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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.

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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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Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

BOTH HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED. REPLACED BOTH SIDE HEADLIGHTS AND AFTER 2 YEARS THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AGAIN THE PARKING PAWL GETS STUCK OFTEN. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE PARKING PAWL GETS STUCK. THEN IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO INTO REVERSE BUT THE CAR JERKS AND MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. THE LIGHT ISSUE I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH …

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BOTH HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED. REPLACED BOTH SIDE HEADLIGHTS AND AFTER 2 YEARS THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AGAIN THE PARKING PAWL GETS STUCK OFTEN. WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE PARKING PAWL GETS STUCK. THEN IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO INTO REVERSE BUT THE CAR JERKS AND MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. THE LIGHT ISSUE I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS NOW. THE PARKING PAWL ISSUE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11266537

94,000 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Power Train

I JUST BOUGHT AN 08 SATURN VUE V6 XR WITH THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC 94K MILES AND I’VE BEEN READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 3-5 WAVE PLATES I WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WON’T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST SIGNS OF IT THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT W…

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I JUST BOUGHT AN 08 SATURN VUE V6 XR WITH THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC 94K MILES AND I’VE BEEN READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 3-5 WAVE PLATES I WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WON’T SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN THE CAR IS WARM. I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST SIGNS OF IT THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE SENSOR BUT AFTER I GOT IT BACK I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE SHOP SAID THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS A 3-4K JOB. GM DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT ALTHOUGH MANY MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT LEAVES PEOPLE LIKE ME STUCK WITH NO SOLUTION AS I HAD JUST SPENT ALL MY MONEY BUYING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11266124

123,000 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Power TrainSeat Belts

SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS MESSING UP. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AFTER IT IS PUT IN GEAR. ONCE PUT IN GEAR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED THERE IS LAG BETWEEN THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE RPM INCREASING AND THE GEARS ENGAGING AND THE CAR TAKING OFF. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLS BACKWARDS A WORRYING AMOUNT WHEN…

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SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS MESSING UP. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AFTER IT IS PUT IN GEAR. ONCE PUT IN GEAR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED THERE IS LAG BETWEEN THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE RPM INCREASING AND THE GEARS ENGAGING AND THE CAR TAKING OFF. THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLS BACKWARDS A WORRYING AMOUNT WHEN IT IS PLACED IN PARK. ALSO WHEN YOU GO TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WAN TO GO OUT OF THE LOW GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOT ONCE OR TWICE THIS IS CONSISTENT. WE HAVE KEPT IT MAINTAINED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. THE MOST RECENT WAS JUST 2 DAYS AGO.

NHTSA ODI #11180400

140,000 miles · Nov 6, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE REVERSE POSITION, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVE PARTIALLY AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE ANY FURTHER IN THE REVERSE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11149630

94,000 miles · Jun 19, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE IN PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11102697

110,000 miles · Jun 10, 2018
Power Train

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND IT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. ITS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER IS SHIFT SOLENOID. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN WAVE PLATE BREAKS. CAR IS PAID FOR AND I LIKE IT. CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE TRA…

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WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND IT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. ITS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER IS SHIFT SOLENOID. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN WAVE PLATE BREAKS. CAR IS PAID FOR AND I LIKE IT. CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I AM DISABLED NOW WITHOUT WHEELS AND NO WAY TO FIX IT. IS IT A RECALL? CAN THE AGENCY HELP FIX IT?

NHTSA ODI #11100805

110,000 miles · Jun 10, 2018
Power Train

WAS DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. HAS BEEN STICKING IN FIRST GEAR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER ONE IS SHIFT SOLENOID STUCK. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WAVE PLATE BREAKS. I AM DISABLED AND NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I LOVED THE CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU C…

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WAS DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. HAS BEEN STICKING IN FIRST GEAR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER ONE IS SHIFT SOLENOID STUCK. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WAVE PLATE BREAKS. I AM DISABLED AND NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I LOVED THE CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11100801

132,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (FIKE CHEVROLET, 213 MAIN STREET, MASONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 15461) WAS CONTACTED B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (FIKE CHEVROLET, 213 MAIN STREET, MASONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 15461) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-416-234-5315. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #11096983

105,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT GEARS ONE I GET TO THIRD. WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF WAVE PLATE SPECIAL WARRANTY AND NOW I'M 4000 MILES PAST ACCEPTED MILES. GM SUGGESTS THAT I WAIT UNTIL FULL RECALL IS FORCED ON THEM. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11063316

65,000 miles · Nov 4, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HALF I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HEAD LIGHTS DIMMING AND FLASHING AT VERY HIGH INTERVALS ALMOST LIKE A DIM STROBE. RADIO NOT TURNING ON. INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. ODOMETER LIGHT DIMS. RANDOM DINGING NOISE. TURN SIGNAL NOT ALWAYS WORKING OR WORKING SPORADICALLY. FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT ALW…

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OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HALF I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HEAD LIGHTS DIMMING AND FLASHING AT VERY HIGH INTERVALS ALMOST LIKE A DIM STROBE. RADIO NOT TURNING ON. INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT COMING ON. ODOMETER LIGHT DIMS. RANDOM DINGING NOISE. TURN SIGNAL NOT ALWAYS WORKING OR WORKING SPORADICALLY. FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT ALWAYS COMING ON AND WHEN THEY DO IT'S SPORADIC. REAR WINDSHIELD NOT COMING ON BUT WILL AFTER AN ENGINE RESTART. KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION. HAZARD LIGHTS NOT WORKING WHEN ENGINE IS OFF. ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED SLOWLY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND HALF. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE. EVERYONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS WILL TELL YOU THAT A MECHANIC CAN'T RUN A TEST FOR THE PROBLEM IF IT'S NOT HAPPENING AT THAT TIME. WE ALSO ALL KNOW TOO WELL THESE PROBLEMS COME AND GO VERY QUICKLY AND SOMETIMES TEMPORARILY FIX THEMSELVES WITH JUST AN ENGINE RESTART, DRIVING OVER A BUMP (WHICH ALSO BRINGS ON THE ISSUES) OR SHAKING THE WIRE HARNESS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY. SO TAKING IT TO A SHOP TO RUN A TEST IS ALMOST MEANINGLESS UNLESS TOWED AND EVEN THEN IT'S NOT 100% CHANCE YOU'RE GOING TO GET A CODE(S) TO READ. THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. THE BIG OCCURRENCE CAME WHEN I WAS JUST TWO MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD FROM WHERE I LIVE, I HAD THE VUE NOT START UP OR EVEN TURN OVER AND THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. I OPENED UP THE HOOD, TAPPED ONCE ON THE BLACK BOX ON TOP OF THE BATTERY AND THE VUE STARTED DINGING AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. I THEN DROVE TO MY HOUSE AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME AND RESTARTED TWICE WITHIN THAT TWO MIN DRIVE. I LOST TOTAL POWER AND VERY LIMITED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON THE INTERNET AND HAS YET TO BE INVESTIGATED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE. -11.4.17

NHTSA ODI #11043306

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.