Two problems related to front driver side air bag inflator have been reported for the 2003 Saturn VUE. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Saturn VUE based on all problems reported for the 2003 VUE.
It started with having strange clicking in the turn signals. Then the temp light would come on and the needle would bury itself into the red portion of the dial. We noticed no smell or problems with driving the car and the radiator and coolant resevior checked out to be fine. Next came the oil light on after we had already had the oil changed. Then the air bag light would stay on longer after starting the car. Then as suddenly as things started, everything went back to normal except the turn signals. A few weeks later it began. This time with the horn getting stuck, then the service light coming on and staying on along with the oil light. Then the airbag light started staying on longer and longer. By this time it is winter and I'm hearing strange sounds from the front of the car. One day we notice the horn is no longer working and the front end sound like it's going to fall off. We're afraid to use the heater defroster too much for fear the car may over heat. I take the vehicle in for oil change and diagnotic. It was not bought at a Saturn dealer. I am told that the housing for the oil filter is broken and needs replacing. I pay for half of that. I need new links in the front. The horn works. The temp gauge is going into the red. After I explained what was going on with the gauges. It was suggested I take it to a Saturn dealer. I went to my local Saturn dealer and they replaced the front links. They diagnosed the other problems airbag steer wheel contacts collapsed - $800. 00, shorted bcm- $449. 00, horn shorted- $101. 00, fuse blown-$23. 60, not including labor. Spoke with Saturn corp, they have agreed to pay $500. 00 toward repair of airbag as long as we go to the Saturn dealer. Presently we're seeking monetary assistance from the selling dealership which has moved over 50 miles away. This case is still pending.
The horn in my 2003 Saturn Vue malfunctioned. When taken to the local Saturn dealer for repair, they replaced several components ($400) and ultimately told me they had to replace the computer module that governed the horn ($700). They also told me that this module governed the airbags. However, the airbag warning light was not lit because the computer module had failed. A horn part shorted out and resulted in my son driving a car with no airbags and no warning of that.