2004 Saturn Vue: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Saturn Vue: 2 recalls, 276 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #03V519000 · 2003 · 6,134 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V490000 · 2014 · 202,155 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (93): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (26), noise or vibration (20), stalls / loses power (11).
- Electrical (78): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), door / lock issues (13), stalls / loses power (9).
- Suspension (33): the most common themes are noise or vibration (11).
- Airbags (18): the most common themes are fails to deploy (8).
The 2004 Saturn Vue has 276 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 9 Vue model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 261). Complaints peaked in 2014 (56 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,456 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (622 complaints, 1 recalls), 2005 (170 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Saturn Vue.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Saturn Vue have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Saturn Vue. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Saturn Vue problems?
Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (93), electrical (78), suspension (33).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Saturn Vue get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Saturn Vue repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.