Saturn VUE Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn VUE across 8 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (62). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (24% of reports).
- 148engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $3,250typical 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.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 35 of 148 complaints (24%)
- Service engine: mentioned in 13 of 148 complaints (9%)
- Catalytic converter: mentioned in 9 of 148 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Saturn VUE at $3,250, and half of them between $1,700 and $4,850.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2010), 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 engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 125 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 148 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 4 a fire.
Saturn VUE engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine and engine cooling for the Saturn VUE. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn vue. While driving various speeds, smoke emitted from underneath the hood area. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that oil leaked from the engine valve cover onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was…
Car stalled and wouldn't restart. Towed to garage where they determined the timing chain failed. *tr
The key will fall out of ignition while driving, also the door locks will fleaker off and on and the reading lights do not go off., i am afraid to have anyone in my car especially my grandchildren, i will be driving and the locks will start acting crazy going up and down causing my grandson to be…
This vehicle while going down the road the engine just cuts off, doesn't matter the speed you are traveling. It will start back up automatically but you loose speed .. It even cuts off when pulling away from stoplights and into traffic, then you have to put it in neutral and restart the engine. No…
I took the vehicle to my auto repair shop because of the recent onset of an unusual rumbling sound when decelerating. After a test drive and inspection the mechanic wrote these comments on the repair invoice. "determined front frame rusted through causing extreme movement of engine cradle and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Saturn VUEs have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 148 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling 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 engine and engine cooling?
No recall currently lists engine and engine cooling for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn VUE?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,250 (half paid between $1,700 and $4,850), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn VUE?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 35 of 148 complaints, followed by “service engine” (13).
Other Saturn VUE problems
- Electrical System problems (683)
- Power Train problems (649)
- Air Bags problems (307)
- Steering problems (286)
- Engine problems (143)
- Suspension problems (129)
See all Saturn VUE problems.