Saturn VUE Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 683 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Saturn VUE across 9 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (128). The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (19% of reports).
- 683electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 15mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 132 of 683 complaints (19%)
- Key removed: mentioned in 37 of 683 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Saturn VUE at $1,000, and half of them between $490 and $1,200.
Based on 22 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2016), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 557 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 683 complaints, 15 mention a crash, 27 a fire, 7 an injury.
Saturn VUE electrical system complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:ignition
Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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 "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix: 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 this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 Saturn VUE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ignition key fell out of the ignition switch and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the key failed to fit back in the ignition switch. The contact turned off the vehicle. The…
The contact owns a 2003 Saturn Vue. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V490000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed the recall repair; however, the new ignition keys provided under the remedy failed to start the vehicle. The contact had…
I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get…
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…
Alternator I changed the starter I changed the alternator brand new it ran but then it stopped in mid drive and I won't just start and that's how I crashed into something now my car is wreck in the fridge and it won't start and if it does it stops
Frequently asked questions
Do all Saturn VUEs have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 683 owner complaints about electrical system for the Saturn VUE. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Saturn VUE electrical system?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Saturn VUE?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,000 (half paid between $490 and $1,200), from 22 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Saturn VUE?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 132 of 683 complaints, followed by “key removed” (37).
Other Saturn VUE problems
- Power Train problems (649)
- Air Bags problems (307)
- Steering problems (286)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (148)
- Engine problems (143)
- Suspension problems (129)
See all Saturn VUE problems.