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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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15,880 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2008 SATURN VUE XR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN MAY 2010, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER, RPM, ODOMETER, RADIO, ETC.) WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED A COMPUTER COMPONENT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. NOW IN JULY 2010 (2 MONTHS LATER) I …

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MY 2008 SATURN VUE XR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN MAY 2010, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL (SPEEDOMETER, RPM, ODOMETER, RADIO, ETC.) WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED A COMPUTER COMPONENT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. NOW IN JULY 2010 (2 MONTHS LATER) I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER WHICH SAID I WAS GOING 80 MPH. I WAS CLEARLY NOT GOING 80 MPH, SO RIGHT AWAY I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I STOPPED THE CAR AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED THE SPEEDOMTER READ 30 MPH. IT EVEN STAYED ON 30 MPH WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AM BEING TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE EXACT SAME PART THAT THEY JUST REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO. CLEARLY THIS PART IS FAULTY AND IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ARE UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE REGARDING A SIMILIAR ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343492

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Electrical SystemSuspension

LTR FWD EMAIL FM (AL) RE 2008 SATURN VUE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL DEFECTS AND RECEIVED NOTICE THAT GM EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NO LONGER COVER THIS VEHICLE, REPLY TO MOBILE, AL OFC. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE FRONT END MADE POPPING NO…

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LTR FWD EMAIL FM (AL) RE 2008 SATURN VUE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL DEFECTS AND RECEIVED NOTICE THAT GM EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NO LONGER COVER THIS VEHICLE, REPLY TO MOBILE, AL OFC. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE FRONT END MADE POPPING NOISES AND A STRANGE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DASH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10313253

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System

WE PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE ON JUNE 28, 2008. THE PAST 3 WEEKS, THE KEY WOULD PERIODICALLY NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION - SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE SHIFTER SAYING IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY GOING INTO PARK. ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT (FOR DRIVER) STARTING BLINKING AT THE TIME THE ABOVE OCCURRED (THIS WAS ALSO BROUGHT TO THEIR…

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WE PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE ON JUNE 28, 2008. THE PAST 3 WEEKS, THE KEY WOULD PERIODICALLY NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION - SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE SHIFTER SAYING IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY GOING INTO PARK. ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT (FOR DRIVER) STARTING BLINKING AT THE TIME THE ABOVE OCCURRED (THIS WAS ALSO BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION). WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, IT STARTED TO BLINK (ONLY LIGHT BLINKING) AND CONTINUED BLINKING WHEN ALL OTHER LIGHTS FADED. NO ERROR MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED BY THE CHIP. MILE ONE SATURN CLAIMS THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE AIR BAG ISSUE, THEREFORE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERCEIVED THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND RELEASED THE CAR TO ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WENT BACK IN AND TOLD THEM I WAS NOT TAKING THE CAR UNTIL THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274798

7,500 miles · Jan 30, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipment

ON 9/24/08 I PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE XR AWD WITH 5945 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IT WAS A CORPORATE FLEET VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. IT HAS A "PREFERRED PACKAGE" INCLUDING A FACTORY-INSTALLED REMOTE START. IN THE SHORT 4 MONTHS I OWN IT I HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL AT LEAST 10 …

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ON 9/24/08 I PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE XR AWD WITH 5945 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IT WAS A CORPORATE FLEET VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. IT HAS A "PREFERRED PACKAGE" INCLUDING A FACTORY-INSTALLED REMOTE START. IN THE SHORT 4 MONTHS I OWN IT I HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL AT LEAST 10 TIMES OR MORE. SPECIFICALLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY DOES NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO FUEL GAGE, RPM'S OR TURN SIGNALS YET THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND RUNNING. WHAT I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN I USE THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) TO REMOTE START THE VEHICLE & PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S EXTREMELY COLD OR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I REMOTE START THE VEHICLE THEN WITHIN 6-8 MINUTES I ENTER THE VEHICLE USING THE UNLOCK KEY ON THE REMOTE. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN IT TO THE "ON" POSITION WHICH SHOULD THEN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY ONCE IT IS PUT IN GEAR. MY VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK WITH NO DISPLAY WHATSOEVER YET THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND IN MOTION. ONE DAY I TRIED TO REMOTE START IT AS I USUALLY DO BUT IT WOULD NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH I WAS IN RANGE AND THEN WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT STILL WOULD NOT START. ON ANOTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD JUST WENT COMPLETELY BLACK FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN CAME BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VUE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES ALREADY AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I JUST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE ON SATURN/GM'S BEHALF. I KNOW THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME. I HAVE ALSO HAD A CONTROL ARM BUSHING REPLACED ALREADY. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DOES NOT COME OUT WHICH THEY SAY WAS CLOGGED & FIXED. THANKS TO NHTSA'S WEBSITE I WAS ABLE TO FIND A POWER STEERING RECALL THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T ADDRESS - MY ENTIRE RESERVOIR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256954

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR THERMOSTAT HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000 UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250501

2,070 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS DIMMED. WHEN THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER BODY SENSOR. AFTER THE LAST FAILURE, THE DEALER R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL OF THE LIGHTS DIMMED. WHEN THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER BODY SENSOR. AFTER THE LAST FAILURE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENTAL GAUGE CLUSTER AND THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXCHANGE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,719 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,070. UPDATED 04/02/08. *LJ THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START

NHTSA ODI #10217487

2,000 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. AFTER HAVING THE TIRES INSPECTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STARTER, IN WHICH THEY REPLACED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. AFTER HAVING THE TIRES INSPECTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STARTER, IN WHICH THEY REPLACED AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10214064

18 miles · Nov 26, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE AUTOMATIC POSITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 640 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18. UPDATED 12/12/07.

NHTSA ODI #10209968

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.