The 2004 Saturn Vue has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 208,289 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 360 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. 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.
Consequence
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 is not in the…
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. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for…
EQUIPMENT03V5190002003-12-196,134 affected
Defect
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. …
Consequence
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
53
1fires
POWER TRAIN
44
4crashes7injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
38
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
17
SUSPENSION:REAR
16
3crashes2injuries
SUSPENSION
14
2crashes
AIR BAGS
13
6crashes6injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
13
STEERING
13
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10
Total complaints360
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. Additionally, the contact stated that the…”
“The contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. The contact stated that the light on the instrument panel was abnormally dim. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. Additionally, the contact stated that the…”
“The ignition (key) has stopped working again after being recalled a few years ago, and being replaced. The key will not turn and start the car.”
“My father's car key can be taken out of the ignition when it is not in the off position but his specific vin is not listed as part of the recall.”
“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. Mine overheated and stalled crossing traffic, wouldn't go into gear. Caused accident.”
“Rusted front subframe/ engine cradle I carried my saturn vue to have the catalytic converters replaced and my master-mechanic discovered the rusted subframe and brought it to my attention. He showed it to me and explained the the danger in operating this vehicle.”
“My 2004 vue had a recall in 2014 for the ignition key could be removed without being in the off position, I had this repaired on 12/11/14. Recently my ignition key can again be removed without being in the off position.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn vue. While operating the vehicle, the key came out of the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Valley chevrolet (525 hwy 7e, hutchinson, mn) and the manufacturer were notified and stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE04052 Opened 2004-07-22 · closed 2004-11-01
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE…
InvestigationPE04052 Opened 2004-07-22 · closed 2004-11-01
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Saturn Vue as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.