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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
88,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Air Bags

I HAD WORK DONE AFTER STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR CAUSING ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THE. NOT LONG AFTER THAT MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN USING MY TURNING SIGNAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG COULD BE FOUND. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOU…

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I HAD WORK DONE AFTER STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR CAUSING ABS WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THE. NOT LONG AFTER THAT MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN USING MY TURNING SIGNAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG COULD BE FOUND. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT OTHER SATURN AND GM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS DETERMINE TO BE A FAULTY AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING OR CONNECTOR. NOW I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WHERE I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF I AM IN A ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10730158

76,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION STUTTERED ONCE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, AGAIN LATER DRIVING APPRX 35 MPH CHANGING LANES; SLIGHT ACCELERATION. THEN NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, STOP THE CAR AND BEGAN CHECKING THE VEHICLE MANUAL WHICH INDICATED POSSIBLE EMISSION ISSUES +++. BEGAN RESEARCHING WHERE THE CLOSE…

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TRANSMISSION STUTTERED ONCE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, AGAIN LATER DRIVING APPRX 35 MPH CHANGING LANES; SLIGHT ACCELERATION. THEN NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, STOP THE CAR AND BEGAN CHECKING THE VEHICLE MANUAL WHICH INDICATED POSSIBLE EMISSION ISSUES +++. BEGAN RESEARCHING WHERE THE CLOSEST GM DEALER WAS LOCATED. I TURNED THE ENGINE ON, PUT IT IN REVERSE, CHECKING FOR CLEARANCE BEHIND ME THEN STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR.... THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR STARTED TO DRIFT FORWARD TOWARDS THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. "NO REVERSE?" GOOD THING I LEFT PLENTY OF PARKING CLEARANCE. I THEN RESEARCHED WERE A TRANSMISSION SHOP WAS LOCATED. AFTER THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME PULLED OUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OUT OF THE SHOPPING CENTER... ONCE ON THE MAIN ROAD HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON BECAUSE THE SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR WOULD LIKE SLIP, GOING INTO A HIGH REV, LETTING UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR ALLOWED SHIFTING TO PROGRESS. THANK GOODNESS THE TRANNY SHOP WAS ONLY 1/2 MILE AWAY. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER THE SHOP CALLED THAT A COUPLE OF CODES INDICATING POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC FAULTS MAY BE THE CAUSE. NOW WAITING FOR FOLLOW UP.

NHTSA ODI #10725864

73,400 miles · Jun 11, 2015
Power TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DECREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DECREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,400.

NHTSA ODI #10724783

130,000 miles · Jun 6, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

LAST SUMMER THE AIR WORKED ON AND OFF. PROBLEMS WERE WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED DRIVING AND IN TRAFFIC BUT OTHERWISE WORKED WELL. THIS YEAR IT HAS NOT WORKED AT ALL. IT BLOWS FINE BUT IT'S ONLY HOT AIR. MECHANIC SAID FREON WAS FINE AND COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER TRYING EVERYTHING HE COULD. HE REPLACED A SWITCH OR SOMETHI…

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LAST SUMMER THE AIR WORKED ON AND OFF. PROBLEMS WERE WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED DRIVING AND IN TRAFFIC BUT OTHERWISE WORKED WELL. THIS YEAR IT HAS NOT WORKED AT ALL. IT BLOWS FINE BUT IT'S ONLY HOT AIR. MECHANIC SAID FREON WAS FINE AND COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER TRYING EVERYTHING HE COULD. HE REPLACED A SWITCH OR SOMETHING WHICH I CAN'T RECALL RIGHT NOW BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. HE IS A WELL RESPECTED MECHANIC IN THE SAME PLACE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I LIVE IN A VERY HOT AND HUMID AREA OF THE COUNTRY AND HAVE MEDICAL ISSUES WHICH MAKE DRIVING THE CAR A CONCERN FOR ME. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10723779

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2015
Air Bags

VERY UPSET THAT ALOT OF GMC VEHICLES/SATURNS ARE ON A RECALL FOR AIRBAG PROBLEMS. EXCEPT MINE!!! MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE TWICE NOW. FIRST IN DEC 2014 THEN SUDDENLY WENT OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL (LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN) TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEN MESSED WITH THE WIRES AND GOT THE LIGHT OUT BUT SA…

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VERY UPSET THAT ALOT OF GMC VEHICLES/SATURNS ARE ON A RECALL FOR AIRBAG PROBLEMS. EXCEPT MINE!!! MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE TWICE NOW. FIRST IN DEC 2014 THEN SUDDENLY WENT OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL (LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN) TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEN MESSED WITH THE WIRES AND GOT THE LIGHT OUT BUT SAID IF IT CAME ON AGAIN IT WOULD NEED REPLACED. WELL IT'S ON AGAIN AND IT WILL BE ABOUT $1,500+ TO HAVE IT REPAIRED!! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT!! AIR-BAGS DON'T WEAR OUT! THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GMC!!!

NHTSA ODI #10723683

88,297 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITH THE KEY BEING DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. ELECTRICAL LIGHTS AND OPERATIONS BECAME SPORADIC. DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713262

89,663 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIFFERENT REPAIR. UPON DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT ON FRIDAY, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS CAR HAS EXPE…

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THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIFFERENT REPAIR. UPON DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT ON FRIDAY, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS CAR HAS EXPERIENCED MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURES INCLUDING IGNITION FAILURE/REPLACEMENT, HVAC MODULE FAILURE/REPLACEMENT, BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE/REPLACEMENT, BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE/REPLACEMENT AND NOW THE AIRBAG MODULE FAILURE/REPLACEMENT. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF OF THE ROADS DUE TO SEVERE SAFETY HAZARDS AND SYSTEMS FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713253

79,432 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Equipment Adaptive/mobilityService Brakes

OUR 2008 SATURN VUE XE RECENTLY STARTED LOCKING UP THE ABS AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND MOST FRIGHTENINGLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WILL APPLY THE BRAKES AT WILL FOR NO REASON AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS COME ON. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE HAVE …

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OUR 2008 SATURN VUE XE RECENTLY STARTED LOCKING UP THE ABS AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND MOST FRIGHTENINGLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WILL APPLY THE BRAKES AT WILL FOR NO REASON AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS COME ON. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WE HAVE REPLACED ALL BRAKE HARDWARE AND THE ISSUE STILL EXISTS. WE HAVE DONE COUNTLESS HOURS OF RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF SATURN, CHEVROLET, AND COMMODORE VEHICLES EXHIBIT THE SAME ISSUES AND GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIPS DO NOT EVEN HAVE AN ANSWER. THE VEHICLE BRAKE ISSUES RENDER THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND CAUSE IMMEDIATE SLOWNESS AND INABILITY TO MANEUVER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT LOCKS UP. WE CANNOT USE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL RESOURCES AND OPTIONS TRYING TO FIX THE ISSUE. IT CANNOT BE TRADED IN WITH THESE ISSUES EITHER. CAN SOMEBODY INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE RECALLS OR DEALER SOLUTIONS SO WE CAN FEEL SAFE DRIVING...WITH OR WITHOUT OUR SMALL CHILDREN. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712761

85,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Visibility/wiper

ON A RAINY DAY THE WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING THEN EVENTUALLY START BACK UP. WHILE USING THE DELAY WIPERS THEY WOULD WORK HALF THE TIME, SOMETIMES GO FAST, AND EVEN STOP. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW IF THEY WILL WORK WHICH IS REALLY SCARY ON HEAVY RAINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695493

92,612 miles · Mar 13, 2015
Structure

I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE EXTERIOR HANDLE JUST BROKE. THE BREAKAGE POINT OCCURRED "INSIDE" THE DOOR, AT THE REAR PORTION OF THE HANDLE. FROM THE OUTSIDE THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I MUST ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. T…

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I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE EXTERIOR HANDLE JUST BROKE. THE BREAKAGE POINT OCCURRED "INSIDE" THE DOOR, AT THE REAR PORTION OF THE HANDLE. FROM THE OUTSIDE THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. I MUST ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS STILL ATTACHED ON THE FRONT END BUT IS COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694163

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.