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

Power Train complaints

120 reports

Clear category filter

76,135 miles · Aug 2, 2013

Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE OCTOBER 31, 2011 AND BY JULY 5, 2013 MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR GOING TO WORK AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT REVERSE. NO WARRANTY WOULD COVER THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533327

52,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013

Power Train

Read full complaint

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE FROM 38TH STREET TACOMA TO I5 NORTH ACCELERATED FROM THE OFF RAMP VEHICLE TACHOMETER CLIMBED, LOSS OF ACCELERATION-POWER, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL THEN BACK TO DRIVE WITH NO RESULT. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY I5 DRIVERS DOING 60-65 WITH MY VEHICLE SLOWING, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN THEN BACK TO DRIVE FOR SECOND TIME WITH NO RESULT, ALMOST GOT HIT A 4TH TIME, VEHICLE FINALLY RESPONDED TO 4TH GEAR IN MANUAL MODE. VEHICLE OPERATED POORLY FOR NEXT FEW MILES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF THE SATURN/GM PRODUCTS THAT HAVE A DEFECTIVE 35 WAVE PLATE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY LAST SERVICE WAS 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS NEAR ACCIDENT NO ERROR CODES OR ENGINE LIGHTS HAD COME ON PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. GLAD TO SEE THE FEDERAL GOVT. CAN BAIL OUT A COMPANY THAT ENDANGERS THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND GAMBLES WITH THE IDEAL OF MAY IT WILL MAYBE IT WON'T BREAK, AS LONG AS WE GET MONEY. SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS THEY SHOULD HAVE A NEW ASSOCIATION SOCIETY OF COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525042

30,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT NOTICED HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME WHERE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505774

65,000 miles · Feb 2, 2013

Power Train

MANUAL SHIFT MODE ON GEAR SELECTOR DOES NOT WORK, UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT. P, D AND R SEEM TO WORK NORMAL. UNABLE TO USE TRANSMISSION TO CONTROL SPEED ON HILLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496192

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2012

Power Train

2008 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REVERSE GEAR STOPPED WORKING AND THE DRIVE GEAR STARTED SLIPPING.

NHTSA ODI #10477846

96,637 miles · Sep 17, 2012

Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY. VEHICLE JERKS WHILE SHIFTING AND DOES NOT REACH OVER 60 MPH WITHOUT GOING TO 6 RPMS. WHILE IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475599

43,911 miles · Jan 26, 2011

Power Train

Read full complaint

HI I HAVE A 2008 SATURN VUE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 2008. IN 2010 WITH ABOUT 32,000 MILES THE TRANNY WAS BLOWN, THEY FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT WINTER IT HERE I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO GO DOWN A SNOW COVERED HILL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT, IT STAYED IN 4TH. (I HAVE NOT TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT SINCE THE NEW TRANNY WAS PUT IN, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME) BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP THINKING IT WAS THE TRANNY AND THEY SAY IT IS THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WIRING AND IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE? THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YRS OLD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378737

39,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010

Power Train

CAR SHUDDERS & HESITATES WHEN RPM'S RUN BELOW 1 1/2 (1500). INDUCTION & INJECTOR CLEANING, SUGGESTED BY DEALER DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM - AT COST OF $300. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM - NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH 'DIAGNOSTIC SCAN'. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346240

36,000 miles · May 6, 2010

Power Train

AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. ALSO, THE CAR ROLLS WHEN IN "PARK" ON AN INCLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329168

18,286 miles · Mar 28, 2010

Power Train

Read full complaint

THIS IS A STURN VUE, 2008 - 6 CYCLINDER. FIRST 18,000 MILES WERE TROUBLE FREE. CAR SHUDDERS AND HESITATES - DOES IT AT ANY SPEED AND NOT CONSISTENT WITH RUNNING TIME- TACHOMETER FLUTTERS WHILE IT IS HAPPENING. AT 2ND VISIT TO DEALER TO FIX PROBLEM, TOLD IT IS A COMPUTER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NO PROGRAM HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO CORRECT. TOLD THIS IS A NORMAL OPERATING PROBLEM. HAVE SPOKEN TO SATURN REPS AT GMC EVERY DAY SINCE MARCH 15. CAR IS GETTING WORSE- NOT BETTER, THEY HAVE OFFERED NO HOPE OF ANY RESOLUTION AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND EVEN TRYING TO SWAP OUT PARTS. KEEP ON TELLING ME THE CAR IS SAFE AND WILL STAND BY THEIR ORIGINAL WARRANTY OF 5 YEARS/100,000 MILES ON TRANSMISSION IF IT FAILS. CAR GETS LOUSY GAS MILEAGE SINCE THIS STARTED - WENT FROM 22.5 MPG TO 19.5 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10322546

Official recalls

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

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.