Undeclared significant change to AWD performance due to rear drive module (rdm) warranty replacement. Saturn replaced the rdm in my AWD Vue on 17 December as part of the lower control link recall campaign. The replaced rdm has modified engagement characteristics from the original rdm my Vue was delivered with. (the rdm had a change from a 40-60 RPM difference to a 80-100 RPM difference engagement threshold. The resulting change in AWD performance has resulted in effective fwd conversion under normal driving conditions. Partial throttle application results in complete loss of front wheel traction and late abrupt power transfer to rear wheels with significant torque steer. My discovery of this change came during a green-light freeway exit transition with a left turn. In turn exit power application, front wheels lost traction, the Vue started to slip laterally. Then AWD engagement occurred abruptly with heavy front wheel torque steer. My Vue made a partial incursion into adjacent traffic lane (unoccupied). I was at this point able to regain control. Returned to Saturn service center, advised them of the issues and was advised by them that this change was permanent and that my vehicle could not be returned to original operating parameters. It was at this point, via service center contact with Saturn care that it was determined by my service center that the rdm had been changed internally to engage in this new range. My Saturn service center had no previous knowledge of this change in the rdm and therefore not able to advise drivers of the significantly different handling characteristics of the new rdm.

- Issaquah, WA, USA