Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
My vehicle is under safety recall for ignition and rear lateral links. I ordered parts at cropper's Chevrolet in nogales, az on 12/29/2014. The parts are still not in despite my follow up calls. I am having trouble with the ignition and the key gets stuck. They said GM is not sending them the parts in a timely manner. While I was typing this, the parts department of cropper's called back and said they do have the parts and my appointment is scheduled for 8 am on 2/26/2015. Amazing what can happen when you finally start to complain.
I received a letter from general motors regarding my vehicles recall 14506 back in September 2004. I have tried numerous times to schedule a fix for this recall. Rice Buick GMC , 8330 kingston pike, knoxville, tn [phone] I am told the part for this fix has yet to arrive and I will be called when the part arrives. It has been months, I believe 4 months is plenty of time to receive parts. I have yet to receive my call. I am afraid I will have another incident or accident. Any help or advice will be appreciated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V490000 (electrical system), weeks later the steering wheel was emitting smoke. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer twice where the vehicle was diagnosed, but the results were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 271,469.
I bought this vehicle used as so far have lost power steering, gauges speedometer, tachometer, and have been locked in car after parking and couldn't even use manual locks, car turns itself on when rebooting computer without key in ignition. .lights blink on and off, and locks lock and unlock while driving.car would not start for over an hour after putting in park.
My dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled. The light comes on briefly when I take sharp left turns. The wheel-speed sensors, wires, connectors, control module and other components occasionally conk with intermittent problems. This has cause my reduce power when I drive it, using more gas.
While driving the vehicle, the power steering suddenly goes out, making steering very, very difficult. It happens more often in cooler weather and usually turning vehicle off and parking for a little while corrects the problem. Tried to check power steering fluid, was told it is an electric system.
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
While driving vehicle ran off the road. Consumer did not hit anything, and nothing hit the vehicle. Upon trying to steer the vehicle back onto the road the left rear wheel fell off. The consumer stated that both rear wheels fell off.
Horn starting sounding off, kept sounding until battery died. Horn switch is in the steer wheel and connected to the airbag. Only way to fix is by having horn fuse in plugged. This is a major safety issue.
May 2003, bought 03 Saturn Vue. June 2003: pointed out rattle in steering column. Told the wrong part had been installed, replacement part ordered/installed. 7/03, reported same rattling. Technician said it was same problem, but wrote down it was a noise in the dashboard. 9/03, rattle back. 9/28, steering seemed loose, went off the road twice going around curves. 9/29 driving to work, heard a loud rattle, then "thunk", then the steering pulled & I hit a parked car. Told Saturn dealer about accident, asked to check steering. Dealer said there was problem with the steering and "a part" was being ordered. Later called, said we hadn't told him car had been in an accident (we had) and they wouldn't touch it until engineer looked at it. Dealer refused to honor extended warranty we purchased, providing rental while car was in shop, until engineering team looked at the car. …
Steering complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 7% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is column (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to steering 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.