Recall 14V490 covers 202,155 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles because the key can come out with ignition not Off. Free repair at any franchised Saturn dealer.
Saturn recall 14V490 covers 202,155 2002-2004 Vue vehicles because the ignition key can be removed before the ignition is in the off position. An unsecured vehicle can roll away and increase the risk of a crash or occupant or pedestrian injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The ignition lock on a 2002-2004 Saturn Vue is the part you turn with the key to start and shut off the vehicle. It is supposed to keep the key captured until the ignition is in the Off position. That lock position matters because it tells the driver the vehicle has been fully shut down before the key comes out.
In affected Vue vehicles, the ignition system does not always hold the key the way it should. The key can be removed while the ignition is still turned away from Off. That leaves the driver with a key in hand even though the ignition position does not match a normal shutdown.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner-visible clue is the defect itself: the key comes out when the ignition is not in Off, or the ignition position feels out of step with the key being removed.
Who's affected?
Covers three model years of the Saturn Vue, all tied to the same ignition electrical system component.
| 2004 Saturn Vue | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2003 Saturn Vue | electrical system |
| 2002 Saturn Vue | electrical system |
| Units affected | 202,155 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the key comes out before the ignition is fully off, the vehicle can roll away unless it is secured in Park, or in Reverse with the parking brake set for a manual transmission. That rollaway risk increases the risk of a crash and injuries to occupants or pedestrians. Repair will be free at any franchised Saturn dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2004 Saturn Vue is included in this recall.
- Contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000 for current repair handling and reference recall number 14V490 when you call.
- Ask which franchised Saturn service location can inspect whether the key pulls out when the ignition is not off.
- Schedule the free ignition-cylinder and key replacement if the inspection confirms the key-removal defect.
- Set the automatic transmission in Park before exiting, or set a manual transmission in Reverse and engage the parking brake until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Saturn technician inspects whether the key pulls out when the ignition is off. If that happens, the technician replaces the ignition cylinder and keys. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Until the vehicle is remedied, put an automatic transmission fully in Park before exiting. For a manual transmission, shift to Reverse and engage the parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
Timeline
| August 8, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 20, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V490?
Recall 14V490 covers 202,155 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles with an ignition defect that lets the key come out when the ignition is not in the off position. That creates a rollaway risk. Saturn dealers inspect the ignition cylinder and replace the cylinder and keys for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2002-2004 Saturn Vue is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Vue is included in recall 14V490. If it is, contact a franchised Saturn dealer or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000 and reference GM recall number 14506. Until the repair is complete, use Park before exiting an automatic Vue.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. For recall 14V490, Saturn dealers inspect the ignition and replace the ignition cylinder and keys free of charge when the key-removal defect is present.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway after the driver exits. If the key comes out while the ignition is not off, an automatic Vue not in Park, or a manual Vue not in Reverse with the parking brake engaged, can roll away and increase crash or injury risk.
What if I bought my Saturn Vue used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2002-2004 Saturn Vue is included, then call the dealer with recall 14V490 or GM recall number 14506.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V490000 |
|---|---|
| Saturn customer service | 1-800-553-6000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V490 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V490000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →