Two problems related to engine failure have been reported for the 2002 Saturn VUE. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Saturn VUE based on all problems reported for the 2002 VUE.
I'm the original owner of a 2002 Saturn Vue awd with the gm vti transmission and engine. Two days ago I experienced my transmission/engine failing for the fifth or sixth time since 2006. The very first time I took my Vue to the dealership in austin, TX where I had to argue with first my service rep. Followed by his manager that the problem was with the transmission. Since the faulty gm design was still relatively new, they originally blamed me for poor driving, resulting a bad bcm which they made me pay in spite of my argument the faulty gm design was the origin of the problem. First time it cost me $1500 to repair my car that had less than 60,000 miles on it. This however was quite an ordeal since my vehicle actually lost power on three or four different occasions. I would immediately go to the dealership for assistance with what I knew was the transmission. After bugging them almost everyday with the same problem they finally admitted gms transmission problems and replaced my transmission on the third visit. The second transmission lasted approximately a year. In 2007 I had relocated within the state and was experiencing similar problems and reluctantly called my local Saturn dealership. Here we go again another $500 for odds and ends and this time it was supposedly the ecm and of course it did not fix the problem! the transmission was finally replaced on my third trip! however they did not pay for my loaner car though I requested one. Brings us to 2009, when the above mentioned dealer had gone out of business and I of course had transmission problems! luckily I found a dealership near and had my car towed to them. They confirmed by that afternoon that the transmission was bad! they replaced the transmission, and closed for business within three days. No loaner car again. Here I sit again with the transmission dangerously going out, and dreading the thought of the Saturn dealership fiascoes. At what point will gm take these dangerous 2002-2005 cars off the road?.
2002 Saturn Vue 4 cylinder engine. Catastrophic engine failure at 74,000 miles. Timing chain broke without warning, shutting down vehicle while driving. Caused damage to eight of the sixteen valves. Have to replace chain, have cylinder heads machined and other work done (still in progress). Parts are only available from Saturn.