You are here: Forums SUVs Saturn VUE Saturn Vue Transmission Problems

Saturn Vue Transmission Problems

17 messages,  Last post on Sep 29, 2009 at 2:22 PM

You are in the Saturn VUE Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#10 of 17 2006 vue auto.trans. honda parts by lovue Feb 21, 2009 (3:05 pm)
I love my vue! However, right from the first mth of purchase, I noticed trans. not engaging at lower speeds. I was assured that this was characteristic of this vehicle and not to be of concern. At the time it seemed intermittent but not alarming. Around 42,500 miles the condition became a problem with engaging and disengaging, again, nothing debilitating but it became disturbing; dealer topped off fluid???? and it seemed ok. I then took it to an acura dealer for oil change and was told that I had a problem w/trans., they drained 50% of fluid and replaced with new. 300 miles later, I beginning to experience problem once again. I don't want to wait until it's drops, what should I do? My original dealership closed up and the GM dealer that I was sent to, makes me feel second rate. I maintain my vue, in and out, impeccably and this is disturbing to me.
#11 of 17 2004 Vue trans oscillating and shuddering by rdarga Mar 08, 2009 (9:23 am)
My 2004 6 cl Honda engine all wheel drive has rpm or transmission oscillating and shuddering, What is the solution? Saturn service says that is not a problem. Not good. Pleasa advise.
#12 of 17 Saturn Vue 2006 Transmission shuttering/groaning noise by dipnet May 20, 2009 (1:02 pm)
Looks like other complaints similar to mine. When idling along at about 1300-1500RPM, with no real strain on the engine, the RPMs oscillate up and down about 200 RPM and the transmission makes a groaning sound. If I give it just a touch more gas the gearing will shift and be steady, but if I back off and just try to maintain a steady cruise at about 30-35MPH, the transmission doesn't seem to know whether it should shift up or down - it is not steady. Give a little strain on the engine and the gearing will settle out. Or I can drop it into the "I" gear, which results in higher RPM and it will settle down, but if I decrease speed in the "I" gear and approach the 1300-1500 RPM range, same thing (groaning sound) and fluctuating RPMs. Any thoughts? I see other have mentioned the torque converter. Replies to this message: 06vue (Aug 08, 2009 10:46 am)
#13 of 17 Re: Saturn Vue 2006 Transmission shuttering/groaning noise [dipnet] by 06vue Aug 08, 2009 (10:46 am)
Replying to: dipnet (May 20, 2009 1:02 pm) Hello, I have an 06 Vue AWD V-6 (Honda 3.5L) and it is doing the exact same thing. I suspected the torque converter because it is only happening in high gear where the converter is "clutching" or locking and unlocking. This occurs primarily around 30-45mph depending on the load conditions. As soon as you put enough load on the motor it will downshift to 4th gear (where the converter has no need to slip or clutch)and the problem goes away. I took it to the dealer (I have 63k miles - my bumper to bumper warranty ran out 60K) and there was a service tech standing next to the service writer with a smile on his face while I described the problem. He said they see this a lot. It is the torque converter clutches. They told me around $1700 to pull the tranning and converter and replace the clutch pack (can you check this with your Saturn dealer to make sure I am not getting rippied off). I asked them if they could reprogramm the ECM to make the vehicle wait a little longer to shift to high (5th) gear. The said they could and it may make the problem go away (I didn't ask about MPG, I suspect it will suffer). Either way, they said that they have never had one that did this (left as is) come back with a failure. They followed one all the way to 135k miles before they lost touch with the owner. The told me it is more of a nuisance than anything. I wonder about an additive to the tranny fluid? Any insite/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
#14 of 17 2004 Vue by famof3kids Aug 17, 2009 (10:28 am)
My cousin has a 2004 Vue with the variable transmission. She has 56,000 miles on it. Backing out of the driveway last week and it simply would not move, forward or back. She called the dealer, who towed it the 1 1/2 hrs to the 'local' dealer and she feared the worst knowing she couldn't afford to replace the transmission. However, the dealer called her back the next day and Saturn/GM/Penske (whoever) said they'd replace it with no cost to her.
#15 of 17 trans and steering problem by rickenbac8 Sep 02, 2009 (4:42 pm)
I have a 2002 saturn vue 4 cylinder with the VTI AWD. Bought it used with a warranty. It had only 42,000 miles on it. After a few months we started seeing the warning lights on the instrument panel flicker on and off and loss of power which seemed more like a fuel problem. Took it to a local mechanic first who didn't charge me just to look at it. He said it was some kind of sensor. So I took it to the dealer where I bought the car and they said they had to take it to a Saturn dealer to look at it. They called me after a day to tell me it was the transmission and it would take a few days. I couldn't believe it !! A car with only 42,000 miles having a trans problem ?? What the hell did those guys at Saturn design ?? Maybe they were all smoking crack you think ?? Especially after reading all these posts on this website !! Luckily like I said I had a warranty with rental car included. What was supposed to take a few days took 2 weeks before we got our car back !! Then last year with the warranty expired and the car with only 52,000 miles the rack and pinion steering went out !! Luckily when it went out I was backing the car into the garage straight in. I had to call a tow truck to get it out of the garage. Took it to my local mechanic who managed to find a steering unit in a junk yard from a 2006 Vue that was totaled. It cost me $ 600 to repair it. Just fortunate I wasn't driving in traffic when that steering went out !! The car now has 58,000 miles and I hope everything will be alright. The only thing is I hear a very small humming noise when going over 50 mph with a high pitched sound thats barely heard and only heard when going thru tunnels. There is also a noise when turning the steering wheel but has nothing to do with the rack and pinion because it made the noise before I repaired the steering unit and still makes the noise. So I took a closer look down the steering column and saw a rubber gasket rubbing the column. My mechanic says its just a design flaw and just put some grease on it to quiet it. Just wondering if anyone here had a problem with the steering also. Replies to this message: LASHAWN (Sep 03, 2009 1:22 pm)
#16 of 17 Re: trans and steering problem [rickenbac8] by LASHAWN Sep 03, 2009 (1:22 pm)
Replying to: rickenbac8 (Sep 02, 2009 4:42 pm) The noise is coming from the intermediate shaft steering boot. It just needs to be lubed with some grease to cure the noise. But if it starts getting noisy again, than you would have to replace it. The other noise your're hearing is probably coming from one of the wheel bearings, which is typical of these vehicles as they age no matter what the mileage is. As for as the transmission goes, it's good you had your warranty take care of it because with you being the 2nd owner, Saturn would have only paid 75% of the repair leaving you with the other 25%, some $1500-$1700.
#17 of 17 Re: Transmission problems [slslinde] by earl16 Sep 29, 2009 (2:22 pm)
Replying to: slslinde (Oct 05, 2008 3:25 pm) I had similiar problem on 06 6cyl Honda driave. Dealer said it was torque converter for $1500. Local trans guy said to change fluid. - a simple drain and refill. (honda trans so have to use the saturn fluid) local guy changed it and all shuddering and engine rpm surge went away. plan to change fluid again soon.

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums SUVs Saturn VUE Saturn Vue Transmission Problems