2003 Saturn Vue recalls and problems

The 2003 Saturn Vue has 1 safety recall and 622 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Saturn dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
622
Crashes / fires
29 / 9
Injuries / deaths
27 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Saturn Vue vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Saturn Vue recalls

Recall 14V-490: Electrical System

Reported Aug 8, 2014 · 202,155 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Fix: 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. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

2003 Saturn Vue problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train323
Electrical System131
Engine and Engine Cooling63
Suspension50
Steering46
Air Bags43
Engine29
Structure24
Vehicle Speed Control21
Fuel System, Gasoline21
Visibility20
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 200
  • Electrical System › Horn — 20
  • Suspension › Rear — 18
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 13
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 10
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 9
  • Steering › Column — 7
  • Suspension › Front — 7

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Saturn Vue complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Sep 2, 2026
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…
Engine · reported Aug 31, 2026
Car stalled while driving in traffic XXX. 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 (XXX) 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.…
Electrical System · at 79,000 miles · reported Jul 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V490000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair; however, the new ignition keys provided under the remedy failed to start the vehicle. The contact had to use the old key to start the vehicle. Additionally, the battery was replaced twice because the vehicle failed to turn off, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle needed to be jump-started. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to have the vehicle towed to the dealer…
Unknown or Other · reported Dec 9, 2025
2003 Saturn Vue ignition switch. The switch was replaced under a recall with a switch that has the same defect; the key can be removed while the vehicle is in operation. The dealers refuse to replace it saying the car had the recall completed. They do not acknowledge the replacement has the same problem as the original. I feel they are required to do a second replacement under the recall if it the same problem -- a dangerous one at that. AI shows a number of the replacement key switches were defective like the originals. Can you help me?
Fuel System, Gasoline · at 110,000 miles · reported Feb 26, 2025
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…

Other Saturn Vue years

Compare all Saturn Vue years · All Saturn models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Saturn Vue have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Saturn Vue: 14V-490 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Saturn Vue?

Owners report power train problems most often (323 reports), followed by electrical system (131). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.

Are Saturn recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Saturn dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.