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2004 Saturn Vue: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Saturn Vue, most recently filed August 2014. Owners have filed 276 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Saturn Vue. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2004 Saturn Vue. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V490000 Filed Aug 8, 2014

Ignition Key Can Be Removed When In On Position

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
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 operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
36.5% repairedof 202,155 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V490000
Listed for 2004 Saturn Vue. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V519000 Filed Dec 19, 2003

GM/FMVSS 120/TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
IF THE WHEEL RIM SIZE IS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON A TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SOLELY USES THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR SERVICE INFORMATION MAY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED WHEEL WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
Repair progress not yet reported6,134 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V519000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (276)

276 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

23involved a crash
5involved a fire
20injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Saturn Vue, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 276.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Vue years

Best and worst Vue years →
200220032004200520062007200820092010
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
21
city
26
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
386 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Saturn Vue configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.2 L 4-cyl · CVT4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200423
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$3,350444
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 Vue for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Vue years

Where to next

2004 Saturn Vue FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Saturn Vue have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 14V490000 (electrical), 03V519000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Saturn Vue problems?

Owners filed 276 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (93), Electrical system (78), Suspension (33) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Saturn Vue get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2004 Vue compare with other years?

Among the 2002–2010 Saturn Vue model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (6) and the 2003 the most (622). The 2004 drew 276. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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