Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
In October 2016 my son was driving home from work. As he turned a corner in the city he heard a crack and the vehicle steered into a curb. Fortunately there were no pedestrians nor other vehicles near by. He was able to gingerly drive the vehicle home (1 mile). During a test drive, it was apparent the vehicle had a significant issue with the suspension. Investigation indicated all ball joints, sway bars and equivalent were in good condition. After taking it into a suspension shop they advised that the driver side front sub frame rusted through causing the unstable steering. They noted the passenger side is almost rusted through and the vehicle is not road worthy. Likewise with the amount of rust under neither replacing the sub frame was not recommended. Researching this condition on the internet it appears to be a common issue in certain regions of the united states. …
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.
Both of my rear tires are leaning in and looks like the camber bolts have broken off and could really cause a bad accident even death if I didn't see it. I travel 1800mi a week and just had a blow out because tires wore so bad and they are only a year old.
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.
I have a 2003 Saturn Vue AWD v6 VIN [redacted]. When I had bought this vehicle there was a popping sound in the front drive-train while turning at any speed. I was about to purchase another Vue from a used car dealership, but upon reading the car facts report it was a 'factory buy back' for an un-fixed popping sound in the front end subsequently I did not purchase this vehicle. The other day I was out fishing down a dirt road I had passed my favorite spot. So, I had to make a 3 point turn on the uneven road, I turned the wheel all the way to the left and the front left tire went into a pot hole, I put it into reverse giving it gas while turning the wheel to the right and heard a sound pop!-cruuunch! After a quick field inspection it looked like the cv boot came loose and lost all the grease . …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue which was purchased in December 2002. She stated that there were numerous failures with the vehicle. While driving approximately 6 MPH through a brush-less car wash, water entered into the sun roof housing. On a separate occasion, she also smelled oil burning and the dealer replaced the right inner cv joint boot. The hazards lights failed to operate normally and were repaired twice due to repeat failures. When she engaged the hazard switch, it collapsed into the dashboard console. The service engine soon light illuminated and the dealer stated that the thermostat failed and it was replaced. All repairs were made to the vehicle per the warranty. The rear lateral link assembly recall number 04067001 2002-2004 Vue rear suspension recall was also replaced. The driver's side window would not close; however, the driver's side switch was replaced. …
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 …
I was involved in a rollover incident with my 2003 Saturn Vue while traveling on the new york state thruway. I was traveling at approximately 55-60 MPH due to rain and wet roadway. Suddenly, the vehicle began to slide to the left (May have hydroplaned). I attempted to steer out of the slide and the rear of the vehicle swung around clockwise. The vehicle rolled and left the shoulder of the road. The vehicle came to rest on the passenger side in the area off the right shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was totalled. I have been told by the insurance appraiser that the left rear suspension gave way and the left rear wheel area folded under. I had received the voluntary recall notice regarding the rear suspension back in August. I received a phone call from the Saturn dealer shortly there after advising me to call the dealership in 3 weeks to schedule the work. …
While driving 20 MPH heard a clunk by the back rear passenger tire, the top of the right rear tire was tilted in. Appeared to have a broken lateral arm which was attached to the frame. If I would have been going any rate of speed this could have been a serious issue. I feel this is a serious safety hazard. I contacted Saturn who took my claim and admitted there was a recall on the lateral arm in 2005. This supposely was taken in to a dealership and fixed. I didn't own this vehicle then. Saturn refuses to be responsible for this issue and said it very likely couldve been a faultly part but since it has been taken care of in 2005 no longer responsible. I feel I could have killed myself, lost control and/or hurt someone else if I would have lost control.
My wife was travelling north on interstate rt 83 towards york, pa in our 2003 Saturn Vue. The weather was light rain with the temperatures in the low to mid 30's. The time of day was around noon. Without warning, she lost control of the vehicle. It rolled over, resting on the passenger-side facing oncoming traffic. I viewed the vehicle after the accident. The driver-side rear wheel was crooked, as if the rear axle were bent. However, there was no damage to the driver-side of the vehicle. I thought that was very unusual to have a bent rear wheel with no damage on that side of the vehicle. Now I'm wondering if the wheel collapse defect is what caused our Saturn Vue to roll over.
NHTSA investigations
Rear suspension toe control link
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of rear suspension failure in the subject vehicles during certain severe driving maneuvers.the investigation was prompted by NHTSA-conducted ncap dynamic rollover test incidents involving my 2004 Saturn vue vehicles and one consumer complaint that alleged when recovering from a road edge departure, the left-rear…
Suspension complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 8% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is rear (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to suspension 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.