Problems · by component

2004 Saturn Vue power train problems

93 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Saturn Vue cite power train, 34% of all 276 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
93
34% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2023Power trainCrash reportedODI 11553676
“WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR,NEED TO SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL,THEN BACK INTO DRIVE,SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE.WE HAVE AVOIDED SEVERAL SERIOUS INCIDENTS SINCE THIS PROBLEMATIC ISSUE STARTED.VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AT SATURN OF MODESTO.CA.NOW OUT OF BUSINESS,THERE FIX JUST REPLACE TRANSMISSION $5,000 AT CUSTOMERS FULL EXPENSE.CONTRACTED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE,THEY ADVISED US TO CONTACT CHASE CHEVROLET STKN.CA AS THEY CAN SERVICE YOUR SATURN VEHICLE.CALLED CHASE CHEVROLET WAS ADVISED THERE SHOP DID NOT HAVE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO SERVICE OUR VEHICLE,DIDN'T HAVE UPDATED COMPUTER SOFTWARE.STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2017Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11048108
“MOVING ALONG IN STREET TRAFFIC, STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN WENT TO GO FORWARD, TRANSMISSION ONLY WENT FORWARD IN LOW GEAR. TOWED TO REPAIR GARAGE BUT THEY WANT $500 JUST TO LOOK AT IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2017Power trainODI 11043028
“WHEN DRIVING AT AN HIGH SPEED OF 65-70 ON FREEWAY THROUGH MOUNTAIN TERRITORY, SPEED DROPS AND ACCELERATION IS HARD TO GET BACK UP TO SPEED LIMIT. ALSO CAR START SHAKING WHILE ACCELERATING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2017Power trainODI 10994307
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2017Power trainODI 10966163
“I JUST BROUGHT A 2004 SATURN VUE, AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET TO 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, AND IF I AM DRIVING 30 MPH OR LOWER IT SHAKES. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE ALREADY AND IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. IT ALSO MAKES A ROUGH GRINDING, AND GROWLING SOUND. IT DOES ALL OF THE ABOVE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. IT IS ALSO HARD AT TIMES FOR ME TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR , AND THE KEY CAN COME OUT AT ANY TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2016Power train, Electrical systemODI 10897909

Showing 6 of 93 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2004 Vue problem areas