Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While in park, the vehicle rolled down the street and struck another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was repaired, but the issue recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.
So I bought this car from someone on craigslist and was told the car was in great shape and the history report mentioned a possible transmission issues but I was also told the transmission was replaced not too long ago by the owner who had the car before the guy I bought it from. Well after having the car for 2 days, the subframe cracked which was a $700 fix and took me months to come up with the money and my car was not driveable at the time. I got the Vue from the shop maybe 2 weeks ago and now the transmission is going. When I put the car in reverse it either doesn't move or gives me a lot of trouble moving. When I pop it into drive it either doesn't move, gives me trouble moving, goes into reverse, or will make a loud noise and jerk aggressively before driving. I took the car to get looked at and was told it had one of the original CVT Saturn transmissions and it will need replaced. …
Hello, I am proud owner of a 2003 Saturn Vue and am the 2nd original owner. This past September when I was doing some work in the yard I had my Vue parked in the driveway.. Next thing I know is that is popped out of gear(parking brake cable had broken prior to this) and it took a "minor" shot on the drivers side. Scratching the fender, turn lights, and bumper cover. The ignition has always been a little weird since I purchased it however, it make more sense know. Until I get it fixed I always keep it in reverse and now had the parking brake fixed. I would ask GM to look at, repair my ignition, as well as fixing the front of the car. It was only going a few miles an hr but this I always took great care of it and now it as that bump on the front. I will be making an appointment at the closest GM dealer to me (which happens to be almost 20miles away) to have that ignition thing fixed asap. …
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 not operable after it was shifted into drive and reverse. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle operated as intended. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Updated 9/19/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact unintentionally struck the key with her hand and ejected it out of the ignition while the shift lever was in drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V490000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
March 11, 2010 the transmission in my Vue was not running properly. I had it towed to the dealer who had determined that my Vue fit in the vit transmission "recall". A new one was installed for 50% of the regular price. March 11, 2017, yes 7 years to the day, my transmission begins slipping, smoke is coming from under the car. The car will not move in either drive, reverse or overdrive. The car was acting like it was in neutral. I do believe a transmission should last for more than 7 years. First transmision had 95605 miles and this one 108095 miles on it.
Transmission complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 316 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Saturn Vue, 51% of the model year's 622 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (200 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn Vue transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.