The 2002 Saturn Vue has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 202,482 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 220 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…
SEAT BELTS01V3860002001-12-18327 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR OUTER SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.
Consequence
IF THESE BOLTS WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED, THEY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. IF AN ANCHORAGE FAILED IN A CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
31
1crashes2fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
20
ENGINE
16
AIR BAGS
9
3crashes4injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9
1crashes1injuries
STEERING
9
1crashes3fires
POWER TRAIN
8
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
Total complaints220
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Car power shuts down while driving, unable to start again in any traffic or road conditions to move car to a safe area. Full loss of power unexpected, vehicle simply stops running. This vehicle was purchased 'used' from a private seller I suspect was well aware of the situation but didn't expose…”
“Car power shuts down while driving, unable to start again in any traffic or road conditions to move car to a safe area. Full loss of power unexpected, vehicle simply stops running. This vehicle was purchased 'used' from a private seller I suspect was well aware of the situation but didn't expose…”
“Car power shuts down while driving, unable to start again in any traffic or road conditions to move car to a safe area. Full loss of power unexpected, vehicle simply stops running. This vehicle was purchased 'used' from a private seller I suspect was well aware of the situation but didn't expose…”
“Air intake throttle is faulty. Making the engine run rough and causing other problems such as excessive fuel consumption. *tr”
“The ignition is fault. The key can be removed when vehicle is in on position. *tr”
“The ignition is fault. The key can be removed when vehicle is in on position. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn vue. While driving 30 mph, several dashboard warning indicators illuminated, including the battery warning indicator. Simultaneously, the power steering seized operation temporarily and caused the vehicle to swerve. Also, while traveling up an incline, the…”
“2002 saturn vue. Consumer is seeking reimbursement for vehicle amount. Consumer states that the frame was broken and rusted making vehicle unsafe to drive. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was located at an impound yard. The consumer was informed the vehicle was not able to be repaired. *js”
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…
InvestigationPE06006 Opened 2006-01-24 · closed 2006-06-06
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Saturn Vue as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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