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 26 of 41

#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.

#249 of 405 Re: 2003 Saturn Vue Transmission [gr82balive] by bismarck318

Feb 11, 2012 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: gr82balive (Dec 30, 2011 10:24 pm)
A couple weeks back upon turning out of my development, after nearly completing the turn, the Vue felt like it was going to do it's normal jerky hiccup shift, but then no power (this happened twice before - cold transmission) ... I had to stop the car & put it into reverse (I backed back into the sidestreet), then back to D before it would go, seemed like the TC released or slipped out of gear.
 
I also noted yesterday (once again) on a stop & go freeway, I had always noted the very abrupt initial jerky start, I noted this went away when I put the Vue into "I", the converter seemed to engage normally from a stop as I straggled in stop & go traffic.
 
Really, should the Vue need be started from a stop in the 'I' range?

#250 of 405 Re: Vue trans problem [gmcustsvc] by wes36

Feb 20, 2012 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Mar 16, 2011 12:16 pm)
I called GM customer service for my 2004 Vue Redline with the Honda 3.5 engine and transmission regarding the transmission shudder and RPM variations around 30-45 mph. The reply - go have a GM dealer diagnose the problem at my expense and they will see what they can do from there. No committment on GM's part, just "we'll see what we can do from there". This is a well known, well documeneted problem with these transmissions and GM chooses to turn a blind eye. BUYER BEWARE. Buy a Saturn with the Honda transmission and then go find a good transmission shop! The taxpayers bailed out GM's butt and this is the return on our investment. CREEPS! Next time I'll skip GM products altogether!!!

#251 of 405 saturn vue transmission problems by ctenor

Feb 20, 2012 (1:55 pm)

just a repete of my vue problems, at aprox 36,000 my auto trans. was not shifting properly, my 3 year waranty was expired on my 06 which I purchased new. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANS. SHOP. with a good reputation. I was told that for the miles on the vue, the trans. should be working fine and that I shoul take it back to the G M dealer. I did, and they recommended a partial trans, fulsh at my expense of $106.00 This made no sense to the local trans. shop, but he told me ' If you ever expect any help from G M, you have to jump Through their hoops. I had the dealer do the flush and was told to drive for 500-1000 mi and see what happens. when I asked the dealer what if no improvement is noticed or the problem get worse? He replied bring it back and we will do another partial flush AT MY OUT OF POCKET COST. I drove the vue for 1000 miles with no improvement. the local shop told me that doing another partial flush was insane, and that the torque convertor shudder would not stop but only get worse and eventually wreck the trans. I had the local shop replace the convertor at a cost of $1,680.00 G M WANTED CLOSE TO $2,600.00. aprox. 3 months after I RECEIVED A REGISTERED LETTER FROM G M stating that they would pay to replace the torque convertor or pay me back if I had already replaced it my expense, which they did, SO KEEP BANGING ON G M GET A G M CUSTOMER REP[ INVOLVED NEVER GIVE UP .

#252 of 405 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues by 94mark94

Feb 28, 2012 (8:37 am)

Add me to the list of owners that are experiencing a transmission issue.
 
My wife and I bought our FWD Redline Vue new in 2004. Recently I noticed it jerking a little when taking off from a stop or at slow speeds. Since reading this thread, "Shuddering" is a good word to describe it. Back in the summer months, we were driving it to North Carolina for vacation and I noticed that when I kept it at a steady speed (not under heavy load) between the speed of 35 and 50 mph, the tachometer was fluctuating about 200 - 300 rpms and the sound of the engine would change slightly while it was fluctuating.
 
My wife drives all highway miles to work and the car currently has 155,000 miles on it but other than that we maintain it well, it still looks great and the engine is as quiet as when we bought it.
 
After finding this thread I got nervous and just called Saturn/GM support. They said there are no recalls or TSB's for my car and when I mentioned this discussion and that there seems to be a GM representative posting in it, he said that they have no affiliation with this site and their representatives do not post here...
 
THEN WHO IS SARA GRACE WHO IS POSTING HERE?
 
They just gave me a file number and told me to take it to a GM dealer to diagnose. He said if I elected to have any work done there, I would be responsible for all diagnosis charges and any replacement parts and labor.
 
What do we do? We need this car and can't be without a car for weeks? Anyone have a print out or electronic version of a TSB for this? I don't want to take it to the dealership and be dismissed and then have the entire transmission burn up a couple months from now.
 
Does this look like a car that has 155,000 miles? We really take care of our vehicles.

 

#253 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues [94mark94] by chevyguy909

Mar 02, 2012 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: 94mark94 (Feb 28, 2012 8:37 am)
Unfortunately, your vehicle isn't covered any longer. Heres some pertinent information I was able to find:
 
Some customers of 2002-2005 model year Saturn VUE vehicles equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi) (RPO M75/M16); and 2003-2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles equipped with VTi (RPO M75) may comment about transmission noise or reduced performance.
 
Here's a copy of what was contained in a letter sent by GM to registered customers:
 
November 2009 (Letter for U.S. Customers)
Dear Saturn Customer:
 
As the owner of a 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2005 model year Saturn VUE, or a 2003 or 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe, equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi), your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.
 
This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 model year Saturn VUE, and some 2003 and 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles, equipped with a VTi, may exhibit excessive transmission noise or reduced performance.
 
Do not take your vehicle to your Saturn retailer, or GM dealer if a Saturn retailer is not available, as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.
 
What We Have Done: General Motors has already provided Saturn owners with additional express warranty coverage for the VTi transmission.
 
• If this condition occurs on your 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2005 model year Saturn VUE; 2003 or 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe, equipped with a VTi, within 5 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 75,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under this Special Reimbursement Policy.
 
• If your vehicle is no longer eligible for the coverage above, but is within 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership, General Motors will pay 50% of the cost of the eligible repair to the vehicle's transmission; you will be responsible for the remaining 50% of the repair cost. In lieu of this assistance, at the first instance of a needed repair within these time and mileage limits, a $5,000 customer credit is available to you. If you elect this option, your vehicle will be purchased for a $5,000 customer credit (less any lien) towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle within 30 days. Your servicing dealer/retailer will assist you in the $5,000 customer credit process. If you select this option, a copy of your current vehicle registration and title will be required at this time.
 
What You Should Do: If your vehicle should require repairs to the VTi within the time and mileage limits listed above, contact your Saturn retailer. If a Saturn retailer is not available, please call the Saturn Customer Assistance Center for assistance.
 
If your vehicle does not require repairs to the VTi, keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.
 
Reimbursement: The enclosed form explains what reimbursement is available and how to request reimbursement if you have paid for eligible repairs for the VTi transmission. These repairs must have been performed on your vehicle on or after July 10, 2009. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned on the enclosed form, must be received by GM by November 30, 2010 (November 30, 2011 for California residents).
 
If you have any questions related to this Special Reimbursement Policy or a potential reimbursement, please contact the Saturn Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-972-8876 or 1 800-833-6000 (TTY).
 
We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced; however we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
 
Scott Lawson
 
Director,
 
Customer and Relationship Services
 
Enclosure
 
09280
 

#254 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues [94mark94] by gmcustsvc

Mar 03, 2012 (6:35 am)

Replying to: 94mark94 (Feb 28, 2012 8:37 am)
94mark94,
I apologize for your frustrations and concerns. My name is Christina; I work with Sarah as a part of GM's Customer Service team. The agent most likely thought u were referring to a host from the site. Can you please email me your Service Request number the agent gave you? I would like to look into this further for you. I look forward to your email.
Christina
GM Customer Service

#255 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues [chevyguy909] by addidas40

Mar 03, 2012 (7:51 am)

Replying to: chevyguy909 (Mar 02, 2012 9:16 pm)
This post is for all of the people who have had problems with GM. I have also dealt with GM regarding the faulty Vti transmissions and GM goes through the so called process of opening a case but they will not do anything. They might split the cost with you to repair a defective transmission that they installed and it costs about $6000.00. So that means the customer has to pay $3000.00 for a transmission that was no good to begin with. There is also the option of the $5000.00 trade in but think about it first. Do you really want to invest in another GM vehicle? There was a class action lawsuit but GM filed bankruptcy and is no longer obligated to fix the problem. Here are a few things that you can do and remember the more people who file complaints the more likely that these problems will be looked into.
 
Information regarding the class action lawsuit
 http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp
 
You can file complaints with :
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Website http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/
 
Better Business Bureau
Website http://www.bbb.org/
 
Post your problem for the VTi transmission on forum boards
 
Write your local politicians
Congressmen, local officials and attorney general you can find your local officials at c-span. You may have to Google your state and attorney general separately to find out who that is.
http://www.c-span.org/CongressDirectory/
 
Last but not least you can write the CEO of GM
Mr. Daniel Akerson
CEO GM
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
 
Here is the website for the lawsuit that was filed.
  http://www.lakinlaw.com/
 
Twitter
http://twitter.com/gmcustomersvc
 
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/generalmotors?v+wall

#256 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues [gmcustsvc] by 94mark94

Mar 03, 2012 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Mar 03, 2012 6:35 am)
Hi Christina, can you please provide your email address so I can send you the information.
 
Thank you

#257 of 405 Re: 2004 V6 Redline Tranny Issues [94mark94] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Mar 04, 2012 (10:16 am)

Replying to: 94mark94 (Mar 03, 2012 12:47 pm)
Click on her membername, and all will be revealed...

Messages Page 26 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