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Saturn Vue

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Saturn • Aura • Vue --- • Engine problems • Transmission problems • Airbags • Ignition interlock • Oozing goo • Miscellaneous woes • The Shamrock Saturn --- Recalls/News • Penske Scraps Plan to Buy Saturn; Brand Likely to Die • Penske Hopes to Drive Saturn Off GM's Lot • Saturn Climbing the Roadway to Heaven • Saturn Aura Gets a 5,000-Mile Road Test • NHTSA Probes Timing Chain Again • NHTSA Recalls Saturn L Series • NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures • Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 • Saturn Outlook Gets Top Marks from Consumer Reports • Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests • Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High • Saturn VUE Recalled • L-Series Cars Recalled

Pamela of Hardisty, AB January 31, 2010

Let me start by saying that I am a Very Unsatisfied Customer and I can not believe the way GM deals with its customers. I think that they need to review policies that are posted right on GM website. In February of 2008 I purchased a new 2008 Saturn VUE XR loaded. To this day I have not been happy with the Saturn Vue or the service that I have received! In April of 2008 I had to have my OnStar fixed because the battery was not working in it.

In January of 2009 the vehicle shut down for no reason while I was driving down the highway going a 100 km/hr and I was told I had to take it in to get it looked at which is 2.5 hours away from my home. I was told that GM does not have loaner vehicles for Saturns. I was miss lead by the sale person but I guess that is my fault for not checking into it further. Not only was I without a vehicle for 5 days before I could inconvenience someone to drive me to pick up my vehicle and miss a day of work.

They told me that the sensors get moisture on them and freeze up and the vehicle shuts off. I was told that there is nothing that they could do about this. This is very safe when we live in Alberta and have terrible roads and your vehicle just shuts down while you are driving! Also at this time there was a recall about the power steering and I had to take another day off of work to get this fixed.

At the beginning of October I had my vehicle in at my local mechanic for 5000KM check up and oil change and he informed me that there was a leak in the transmission and a crack in the strut. My mechanic informed me that this vehicle was not safe to drive. On Friday, October 23 when I could finally get my vehicle into a Saturn dealer to get this fixed and when I called I asked if they had all the parts for warranty work and I was told that they did, so I would not have to make more then one trip and miss more work.

When I took my vehicle to the dealership I was informed by the dealership that not only was their problems with my transmission and strut but that the transaxle converter seal had to be replaced, the transfer case had to be replaced, the front stabilizar shaft had to be replaced and there is also a problem with the torque convertor. They informed me that they did not have the parts and would have to order it out of the States and they would need my vehicle for 4 days. When I incurred about a loaner vehicle because I live 2.5 hours away and this is my only vehicle they told me that they do not have loaner vehicles. Not only was I out of a vehicle for that long but I also miss work for those days because I had no way of getting there. I also yet again had to inconvenience someone else to drive to pick me up and bring me home and then yet again to pick up my vehicle.

On October 27 I mailed a complaint letter to GM and by November 19 I had not heard anything from GM in regards to my complaints. I called the customer service line and Francoise opened a case file for me. I called Gary Moe Saturn to see if my parts had arrived there yet and they informed me they had been in for a bit and someone should have called but it must have been over looked. I then received a call from Gary Moe Saturn from someone else on November 20 to inform me that my parts had just arrived. I told her I had already talked to someone else yesterday and they had informed me that they were there for sometime.

On November 21 at 11:00 A.M. I called Roadside to tow the Vue to Gary Moe Saturn and to also call Gary Moe and let them know that the vehicle would now not start. It was running the day before as I had to move it in my yard so I could plow snow. Roadside informed me that they would have to tow it to Denwood Motors in Wainwright, Alberta. I asked if it could be put throw to Management to have the vehicle towed to Gary Moe Saturn as they had the parts to do the warranty work and I was not waiting another month to have my vehicle diagnosed and parts ordered in. I called Gary Moe and they said if Denwood's did get the vehicle they would have to diagnose the problem and order the parts themselves.

I decided to call Denwoods and when I talked to the Service Department they told me they were not qualified to work on a Saturn. At 11:40 I called Francoise to give her an update and she was going to talk to Roadside. Roadside finally towed the vehicle on November 22 to Gary Moe Saturn for me. I had talked to Doris and it was Lori who dispatched the call.

On November 23 I called Francoise at 7:30 am and left her a message to let her know that the vehicle was towed the day before. I called her again at 12:21 for an update but again there was no answer so I left her another message. She returned my phone call at 12:32 and she was going to contact Gary Moe for an update and she would get back to me in the next hour. I called Gary Moe myself at 12:44 and they said that they could not get the vehicle started and someone would get back to me. I had not heard anything yet from Francoise at 4:07 so I called her and again there was no answer so I left her another message.

On November 25 Gary Moe called me and informed me that my vehicle was complete with the warranty work and they just had to boost the battery to get it going but everything is good. Francoise phoned me and said they were closing my file. I told her I wanted compensation for everything I had lost without having a vehicle and she informed me that all that GM would do for me is give me a 100 fuel card. I knew that if I took that fuel card it would be considered a settlement and I told her that I would not accept the fuel card.

On November 30 my Dad and Uncle were going to Red Deer and they offered to pick up my vehicle for me. When my Dad arrived at Gary Moe they had to boost the Vue to even get it going. Why they would let a vehicle go with having to boost it when that was one of the issues in the first place is beyond me; but they informed my Dad that everything would be fine. My dad stopped at my Uncles house at Castor for a bit and when he went to leave the vehicle would not start again. They tried to boost it but it would not start. I tried to call Francoise and could not reach her after leaving numerous messages.

On December 3 I was fed up with not hearing back from Francoise so I called GM Customer Service at 9:06 and spoke to Anelise. She informed me that Francoise was no longer with the company. I tried to get her up to speed of what was going on with my vehicle while Francoise was covering the case. I then informed her that the dealership let the vehicle go with a bad battery and that I would be calling Roadside again to get it towed.

I called Roadside at 9:39 and talked to Sue she said they would have to tow it to Stettler GM as that was the closest GM dealer...yet again I had to inform her they they were not able to do work on a Saturn even though it was a GM product and it would have to be towed back to Red Deer to Gary Moe Saturn. Sue told me that she would have to check with Management and get back to me. At 11:00 Brigley's Towing called and informed me that they got a call to tow my vehicle to Red Deer and they would not be able to do this till sometime that afternoon. I called Anelise back to update her and there was no answer so I left her a message.

Finally on December 8 Anelise returned my call so I brought her up to speed. I recieved a call that afternoon from Gary Moe and they said they could not reproduce the problem but want to keep the vehicle until they do.

On December 9 at 9:30 I called Anelise called and left me a message stating that they were going to close the file. At 10:17 I called Gary Moe and they said that the Vue would not start and they were now trying to figure out why. I returned Anelise's call at 10:45 and of couse there was no answer so I left her a message stating that I did not want this file closed until my Vue was properly fixed. I called Anelise again at 2:16 as I wanted to make sure she was not closing my file and again there was no answer so I left her another message. I called again at 2:45 and got her voice mail again. I did not leave a message this time.

On December 10 by 1:09 I still had not heard back from Anelise so I attempted to call her again. Again I only got her voice message. I was getting very frustrated with her not returning my calls. I called Customer Service Line at 1:38 and talked to Jody she put me right through to Anelise. Anelise informed me that Francoise was back working at GM and she would be taking my case over and would be in contact with me later that day. I called Erin at 1:55 and he informed me they changed out the battery and would test it for a few days to make sure that was the problem.

By December 15 I still had not heard back from anyone at GM so I called Francoise at 10:00 she said she wanted to talk to Erin at Gary Moe and would get back to me in 2 days. I also asked her what GM was going to do to compensate me for everything yet again. My mom was in Red Deer that day for a course and she picked up the Vue for me.

On December 17 Francoise called at 8:18 am and informed me what I already new about how the battery was replaced. She informed me that GM would not compensate me in anyway but the 100 fuel card was still there if I wanted it and they were sorry for the inconvenience and grief it cost me. I was able to pick my vehicle up from my Mom's house on December 18.

On January 7 at 10:24 while I was driving down the highway at 110 km/hr my vehicle just shut off by itself. I had no power steering or anything. Fortunately I was able to make it somewhat to the side of the road. My vehicle would not start again. I called someone I knew to come and try and boost my vehicle. When he got there he tried to boost the vehicle but it would not start. I had to get a ride to Consort to my appointment and he had to leave work to do this for me.

I called Roadside to come and tow my vehicle again. They informed me that it would be towed to Wainwright to Denwood Motors because they were now able to do warranty work on Saturn products. I knew this because I received a letter in the mail stating that any GM dealer would now be able to do warranty work. They sent Brigley's at 1 pm to tow the vehicle but they informed me that they would not be able to take it to Wainwright till the following day. I had to get my Mom who lives over an hour from my house in Consort to drive me home. I called Francoise at 2:41 and left her a message regarding what happened again and to please give me a call back.

On January 8 I talked to Denwood Motor's at 2:35 they informed me that they still could not work on Saturn's as far as they knew so I read them the letter I got from GM they said they would look into it and they were always the last to know. Denwoods also informed me that the soonest they could look at my vehicle was January 14. Yet again I was without a vehicle again. I called Francoise at 2:57 and there was no answer so I left her another message.

Finally on January 11 at 4:15 Francoise returned my call and I updated her. She informed me that she wanted to talk to Denwoods and would get back to me first thing in the morning. On Jan 12 at 4:20 sent a email to GM Sr Management and have not heard anything back from them.

On Jan 16 I got my vehicle back from Denwood Motors in Wainwright, AB. Chris sent in a letter to GM about the problem. There is no fix at this time and he also let his district sales manager know all the problems this vehicle is having. Apparently water gets up in the snorkel/baffle and air filter and the vehicle just shuts off. He also informed me that this same issue is happening with the GM Acadia models and that it will keep happening with my Saturn.

By Jan 18 I had still not heard back from Francoise so I desided to call her. She informed me that she was going to call the district sales manager and see what they are going to do about this problem and get back to me ASAP.

On Jan 21 at 5:50 Francoise called and informed me that GM is considering the problem with the vehicle an environmental issue not a vehicle problem and is not going to do anything about the problem. GM offered me 1500 off a new vehicle if I wished to trade it in. The problems that I have had with GM why would I want to trade it in on another one? The one problem is not only happening to my vehicle but other vehicles out there on the road.

What is it going to take for GM to see that my vehicle is a lemon and they need to buy it back...do I and my unborn child, my family or someone else have to die before GM does something about this issue? I do not even feel right about trading this vehicle in on another one as I would feel absolutely sick if something happened to someone else because of this vehicle!

I am really glad that I spent almost 50,000 on a new vehicle that I thought would be reliable which is farther from the truth and really have not had a vehicle that I can trust at all. Who is going to reimburse me for all this expense incurred for a vehicle that only has 40,000 km on it? Since I have had all the problems with this vehicle I have lost my job PLUS over 5000 in previous wages, PLUS over 600 in fuel driving for warranty work, PLUS 3 meals a day because I will be on the road all day just to get me to the dealership to get this fixed, plus all my vehicle payments for a vehicle that I have not been able to use? To this date I am lucky that I have not been in an accident with this vehicle but like I stated before am I going to have to get seriously injured in this vehicle or die before GM does something about it?

David of Los Alamos, NM January 22, 2010

Brought 2004 Saturn Vue in for Timing Belt replacement and oil change. Estimated to be about 800. Ask for them to check for issues with water pump. Told them to call me if there was evident that it needed work and an estimate. Told them that if it need replacing that I wanted to get it done at the same time. Was informed that Timing belt work was done and to call back for an estimate on the Water pump.

Was then told that to the replace of the water pump would be additonal about 1130. Reminded them of my request for estimate before they put it back together. Asked to speak to the service advisor manager. There was no service manager. Went over all charges. Was told the catr was not put togther. Then that changes and then... if started to get really confusing.

Call the office manager - he looked into the matter called me back and said what would please me. I asked for a few minutes and call him back with a proposal to pay for new parts and not labor AGAIN. He informed me that the car was ready with the timing belt replacved and the oil change and that his general manager Lori said "That's it, if you want to replace the water pump and associated parts (about 588 quoted)..I would have to pay for the parts and labor again. "That's all we are going to do. I told them I would then report this to corporate and they said fine.

Cynthia of Westwego, LA January 19, 2010

In May 2008, I was driving over a bride and my car just changed gears and the speed decrease on it own. The car refused to pick up speed while driving up the bridge. The next day I took the car to the Saturn dealership to be check out. The guy in the service department stated nothing was wrong with the car. The same thing happen again a couple of weeks later. Again, I brought it to the dealership and was told there was nothing wrong. At this point I am scared to drive my car so I only drive when necessary.

On October 2009 my car refuse to go more than 20 mph. I was unable to bring to the dealership I went to before because they were nolonger in operation. In November 2009, I received a letter in the mail stating Saturn is aware of there faulty transmission and they are will to pay for repairs. But when I brought my car in for the repairs I was told I do not qualify because my car's mileage is over 100,000. I have tried to explain to them over and over and over again that I reported the transmission problem before my car was at the 100,000 limited. I received a nice polite we can not help you.

Bill of Brick, NJ January 8, 2010

While driving to work, in my 2002 Staurn Vue, my timing chain snapped. After researching on the internet, I found so many other examples of the same thing happened. With this particular engine. Faulty Timing Chain. I read an article on consumeraffairs.com about so many similar problems. The car only had 90K miles on it. 4000 to repair. Where am I to get that kind of money?

T of Hopacong, NJ January 5, 2010

Purchased a 2003 Vue, what a piece of junk, glad they are out of business and GM should be the next to go. I will never buy american again. Key locked in ignition, replaced cylinder three times, intake gasket went, but cannot replace just the gasket, had to buy 1000 assembly. Gas gauge stopped working, several recalls, door gaskets leak air (very noisy car), door panel broke loose and wedged door open, had to break panel and now security doesn't work, etc.

Debra of Hawley, PA December 15, 2009

Bought a 2004 Saturn Vue Sept. 15, 2004. Had nothing but problems. Between noises, squeeks, rolling backwards on hills, rotors, and more. Every time I brought the car in they would say nothing wrong. They would say drive the car and see if you still hear or feel it. Like I had nothing better to do than travel 1 and half hours each way to bring the car back for the same problem I brought it for the first time. Oh, they were very nice alright, a little to nice. Like they were trying to con me.

Well, after having the rotors changes, twice, somekinda linkage thing done, something with the transmission done, my car is totally dead. After my warranty expired I just kept taking it to regular mechanics. Well the transmission finally went. Saturn sent a letter out telling me if my warranty expired they would cover 50% of the fix and I would be responsible for the other half. Unfortunaltly, can't afford it and don't think I should have to pay a penny for something Saturn and GM knew. They knew that the car was not good, and that the VTI transmission would fail. There should have been a recall on all the cars with VTI's in them. I ended up hiring a lawyer from lemon law, and he's getting me the same deal I was already offered from Saturn.So where's the justice.

Michelle of Reno, NV December 5, 2009

I had timing chain failure in my 2002 Saturn VUE. The engine only has 72,000 miles on it. Thousands of dollars in unneeded costs at shops to try to figure out the problem.

Cindy of Syracuse, NY December 4, 2009

I have a 2008 Saturn Vue. The defroster stopped working so I took it to what is left of the local Saturn dealer. They determined that the heater core needed replacing as it is cracked and leaking coolant. They ordered the part and I had to call a week later to find out if the part had come in. It did, so I tried to schedule an appointment and was told that they are down to 2 technicians and it would be another week before they could get me in. Due to the coolant leaking, it is apparently dripping on the hot engine parts and it then creates a greasy smoke, which comes up through my vents. I have to drive with my windows open and it is now around 35 degrees here in NY. I am breathing in this smoke and it also covers my windshield creating a greasy film, which I cannot see out of. I have been driving with a towel and have to keep wiping the windshield so that I can see -- not to mention the smoke I am breathing in and taking a chance on the engine freezing due to leaking antifreeze. I called Saturn Customer Care, and got no where. All GM dealers in my area are not authorized by GM to complete warrantee work yet, which means I have to wait for the local Saturn dealer to squeeze me in... General Motors cares nothing about its customers.

Kevin of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL November 28, 2009

Received a letter from Saturn this week informing me that they were going to extend the warrantee on my 2004 Saturn Vue. They went on to mention that many customers were experiencing problems. Guess what...my transmission went out today. How about that! I was able to get the vehicle to the local dealer and they explained that it would cost 6,000 to replace the transmission. The extended warrantee is for 8 years or 100,000 whichever comes first.

My car has 157,000 miles on it. It makes me sick to think that Saturn ADMITS to a problem but offers little to help the customer who trusted them to pay good money for their vehicles. I am going to try and contact corporate on Monday for some resolution as I have never had a transmission problem with a car. The Saturn dealer would like to charge me 6,000 for a new transmission. Merry Christmas...to them.

Linda of Brodhead, WI November 28, 2009

My 2005 cyl Saturn Vue already needed to have a new transmission and it is only at 64,000 miles. Why was there not a recall on this? Others on line have said this also. It is a Honda engine and it was 2300.00 to replace. Why? I feel Saturn needs to step up and say why they used an inferior transmission on this model vehicle.

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