Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound at start up, and it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition switch after turning off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the driver's seat caught fire from the heated seat feature. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the master key was extremely difficult to remove from the ignition and that the fob failed to work. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the master key and the failure recurred. The contact indicated that the second master key was getting stuck in the ignition with no warning. The contact also had to leave the key in the vehicle secured due to the failure and then have valet key used to unlock the doors to remove the master key. In addition, the contact stated that during inclement weather the interior lights stayed lit and would not turn off on several occasions. The contact had to wait for the internal feature to turn the lights off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician further inspected that the button was getting stuck causing the light to stay lit. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V490000 (electrical system) on 9/5/17. The ignition cylinder was replaced by don nester auto group (7566 west houghton lake drive, houghton lake, mi 48629, phone: [phone]); however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact was provided two keys with the repair, but neither of them unlocked the vehicle doors. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle for several weeks. The dealer stated that the door locks needed to be replaced. The manufacturer refused to assist with replacing the door locks. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 162,479.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. While the contact's daughter was driving the vehicle, the key fell out of the ignition. The failure occurred more than twice while driving. In addition, the steering wheel made an abnormal squeaky and rattling sound while being turned. Excessive force had to be used to turn the steering wheel. Also, the check engine indicator was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the power steering and ignition failures were not diagnosed because they did not have the proper electric tools. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 250,000.
While driving transmission will jump out of gear,need to shift gear selector into neutral,then back into drive,sometimes more than once.we have avoided several serious incidents since this problematic issue started.vehicle was checked out several times at Saturn of modesto.ca.now out of business,there fix just replace transmission $5,000 at customers full expense.contracted Saturn customer service,they advised us to contact chase Chevrolet stkn.ca as they can service your Saturn vehicle.called chase Chevrolet was advised there shop did not have proper equipment to service our vehicle,didn't have updated computer software.still having same issues.
I have all ready taken my Saturn Vue to the dealer in hemet ca. ( gosch Chevrolet). The ignition switch broke again a week later. I took it back but gosch would not fix it again. The reason was because the housing had damage around it. Now the reason for that was because I was stranded 20 miles from nothing when the ignition would not turn my vehicle on, I was alone for 2 days before I had to mess with it to get it started. This has been an ongoing problem for me. I've missed an air flight. And 2 jobs fired me because I could not get to work. Its been a downward spiral ever since. Saturn's are great cars otherwise.
I just brought a 2004 Saturn Vue, and it takes a long time to get to 2nd and 3rd gear, and if I am driving 30 MPH or lower it shakes. I have taken it back to the dealer twice already and it is still doing the same thing. It also makes a rough grinding, and growling sound. It does all of the above while driving on the highway and city streets. It is also hard at times for me to turn the key to start the car , and the key can come out at any time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the key released out of the ignition while the vehicle was in motion on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure was progressing. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V490000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
"Takata recall". My mechanic found a faulty Takata airbag while diagnosing a horn problem. My VIN is not on the airbag recall list or the ignition switch recall list. Also the faulty ignition switch is causing security system issues and causing my horn relay to stay permanently in the on position which is draining my battery to nothing. How do I get my VIN added to these lists so that these parts can be replaced under the recall?
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge.
Electrical complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Saturn Vue, 28% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Saturn Vue electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-490 (ignition, Aug 8, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Saturn Vue electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical 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.