Ask the Car People.SM


Saturn Vue Transmission Problems

405 messages,  Last post on May 28, 2013 at 10:13 AM

You are in the Saturn VUE Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV

Messages Page 25 of 41

#239 of 405 Re: 2006 Saturn Vue AWD not accelerating [babyd77] by 442dude

Dec 22, 2011 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: babyd77 (Dec 22, 2011 5:34 pm)
I'm going to guess that the engine light with the downward facing arrow is on? Its likely that you are in "reduced performance mode" due to a communications problem between your gas pedal and your throttle body under the hood - Most likely one of 3 problems in this order:
 
1. Gas pedal position sensor NG
2. throttle position sensor NG
3. Wiring between them NG
 
Basically, your car can't figure out what position the gas pedal or throttle body are in or its reported position does not agree with what it thinks it is...the car goes into reduced performance mode as a safety interlock so it doesn't accelerate wildly out of control. To protect you from harm it limits how fast the car will go. When you turned the car off and back on you were able to reset it and it was OK until the values didn't agree again. Any good dealer or otherwise mechanic will be able to help you easily...pretty sure that the accelerator pedal position sensor is the most common one to go bad.
 
Good Luck

#240 of 405 Re: 2006 Saturn Vue AWD not accelerating [442dude] by babyd77

Dec 22, 2011 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Dec 22, 2011 5:44 pm)
Cool, I'll look into that, thanks.

#241 of 405 Re: 2006 Saturn Vue AWD not accelerating [babyd77] by gmcustsvcsarah

Dec 23, 2011 (8:33 am)

Replying to: babyd77 (Dec 22, 2011 5:46 pm)
I'm glad you've gotten such great feedback!
 
If you plan on working with a dealership and would like Customer Assistance to help in the process, feel free to contact us via email with more information including your name and contact information (phone and address), Edmunds username, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and involved dealership.
 
Happy Holidays,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#242 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 FWD Saturn Vue [michiganvue] by michiganvue

Dec 24, 2011 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: michiganvue (Dec 14, 2011 10:00 am)
Just an update on this. I took my Vue to a local transmission specialist and they came back to let me know that they don't think anything is wrong with the transmission itself, but the two mounting brackets are both broken. He said that this is what's causing the grinding noise in my tranny and that I shouldn't even be driving it in this condition. How the heck those mounts broke is a big question, but they cost $250/pair, plus another $270 for labor. The whole motor and transmission needs to be lowered in order to change out the mounts. I'm hoping that this fixes the problems we have with the tranny. I'll keep everyone posted.

#243 of 405 Re: Transmission Problems from 40-55mph [gmcustsvcsarah] by brittybutt

Dec 28, 2011 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Dec 15, 2011 10:44 am)
My name is brittany zimmerman an I just got my 2003 saturn vue about 2 mounths ago an im havin alot of the same problems as listed on site when I go to take off the rpms go to about 3 before it gets to 40 mph when it gets to that point it dont want to shift also my horn had came on an wouldnt go off knw it wont work my car has problems startin i think do to the battery it has 103k miles on it I had purchesed this car cuz i have a baby on the way an needed a family car but i have come across so many prblems.. plz email me back at zimmerman.brittanyyahoo.com

#244 of 405 Re: T R A N S M I S S I O N GONE ! [bolndee29] by bismarck318

Dec 30, 2011 (3:11 am)

Replying to: bolndee29 (Dec 05, 2011 4:07 pm)
....Well can we get any money for our broken Saturns from GM?
 
Answer is likely no. We the taxpayers gave GM the bailout, in turn they outsourced many jobs overseas.
 
If you get anything for them it will be a 50/50 split for overpriced dealership labor.... this is not the same GM that built my '62 Pontiac.

#245 of 405 Re: 2004 Saturn Vue [superurs] by bismarck318

Dec 30, 2011 (3:46 am)

Replying to: superurs (Dec 08, 2011 9:10 pm)
This was sent out as a service bullitin to all dealerships. If a customer brought it in complaining about shudder at low speeds, they were check 7 possible parts that would cause this condition. My car is doing this and was repaired under warrenty at the time but is considered unresolved becuase its still doing it.
  
 My condition happens during low speed travel on level grade around 30-35 mph and the engine taching at 1300-1400rpm. You must keep your rpm's steady. It shudders the whole car and rattles to body panels, like the engine is running on only 3 cyl.
  
 This problem was a recall for torque convertor or related issue.
  
 Mine is gonig in and will be repair still covered from the recall bullitin
 
What are these 7 possible parts?
 
Per GM Customer Service, once the car goes in, the reprogram is completed, & the car does not throw a code, the vehicle is deemed ok & the issue is closed.
 
The tech who did my reprogram late on a Saturday reported the car still had issues needed resolved after a test drive, I could bring int back at my convienence since a rental would not be provided. When I returned it to the dealer in the next month, they had the vehicle for nearly 2 weeks & claimed they could not find a problem, yet the tech that reprogramed it was no longer employed there. Yes the techs report is documented... so far he/she was the only person to find this problem.
    
The dealer had been giving me vague answers on this issue, my mistake was taking it home that Saturday afternoon. Per GM I now have to pay the dealership diagnostic fees for any further issues, & they are telling me that this erratic, & abrupt jerky shifting is either normal or it's not misbehaving for them, & not 'throwing codes'.
 
I initally complained in March of 2009, to Saturn when the vehicle was still under powertrain warranty, I was given a $115 car wash, told that I didn't understand a 5 speed transmission, & sent on my way.
 
It still shifts often like someone learning to drive a manual....
 
Off topic, but has anyone had their rear tailgate start rusting on the '06 & '07 also?
 

#246 of 405 My saturn VUE cost me 5,000 and a repo!! by poeticjustuce

Dec 30, 2011 (7:37 pm)

I am SO glad to find other dissatisified VUE owners!!! I can't begin to explain the BS I went through with mine! I owned the car for a little over a year. It was a 2003 Saturn VUE, with that stupid VTi transmission or whatever the hell it is.
 
It broke down one day out of nowhere. I had it towed to the garage, and they said it was the transmission, and that I can expect to have to replace it again. I held on to the car for over a year with a dead transmission because I couldn't afford the 5,000 dollars it would cost! I ended up having to take out yet another car loan again because paying another car payment was easier than being to fork up the 5,000 to fix the tranny. Im a single working mother who doesnt have much of a savings account! I also go to school full time...anyways....
 
So, 500 dollars a month for over a year, and it finally came down to having to have it reposessed because my hours at work were cut in half. The sad thing is, I miss the HELL out of that car. It was beautiful to look at, drived well (minus the grinding) and had great storage. Does anyone know if the transmission issue applies to a 2004 Saturn VUE with a manual transmission? I really do miss that car!

#247 of 405 Re: My saturn VUE cost me 5,000 and a repo!! [poeticjustuce] by bismarck318

Dec 30, 2011 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: poeticjustuce (Dec 30, 2011 7:37 pm)
So, 500 dollars a month for over a year, and it finally came down to having to have it reposessed because my hours at work were cut in half. The sad thing is, I miss the HELL out of that car. It was beautiful to look at, drived well (minus the grinding) and had great storage. Does anyone know if the transmission issue applies to a 2004 Saturn VUE with a manual transmission? I really do miss that car!
 
No, you are safe with a manual, I wish I could have purchased a manual, due to arthritic conditions during winter months made that impossible.
 
I had lost my job back in May, (outsourced overseas in a nutshell), reason I can not be throwing money away at this point. When & if the torque converter dies, I'll have to go out for a beater which should be a fraction of the cost of a repair.

#248 of 405 2003 Saturn Vue Transmission by gr82balive

Dec 30, 2011 (10:24 pm)

I purchased this 2003 Saturn Vue in 2008. September 2011 the Vti (CVT) tranny went out while driving down a street. Took it into the shop and paid $4,976.23 for a new tranny, center carrier bearing, and a rebuild on the transfer case. Now in December of 2011 I have an EXTREME reduction in mpg's, difficulty shifting between gears, and an intermittent, dry, scraping sound when turning. Took the car into a local GM shop who said my new tranny was still in good operable condition and believe my problems with mpg's, shifting, and scraping sounds to be coming from either the transfer case or front differential, which was quoted at $6,000 to replace. The vehicle has 74,000 miles on it and I did not have these problems until the tranny went out and was replaced. Does anyone have similar issues? Do I still have financial recourse through GM? I have left messages with GM but have not received a phone call back. I would love to just scrap the car but I am unfortunately still making payments on it. I used up my entire savings to do the first repair and can afford no more. Definately was neglectful in doing my homework before purchasing. But never the less I find myself in this situation. Does someone have advice in how to handle this now? I would appreciate anything.

Messages Page 25 of 41

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement