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Saturn VUE

3783 messages,  Last post on Sep 12, 2012 at 5:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV

Messages Page 379 of 379

#3780 of 3783 2003 Saturn Vue 5 speed by gymnastj

Aug 14, 2012 (8:10 pm)

I am thinking about buying this as my first vehicle for college. What questions should I ask and what should I look for. How reliable is the vehicle? I have read mixed reviews.

#3781 of 3783 Re: 2003 Saturn Vue 5 speed [gymnastj] by 442dude

Aug 15, 2012 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: gymnastj (Aug 14, 2012 8:10 pm)
The 2003 Vue with the 4 cylinder/5 speed is a pretty good choice. One problem has been with the timing chain oiler. Its failure led to the failure of the engine. They don't all do it but some do. starting in 2004 they changed the part to get rid of the problem. One way to avoid the problem is to be sure that oil changes are kept up with...also, if the motor is quiet, chances are you don't have a problem. The timing chain will give plenty of warning before it breaks.
 
Things to look for:
 
rattles, rattles, rattles...these Vues are a noisy bunch and make a lot of front end noise. Common problems are with the front wheel bearings, struts/strut bearings and swaybar links. None are necessarily really expensive, its just something to be mindful of.
 
Clutch slave cylinder...the 02 and 03 models have had a history of slave cylinder failures. There's really no way to know if its good or bad short of driving it. Its about a $1500.00 repair but then again we are talking about a 9 year old car so things are bound to break.
 
The radios are all not very good...whatever that means to you...
 
May I suggest that you look for a 2006-2007 model with the 4 cylinder and automatic trans...many fewer problems and nicer interiors.
 
DO NOT BUY ANY 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL FROM 2002-2005!!! There have been many failures and very few last to 100000 miles...most not even half of that. The V6 models from any year are OK...the 04-07 models came with a V6 built by Honda that many people say is great.
 
Hope this helps...feel free to post questions...

#3782 of 3783 Front Rattle by mindbody

Aug 26, 2012 (10:44 am)

I bought my 2004 Saturn Vue Redline new. It has 72000 miles and I decided this year to do some maintenance. I tow it behind a class A motor home, so it has another 15000 rolling miles.
 
I wanted to correct the rattle in the front end. Had the struts and mounts done. Also had the front brakes and rotors changed. The car was so much quieter, for a short while.
 
The rattle on low speed bumps has returned just as bad as before. I have read 442dude's ideas and I believe it is the caliper pin bushings. I will return to the mechanic with that suggestion.
 
I also found a couple of plastic part of the wheel wells rattling, so put in some screws.
 
Any other suggestions? I am aware of the stabilizer bushings and the mechanic says everything is tight.

#3783 of 3783 Re: 2005 Saturn Vue 3.5 L6 Reliability? [jr1] by 0x1sherm

Sep 12, 2012 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: jr1 (Apr 10, 2011 5:39 pm)
In 2010, I put out the alert on the Saturn VUE/SUV. Within weeks of
purchasing the then new vehicle, my husband started having issues with it.
It would jump out of gear or not lock, when parked in gear. The dealer
started pulling new parts out of the vehicle.
 
Twenty-one visits in 3 months time, and I convinced GM to take the SUV back or I would park it with a sign on the window listing our complaints.
 
Take your complaints to Washington and follow through with letting GM know. They would hate to see such a group of customers all complaining about one product.
 
Until one voice joins in a group and the noise becomes louder, no one is helped. Glad to see the vehicle "gone". Each time, I see one in a parking lot, I wonder about it!

Messages Page 379 of 379

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