2003 Saturn VUE Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 619 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Saturn VUE overview page.
What owners report
“VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. ALMOST HAD COLLISION FROM ONCOMING VEHICLE. VEHICLE HESITATED AGAIN WITH LOSS OF POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING…”NHTSA complaint 10062067 — filed 04/01/2004
“1. RECALL TRANSAXLE 2. SAME DAY ---CHECK INGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THEY FIXED IT AND SAME DAY IT CAME ON AGAIN, THEY FIXED…”NHTSA complaint 10070208 — filed 01/15/2004
“THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARD HESITATION, LACK OF POWER IN THE ENGINE AND LOST OF ACCELERATION WHEN THE PAVEMENT WAS WET OR UNEVEN. THERE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10048613 — filed 01/08/2004
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Saturn VUE have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Saturn VUE: 88 of 619 complaints on file (14.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2003 Saturn VUE have in total?
619 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 29 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 27 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
