2003 Vue Manual Trans

[bswarm]

I just got my 2003 VUE 4cyl. 5 speed a few days ago, The salesman said it was hard to shift into reverse and that it would get easier as time went by. Well... not only is it hard (almost impossible) to shift into reverse, first gear is also hard to get into, and it feels like the shifter is out of adjustment because I have to find all the gears, sometimes hitting the wrong gear by mistake. Also what really worries me is a loud noise and lack of power when backing up, almost sounds like tires rubbing in the wheelwells, but only in reverse. It does not feel like a broken motor mount, but more like the trans is not all the way in reverse. I'm taking it back this week, hopefully it's something simple.
Has anyone else had similar problems?

[martlet]

I own a 2002 5sp Manual Vue. We had the same problem with the shift when the vehicle was new. We did not request any changes by the service department. We noticed that the "stiffness" was less with each day of driving. If your experience is like ours, one week from now it will feel totally different - it will be stiff but very very usable.

We have 10k miles on the Vue now. The shift is very loose. We have been 100% satisfied with the Vue. It is a wonderful vehicle.

Scott

Stone MTN - GA

[martlet]

Just noticed I did not respond to the problem of the loud noise. For these problems we have asked the service department to have a technician take a short drive with us. They have always agreed to do so. Any noises we may have experienced have either disappeared or have been fixed.

The week after our purchase we went back to our dealer to discuss any concerns we had. Like most members of this board have indicated - the service staff was glad to evaluate and if possible to fix anything wrong. That attitude prevails to this day.

I do agree with your salesperson on the stiff shift - ours was less stiff with each day of driving.

Please post on how things progress.

Congratulations again on the new vehicle.

Scott

[OhioVueBoy]

Sounds like you have the reverse shudder problem. There is no current fix for this, and even the Saturn engineers have called thisa normal characteristic of this powertrain.
~D.J.~

[bswarm]

I finally got my VUE into Saturn today, They retorqued the axle nuts which were causing a clunking noise upon acceleration (TSB# 2T52), But were unable to fix the shudder when backing up. They tried retorquing the motor mounts (as per TSB# 02T53), but the problem still exists.
They notated on the repair order that the shudder does indeed exist on this vehicle and no fix is available yet. The tech said it seems like it needs a stronger pressure plate. The service manager said they will call me if a fix becomes available. In my own humble opinion, (And I have 24 years experience working on cars to back me up!), I think it is a weak motor mount design causing the drive-train to shudder in reverse. Hopefully, if enough VUE owners complain about the reverse shudder, Saturn will find a fix for it.
(Odometer reading: 589 miles) Still love my VUE anyway, Thinking of buying a second one already!

[mr weather]

Given that there are a few TSB out for the '02 VUEs would it be reasonable to assume the retailer and/or factory will have these items corrected for the '03 models? I'm supposed to take delivery of my new AWD6 VUE next week and I hope these issues are resolved before I get it.

[ricksLS1]

Originally posted by mr weather
Given that there are a few TSB out for the '02 VUEs would it be reasonable to assume the retailer and/or factory will have these items corrected for the '03 models? I'm supposed to take delivery of my new AWD6 VUE next week and I hope these issues are resolved before I get it.

I would think but some L-Series still have vibration problems and there is a TSB out there and people with later models have problems. Maybe dirrerent causes. I had a TSB done for chattering wipers that the dealer di and after a month the problem returned.

[RedRockerL300]

I had the chattering blades too. Was told it was the arms. What a load of BS. It's the wipers themselves. Went and bought a set from AutoZone. Problem solved.

[BobL]

Had the arms changed too on wty. The chatter came back later, but to a lesser extent.

Crappy blades.

[ricksLS1]

Originally posted by RedRockerL300
I had the chattering blades too. Was told it was the arms. What a load of BS. It's the wipers themselves. Went and bought a set from AutoZone. Problem solved.

I did the same. Bought the Bosch blades corrected the problem.