2004 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 276 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Saturn VUE overview page.
What owners report
“MY 2004 SATURN V6 SATURN VUE HAS STARTED A SHUDDER/GROWLING NOISE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN THAT'S PREVALENT IN THE 20 -25, 30-35MPH, 40 -45MPH AND…”NHTSA complaint 10281469 — filed 08/23/2009
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE GEAR CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED…”NHTSA complaint 10199029 — filed 08/09/2007
“2004 SATURN VUE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED SIX MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP* THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE…”NHTSA complaint 10191104 — filed 05/08/2007
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Saturn VUE have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Saturn VUE: 44 of 276 complaints on file (15.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2004 Saturn VUE have in total?
276 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 20 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.
