IllustrationWITHOUT ANY WARNING IN FORWARD GEAR THE CAR WOULD NOT GO .I WOULD GO INTO GEAR ON THE LEVER BUT WOULD ONLY MOVE A LITTLE. IT MADE THE MOTOR SEEMED FINE. I WAS ON FLAT GROUND I MY DRIVEWAY
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Vue years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Power Train complaints
120 reportsMY CAR STEERING GOES IN AND OUT LOUD WHINING NOISE LIKE I'M GONNA LOSE CONTROL GOT RAN AND PINION REPLACED AND POWER STEERING PUMP SO WHAT CAN STILL BE THE PROBLEM ALSO JUST REPLACE CONTROL MODULE FOR TRANSMISSION AND NOW LIGHT JUST CAME BACK ON 3 MONTHS AFTER GETTING FIXED SAME CODE P0700
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, SHE HAD PLACED HER GEAR SHIFTER INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HIT HER COWORKERS VEHICLE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, SHE HAD PLACED HER GEAR SHIFTER INTO DRIVE, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HIT HER COWORKERS VEHICLE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARK SPACE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE SERVICED, DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
PUT IT IN GEAR , GOES ABOUT 6FT AND THEN STOPS AND WON'T GO ANY FURTHER
THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH AT ABOUT 1500-2000 RPMS THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID IT WAS USING THE MANUAL MODE. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP TOO BY THE END OF MY 200 MILE DRIVE TODAY IT WAS SLIPPING BAD AND IT HAS FLUID I TOPPED IT OFF THIS MORNING HOPING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT A…
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THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH AT ABOUT 1500-2000 RPMS THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID IT WAS USING THE MANUAL MODE. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP TOO BY THE END OF MY 200 MILE DRIVE TODAY IT WAS SLIPPING BAD AND IT HAS FLUID I TOPPED IT OFF THIS MORNING HOPING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT AND I CONSISTENTLY CHECKED IT THROUGHOUT THE DRIVE AND IT DID NOT GO DOWN OR LOSE FLUID.
I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES(BOTH SIDES) AND WIRE HARNESS KEEPS MELTING. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I HAVE NOW PURCHASED THE WIRE HARNESS AND I HOPE THIS WILL NOT BURN ALSO. 2. THE CAR JUMPS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE WHICH INDICATES THE PARKING PAWL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NO…
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I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES(BOTH SIDES) AND WIRE HARNESS KEEPS MELTING. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT BEFORE AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I HAVE NOW PURCHASED THE WIRE HARNESS AND I HOPE THIS WILL NOT BURN ALSO. 2. THE CAR JUMPS WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE WHICH INDICATES THE PARKING PAWL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND NO RESPONSE RETURNED. 3. WATER IS LEAKING INTO MY CAR. THE FRONT AND BACKSEAT FLOORS ARE SOAKED. LOOKS LIKE THE SEAL AROUND THE FIREWALL IS NOT SEALING PROPERLY. I SAW MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2008-2010 SATURN VUE. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNLESS THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED
I BOUGHT A 2008 SATURN VUE USED AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A VIBRATION. HAD IT CHECKED BY 4 MECHANICS INCLUDING A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CONCLUDED IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I NOTICED A RECALL ON THE 2007 MODEL BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION IT VIBR…
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I BOUGHT A 2008 SATURN VUE USED AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A VIBRATION. HAD IT CHECKED BY 4 MECHANICS INCLUDING A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CONCLUDED IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I NOTICED A RECALL ON THE 2007 MODEL BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION IT VIBRATES MAINLY WHEN PICKING UP SPEED.
THE TRANSMISSION JUST UP AND STOPS WORKING. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF, WAIT 10-15 MINUTES AND IT WILL CONTINUE AGAIN, UP UNTIL IT STOPS WORKING AGAIN. IT HAPPENS UNDER POWER OR CRUISING. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER & WHEREVER IT WANTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE WAS VISIBLE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEBSMART CHEVROLET (5049 WEST RIDGE RD, SPENCERPORT, NY) WHERE IT WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE WAS VISIBLE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEBSMART CHEVROLET (5049 WEST RIDGE RD, SPENCERPORT, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Official recalls
309V233000 · 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
1PE09016 · 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.