The Lemon Index

All cars · Saturn Vue · 2002

2002 Saturn Vue. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index69100 = average car
Complaints53NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold75,871U.S. model year
Per 100K sold70complaints
Complaint rank#2 of 7among the 7 scored Saturn Vue model years (2002–2008); #1 = fewest complaints per car sold, not the YouTube rank

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 48,900 miles. Median 16,000, from 32 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical21%
Transmission & drivetrain19%
Steering15%
Airbags15%
Engine9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
5370300

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 14V490000 Aug 2014 Electrical System / Ignition

    Defect. 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 occup

    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 this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operato

  • 01V386000 Dec 2001 Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage

    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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedTiming chain failure20062006
ClosedRear suspension toe control link20042004

Manufacturer communications 485

Saturn filed 485 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Some customers may comment about a rattle or tapping noise coming from the steering column…
  • Some customers may comment about a ratle or tapping noise coming from the steering column…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.2L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.2L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD20 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.2L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)4Wheel or AWD18 / 24 / 21Regular$2,950
3.0L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002695375,871Electrical
200329519781,924Transmission & drivetrain
2004926886,957Transmission & drivetrain
2005422791,972Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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