MYRModel Year Report

2004 Saturn VUE

● Typical for this model
2004 Saturn VUE
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
276
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 622 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2004 276 2005: 170 complaints 2006: 300 complaints 2006 2007: 286 complaints 2008: 406 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 6 complaints 2010
2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 622 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2004 276 2005: 170 complaints 2005 2006: 300 complaints 2006 2007: 286 complaints 2007 2008: 406 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2010
2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 622 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2004 276 2005: 170 complaints 2005 2006: 300 complaints 2006 2007: 286 complaints 2007 2008: 406 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2010

2004: 276 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2002167
2003622
2004276
2005170
2006300
2007286
2008406
2009118
20106

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

34% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-05

Vehicle was going thru an intersection and the transmission quit. Car would not move.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-09

Electrical system

30% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-24

Suspension

12% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My son was driving my 2004 Saturn VUE on Monday, July 26, he apparently hit a patch of gravel which caused him to lose control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-28

I was involved in a car accident on July 14, 2004 while in my 2004 Saturn VUE front wheel drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-27

Air bags

7% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving from providence ri to athens oh. I was in West Virginia around morgantown, driving from 68 west to 79 south ramp, and I was driving in the range of speed limits.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-11

When driving at 35 MPH another vehicle did not stop at a stop sign. This caused consumer's vehicle to t-bone the other vehicle on the passenger's side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-07

Steering

6% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing column and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Saturn VUE. After the key was removed from the ignition, the headlights remained illuminated and smoke appeared near the steering column. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-23

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-12-15Equipment03V519000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2004-07-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-11-01 Rear suspension toe control link
  3. R
    2014-10-20Electrical system14V490000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Saturn VUE — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V519000 · Equipment
  • Recall 14V490000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Saturn VUE reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Saturn VUE is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saturn VUE?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn VUE have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-06 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.