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioner system r-134a refrigerant ultra violet (uv) dye usage. *tt
Unknown Or Other 2002-08-01 · 02I12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
subject regarding emission requirements. *jg
Unknown Or Other 2002-05-01 · 02I08 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
subject regarding essential tool update #1 and acr2000 equipment information. *jg
What owners report
2007-11-16 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter · 10,000 mi“york pa> saturn has patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. which they well know will not fix the problem. after regular preventable maintenance, 2003 saturn vue has continuously experienced transmission problems from 10,000 point on. vehicle while just traveling down a road at 30-40 mph), does not shift properly into higher gear ,…”
2007-11-15 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 10,000 mi“york pa> saturn has patched up my 2003 vue by replacing valves, sensors etc. which they well know will not fix the problem. after regular preventively maintenance, 2003 saturn vue has continuously experienced transmission problems from 10,000 point on. vehicle while just traveling down a road at 30-40 mph), does not shift properly into higher gear …”
2007-04-19 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 107,000 mi“2003 saturn vue with roughly 107,000 miles suddenly slipped while driving down the road. luckily, husband made it home. i drove to local shop where diagnosis revealed a recall on faulty transmission wire that could lead to transmission failure. i towed to saturn dealership and was told car would not reverse. when presented with recall info, t…”
2006-07-06 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap · 37,008 mi“notice a gas odor a few weeks ago, took my saturn vue to the dealer and found out that the gas neck had a crack. i had to leave it there due to the danger of the gas leakage. i was told that the only time that occurs is from an accident. i was told there was no sign of an accident and they could not think of any other reason for the crack. the satu…”
2005-11-17 · Electrical System“the bcm (body control module) has not functioned properly since day 1. multiple attempts have been made to re-program it and to no avail. saturn claims it is because of the mileage of the car, however the car is a 2003. it has 60k miles. this part is defective from the manufacturer and needs to be replaced. *nm…”
2005-09-27 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery“delco free 72 mo. battery positive post internally corroded and leaked acid. battery was 35 mo. old on saturn vue with 47k miles. stalled and had to get towed. total cost with battery an tow $197. saturn would not warranty. delco's 72 mo. warranty does not apply to batteries in new vehicles. saturn replaced with a different brand because of pr…”
2005-05-09 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 500 mi“dt: transmission problems, when vehicle accelerated it seemed to go in neutral;. narrowly, avoided 3 accidents. the car completely stopped at one time, and he had to have it towed.*ak…”
2004-01-23 · Electrical System:horn“horn is to difficult to push in order for the horn to blow. *ph the consumer feels that the horn button requires too much pressure to activate. the consumer stated that he and his wife (78 and 80 years old) don not posses the strength required to blow the horns. the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to see if anything could be done . th…”
2003-06-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“when engine started and engaged from park to drive transmission jerked and continued doing so between 45 and 65mph. dealer has inspected vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. saturn, ion, 2003. *ak…”
2003-06-05 · Seats · 9,600 mi · 💥 crash“i had a three-car accident on highway 258 south in tarboro, north carolina on june 1, 2003. my car is a saturn sl1 2003. the lady in front of me came to complete stop making a left turn. i then quickly stopped but the couple behind me were not able to stop. a majority of the damage to my car took place on the backend. the force of the impact m…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.