What is the 2004-2007 Saturn Vue Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval?

2004-2007 Saturn Vue V6 used the Honda 3.5L J35 V6 (sourced from Honda) — same engine as the Honda Pilot/Odyssey/MDX. It uses a timing belt with a recommended replacement interval of 100,000 miles (or 7 years). Interference engine: failure to replace the belt risks catastrophic v… Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2005 Saturn Vue Vue VTi CVT Catastrophic Failure (2002-2005)?

Early Saturn Vue (2002-2005) was offered with the GM VT25 (VTi) continuously-variable transmission paired with the 2.2L Ecotec. The CVT was infamously unreliable — failure rates so high that GM extended warranty to 5 years/75,000 miles, and many independents won't touch them. Sym… Repairs typically run $1,200-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2007 Saturn Vue Front Subframe / Lateral Link Corrosion in Salt-Belt Regions?

Owners in northern, road-salt states report premature corrosion of the front subframe/cradle and rear lateral (suspension) links on early Vues, with cases of the subframe rusting through and causing unstable steering. GM acknowledged related rear lateral-link issues, and rear whe… Severity: high.

What is the 2008 Saturn Vue Automatic Transmission Park Pawl Casting Defect Recall (08V200)?

Certain 2008 Vue vehicles were recalled (NHTSA campaign 08V200000) for a casting defect in the automatic transmission case that can compromise the park pawl, eliminating the transmission's ability to be secured in Park. A vehicle left in Park can roll away, creating a crash hazar… Severity: high.

What is the 2008-2009 Saturn Vue Power Steering Line Nut Loosening — Leak and Fire Recall (08V470)?

On 2008-2009 Vue models, the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump can loosen, allowing high-pressure power steering fluid to leak. The fluid can contact hot exhaust components and potentially cause an engine-compartment fire. GM recalled 42,408 vehicles… Severity: high.

What is the 2008-2010 Saturn Vue 3.6L High Feature V6 (LY7) Timing Chain Stretch?

The 3.6L 'High Feature' V6 used in the redesigned 2008-2010 Vue (and shared with Aura/Outlook/Acadia/CTS) is prone to timing chain stretch, often aggravated by extended oil-change intervals. As the chains and plastic guides wear, cam/crank timing drifts out of correlation, trigge… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2005 Saturn Vue VTi (VT25-E) Continuously Variable Transmission Failure?

The 4-cylinder Vue's VTi CVT was GM's first high-volume CVT and proved badly unreliable, with the steel push-belt and related components wearing out prematurely. Owners experienced slipping, shuddering, jerky/erratic shifting, loud whining on acceleration, and sudden power loss,… Repairs typically run $3,500-$5,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2002-2004 Saturn Vue Ignition Key Can Be Removed When Not in 'Off' — Rollaway Recall (14V490)?

On affected 2002-2004 Vue vehicles, the ignition lock cylinder can wear such that the key may be removed when the ignition is not in the 'Off' position. If the key is pulled with an automatic transmission not in Park (or a manual without the parking brake set), the vehicle can ro… Severity: high.

What is the 2004-2007 Saturn Vue V6 Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak Soaking Coil Boots → Misfires?

On the 3.0L and 3.5L V6 Vue models, the valve cover gaskets become brittle and leak oil down into the spark plug tubes. The oil soaks the coil-on-plug boots, causing the rubber to swell and degrade so spark grounds out, producing misfires and rough running. Oil also drips onto th… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.

Saturn · Known Issues

2002-2010 Saturn Vue Problems: 9 Known Issues

2002-2010 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002-2010 Saturn Vue has 9 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval ($600-$1,500 repair), Vue VTi CVT Catastrophic Failure (2002-2005) ($1,200-$4,500 repair), Front Subframe / Lateral Link Corrosion in Salt-Belt Regions, Automatic Transmission Park Pawl Casting Defect Recall (08V200), Power Steering Line Nut Loosening — Leak and Fire Recall (08V470), 3.6L High Feature V6 (LY7) Timing Chain Stretch ($1,500-$3,500 repair), VTi (VT25-E) Continuously Variable Transmission Failure ($3,500-$5,000 repair) and Ignition Key Can Be Removed When Not in 'Off' — Rollaway Recall (14V490). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $200 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at .

All 9 Known Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Saturn Vue problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2002-2010 Saturn Vue has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval, Vue VTi CVT Catastrophic Failure (2002-2005), Front Subframe / Lateral Link Corrosion in Salt-Belt Regions. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Saturn Vue reliable?

The 2002-2010 Saturn Vue has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval and Vue VTi CVT Catastrophic Failure (2002-2005) and Front Subframe / Lateral Link Corrosion in Salt-Belt Regions and Automatic Transmission Park Pawl Casting Defect Recall (08V200) and Power Steering Line Nut Loosening — Leak and Fire Recall (08V470) and 3.6L High Feature V6 (LY7) Timing Chain Stretch and VTi (VT25-E) Continuously Variable Transmission Failure and Ignition Key Can Be Removed When Not in 'Off' — Rollaway Recall (14V490). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Saturn Vue problems?

Repair costs for known Saturn Vue issues range from $200 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval, typically costs $600-$1,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Saturn Vue is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Saturn Vue. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2002-2010 Saturn Vue with 9 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 9 Known Issues

Vue VTi CVT Catastrophic Failure (2002-2005)#

Automatic Transmission Park Pawl Casting Defect Recall (08V200)#

VTi (VT25-E) Continuously Variable Transmission Failure#

Vue 3.5L Honda V6 Timing Belt Service Interval#

3.6L High Feature V6 (LY7) Timing Chain Stretch#

V6 Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak Soaking Coil Boots → Misfires#

Front Subframe / Lateral Link Corrosion in Salt-Belt Regions#

Power Steering Line Nut Loosening — Leak and Fire Recall (08V470)#

Ignition Key Can Be Removed When Not in 'Off' — Rollaway Recall (14V490)#

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