Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that there were multiple failures within the vehicle. The vehicle was hesitant to accelerate accompanied with a loud, humming noise. The horn sensor was melted, causing the horn to malfunction and sound continuously. The fuel tank was also fractured, causing a fuel leak and fumes to fill the vehicle cabin. The muffler was abnormally loud and the steering wheel would seize without warning and most frequently when attempting a left turn. In addition, the timing chain failed. The hazard light activation button also fractured therefore; the contact was unable to utilize the hazard lights. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted in regards to all of the failures experienced in the vehicle but neither provided any assistance to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. …
My Saturn accelerates all by itself. I'm not touching the gas pedal & my car just starts moving at a high speed & just gets faster. I have to hold my foot on the brakes & downshift to slow it down so I don't crash into someone or something. What would cause that to happen. It just started doing this 2 weeks ago & is still doing it ! Please give me advice on what to do to fix this problem before it's to late. I have to drive to dialysis 3-4 days a week, & it's the only car I own. Thank you, [redacted]
Takata recall security light comes on reduced power while driving all gas and speed gauges are all turned to the right car dosent move when cut on no power steering wheel gets hard unable to turn or steer this has been going on for 3 months now
Saturn Vue 2003 has stalled while driving on multiple occasions. Has stalled doing 80 MPH on hwy has stalled doing 25-30 in town. Security light comes on, power is lost to engine and when security light goes off, then the engine will start again.
Consumer drove 2003 Saturn Vue with the variable speed transmission on a dirt road which LED to the top of chelan butte, in chelan county on July 6, 2003. This was a frequently used road because the top of the butte was used to launch hang gliders. Consumer had driven on the same road with 1986 Audi, the previous day July 5, 2003, and it completed the climb with no problems. The Saturn Vue almost stalled in negotiating any grade above 5%. Transmission would reduce the rpms to 1500 and below while being driven with foot to the floor, asking for more power. There was no response. Then, suddenly a very low ratio would allow the engine to rev to over 2000 rpms, only to repeat this cycle at the next turn or grade. …
While driving on the interstate during a light snowstorm, I passed under a bridge where there was some accumulation of water. I was traveling (coasting) at approximately 50 to 55 miles per hour (speed limit 65) and when I began crossing the water under the bridge the car's engine accelerated from about 2500 RPM to 5500 RPM. The car began to slide, and only recovered after the engine stopped its acceleration of RPM. Once I was out from under the bridge and the road was not as wet the RPM returned to normal and the car straigthened out. At the point of acceleration, I removed my foot from the gas pedal entirely, and although the "traction control" button is turned on automatically when you start the car, the warning light that normally comes on during traction control did not light, indicating that it was not the traction control that was the problem. …
My Saturn Vue 2003 experiences serious hesitation in power when traveling over 45 MPH. The dangerous sputtering gets harder when I need to drive more than 45 MPH such as when I have to travel on parkways or expressways. On December 3, 2011, I entered exit 36 of the grand central parkway and maintained a steady speed of 55 MPH in light traffic. As the traffic increased to exit 17, the car began to hesitate and appear to want to come to a stop. It was difficult to maintain a decreased speed of 45 MPH to avoid the sputtering and halting. I got into the right lane and exited the parkway as my car jolted then came to a sudden halt. I turned the car off, waited 15 minutes, put my car in drive and it would not drive forward. I put it in reverse and maneuvered it into an open space along the curb on 78th avenue. …
2003 Saturn Vue -- service engine soon light comes on and vehicle will not move forward. Recurring issue. This particular issue began December 2006 advised by dealership, tech "reset light," recurred May 2007 advised by dealership "wiring and/or connecter issue," August 11, 13, & 14-21, 2008 held at dealership (recurred three times) -- advised by dealership "resistance low circuit/internal fault pedal sensor replaced," July 16-17 & 21-24, 2009 recurred advised by dealership 1st "pedal accelerator replaced," 2nd advised "broken wire behind left front kick panel - repaired throttle position." June 2010 issue recurred, vehicle is currently being evaluated by impartial automotive repair facility. …
Consumer states: took in vehicle on 5 separate times for transmission, whining noise was heard, almost like the engine was overheating. Was on highway, and no matter how much gas consumer gave it vehicle wouldn't move. When giving it more gas the engine would rev but still wouldn't go. Before problems with transmission, at a separate time, something with the computer went wrong. It completely shut down. Such as gas gauge showed empty tank and speedometer went to zero. When at a stop idle seems to drop and when accelerating from stop, vehicle hestiates and lurches. Transaxle speed sensor replaced. Transmission control module reprogramed due to whining noise. Hood won't open. Hood cable readjusted. Driver and passenger washer nozzle missing and replaced. Steering wheel making noise. Shaft boot greased. Service engine soon (ses) light on. Oxygen sensor was contaminated and replaced.
The reducedpower light, service engine light, comes on a everyday travel whether traveling near or far when the lights come on the vehicle power reduces and you are forced to pull off road, I keep taking it back to the mechanics they can not detect problem, also the key constantly get stuck I email Saturn about the problem I was told that other cars made by Saturn was recalled about the key ignition replacement but not the Vue. I have search the internet for solution to the reduced power problem an I found a extremely large amount of folks with the same year/make model with issues and no solution to the problem. Please help me, [redacted]
Acceleration complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 3% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Saturn Vue, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Saturn Vue acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.