NHTSA — Steering Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,653 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Saturn Vue steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Saturn Vue Owner Comments

problem #13

Mar 122019

Vue

  • 250,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. While the contact's daughter was driving the vehicle, the key fell out of the ignition. The failure occurred more than twice while driving. In addition, the steering wheel made an abnormal squeaky and rattling sound while being turned. Excessive force had to be used to turn the steering wheel. Also, the check engine indicator was illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the power steering and ignition failures were not diagnosed because they did not have the proper electric tools. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 250,000.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #12

Feb 062019

Vue

  • 226,980 miles
While my car is running I can't take my key out also when I turn my heater on my car will jerk etc

- Porum, OK, USA

problem #11

Aug 152016

Vue

  • 145,000 miles
Inner, otter rods and hub bearings were replaced in July by GM of englewood, NJ. After two days I heard a metal rubbing noise coming from the front passenger side of my vehicle. I took it back to GM they checked it and my car was diagnosed with a steering column and quoted a $3100 for repair cost which I cannot afford. For a second opinion; I took it to my mechanic and he stated the same issue with my vehicle. As well as a print out for 2002-2004 Saturn Vue models recalls for this issue. I called Saturn headquarters, they checked my VIN for recalls and claim was denied because my vehicle did not qualify under this recall by the VIN number. Can you help?

- Dumont, NJ, USA

problem #10

Feb 142016

Vue

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am paying on a 2004 Saturn Vue and after 101,000 miles I was on my way to daycare with my 3 year old daught and the car transmission slipped into neutral now it continuously slips into neutral while driving. 3 months after buying vehicle the steering wheel started creaking and making like a honking sound and we took it back to dealership and were turned away due to it being a personal problem. It also makes popping noises and slips into neutral while on freeway after 50 mph and when making some right turns.

- Riverdale, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 012016

Vue

  • 100,000 miles
I am entering this information for my sister who has no access to a computer: While driving on a city street, the steering wheel suddenly became nearly impossible to turn, the doors locked, the speedometer and instrument cluster stopped working. Luckily she was driving at a low speed and was able to get the car stopped without causing an accident. She had the vehicle checked at a GM dealer and was told it was the "power steering control module". I have researched this issue on-line and was surprised at the number of related incidents and I'm rather shocked there hasn't been a recall. The vehicle is basically un-useable at this time as the problem has re-occurred on a more frequent basis. She has contacted the nc ag's office and was redirected to the GM recall division, unfortunately there is no active campaign to repair this serious safety defect.

- Washington, NC, USA

problem #8

Mar 292016

Vue 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000. Updated 05/17/16

- Selma, AL, USA

problem #7

Oct 052014

Vue 4-cyl

  • 103,204 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving at a very slow rate of speed, car started vibrating so violently, I was afraid that a wheel was coming off. I pulled over to the side of the road, shut off the vehicle, then restarted it. It was fine. The next day, it was driven all day with no issues, except that my directionals kept going off and would not work, and then all of a sudden would start working, especially if I shut the vehicle off and started it back up. That afternoon, however, the vibrating started again. I drove the vehicle immediately to a mechanic, who told me that nothing showed up on the computer. He said that he punched my vehicles information into the NHTSA website, and found the recall on the ignition. He tested this on my vehicle, and found that you could indeed pull the key out of the ignition while the car was running and in gear. He called me and told this to me. I informed him that a few times my keys had fallen out while I was driving on the highway, or on the streets, wherever. It had always been that way. I hadn't realized this was not intentional. He then informed me that although the year make and model of my car were on the recall, and the fact that my car indeed possessed the faulty ignition, that my VIN was not listed as being included in the recall. He suggested I take the vehicle to the dealership where I purchased the car and have taken the vehicle for repair in the past, herb chambers of warwick. They acknowledge all of the above to be true, including the fact that my VIN is not listed in the recall, therefore they will not be able to submit for payment, therefore I will have to pay and if the vehicle ends up included in the recall in the future, I can submit for reimbursement. No on could explain why my vehicle, being of the same year, make and model, and which obviously has the same ignition issues, was not listed in the recall.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #6

Aug 242014

Vue

  • 138,000 miles
While driving on the freeway with children in the car, the rear differential broke, making steering extremely difficult. It felt as if we were going to flip, I slowly moved over and luckily we were able to stop before a horrific accident occurred. Once we stopped we got out to find the passenger rear tire tilted inward and undrivable. After taking it to the shop we found that the rear differential and frame broke as well as the control arms. This seems to be a known problem on these vehicles and is completely unsafe for anyone to be driving a recall needs to be done on this again to ensure the safety of our families.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #5

Sep 092009

Vue 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
I had an accident and my air bags did not deploy, I was injured my face nose & neck, also my key comes out of ignition while vehicle is

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #4

Oct 012013

Vue 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Traveling at 65mph the key & key fob fell out of the ignition. I was able to slow down but had lost power steering, power brakes, and the airbags would not have deployed. I was able to get to the shoulder of the road.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #3

May 022011

Vue 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving at various speeds the electric power assist quits making you loose power steering while at the same time the ip gauges jump. The steering gets hard to turn which can make you wreck. This is same problem the Saturn ions have.

- Germantown, OH, USA

problem #2

May 012009

Vue

  • 10,000 miles
My steering column is gone out took it in to get it looked at. Then the shop called Saturn and they where told that they were having several problems with the steering column. Now for about six months my seat belts don't work they keep snapping out of the holder the seat belt light flashes when you have your seat belt on. And also we are having problems with our passenger door getting stuck and not opening. We have two small children and a teenager. Help us please.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1

Aug 152004

Vue 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles
The caller said that while driving at low speeds steering wheel is hard to turn. She says it makes a squealing noise. Once the steering locked. She had to have the vehicle towed to dealer. She said it happened when she was turning into parking spots, driveways, and while turning corners. It started happening without warning, and it was an intermittent problem. Dealer duplicated the problem with the steering. They replaced something called steering shaft intermediate. Also, they replaced the ignition cylinder housing to fix the locking. They replaced it three times. Manufacturer said they will continue to help the caller with the repairs. But she could not duplicate the problem and was concerned about the safety issue.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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