WASHINGTON - Federal regulators are investigating the Saturn Vue sport utility vehicle after its rear suspension failed during two government rollover tests, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites) said Tuesday.

Saturn Vues from the 2002-2004 model years are being investigated. General Motors Corp. spokesman Jim Schell said the company has sold around 230,000 Saturn Vues since they were introduced in the 2002 model year.


"We are cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation," Schell said. He said he hasn't heard about any problems with the Vue in internal company tests.


NHTSA said the left-rear suspension failed on both the four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive Saturn Vues in June during a 45-mph test that includes a sharp turn. Both times, a wheel collapsed beneath the vehicle.


NHTSA said it also has received one complaint from a consumer who said his rear wheel bent under his 2003 Vue when he swerved after his vehicle left the road. The incident caused the vehicle to roll over.


NHTSA investigations sometimes lead to vehicle recalls, but NHTSA and GM haven't yet determined if the Vue should be recalled.


NHTSA began testing a vehicle's tendency to roll over with a moving test this year. Before that, the agency measured rollover propensity using a mathematical formula based on a vehicle's height and width. Under the old formula, the 2003 Saturn Vue received three out of five stars for rollover resistance. NHTSA hasn't given the 2004 Vue a starred rating.


___


On the Net:


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov


General Motors Corp., http://www.gm.com

 

wow, thats pretty bad...i was interested in the vue when i heard about the honda v-6...too bad its still fugly

 

I'm stiill trying to figure out why the Equinox which is based on the Vue platform only not fugly doesn't have the Honda V6

 

I've wondered about that also. Not only that, the hp rating for the Honda V6 in the Vue is higher than the same V6 in the Pilot.

 

Well Saturn being a "new kind of car company' can get away with putting a Honda engine in a SUV...

A chevy 'truck' with a Japanese engine just isnt going to fly.

Personally I would dig the equinox if it had the Honda 3.5 in it

I was actually concidering the VUE Redline VS the TSX...

The thing that killed it for me is they wont offer a manual with the V6 so screw those hippes

 

wow, interesting find...

Junkster, who wouldn't buy a Saturn in the first place

 

Ya, but the Pilot has upped the HP for 05 to 250.

 

I was surprised when they introduced the Honda V6 in the VUE in the first place. Reviews that I read about the VUE were quite happy with its power when it first came out, and it didn't have the Honda engine then, did it?

 

No it used the 3.4L 185 HP, 215 lb-ft motor thats in the Equinox and GM Minivans. The reviews I've read about the Equinox don't complain about the motor either. But Saturn wanted a Redline Vue and there was no was they were extracting anymore power out of the 3.4 so they went with the Honda. Honda was more than glad I would think since its money in their pocket.

I'd consider an Equinox with the 3.5L Honda the near perfect SUV although I may still consider buying an Equinox with the 3.4.

 

domn, SUVs are evil, didn't you know??



(j/k, partially)

 

I know, but I need space and praticality and don't want a Minivan. I have to crossover to the dark side.

 

 

 

Ya, but I was thinking Mazda 3 instead. The 6 is more than I need I think.

 

 

God damn Jcg, I don't have a money tree growing in the backyard you know

I'm just not seeing the benifits of buying new anymore unless its an econobox that can be had for cheap. I plan to buy used and want to spent in the area of 20K CAD. Most 02, 03 CR-V's are around 20 to 25 depending and a brand new Mazda 3 is about 25 on the road. I'm thinking a year old Mazda 3 next January is where I'm headed, pending news on the Honda Fit or new Civic.

 

 

:fingerfawk:

You buying?

 

j/k about that one

I think a used CRV would be a great utili-car and would probably have more utility than a Mazda3 5-door.

 

I'm starting to see a lot of new Legacies on the road - I like them. Of course, I drive by the headquarters for Subaru of America every other day

 

Only problem with CR-V. the 05's are getting freshened with new trannies and ext and int styling along with a few other small things. I hate it when I'm stuck in an old model.

The Outback would be sweet but we're talking 40 to 45K CAD.

 

 

just trying to help you out buddy

 

I see alot of particality in that. How much? But its also given me an idea.

How about a PT Cruiser? (as he strokes his chin)

 

:cop:

 

maybe, but while it is... any chance we'll see an Euro Accord based TSX sportwagon??

 

I dunno - the page was in German It was sold though.

The PT cruiser is recommended by CR

 

Who cares about Saturn recalls

 

Hey saturns are cars too

Who knows maybe somebody that somebody cares for on this forum knows somebody with a VUE and will let them know about it..

THIS POST COULD SAVE A LIFE!

Okay...

I'll put down my crack pipe.

 

now honda might use chevy's v8 in the future

 

Justin don't know...but the Oracle says yes. what ever that means

 

I can't see them selling a Wagon. With the disasater that was the IS 300 Sportcross, very unlikely IMO, but I ain't the Oracle either.

 

Hmmm, I think it's interesting that one drunk VUE owner complains and this is the shiet GM lands in.

 

I'm going to read into this and say that they will wagonize it + IMA and AWD.

Maybe they'll only sell 10 of them, but I'll buy one

 

Your avatar is suffering from red X syndrome