Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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 the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V490000 (electrical system). Approximately one month after the recall repair was performed, the interior driver side door would no longer open from inside the vehicle. The failure recurred each time the contact attempted to open the driver side door while inside the vehicle. The contact had to exit the vehicle from the passenger side door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,900.
As I was driving my and it car began to pull to the right and the tires began to squeal. In my mind I thought I thought I needed better tires and a wheel alignment. As I was driving to get the tires and alignment I heard a cracking from underneath the car, this really scared me. At this point the pull to the right was even stronger. I arrive to a tire shop and put tires on thinking this would be better but it was the same so I drove across the street to a mechanic to get a wheel alignment and the mechanic came out and went underneath the car when he came back up he stated that "your subframe and chasis is cracked all the way through, park it immediately for safety reasons, in his 20 years of experience as a mechanic he only saw his twice the first time was in another car that was recalled and mine that should be on recall with the level of danger, especially because I see you have a …
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.
My complaints are several . All of which have been described in technicakl bulletins. I have had my vehicle back to the dealer no less than 10 times since I ourchased it. Now, I live with the issues because I can't afford to lose additional work , the worst problem is the vibration in the drivetrain at idle (when in drive and the vibration driving at 60-65. In addition, the front drivers door squeeks ( I belive its the insulation) my luggage bolts broke, the seat cushion on the drivers side would not stay attached on the front edge, there is a popping noise when the truck is idling, when you close the rear liftgate, the plastic interior seperates from the door, whe it is cold my steering column make noise.
Cv joints were replaced at 22000 now againat 37000 I need to replace them. Front rotors were replaced at 22000 and again at 33000 timing belt at 20000 needed replacement I replaced the main computer controller in aug 2006. This car is a piece of crap and I will never buy a Saturn again I bought this brand new off the lot in jan 2003 and have had major things go wrong. I also need to now replace the tires ( dullers) at 37000 because I am hydroplanng all over the place.I had a loud sound from my passenger window that took 2 years to diagnosis and repair and the rear end was recalled and the cooling fan replaced at 24000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the driver side door and the rear passenger side door electronic lock and unlock functions failed. The contact was not able to open the doors from inside or outside of the vehicle. The contact had to use the key to enter the vehicle due to the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the failure progressed. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V490000 (electrical system) and was to contact an authorized dealer to schedule the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 45 MPH. Additionally, the front driver and passenger side doors were unable to be opened from the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the dealer advised that the transmission would need replacing as well as the door hinges. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The transmission was replaced but the doors were not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 106,000.
On 4 occasions,...I went to open my drivers' side door.it would not open. I had to roll my window down (power windows) to open the door from the outside.I took my vehicle back each time,...it works for a few days,...then I cannot open the door from the inside.at one point this week,..my window got stuck,..and I could not get my arm thru it to reach the outside door handle to get out of my vehicle.this is a death trap !!!!! Northeast auto/credit (bhph) refuses to trade me out of this.
The headlight and daytime run lights burn out when it rains... Instead of finding out the cause of the problem is, the dealer just replaces the bulbs and sends me on my way. The following rainy day, there I am back at the dealer with the same problem. So far this will be the third time, not including the problems with the drivetrain/rear diff that had to be replaced, the dash and cabin rattles that none can seem to fix, and the transmission that once left me stranded at a stop sign.
Body complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 4% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.