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2004 Saturn Vue Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Saturn Vue carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and labels. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Ignition key removal and ignition switch failure.” GM wound Saturn down in 2009, so parts now come through the GM catalog rather than a Saturn dealer. Which Saturn you own changes the maintenance picture completely. The S-series cars, meaning the SL, SC, and SW, use a 1.9 liter four with a timing chain, and the twin-cam version is known to burn oil as it ages, so checking the dipstick between changes matters more than the interval does. The L-series and Astra are Opel designs and want European-spec parts. The later Vue, Ion, Aura, Outlook, and Sky are mainstream GM under the badge. One item deserves a direct warning: 2002 to 2005 Vue models fitted with the VTi continuously variable transmission had a poor reliability record, and GM stopped building it. If you are buying one, confirm which transmission it has first.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #14V490000 · Aug 8, 2014

Issue: 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #03V519000 · Dec 19, 2003

Issue: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L V6 (L66) ENGINES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL RIM SIZE SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL ARE NOT CORRECT. THE PRINTED WHEEL RIM DESIGNATION SPECIFIED A 16-INCH WHEEL WHEN A 17-INCH WHEEL DESIGNATION WAS REQUIRED.

Risk: IF THE WHEEL RIM SIZE IS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON A TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SOLELY USES THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR SERVICE INFORMATION MAY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED WHEEL WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.

Recall data refreshed Jul 9, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Saturn Vue.

Reported to NHTSA

Ignition key removal and ignition switch failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

70 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2025-09

“MY 2004 VUE HAD A RECALL IN 2014 FOR THE IGNITION KEY COULD BE REMOVED WITHOUT BEING IN THE OFF POSITION, I HAD THIS REPAIRED ON 12/11/14. RECENTLY MY IGNITION KEY CAN AGAIN BE REMOVED WITHOUT BEING IN THE OFF POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11362451
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10617172
“TRAVELING AT 65MPH THE KEY & KEY FOB FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN BUT HAD LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10598680

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure, slipping and loss of drive

POWER TRAIN

66 NHTSA complaints · 2008-05 → 2023-11

“Transmission has Lube issues for Honda and TRANSGO HONDALK fixes that but requires several hours labor pulling transmission. Transmission and torque converter overheat causing failure. Mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. Caused accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553676
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY AVENUE DURING RUSH HOUR, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING, JUST FAILED. SEVERAL GOOD SAMARITANS PUSHED ME ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET ME OFF THE BUSY ROAD. IT DIED WHILE I WAS IN GEAR AND DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10759683
“WE BOUGHT A 2004 SATURN VUE IN2007. IN 2010 WE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT BECAUSE WE HAD A VTI TRANSMISSION. WE PAID 50/50 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED. NOW 40 000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524035

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear suspension component failure and rear wheel collapse

SUSPENSION

15 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2019-02

“WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STATE ROUTE (THANKFULLY AT LOW SPEED) THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED ON OUR 2004 SATURN VUE. THIS WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 2004 UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN #04067001. HAD THIS BEEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS, MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839649
“2004 SATURN VUE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSES WHEEL TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SHEARING OF BOLT UNDER CONSTANT LOAD. THIS PROBLEM SPURRED A VOLUNTARY GM RECALL IN 2004. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. IN AUGUST, 2009, THE WHEEL COLLAPSED AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10315453
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD "POP" FROM REAR OF CAR. AFTER PULLING OVER THE DRIVER SAW THAT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TIPPED IN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SATURN REPAIR FACILITY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413008

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering column noise and loss of power steering assist

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2019-03

“WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST QUITS MAKING YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE IP GAUGES JUMP. THE STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN WHICH CAN MAKE YOU WRECK. THIS IS SAME PROBLEM THE SATURN IONS HAVE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10586030
“I AM ENTERING THIS INFORMATION FOR MY SISTER WHO HAS NO ACCESS TO A COMPUTER: WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, THE DOORS LOCKED, THE SPEEDOMETER AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10863857
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10617172

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment, warning light, unintended deployment

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2008-11 → 2018-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652390
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10386161
“UPON ENTERING MY 2004 SATURN VUE AND CLOSING THE DRIVER DOOR, BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY IMPACT, AND NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452910

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain and timing belt failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-09 → 2015-08

“I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN AND THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I COULD HEAR THE PISTONS IMPACTING THE VALVES. THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED AND BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE, IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746132
“CAR HAD A STRANGE TICKING NOISE ,DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT SATURN DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE A TIMING CHAIN,FOR A FEE OF 1,000 DOLLARS ,I SEARCHED NHTSA AND FOUND A RECALL EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE BUT FOR A 2001 ONLY. MY CAR IS A 2004 AND ONLY HAS 34,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10241149
“I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON MY 2004 SATURN VUE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ON THE SATURNS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10295918

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Models from about 2003 on use the GM Oil Life System. Change when it asks and at least once a year. On S-series cars with the twin-cam 1.9, check the level every other fuel stop. Oil consumption on a worn one can empty the sump well before the next service is due.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the sidewall date codes too. On cars this age, tires usually time out before they wear out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on S-series cars and rear calipers on the Vue and Ion both stick on vehicles that sit for long stretches.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. This is the single cheapest thing you can do to keep an aging ABS pump and calipers alive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Drain and fill every 45,000 miles. Fluid depends on the car: Dexron VI for most conventional automatics, a specific CVT fluid for 2002 to 2005 Vue models with the VTi, and Saturn-spec manual gear oil for the S-series manuals. Confirm the spec before anyone pours anything in.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

100,000 miles on platinum or iridium plugs. On the S-series 1.9 and the Ecotec fours, replace the coil pack boots at the same time. Brittle boots misfire and mimic a failing coil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

Replace the belt and the tensioner as a set once either one is cracked, glazed, or noisy. A tired tensioner will destroy a new belt.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. Easy access on the S-series and the Ecotec engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Every 5 years on a car this old. Most Saturns use orange Dex-Cool, which must never be mixed with green coolant. Ask the shop to check for seepage at the water pump and the intake gasket while the system is open.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Power Steering Check

Every 50,000 mi

Most of the lineup uses conventional hydraulic steering, so check the fluid level and the hoses. The Ion and some Vue models use an electric power steering unit instead, which has no fluid but was the subject of GM recall activity. Worth confirming yours was addressed.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$185–$220

Shop

~$130–$155

DIY

~$15–$40

Most cars built after ~2012 use electric power steering and have no fluid to service.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. A weak battery on this generation of GM electronics produces warning lights that look like much more expensive problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

123 crashes 1990–2024

How the 123 occupant deaths break down

93

driver deaths

30

passenger deaths

123

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Saturn Vue reflects Saturn's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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