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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

What owners actually said

406 reports
89,000 miles · Jul 20, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER (KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET NORTH, 22010 PERRY HWY, ZELIENOPLE, PA 16063, (724) 609-5069) MADE NO MENTION OF THE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STATE INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER (KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET NORTH, 22010 PERRY HWY, ZELIENOPLE, PA 16063, (724) 609-5069) MADE NO MENTION OF THE RUST ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STATE INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME MAINLY NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC AT THE INSPECTION STATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO RECALL CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #11006618

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

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2017
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THRUST PERFORMANCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THRUST PERFORMANCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED HER ABOUT A WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10991533

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

131,713 miles · May 11, 2017
Steering

LOST ALL POWER STEERING WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT 4 HRS. STARTED TO MOVE AND NO POWER STEERING CHECKED FUSE IT IS OK.

NHTSA ODI #10984986

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2008 SATURN VUE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR 3 ITEMS, ALL OF WHICH I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY FOR THESE RECALLS. I DID RECEIVE A NOTICE A FEW YEARS AGO BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS STILL OKAY AT THE TIME, I NEVER BROUGHT IT IN. THE 3 RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. L…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY 2008 SATURN VUE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR 3 ITEMS, ALL OF WHICH I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH BUT ACCORDING TO MY VIN NUMBER MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY FOR THESE RECALLS. I DID RECEIVE A NOTICE A FEW YEARS AGO BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS STILL OKAY AT THE TIME, I NEVER BROUGHT IT IN. THE 3 RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, 2. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 3. STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT MIKE ANDERSON CHEVROLETT DUE TO THESE ISSUES BUT THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S APPEARING COVERED IS THE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MY VIN HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL WHEN ALL THE 2008 SATURN VUE'S ARE MADE WITH THE SAME PARTS. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE DUE TO MY VEHICLE FALLING UNDER THE RECALL CATEGORY BUT NOT FALLING UNDER THE CORRECT VIN NUMBER CATEGORY. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY WON'T ALLOW ME TO GO PASS 40MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCKED MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO TURN AND THERE IS A LEAK, ALSO WHEN MY LOCKS ARE UNLOCKED THE HANDLES STILL WON'T OPEN AS IF IT'S STILL LOCKED. IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED.

NHTSA ODI #10981721

69,000 miles · Apr 28, 2017
Steering

2008 SATURN VUE LOSES POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN ENGINE BELOW 1000 RPM. POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS OK. THERE IS ALSO A WHINING NOISE THAT BECOMES LOUDER WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. NOISE IS SOMEWHAT DEPENDENT ON RPM, AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10981304

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2017
Unknown Or Other

EXTENSIVE RUST ON FRAME IN TWO AREAS.

NHTSA ODI #10970483

66,232 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALUMINUM WAS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE STEERING PUMP AND RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,2…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALUMINUM WAS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE STEERING PUMP AND RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,232.

NHTSA ODI #10968190

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.