Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Saturn VUE, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train316
- Electrical system124
- Engine and engine cooling62
- Suspension48
- Steering45
- Air bags41
- Engine29
- Structure23
- Vehicle speed control21
- Fuel system, gasoline20
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 27 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 15 2003 VUE vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Saturn VUE failed the safety check 3.30% of the time — 57% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 127,880 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 10.7–12.4 L/100 km (about 19–22 mpg US), CO₂ 246–285 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vue · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 9.1 | 10.7 |
| Vue · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 9.3 | 11.0 |
| Vue AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.9 | 11.5 |
| Vue · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 9.9 | 11.9 |
| Vue AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 10.2 | 12.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Saturn VUE.
| 2014342 11 Aug 2014 | Other On certain vehicles, a defect may allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch when the key is not in the "OFF" position. This could result in … |
| 2008077 4 Mar 2008 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles, the Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) resistor may crack. If water and road salt enters the crack, it could corrode the resistor. This could res… |
| 2002203 8 Nov 2002 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the front seat belt assemblies do not include the statement required by CMVSS 209 for certain load limiting retractors. Correction: Deale… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saturn told its dealers about the 2003 Saturn VUE: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635737 | SUBJECT REGARDING POWERTRAIN VIBRATION AT IDLE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. *TT |
| 633535 | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING INSTALLATION OF 12V ACCESORY OUTLET TO LEFT REAR INTERIOR WHEEL OPENING SERVICE REPLACEMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY. *JG |
| 633520 | SUBJECT REGARDING RECREATIONAL AND DISABLED VEHICLE TOWING INFORMATION. *JG |
| 633512 | SQUEAK NOISE FROM FRONT INNER DOOR ARMREST/PULL HANDLE. *JG |
| 633510 | SUBJECT REGARDING STARTER REMAINING ENGAGED AFTER ENGINE START UP AND/OR ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES BEING INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY. *JG |
| 633503 | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR CHASSIS SERVICE MANUALS REGARDING FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. *JG |
| 633464 | FUEL GAUGE IS DISPLAYING A FALSE LOW READING OR STUCK ON EMPTY. THIS MAY BE INTERMITTENT. A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0461 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR PERFORMANCE- MAY ALSO BE SET IN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MEMORY. *JG |
| 633428 | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE INFORMATION ON TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. *JG |
| 633369 | SUBJECT REGARDING CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING TIRE CHAIN DISCLOSURE. VEHICLES THAT SHOULD NOT BE OPERATED WITH CHAINS. *JG |
| 11009156 | 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 step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 11007744 | 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 vent temperature. |
| 11007743 | 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 vent temperature. |
| 11007208 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection. |
| 11006621 | Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers. |
| 11004557 | This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim. |
| 11002312 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information. |
| 11000576 | This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process. |
| 10252735 | This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish. |
| 10252163 | XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation. |
| 10251890 | This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 10250775 | This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system. |
| 10249980 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Mot |
| 10249579 | This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine. |
| 10249011 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage. |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation