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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

Electrical System complaints

88 reports
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150,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Electrical System

THE KEY STUCK IN THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE SATURN VUE 08 HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. THE NEW KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY IS PERFORMING SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT FAILED. THE KEY STICKS IN THE CYLINDER AND REQUIRES 4 OR 5 TRIES TO TURN THE IGNITION ON. IT WILL NOT PULL…

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THE KEY STUCK IN THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE SATURN VUE 08 HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. THE NEW KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY IS PERFORMING SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT FAILED. THE KEY STICKS IN THE CYLINDER AND REQUIRES 4 OR 5 TRIES TO TURN THE IGNITION ON. IT WILL NOT PULL OUT EASILY, BUT JAMS AT THE INSIDE EDGE WHERE THE METAL SHANK OF THE KEY MEETS THE BLACK PLASTIC KEY CASING. THE NEW KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY METAL COVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN APPEARS TO BE CATCHING, AND SHOWS BENDING. THE NEW KEY SHOWS SEVERE SCRATCHES. THE REPLACEMENT KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY SILVER RECTANGULAR OPENING WHERE ONE INSERTS THE KEY DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE STURDY ENOUGH, AND IT BENDS EASILY CAUSING THE KEY TO CATCH. THE PROBLEM IS PROGRESSING, AND THE KEY IS STARTING TO STICK AS BEFORE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN A POORLY LIT PARKING LOT, IN LINE AT DRIVE THROUGHS, AND AT THE FILLING STATION. THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING. THE DEALER PROMISED THAT THE INITIAL $700-PLUS REPAIR IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NOT KEEP THE SCHEDULED REPAIR DATE.

NHTSA ODI #10888550

125,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND, MOST RECENTLT, THE IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE BATTERY WAS DISABLED AND RECONNECTED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND, MOST RECENTLT, THE IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE BATTERY WAS DISABLED AND RECONNECTED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10875668

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTENSIVE SMOKE ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER INTO A PARKING SPACE AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE FLAMES WERE TOO INTENSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTENSIVE SMOKE ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER INTO A PARKING SPACE AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE FLAMES WERE TOO INTENSE. A FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD TO BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10873873

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

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

150,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Electrical System

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. BRAKES LOCKED. SHIFTER LOCKED. EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS NOT WORKING. ALL ELECTRICAL OFF, WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. CAR WOULD NOT START. ONSTAR COMMUNICATION WAS DISABLED. LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. HOUSING IN STE…

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KEY STUCK IN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. BRAKES LOCKED. SHIFTER LOCKED. EMERGENCY FLASHER LIGHTS NOT WORKING. ALL ELECTRICAL OFF, WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. CAR WOULD NOT START. ONSTAR COMMUNICATION WAS DISABLED. LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. HOUSING IN STEERING COLUMN WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. SATURN VUES WERE RECALLED FOR IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACEMENT, BUT 2008 MODELS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL. THEY SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR IGNITION CYLINDER STEERING WHEEL LOCK PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE OTHER SATURN VUE MODELS. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND PREVENTED ME FROM LEAVING A NEARLY EMPTY PARKING LOT AT DUSK. I HAD NO WAY TO CALL FOR HELP FROM THE CAR. I DEPEND ON ONSTAR FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WHERE CELL SIGNALS ARE WEAK.

NHTSA ODI #10820805

150,000 miles · Jan 7, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. CAR WOULD NOT START. ONSTAR COMMUNICATION WAS DISABLED. LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. HOUSING IN STEERING COLUMN WAS DAMAGED. SATURN VUES WERE RECALLED FOR IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACEMENT, BUT 2008 MODELS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL. THEY SHOULD B…

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STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN LOCK CYLINDER. CAR WOULD NOT START. ONSTAR COMMUNICATION WAS DISABLED. LOCK CYLINDER HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. HOUSING IN STEERING COLUMN WAS DAMAGED. SATURN VUES WERE RECALLED FOR IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACEMENT, BUT 2008 MODELS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL. THEY SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR IGNITION CYLINDER STEERING WHEEL LOCK PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE OTHER SATURN VUE MODELS. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND PREVENTED ME FROM LEAVING A NEARLY EMPTY PARKING LOT AT DUSK. I HAD NO WAY TO CALL FOR HELP FROM THE CAR. I DEPEND ON ONSTAR FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WHERE CELL SIGNALS ARE WEAK

NHTSA ODI #10818804

71,000 miles · Sep 27, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

POWER STEERING WOULD CUT IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. CHECK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. LET CAR SIT A BIT RESTART ENGINE THEN WOULD STEER CORRECTLY BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG THEN STEERING WOULD BECOME VERY HARD AND CHECK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AGAIN. A FEW DAYS WOULD PASS WITHOUT INCIDENT THEN IT WOULD FAIL TO STEER PROPERLY,(WITHOUT POWER).…

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POWER STEERING WOULD CUT IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING. CHECK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. LET CAR SIT A BIT RESTART ENGINE THEN WOULD STEER CORRECTLY BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG THEN STEERING WOULD BECOME VERY HARD AND CHECK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AGAIN. A FEW DAYS WOULD PASS WITHOUT INCIDENT THEN IT WOULD FAIL TO STEER PROPERLY,(WITHOUT POWER). TOOK IN AND MECHANIC FOUND A CODE FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE AND ALSO THE TORQUE SENSOR,( STEERING COLUM ANGLE SENSOR) WAS BAD. I READ AN ARTICAL SOMETIME IN 2013 THAT DESCRIBED MY PROBLEM AND IT WAS BEING FOLLOWED FOR A HISTORY BUT HAD NOT BECOME A RECALL YET. BEFORE WRINTING THIS COMPLAINT FORM I REVIEWED MY VIN # AND STILL NO RECALL :(

NHTSA ODI #10777915

135,000 miles · Sep 12, 2015
Electrical System

I REPLACED ALERNATOR STARTER AND NEW BATTERY AND STILL HAVING POWER ISSUES WITH DRAINING BATTERY

NHTSA ODI #10763321

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.