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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
78,000 miles · Jun 1, 2016
Visibility/wiper

THE PASSENGER WIPER ARM DISCONNECTED FROM THE MOTOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN. LUCKY I WAS NEAR MY HOME AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10871957

81,000 miles · May 26, 2016
Electrical System

DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED MY CAR TURNED OFF BRIEFLY LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND WE WHERE ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I CHECKED AND EVALUATED THE CAR AND WE CONTINUED ON. 35 MILES LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. WHEN WE STOPPED THIS TIME I REMOVED THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE KEY RING AND WE TRAVELED 500 MILES…

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DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED MY CAR TURNED OFF BRIEFLY LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND WE WHERE ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I CHECKED AND EVALUATED THE CAR AND WE CONTINUED ON. 35 MILES LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. WHEN WE STOPPED THIS TIME I REMOVED THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE KEY RING AND WE TRAVELED 500 MILES TO HOME. I HAD THE IGNITION EVALUATED AT VICTORY LAYNE CHEVY AND THEY DETERMINED THE IGNITION WAS WORN AND REPLACED IT BUT WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE ACTIVE GM IGNITION RECALL. IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SATURNS.

NHTSA ODI #10870960

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE "OFF" POSITION ONCE THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE SHIFTER IN PARK. THE KEY WAS STUCK THE AFTER DRIVING ? HAD POWER BUT I COULDNT REMOVE MY KEY , ITS STUCK , COULDN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL ITS LOCKED. I TRIED MOVING BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE IGN…

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AFTER DRIVING MY CAR THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE "OFF" POSITION ONCE THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE SHIFTER IN PARK. THE KEY WAS STUCK THE AFTER DRIVING ? HAD POWER BUT I COULDNT REMOVE MY KEY , ITS STUCK , COULDN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL ITS LOCKED. I TRIED MOVING BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE IGNITION KEY WOULD RELEASE ALLOWING THE KEY OUT SO CAN LEAVE. KEY IN "OFF" POSITION. I COULDNT REMOVE THE KEY, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THIS HAPPENED TWICE NOW ? BOTH TIMES AFTER DRIVING IN ON SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD FWY. ?

NHTSA ODI #10870192

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2016
Unknown Or OtherInjury

2008 SATURN VUE, LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS THAT HOLD THE LIFTGATE UP WHEN OPEN. THESE STRUTS FAILED AND THE OPEN LIFTGATE SUDDENLY FALLED AND UNEXPECTEDLY IT STRIKES ME ON HEAD. CAR WAS PARKED IN LEVEL DRIVEWAY AND I JUST OPEN IT UP - 7 SECONDS LATER IT CRUSHED MY HEAD. VERY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS TO CLOSE WITHOUT GAS STRUTS IT'S …

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2008 SATURN VUE, LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS THAT HOLD THE LIFTGATE UP WHEN OPEN. THESE STRUTS FAILED AND THE OPEN LIFTGATE SUDDENLY FALLED AND UNEXPECTEDLY IT STRIKES ME ON HEAD. CAR WAS PARKED IN LEVEL DRIVEWAY AND I JUST OPEN IT UP - 7 SECONDS LATER IT CRUSHED MY HEAD. VERY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS TO CLOSE WITHOUT GAS STRUTS IT'S TOO HEAVY AND SLAMS CLOSED.

NHTSA ODI #10870189

157,955 miles · May 11, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,955.

NHTSA ODI #10864412

68,000 miles · Apr 22, 2016
Air Bags

I HAVE JUST PAID TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION WHERE THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO SAY WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD CORRECTLY DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. I AM UNABLE TO UPL…

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I HAVE JUST PAID TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION WHERE THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO SAY WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD CORRECTLY DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD THE RECEIPT DUE TO FILE SIZE. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THEY COULD PROVIDE DETAILS IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI #10860979

94,446 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAULT AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P0716, P0776, P0717, P0777, P2714, P2715, AND/OR P02723 ON SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH A 6SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY DEVELOP ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FAULTS RELATED TO A BROKEN 35R CLUTCH WAVE PLATE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION: ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LI…

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TRANSMISSION FAULT AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P0716, P0776, P0717, P0777, P2714, P2715, AND/OR P02723 ON SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH A 6SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY DEVELOP ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FAULTS RELATED TO A BROKEN 35R CLUTCH WAVE PLATE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION: ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P0716, P0776, P0717, P0777, P2714, P2715, AND/OR P02723, LOSS OF REVERSE GEAR, SLIPPING OR HARSH 3RD OR 5TH GEAR SHIFT. REMOVAL AND DIS-ASSEMBLY OF THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE BROKEN 35R WAVE PLATE. IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT ALL DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED PART BE CLEANED FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE IT IS DISASSEMBLED IN ORDER TO TRY AND PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS THIS AFFECTED 4 MODEL YEARS: 2003, 2006, 2008 AND 2009 WHY WASN'T A RECALL DONE ON THIS? NOW I'M OUT OF POCKET FOR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10860560

9,000 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED A LOT MORE FORCE TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED A LOT MORE FORCE TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860511

115,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Electrical System

THE HEATER CORE WENT BAD IN THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE CHEMICALS AND THE WINDOWS ALWAYS FOGGED UP WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10855168

128,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Steering

THE BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. THUS WHEN YOU TURNED THE WHEEL, THE TIRES DID NOT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #10855166

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.