Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Takata recall. Brake failure. My brakes went out while I was making a right turn off a freeway exit ramp. I tried to brake and pushed the brake pedal to the floor but nothing happened. I had just had rotors and pads put on the vehicle that day. I struck two vehicles and the airbag did not deploy. I struck my head on the steering wheel and my left knee on the dashboard.
As I was driving on the highway, my vehicle drifted onto the grassy shoulder. Without hitting my brakes, I steered back onto the road. The rear end of my vehicle fish-tailed slightly. As this was happening, the driver's back wheel bent underneath the vehicle causing it to roll over, passenger side first, onto the side of the highway. During the roll-over, none of my airbags deployed, both driver- side tires blew, both axles bent, the tops of the passenger-side doors crumpled, the passenger-side windows shattered, and the roof crumpled like a crushed aluminum can. I received numerous injuries, including neck/back/shoulder strains, broken ribs and damage to my right knee and ankle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. Additionally, smoke emitted from the center of the steering wheel where the horn was positioned. The contact also mentioned that the key released from the ignition while the engine was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to locate a problem. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,343. Updated 06/10/14 updated 8/21/2017
Driving on highway in 55-MPH zone, forced to lane change by merging traffic traveling fast. Had to come back into first lane as another car sped up in passing lane at same time we moved over. Nowhere to go; car spun out, rolled and hit hill on side of highway. Vehicle had front airbags (driver and passenger), and side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers. Airbags never deployed throughout accident. Vehicle was totally demolished. Thank god, we are alive, but total demolition with no airbag deployment? How and why did this malfunction?
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice, traveled down a hill, and crashed head on into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained neck injuries. A police report was filed. The front end and sides of the vehicle were damaged. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or the insurance company. The current and failure mileages were 89,000.
Traveling south bound at aprox. 30-35 MPH enter busy urban intersection when a car traveling west bound ran a red light. I collided into the passenger side of his vehicle straight on (t-boned). Causing damage to the complete front end of my vehicle. The air bags never deployed. I suffered bruising and soreness from the impact. My vehicle the Saturn Vue was totaled by the insurance company.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 11/18/15 updated 1/12/2016 updated 01/26/16.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving 40 MPH, the contact veered off the road and crashed into several trees. The vehicle rolled and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact injured her neck and her vehicle was destroyed. The VIN, purchase date, and engine size were unknown. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 58,000.
Consumer was driving north on a highway at about 30 MPH when another vehicle lost control coming south and collided head on with consumer's vehicle. Consumer was wearing seat belts, but the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained a slight sternum fracture and other minor bruises to the arms and neck. The police arrived but no one was cited at the time.
Takata recall the air bag is being inflated and making the horn go off nonstop and I have to drive with the fuse for the horn taken out. To prevent from either the horn going off and exploding while I drive to work or etc... I have had the horn replaced a few years ago and the problem is worse again especially with the summer heat in georgia.
Airbag complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 7% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries to air bags 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.