Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
As luck would have it, the dealership was being moved in the next couple of days and we were headed out of town for 2 weeks so the response was not immediate. When we got back, I called the dealership and they said things had been hectic with their move (caused by the eminent domain issue) and they'd not gotten to the issue. Then out of the blue I got a call 2 days ago from the parts department saying the torque converter for the VUE had arrived and we needed to set up an appointment for the replacement!!! How about that, some action from the dealership. And they said everything is covered including a rental car.
I must tell you people tho, this is a 2004 VUE V6 FWD only and we have an extended drivetrain warrenty to 60K miles. Luckily for us we're at 58.4K miles right now.
So, our story supposedly ends happily. I can only hope that most of you will have the same result.
repairs to date. It was loudest when I turned to the right. With great trepidation, I
took it to the dealer with visions of several thousand dollars for struts,front end
power steering etc.
Turns out the dealer replaced two tie-rods for $290. Said they were loose(guess you don't just tighten them. Bottom line :the noise is gone and the wife is happy.
In the meantime you might ask your dealership if they have specific instructions for the towing issue.
Thanks!
Has this problem been previously reported on 2005 model year vehicles?
Thanks
We're in the middle of a fairly long trip into Minnesota and we just checked our mileage for two tanks of fuel - 24.6 and 28.7!! The 24.6 was affected by some long waits in traffice getting out of our metro area. This is on the V-6 FWD only version of the '04 model. No tail wind to speak of but I held it to a pretty steady 65mph even though the limit was 70mph for most of the journey and even in South Dakota where the limit is 75 I still held it to 65. I have a feeling it really makes a difference.
The rest of the trip will tell if I've made a wise choice. Since we're on vacation we don't have to be at point B at any specific time we can travel "leisurely".
Anyway, this last time I picked it up, it was squeaking, so the service manager called a mechanic over and he got under the car. He determined it was the EMERGECNY BRAKE!! Those idiots couldn't duplicate the noise because it only does it when the brake is ON and they never had the brake on when they worked on it, and I use it everytime I turn the car off. Which explains why it would do it again as soon as I got home. Corporate told me today it wasn't anything they could fix. So, I asked them what they planned to do about the DEFECT and she said it wasn't a DEFECT since it was in the DESIGN. What???? I plan to contact someone higher than her and get something done.
I am looking into the lemon law, and you should, too. With yours since it is a safety issue, you should be able to file a claim right away. I did a search online for "lemon law" and it gives you all the info you need to file a claim. You have to do it within so many miles.
Oh, and the salesman got mad at me because I only gave him satisfactory ratings on the survey they send---he was fined $200 and reprimanded! Then he has the balls to tell my husband I filled out the survey WRONG!!
Saturn is a different kind of company, alright. I've about had it with them.
Good luck, and get started on the lemon law paperwork!
I loved my 2005 Vue, never had one problem with it. I don't care for some of the interior design changes in the 2008, but it's still a good car, except for the emergency brake defect. I'm still trying to deal with that.
Good luck!
A few examples of things that have gone wrong: The front suspension sounds like it is falling out of the car and has been to Saturn several times for tightening of bolts which has NOT fixed the issue. The transmission gives you whiplash every time you put it into DRIVE. The valve covers LEAK like Niagra Falls and the muffler has a hole in it.
Now I am somewhat capable of working on a vehicle – I am an Electrical Engineer that auto races as a hobby. I have fixed wrecked cars, and even built my own motors so I am not afraid to dig in and do the work. However, the design of this vehicle is ridiculous and frustrates even the somewhat mechanically capable customers.
In reference to the valve covers, the valve covers were leaking and upon initial investigation I thought oh I will just pull the valve cover off and clean the gaskets and re-install. Upon investigating the issue, I found each of the bolts in the valve cover (which I think is plastic) were loose and ready to fall out. I thought oh this must be why they are leaking and snugged them up (did not over tighten). Well the leak was less but still fairly bad. So I went back to investigate removing the valve cover to clean up and re-install. Well much to my surprise YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OFF TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER AND THE SPARK PLUGS ..Who approved this design – some idiot that never got their hands dirty and has NO knowledge of what customer satisfaction is ..$500 - $600 to replace these parts – WHAT A JOKE .
2nd Issue – Oil Filter Cover. Went to change the oil and found that the car doesn’t have a standard oil filter can. The motor is designed so that you only have to replace the element which is contained in a housing on the front of the motor. So instead of the $2 oil filter it cost you $6 for the element (remember it’s different – but it’s not better). So after a few oil filter changes I go to remove the oil filter cover and while removing it the cover breaks into 3 pieces. I call Saturn and they say they have plenty of these in stock and they get calls about them all the time. When I show up at the parts department they charge me some outrageous price (~30.00) for a replacement cover. I say to them that don’t you think you should give me the cover for free since it had a design issue (that I noticed was fixed on the new cover) and the attendant just laughs .and says NO
3rd Issue – Tranny Clunks Into Drive. This issue started very early in the vehicles life and was defined by the dealer as STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. It’s funny because we were going to trade the vehicle in on a Nissan that was at a Saturn Dealer and the person that evaluated it for trade in said this vehicle has a tranny issue and we said well that’s funny because your staff told us that is standard operating procedure ..Funny that the Saturn Dealer couldn’t get their stories straight (is it a problem or is it Standard Op.) Needless to say we didn’t trade it in their ..
4th, 5th, 6th issue .I better stop or I may end up with a book ..
In closing, all I have to say is it is a great day – BYE BYE VUE and YOU WILL NEVER EVER FIND ME AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP AGAIN.
And then GM wonders why they are hurting so bad --- I’m not .
Also, if you post the actual code that you got its easier to help you than if you just tell us just the generic description - for some generic descriptions there are dozens of codes, each leading you to a different component.
Any advice/comments/suggestions is helpful.
Thank you.
In a nutshell GM doesn't have the lamest clue about customer service and support. Selling a car that has 36,000 mile obsolesence built in will never impress me. Buying a Hyundia with 10 year 100,000 mile warranty says a lot about how they stand behind what they make. No matter where it is made. I don't care anymore. I hope the entire US Automotive and banking industry falls into the gutter and drowns. Then they can continue to wonder what they did wrong, never do anything to fix it and continue to be mediocre in the delivery of excellence. Be smart! Buy Hyundai or Kia! At least someone who will stand behind a part put on the car a little while after you drive it off the lot!
Specific to the VUE, the big issues for us were the smoothness of the 3.6L V6 in our XR versus the 3.5L in the XE. Also, we liked the body colored bumpers of the XR (our '05 had the black bumpers, and I wasn't so fond of them).
You are welcome to PM me off-line - click on my user ID and my email will show up in the profile box.
Here is a picture of our XR:
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
Yeah...a positive response. I guess you either love or hate Saturn. I test drove the VUE XE (4cyl) and of course it didn't have immediate pick up, but the vehicle drove remarkably comfortable and smooth. The salesman made me, and I mean made me, take a u-turn without slowing down to show how stable the vehicle handled on quick turns. I truly was impressed. I had just come from driving a CR-V and walked away unimpressed but was still considering until I test drove the Saturn VUE
The main reason I'm sold on a Saturn VUE is because we have a Class C RV and occasionally we will have to dinghy tow and Saturn pretty much gets the nod in the RV'ing community.
I'm pretty convinced that I will purchase a 2009 VUE but can't decide if its worth the $3500 to go to a XR (6cyl). Any thoughts?
Also, did you get a specific package that you think is worth the extra $'s? Living in Houston where temps have been in the 100's for the past 10-12 days, I really like the remote vehicle starter system.
Thanks for your reply and I welcome further comments.
Our VUE has the remote start system, though I think we've used it less than a dozen times in the two years we've had the car. Living in Colorado, it would come in handy in both summer and winter, but for some reason my wife just doesn't remember to utilize it.
Ours was a pretty early production model, so we couldn't get leather - which our '05 VUE had - but we did get the heated seats, which we love. Ours also has the auto-shift option for the automatic transmission, where you flick the lever to the left then go up or down to manually shift gears,. In Colorado, this is handy to engine brake on hills in bad weather - not sure how much use it would be in Houston, where it's flat.
6-CD system? Have it, but wife loves XM so we've kept the subscription current.
Towing package? Have it, but never used it - though it's nice to know we can drag around 3500 pounds of whatever if need be.
Navigation? Don't have it, but we do have the OnStar "Directions and Connections", so wife can use that to get to an address if necessary. Also, we own a handheld GPS system, which works just as well. I'd probably pass on the nav option.
Sunroof? Our '05 had it, the '08 doesn't, and the wife does miss it. That's more of a judgment call, however.
I'm guessing that you're looking at 2WD, living in Houston. We've got AWD, which, again, is nice in the winter. My wife feels more "in control" with the '08 than she did in the '05, especially in really bad weather. She's a native of Wyoming, so she's driven in lousy weather her whole life.
I imagine that there are some pretty good deals going on at the moment, given the uncertainty of Saturn in particular and the car industry as a whole.
Good luck!
Thanks
Thanks again for your opinion.
The Saturn site clearly lists a Vue XR 4 cyl (FOUR cylinder) but there is no button to build a XR 4-cyl.
Saturn should either remove the verbiage implying they sell a XR 4-cyl, or else fix the button glitch.
See for yourself.... Build A Vue <
I have a 2007 Saturn Vue with 17,000 miles on it. The warrantee expired last month and now I have my first problem. The directional signals will not cancel in either direction. The signals work fine but must be cancelled manually.
Does anyone know why this is happening and any suggestions on repair?
Ron D
I will check the Factory Service manual and post what I find...
the part is cheap and you do the repair in your driveway without taking off the steering wheel, you just have to remove the top & bottom trim covers on the column and there are 2 bolts and a wiring connector that holds it in. The part is under $ 30 at rock auto.
Here's the link:link title
Good luck,
John :shades:
Thank you for your help. I have ordered the part from Rock Auto and will replace the part as soon as it arrives.
Ron D
I was changing engine oil, but instead unplugged the Automatic fluid bolt, brownish color.
Good that smelled it , and it was different from normal oil.
That fluid is saved almost all of it, except little spill,
Car was in Park gear, engine off.
Is it Ok to just refill the old liquid back trough the plug located in the engine compartment.
What to do when first time will start engine?Just drive or must follow some steps.
But know I know where is the correct oil plug is located.(in oil pan corner, vertical to ground!)
Thanks
Don't reuse the old fluid...Buy new fluid and add exactly what was drained out. Your Vue has a VTi transmission and there's an entire page of a procedure in the factory service manual on how to refill the trans which calls for adding fluid based upon transaxle temperatures...not for amateurs. This is not a "regular" automatic transmission...
My opinion: Put back in exactly what you took out and then drive it to a shop or dealer that is familiar with the VTi trans and have them make sure that the fluid is at the correct level...The VTi is one of the most tempermental transmissions ever - last thing you want to do is refill it with fluid that was just in your oil change pan...
Assuming the car was well cared for, how long can I expect this engine to last?
I have an 05 Vue V6 with appox 100k miles.. I have only did the timing belt per maint. requirement. Have replace front struts and rear shocks..and of course, brakes.
I expect to get over 200K. on this auto.
It gets good MPG for a V6.
Hopes this help.
Pls look at this link for problems with Saturn autos.
.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Saturn/Vue/
.
I see per their chart, that the '03, '04 and '06s are a source of problems.
Good luck with your autos.
I have owned many auto in my years and found they all have problems....that way they have service bays, as a big shot Auto guy told me, once.
A Santa Fe is one of my recent autos, and so far so good. My 4runner has had some issues but nothing serious, serious. The biggest problem, I have had so far is the Toyota Dealers on fixing problems that I have had with it.
No More Toyota in my driveway........thanks to the dealers...I can fix car problems, but not people problems..........
Can not fix what you did not break.
Things to look for:
rattles, rattles, rattles...these Vues are a noisy bunch and make a lot of front end noise. Common problems are with the front wheel bearings, struts/strut bearings and swaybar links. None are necessarily really expensive, its just something to be mindful of.
Clutch slave cylinder...the 02 and 03 models have had a history of slave cylinder failures. There's really no way to know if its good or bad short of driving it. Its about a $1500.00 repair but then again we are talking about a 9 year old car so things are bound to break.
The radios are all not very good...whatever that means to you...
May I suggest that you look for a 2006-2007 model with the 4 cylinder and automatic trans...many fewer problems and nicer interiors.
DO NOT BUY ANY 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL FROM 2002-2005!!! There have been many failures and very few last to 100000 miles...most not even half of that. The V6 models from any year are OK...the 04-07 models came with a V6 built by Honda that many people say is great.
Hope this helps...feel free to post questions...