AI Damage2004 Saturn VUE: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Saturn VUE filed 276 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 276
- involving a crash
- 23
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 34% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 93 complaints (34% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 78 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 33 complaints (12% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 18 complaints (7% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 16 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 5-speed
- CVT
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 276 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 93 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 78 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 33 | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 18 | 11 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Transmission and torque converter overheat causing failure. Mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. Caused accident.
My entire front in was smashed in, the air bags never deployed, the seat belts didn't lock when I stomped on the breaks. My daughter and I were both in the front seats and we both went forward messing up both of our necks and backs.
Involved in a front end collison on highway and airbag failed to deploy. Vehicle repaired but approximately 3 years ago the airbag light came on and stays on. There is also a scraping noise coming out of steering coulmn when turning the wheel. Internet research indicates this is a widely known problem.
The contacts air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the upper body. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance other than advising that the crash would be on record. The vehicle was towed to a collision repair shop. The vehicle was not repaired.
Problem 1: my 2004 saturn awd v6 saturn vue has developed a "shudder" in the drive train that's prevalent in the 20 -25 and 30-35mph range under moderate acceleration or coasting.
One of the issues I have is the front end shakes, sometimes it shakes so bad it scares me. I have brought it in for this to a dealer in denville and mount olive; both in nj, and the first time I was told nothing was wrong. Last week I was told I need new front brakes and new tires.
2004 saturn vue underwent comprehensive vehicle test including braks at saturn of new brunswick on 6/4/05. On 6/24/05 while at full stop in traffic ( slight inline in road), vehicle started to roll while break engaged. Immediate response was to press harder then pumped severeal times without results.
Tamara recall I got a recall in the mail for my 2004 saturn vue for the ignition I've called the dealership where I got it and they said they knew about it but did not tell me when I bought it. And said I have to take car of it myself.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,467 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VUE has 236 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 276, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn VUE?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, suspension. Total complaints: 276. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (6%), jerking, harsh shifts (6%), warning lights, check engine (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Saturn VUE?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Saturn VUE from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.