Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact purchased a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that two days after purchasing the used vehicle, the vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood and from the gas tank location. A service warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while pulling to the side of the road, a bystander alerted the contact that there was a fuel leak. The contact and the other passengers of the vehicle immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire started at the gas tank location and extended to the front of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that the vehicle was significantly burned. The contact could not confirm that a fire department report was filed. There was no property damage. …
This is more information related to Complaint 11761129: After online researching of other '03 2.2L Saturn Vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the TRUE ORIGIN of problem. (How much did others spend on repairs that appeared to fix the problem by elapsing time enough for the problem to return to normal without the "repair"?) I stress that when all is working fine, the driver feels secure because there's no sign of a problem or trace left of the problem. The vehicle did run for years-at-a-time in a stable, reliable fashion. Once the stalling episodes pass, it felt OK to continue driving for years because everything is fine again. …
Car stalled while driving in traffic [redacted]. Engine died. Warning lights ON. Restarted. Stalled 3 more times in traffic but luckily had space to pull off & engine restarted. Made it into my garage. Restarted, Check Engine Light was ON, but went OFF after time. Car would NOT move in gear. Retried several times. Presently ([redacted]) will crank but WON'T start. Battery good. Looking for anything else obvious. (Had similar problem after buying in 2006 on at least 4 different dates, but restarted after EITHER: left overnight or after battery disconnect/reset: No Check Engine Light after relearning cycles. Successfully passed all emission tests since ownership.) I have about 34,000 miles on odometer. Have had NO other memorable problems except stalling problems. After first stalling years ago, a Saturn dealer on [redacted] replaced VTi transmission fluid & "reprogrammed" the ECM. …
While driving the engine lights kept coming on, so we decided to get it checked by a mechanic and he told us that we have a faulty fuel tank pressure sensor and that the IMRC actuator valve is not working at all.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and then accelerated to 70 MPH independently. In addition, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart but the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
On 5/1/04, the vehicle was taken to Saturn service because the fuel guage read that the tank was 3/4 full after vehicle was filled up. The sending units were replaced. On 6/28/04 the vehicle was again taken in for service because the fuel guage read that it was about 1/8 full when there was less than 1 gallon of fuel in the 15 gallon tank. Saturn service checked the vehicle and said that there was no problem with the fuel guage. On 9/8/04 during ruch hour, I was travelling at high speeds on the freeway with my 8 week old son when the vehicle ran out of gas. The guage read that there was almost 1/4 tank of fuel left. I was stranded in the fast lane during rush hour on a 106 degree day with an 8 week old infant because the fuel guage on my Saturn Vue did not read the amount of fuel left in the tank. Two highway patrol officers had to close the freeway and push the vehicle off the freeway. …
When stopping the vehicle and sitting still for a few seconds, there is a loud thumping sound (occurring three or four times) from the rear of the vehicle (sounds similar to a loose fuel tank baffle). The dealer stated they weren't aware of any fix for this problem, though they tried a couple of ideas. While I've found this on several websites online, nobody seems to know the cause. Everyone seems to live with the problem. It's difficult to diagnose as it seems intermittant, but happens on average once per day. Being that this seems to be eminating from the fuel system, I think that Saturn should take this issue more seriously, and more than likely this is something they can correct by replacing the fuel tank, I feel that they just don't want that expense. …
Leak in 2003 Saturn Vue gas tank. I own a 2003 Saturn Vue which has been driven only about 52,000 easy highway miles. It has never been in a crash, never abused or off-roaded, it has never been towed and has had all recommended maintenance. About 1 month ago, there was a smell of gas in the passenger compartment. We took it to our local mechanic who said that they found nothing wrong, and to fill it up and see what happened. We did this, and there was a strong gas smell in and out of the car with a small gas puddle under the car. We took this back to the mechanic, and they found a crack in the tank/filler neck. I am attempting to get this fixed. I called GM, but they have no intention of helping with this problem. They did not seem interested in the fact that this is a lightly used vehicle, and that a part failed. …
I own a Saturn Vue 2003 and topped the tank with gas only to witness a fuel odor and a leak under the tank area. The day before yesterday Monday the 3rd of April I visited dewey barber in gardendale alabama after research and inquired about special coverage 12191, fuel odor and ground spotting. I further explained to them that when I accelerate there's a hesitation as if the flow of gas is altered. They looked up my VIN and discovered a recall of the key ignition cylinder and ordered the switch and key which would be in at 7:30 am Tuesday. They wrote it up on a form and passed it on. 2-hours later they said the special coverage 12191 wasn't for my car and that it didn't appear under my VIN. They also concluded that my key was so worn that a copy couldn't be made, another key is ordered from the manufacturer. So I was told to call back Wednesday to see if the keys arrived. …
Fuel System complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 5% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.