Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Saturn Vue
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Saturn Vue has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 276 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V490000 Ignition Key Can Be Removed When In On Position NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V519000 GM/FMVSS 120/TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 93 complaints
- Electrical System 78 complaints
- Suspension 33 complaints
- Air Bags 18 complaints
- Unknown or Other 17 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 16 complaints
Of the 276 complaints on file, 23 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 276 complaints, owners report 20 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Saturn VUE shows below-average reliability, with significant complaints in power train and electrical systems. Two recalls affect ignition issues and incorrect equipment labeling. Limited data on other issues restricts a comprehensive assessment.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | Unknown | $800–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $100–$1,200 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake inspections
- Transmission fluid changes
- Coolant replacements
- Spark plug replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Electrical failures
- Transmission slipping
- Airbag warning light
- Steering difficulties
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Saturn Vue at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.