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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

Power Train complaints

120 reports
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1,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLOOR SHIFTER FAILED TO RELEASE INTO GEAR. AN UNINTENDED AC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLOOR SHIFTER FAILED TO RELEASE INTO GEAR. AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO BE REPAIRED WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING COMPONENTS SUCH AS; FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY, ACCELERATION PEDAL ENGINE MOUNT, AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION DRIVE TRAIN MOTOR MOUNT. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS ALSO TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 04/15/10. *LJ THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING SHAFT, GEAR ASSEMBLY, ENGINE MOUNT WERE ALL REPLACED. UPDATED 09/30/10

NHTSA ODI #10318978

14,589 miles · Sep 1, 2009
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY SATURN IN OCTOBER, 08. I ENJOYED DRIVING MY VUE THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. MY SATURN STALLS WHEN I ACCELERATE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE GAS, BUT I FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO SATURN IN JUNE 09, THAT STATED "THEY DID NOT SE…

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I PURCHASED MY SATURN IN OCTOBER, 08. I ENJOYED DRIVING MY VUE THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. MY SATURN STALLS WHEN I ACCELERATE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE GAS, BUT I FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO SATURN IN JUNE 09, THAT STATED "THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM". THE TAKE OFF IS SO SLOW AND MY VUE IS STILL STALLING. I NEED THE PROBLEM SOLVED. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282509

29,875 miles · Feb 10, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2008 SATURN VUE IS A LEMON ,BOUGHT IN WEST NYACK NY,SATURN DEALER FOR 20,078.62..THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A LEASED CAR FOR 289 PER MO,,INSTEAD IT WAS SOLD,WITHOUT A WARRANTY ALL I WANT IS A WARRANTY POLICY..PLEASE HELP ME..DEALER TOLD ME FIRST I WOULD HAVE A POLICY, HE CHANGED HIS MIND DUE TO GREED FOR MONEY,,,,I HAVE …

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2008 SATURN VUE IS A LEMON ,BOUGHT IN WEST NYACK NY,SATURN DEALER FOR 20,078.62..THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A LEASED CAR FOR 289 PER MO,,INSTEAD IT WAS SOLD,WITHOUT A WARRANTY ALL I WANT IS A WARRANTY POLICY..PLEASE HELP ME..DEALER TOLD ME FIRST I WOULD HAVE A POLICY, HE CHANGED HIS MIND DUE TO GREED FOR MONEY,,,,I HAVE A SATURN WITHOUT A WARRANTY DO I NEED A LAWYER....*TR

NHTSA ODI #10258220

2,800 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Power Train

SATURN SOLD ME A VUE WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRANSMISSIONS AND DIDN'T FIX OR INFORM ME OF THIS ISSUE. I WAS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251104

200 miles · Oct 5, 2008
Fuel System, OtherPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I BOUGHT THIS CAR APRIL 23, AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. AT 200 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE EVAP CANISTER. BUT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON T…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR APRIL 23, AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. AT 200 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE EVAP CANISTER. BUT I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE GAS AND THEN IT WOULD REDLINE AND KICK IN TO THE NEXT GEAR. BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WOULD ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFT ON FLAT GROUND AND ON SLIGHT GRADES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT AS I DROVE OFF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I ENDED UP HAVING TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THEN WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN THEY SAID THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY SO THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. WELL WHEN I DROVE OFF ABOUT 25 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. WHEN I TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30MPH-60MPH. IT ALSO ROLLS BACK WHEN IN THE DRIVE WAY OR AT A SLIGHT INCLINE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. IM SCHEDULE FOR ANOTHER APPT. ONCE AGAIN TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244416

5,500 miles · Sep 22, 2008
Power Train

2008 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MINIMAL DOWNSHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN MINIMUM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *NJ

NHTSA ODI #10243669

67,793 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION ON 2003 SATURN VUE FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241100

9,791 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Power Train

MY 2008 SATURN VUE REDLINE HAS EXHIBITED NEAR STALLING, SHUDDERING,AND BUCKING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL BE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS EVENT WILL OCCUR. IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, I CONTACTED TWO SATURN DEALERS, NEI…

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MY 2008 SATURN VUE REDLINE HAS EXHIBITED NEAR STALLING, SHUDDERING,AND BUCKING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL BE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS EVENT WILL OCCUR. IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, I CONTACTED TWO SATURN DEALERS, NEITHER OF WHOM WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALER THAT I CONTACTED INFORMED ME THAT SATURN MAY NOW, AS OF JULY 5, 2008, HAVE SOME IDEA AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. FOR THE RECORD, THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN APRIL 2008, WITH TWO SUBSEQUENT OCCURRENCES IN JULY OR 2008. THANK YOU, HDJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233541

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2008
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

2008 SATURN VUE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS DOWN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE ENGINE WILL SPEED UP TO ABOUT 80 MPH BEFORE GOING BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE KICKED INTO GEAR WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS…

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2008 SATURN VUE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS DOWN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE ENGINE WILL SPEED UP TO ABOUT 80 MPH BEFORE GOING BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE KICKED INTO GEAR WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS MILEAGE DOES NOT MEET THE STATED HIGHWAY DRIVING AVERAGE MILES PER GALLON FOR A 4 CYLINDER VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10227310

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

THE CAR IS A 2008 SATURN VUE 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WITH TWO MAIN SAFETY PROBLEMS. PROBLEM ONE IS THE CAR WILL LOCK YOU OUT AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. CAR CAN BE RUNNING OR SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 14 TIMES. LUCKILY I HAD THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO…

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THE CAR IS A 2008 SATURN VUE 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WITH TWO MAIN SAFETY PROBLEMS. PROBLEM ONE IS THE CAR WILL LOCK YOU OUT AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. CAR CAN BE RUNNING OR SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 14 TIMES. LUCKILY I HAD THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO ACCESS THE CAR. SATURN HAS REPEATED THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER VUE AND DEEMS IT A "NORMAL FUNCTION" EVEN THOUGH THE OWNERS MANUALS SAYS THERE IS A FUNCTION IN THE CAR ENGINEERED INTO IT TO PREVENT YOU FROM LOCKING YOUR KEYS IN THE CAR ACCIDENTALLY. AGAIN THIS HAPPENS AUTOMATICALLY A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER EXITING THE CAR. PROBLEM TWO, TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTS AND ACCELERATES ON FLAT GROUND OR SLIGHT GRADES WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN CRUISE CONTROLS IS DISENGAGED AS WELL. MY WIFE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONE DUE TO THIS ON A CURVING ROAD GOING UP HILL. I ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS WELL. MULTIPLE DATES OF THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAPPENS BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 47 DAYS SINCE IT HAS BEEN PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216833

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.