Vue (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
L61 ALUM
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
L66
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Saturn Vue Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L81
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAT - MFI, DOHC, BAS (for Hybrid)
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 10 additional engine variants with limited data
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L82
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LMG
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.9-I4-Gas
1.9L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.7-V8-Gas
5.7L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.8L 6-cyl
4.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LV6
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE8
2.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LA1
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue
The number of mild hybrid versions built is not on file, so this cannot be set against other mild hybrids per vehicle built.
What kind of battery complaint?
What the 16 battery-related complaints describe. One complaint can name more than one of these, so the shares add up to more than 100%. They describe what owners complained about, not how often the vehicle fails.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2007] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, BATTERY, CABLES, AND BATTERY FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN CLEARED THE CODES FROM THE SYSTEM, REPLACED THE HYBRID SYSTEM, AND THE ENERGY CONTROL MODULE. THE REMEDY FAIL
- [2007] I WAS DRIVING TO COLLEGE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, THE AUTO-STOP FEATURE KICKED IN BUT ONCE I STARTED GOING, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HORRIBLY AND THE LIGHTS DIMMING. THE AIRBAG, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS DASH LIGHTS ALL STARTED TURNING ON AND THEN OFF ALSO. SO I NOW HAVE BOTH CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS STAYING O
- [2007] CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING OFF THE LOT. SEVERE ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER ISSUES. THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER PROBLEMS. THE RADIO QUIT WORKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH/CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WE PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH GM KNEW ABOUT SIMILAR I
High-Voltage Battery
- [2007] THE IGNITION WAS NOT TURNING OVER PROPERLY. THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CAME ON. THE (ABS) LIGHT CAME ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE MY CAR FROM FRESNO TO YOSEMITE AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PARK GARAGE IT BROKE DOWN AND I MANAGED TO ROLL IT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A STALL. I REQUESTED PROFESSIONAL A
- [2007] 2007 SATURN VUE HYBRID CHECK BATTERY LIGHT ON WHEN CAR STARTED. LOST HYBRID FUNCTIONS, THE ALL CHECK LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE, STARTING WITH BATTERY, THEN ENGINE, LOST ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABILITY TO STEER CAR ETC. CAR STOPPED WORKING AND 12 VOLT BATTERY COULD NOT EVEN BE JUMP STARTED. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE AUGUST 30, 2010. SHOP UNABLE TO TELL ME WHEN CAR WILL BE RETURNED. PERHAPS AFTE
- [2007] I HAVE A 2007 SATURN VUE GREEN LINE. OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ON STARTING AFTER STOPPING OR COMING TO A NEAR STOP (BRAKING AND THEN ACCELERATING). THE ENGINE STALLS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. CODES WERE RESET AND I WAS TOL
Electric Propulsion
- [2007] 2007 SATURN VUE WAS SERVICED BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. DEALER REPLACED AND FIXED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WAS STILL NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE VEHICLE RAN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME, AND THERE WAS EVEN MORE WIND NOISE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH THE NEW RUBBER SEAL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED MAJOR LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2007] 2007 SATURN VUE GREENLINE (HYBRID) HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAULTS RELATED TO ELECTRICAL CHARGING SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S ADVISORY LETTER, AFTER THE "CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT COMES ON, THE VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND THE VEHICLE'S 12 VOLT BATTERY WILL PROVIDE 20-60 MINUTES OF RUN TIME BEFORE THE ENTIRE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS TOTALLY DISABLED. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER SERVI
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. The rate divides those complaints by the electrified versions built, from the production counts makers report to NHTSA, and it is not adjusted for age. Death and injury figures count complaints that report one, not the number an owner typed in.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Vue, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002-2007 Saturn Vue
On a used 2002-2007 Saturn Vue, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (582), the transmission and drivetrain (519) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (284). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 582 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 519 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 224 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue about the engine, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue about the steering.
Recalls (3)
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.
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. THE PRINTED WHEEL RIM DESIGNATION SPECIFIED A 16-INCH WHEEL WHEN A 17-INCH WHEEL DESIGNATION WAS REQUIRED.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2007 Saturn Vue complaints?
Owners have filed 1,845 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the transmission and the safety systems.
Is the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,845 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue have?
NHTSA has 1,845 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2002-2007 Saturn Vue vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Saturn Vue?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the transmission and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Vue?
The 2007 Saturn Vue received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,845 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.