Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
480–25K
4325–50K
7150–75K
6575–100K
68100–150K
34150K+
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
78,929 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical System
I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE IGNITION , THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP BLINKING OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUING TO BLINK OFF AND ON. I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT START AND THE DASHBOARD DID NOT LIGHT UP, BUT RATHER ONLY TH…
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I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE IGNITION , THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP BLINKING OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUING TO BLINK OFF AND ON. I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT START AND THE DASHBOARD DID NOT LIGHT UP, BUT RATHER ONLY THE MILEAGE INDICATOR DIMLY LIT UP. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED UP WITH DASHBOARD WORKING PROPERLY. WITH MONTHS LATER ON I NOTICED THE AC WOULD GO HAYWIRE BLOWING HOT AIR VIA VENT AND I COULD NOT TURN IT OFF OR GET ANY COLD AIR TO BLOW.THIS WOULD ALL HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. THEN THE BACKUP LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WITHIN A MINUTE IT WOULD STAY OFF. THEN AS TIME PASSED I NOTICED THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR STAYED ON PERMEMENTLY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN I TURNED LEFT USING THE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THEN OFF WHEN I TURN RIGHT USING TURN SIGNAL. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND MULTIPLE DTC OF LOSS COMMUNICATION WITH VARIOUS MODULES AND LOOSE NEGATIVE TERMINAL AND HAD TO RECALIBRATE ALL AC ACTUATORS. I HAD CHECKED THE BATTERY TERMINALS PRIOR TO TAKING CAR INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TIGHT. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND ON WAY HOME THE HEATER CAME ON FULL BLAST VIA VENT AND WHEN I TURNED CONTROLS OFF NOTHING WORKED. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON LIKE BEFORE INTERMITTENTLY. THE NEXT DAY THE AC WORKED FINE, BUT THERE IS OCCATIONALLY A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM UNDERNEITH DASH. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10690731
100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10683917
82,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Power Train
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS CAR REDUCED GEAR FROM 6 TO 5 AND I LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME BECAUSE OF SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SENDING THE WARNING BY THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO THE CAR BEHIND ME. CAR JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT WHOEVER …
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS CAR REDUCED GEAR FROM 6 TO 5 AND I LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME BECAUSE OF SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SENDING THE WARNING BY THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO THE CAR BEHIND ME. CAR JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT WHOEVER WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME COULDN'T KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF NO WARNING. TRANSMISSION VALVE PLATE 35R FAILED WHICH IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THIS CAR AND MODEL. THERE SHOULD BE RECALL IN MY OPINION. I READ MANY PEOPLE'S REPORTS OF THAT HAPPENING AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET HURT OR KILLED TO GET THIS RECALL DONE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683767
53,351 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Power Train
PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE SATURN VUE 2008. WAS TOLD BY SALES MAN IT HAD A 1 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND 2 YEAR ON THE POWER TRAIN. JUST AFTER MY 1 YEAR MARK MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FELT ASSURED AT LEAST IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ONLY TO FIND OUT IT, THAT IS WAS ONLY COVERED FOR 1 YEAR …
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PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE SATURN VUE 2008. WAS TOLD BY SALES MAN IT HAD A 1 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND 2 YEAR ON THE POWER TRAIN. JUST AFTER MY 1 YEAR MARK MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FELT ASSURED AT LEAST IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ONLY TO FIND OUT IT, THAT IS WAS ONLY COVERED FOR 1 YEAR ON THE POWER TRAIN, I WAS VERY DISPLEASED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GO OUT WITH ONLY 50K MILES ON IT. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL "MANAGERS" ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HOW I FELT THEY SHOULD COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY, THEY FINALLY AGREED TO ABSORB SOME OF THE COST, I PAID 1K DOLLARS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING WORKED ON THEY DID THE SERVICE THAT IT WAS DUE SUCH AS ROTATING TRIES ETC. ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER MY AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING :( NOW IT WORKS OFF AND ON, THEN A DAY LATER MY LOW TIRE SENSOR COMES ON, SHOWING MY TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. REALLY??? NOW WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY TRACTION CONTROL/ABS WARRING LIGHTS COME ON AND DING. WOW WHY AS THIS CAR NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS I NOW FIND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUES TO THE TEE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. NOW I REMEMBER WHY MY 3 PREVIOUS VEHICLES HAVE BEEN TOYOTA AND HONDA'S I PAID 5K DOWN ALL THE MONEY I HAD BUY A CERTIFIED CAR THINKING IT WOULD LAST ME LONGER THAN 1 YEAR. I WAS WRONG AND I OWE MORE ON IT NOW THAT I AM SURE IT IS WORTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669742
67,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Power Train
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 PENSACOLA FL HEADING NORTHWEST GOING 70-75 MILES AN HOUR SEMI TRUCK ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME I M INT THE RIGHT LANE CARS TO MY LEFT TRAFFIC IS HEAVY 3:45 IN THE PM. MY CAR MAKES CHUNK THEN A BUMP ENGINE SHUTS OFF NO POWER NO POWER STEERING SEMI LOCKS UP HIS BRAKES ALMOST HITS ME PULLED THE CAR TO SI…
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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 PENSACOLA FL HEADING NORTHWEST GOING 70-75 MILES AN HOUR SEMI TRUCK ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME I M INT THE RIGHT LANE CARS TO MY LEFT TRAFFIC IS HEAVY 3:45 IN THE PM. MY CAR MAKES CHUNK THEN A BUMP ENGINE SHUTS OFF NO POWER NO POWER STEERING SEMI LOCKS UP HIS BRAKES ALMOST HITS ME PULLED THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER I COLLECTED MYSELF CAR WONT TURN OVER NO SMOKE OR FLUIDS POPPED THE HOOD NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT HAPPENED. HAD IT TOWED TO VINNC WHIBBS I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE LOCKED UP NO REASON WHY. PUT A NEW ENGINE IN FOUND OUT IN FACT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS AND COME TO FIND OUT IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN GM CARS INT THE TRANSMISSION THE 35R WAVE PLATE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS 2007-2009 SATURNS. TAVERSE, ACADIA, OUTLOOK, MALIBU, ARURA. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT BUT WONT DO A RECALL. THIS IS WRONG AS A CONSUMER IM SUPPOSE TO BE PROTECTED BY LAW FROM DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. THIS DEPT THE NHTSA HAS LOOKED IN TO THIS ISSUE AND YOUR DEPT HAS DETIRMENED IT TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART BUT NO SAFETY ISSUES, I BE G TO DIFFER I WAS ALMOST IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART. ONCE AGAIN GM HAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, AND NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT HOW MANY LIVES LOST DOES IT TAKE BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10669048
78,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Steering
I HAD DRIVEN TO THE STORE AND PARKED THE CAR. AFTER SHOPPING, I STARTED THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, AND I REALIZED THAT I SHOULDN'T TRY TO DRIVE IT. I RETURNED IT TO THE PARKING SPOT AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NE…
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I HAD DRIVEN TO THE STORE AND PARKED THE CAR. AFTER SHOPPING, I STARTED THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, AND I REALIZED THAT I SHOULDN'T TRY TO DRIVE IT. I RETURNED IT TO THE PARKING SPOT AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW OTHER SATURN MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THIS ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664832
49,190 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Power TrainCrash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE IN PARKED TRANSMISSION POSITION, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING!
NHTSA ODI #10734174
50,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 10/2/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10662929
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10662250
123,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIREWALL UNDER THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
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> .
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.
2008 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year