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2008 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

329 reports with mileage · 77 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports11 fire reports10 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2018
Service Brakes

EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING THE ABS BRAKES WILL START ENGAGING EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT HITTING THE BRAKES. THE ABS AND BOTH TRACTION LIGHTS COME ON. THEY ALSO ENGAGE WHILE I AM TRYING TO STOP EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT ON WET/ICY ROADS. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE FIX FOR THIS. WE HAVE CHECKED AND REPLACED EVERYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11131576

190,000 miles · Jan 12, 2018
Service Brakes

BRAKES LOCKUP WHEN DRIVING. ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN AFTER TAKING TO DEALER. PLEASE HELP!! CAR WAS IN MOTION AT NORMAL SPEEDS 55 MPH WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11062329

78,000 miles · Oct 27, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (AIRPORT CHEVROLET, 3001 BIDDLE RD, MEDFORD, OR 97504), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO LACK OF FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (AIRPORT CHEVROLET, 3001 BIDDLE RD, MEDFORD, OR 97504), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO LACK OF FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *LN UPDATED 8/3/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11040401

118,000 miles · Jul 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

AROUND JUNE 22, 2017HE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ABS, TRACTION CONTROL TC/ESP ELEC. STABILITY, AWD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, AND BRAKE WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT RESET ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL INDICATING THE SYSTEMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING/POWERED ON AND/OR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ON MAY 9, 2017 SCOTT AUTOMOTIVE PUT NEW BRAK…

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AROUND JUNE 22, 2017HE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ABS, TRACTION CONTROL TC/ESP ELEC. STABILITY, AWD ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, AND BRAKE WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT RESET ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL INDICATING THE SYSTEMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING/POWERED ON AND/OR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ON MAY 9, 2017 SCOTT AUTOMOTIVE PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE CAR. THEY COULD NOT GET A READING FROM THE ABS/TC CONTROL SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED TAKING IT TO A DEALER - IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE. A TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AND LATER IN THE WEEK, CARTER AUTO REPAIR REPLACED THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AND STATED WITH THE CORRECT READING EQUIPMENT THE ABS/TC STILL WAS NOT COMMUNICATING AND ALSO SUGGESTED HAVING GM PERFORM A READING. GM TECHNICIANS' ONLINE RESPONSES TO FORUM COMPLAINTS OF 2008 SATURN VUE (AND OTHER MODELS) STABILITY TRACK SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES LEAD ME TO BELIEVE GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT HAVE YET TO TAKE RECALL ACTION TO ADDRESS THEM. THE VEHICLE RUNS THROUGH A SELF-CHECK OF THE SENSORS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED WITH ONLY THE AWD LIGHT BLINKING AND THE NORMAL ALL LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH AND THEN THE BRAKE, ABS, BOTH TC/ESP LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON AND THE AWD LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THE TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS ARE NOT ON AND WORKING SO I AM HOPING WHEN I TAKE THE CAR TO GM ON WEDNESDAY THEY WILL OFFER TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY MOTHER BECAUSE IT HAS A 5-STAR SAFETY RATING AND IT IS NO LONGER SAFE FOR HER TO DRIVE IF SHE IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND SHE SKIDS ACROSS THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11002703

150,430 miles · May 17, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD A HOLE DUE TO IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD A HOLE DUE TO IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,430.

NHTSA ODI #10986143

100,000 miles · Apr 14, 2017
Service Brakes

I HAVE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ABS AND STABILITY RESPONSE TO MY VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN AT NTB STATED MY WIRING HARNESS IS CORRODED. TO ME THIS IS NOT A NORMAL THING TO HAVE GENERAL MAINTENANCE. THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALLS NOTED FOR THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. ALTHOU…

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I HAVE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ABS AND STABILITY RESPONSE TO MY VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN AT NTB STATED MY WIRING HARNESS IS CORRODED. TO ME THIS IS NOT A NORMAL THING TO HAVE GENERAL MAINTENANCE. THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALLS NOTED FOR THIS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. ALTHOUGH I CAN STILL BRAKE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10972372

56,178 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER ONE AND HALF YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT AND REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,178.

NHTSA ODI #10955240

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2016
Service BrakesSteering

FIRST WAS THE PARKING BRAKE, AFTER SHOPPING IN WILLIAMSBURG MALL WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE, THE PARKING BRAKES GOT STUCK.TOWED TO MECHANIC AND THEY RELEASED THE BRAKE SO THAT WE COULD GO BACK HOME, RICHMOND. AND TOLD ME NOT TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TILL A MECHANIC IN MY CITY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. TODAY DEC …

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FIRST WAS THE PARKING BRAKE, AFTER SHOPPING IN WILLIAMSBURG MALL WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE, THE PARKING BRAKES GOT STUCK.TOWED TO MECHANIC AND THEY RELEASED THE BRAKE SO THAT WE COULD GO BACK HOME, RICHMOND. AND TOLD ME NOT TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TILL A MECHANIC IN MY CITY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. TODAY DEC 12 2016, THE BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK WHILE DRIVIN HOME AFTER TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK, WITHIN THE CITY, I NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL WAS GETTING HARDER, I DID MADE HOME AND I CHECKED THE WHEELS,ALL FOUR, AND THE DISKS WERE VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH AND THE BRAKES ARE LOCKED, THE CAR IS ABOUT 58,000 MILES ONLY. ANY IDEA WHAT IS, I HAVE TO MENTION THAT 5/6 MONTH AGO I HAD PROBLEM WITH THE ABS, ALL LIGHTS CONCERNING THE BRAKES CAME ON, TRACTION AND ABS AND OTHERS, IT COST ME AROUND $300.00 TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. ANY KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, IS THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE? ALSO THE POWER STEERING FLUID NEED TO BE FILLED EVERY MONTH, I NOTICE OIL ON THE DRIVEWAY. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934824

129,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Service BrakesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ODI #10924018

150,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

WHILE IN MOTION THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO ENGAGE THEMSELVES. VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO MOVE VERY WELL.VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN QUICKLY WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAME TO A STOP WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE. PULLED OVER AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE SMOKING.

NHTSA ODI #10873313

Official recalls

3

09V233000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Jun 25, 2009

GM IS RECALLING 44,451 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH BODY COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES MAY STICK OR BIND. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DOOR MAY NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR COULD RESULT IN AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WITH CHROME DOOR HANDLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V470000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Sep 17, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 42,408 MY 2008-2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NUT SECURING THE POWER STEERING LINE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY LOOSEN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THERE MAY BE A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FLUID COULD CONTACT HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE NUT SECURING THE POWER STEERING LINE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IF THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF A FLUID LEAK, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT. IF A FLUID LEAK IS PRESENT, DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT AND CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V200000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

May 5, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CASE SIDE BORE THAT HOLDS THE PARK PAWL PIVOT PIN MAY HAVE A CASTING POROSITY. THIS CONDITION, COUPLED WITH NORMAL OPERATING STRESSES, COULD LEAD TO FAILURE, ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION IN 'PARK' POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN ITS PATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09016 · Outside Door Handles Stick Unlatched

Opened Mar 10, 2009 · Closed Jul 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

BY LETTER DATED JUNE 23, 2009, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 09V233) TO REPLACE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES CAN STICK IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION.THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE AGENCY OPENED ITS INVESTIGATION BASED ON TWO COMPLAINTS OF DOOR LATCH FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.THE AGENCY ALSO RECEIVED EARLY WARNING (EWR) REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE.CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES HAVE PAINTED BODY-COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES THAT MAY STICK OR BIND.IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DOOR MAY NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED.DRIVING WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING PARTLY OR FULLY OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.BASED ON THE ABOVE SAFETY RECALL, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.