2003 Saturn Vue
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 316 of 622 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (15) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 167 in 2002 to 622 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,300 | 2,850–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–22 | 19–22 | 19–23 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 23–26 | 17–20 / 23–26 | 17–21 / 23–26 | 17–20 / 23–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–468 | 404–468 | 386–468 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 167 | 622 | 276 | 170 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 29 | 23 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 9 | 5 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 27 | 20 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Saturn Vue have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Saturn Vue?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 316 of 622 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Saturn Vue get?
EPA rates it 19–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Saturn Vue?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 90 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 316 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 124 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 24 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 45 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 54 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 44 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 36 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V490000 · Aug 8, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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. 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.