2004 Saturn Vue problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (40) · Electrical System (40) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (34)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Saturn Vue model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
237 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-08-08 · campaign 14V490000 · 202,155 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 occup
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 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 manu
Service bulletins (479)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 479 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-24 · Suspension · 35,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. the contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound at start up, a…”
2025-08-28 · Unknown Or Other“the ignition (key) has stopped working again after being recalled a few years ago, and being replaced. the key will not turn and start the car.…”
2023-11-05 · Power Train · 💥 crash“transmission has lube issues for honda and transgo hondalk fixes that but requires several hours labor pulling transmission. transmission and torque converter overheat causing failure. mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. caused accident.…”
2023-01-20 · Electrical System“my father's car key can be taken out of the ignition when it is not in the off position but his specific vin is not listed as part of the recall.…”
2020-10-12 · Unknown Or Other · 193,500 mi“rusted front subframe/ engine cradle i carried my saturn vue to have the catalytic converters replaced and my master-mechanic discovered the rusted subframe and brought it to my attention. he showed it to me and explained the the danger in operating this vehicle.…”
2020-10-02 · Electrical System · 107,406 mi“my 2004 vue had a recall in 2014 for the ignition key could be removed without being in the off position, i had this repaired on 12/11/14. recently my ignition key can again be removed without being in the off position.…”
2020-08-31 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi“the ignition broke after many of times the key coming out.…”
2019-06-27 · Electrical System · 145,790 mi“i have all ready taken my saturn vue to the dealer in hemet ca. ( gosch chevrolet). the ignition switch broke again a week later. i took it back but gosch would not fix it again. the reason was because the housing had damage around it. now the reason for that was because i was stranded 20 miles from nothing when the ignition would not turn my vehic…”
2019-05-16 · Electrical System · 248,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. while operating the vehicle, the key came out of the ignition switch. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. valley chevrolet (525 hwy 7e, hutchinson, mn) and the manufacturer were notified and stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v490000 (electrical system); however, the part …”
2019-05-02 · Unknown Or Other“there was a recall back in october 20th, 2014 regarding an issue with the ignition. where you can pull the key out while its running. i've never gotten a call from nhtsa regarding the issue. may i have it done free of charge. the vehicle was stationary…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.