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
What owners actually said
406 reports
134,005 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS INCLUDING MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT BEEPS WHILE I'M DRIVING BUT IT'S NOT ENGAGED MY SHIFTING IS VERY CHOPPY AND I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE AS WELL A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD I WENT TO A AUTOMOBILE PLACE THEY ERASE ALL THE CODES…
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ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS INCLUDING MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT BEEPS WHILE I'M DRIVING BUT IT'S NOT ENGAGED MY SHIFTING IS VERY CHOPPY AND I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE AS WELL A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD I WENT TO A AUTOMOBILE PLACE THEY ERASE ALL THE CODES SO WE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT AND EVERY SINGLE THING THAT COULD GO WRONG WITH IT THEY'RE SAYING IT'S WRONG WITH IT BUT IT STILL DRIVES IT HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING AND THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC SO I'M NOT IN CHARGE OF THE SHIFT IT'S VERY CHOPPY WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO DIFFERENT GEARS THE AUTOMOBILE PLACE THAT IT'S EITHER THE COMPUTER OR THE TRANSMISSION THIS CAR HAS MILE NUMBER 134380 ON IT IT ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FLUIDS IN IT I ALWAYS GET OIL CHANGES ON TIME I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS CAR
NHTSA ODI #10960412
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
IT'S MY TURN SIGNALS MY LOCKS AND MY FLASHERS HEADLIGHTS
NHTSA ODI #10960266
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL AND CLIMATE CONTROL PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. MOST OF THE A/C COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY A/C AT ALL. I'VE ALSO HAD HEATING PROBLEMS THAT REQUIRED TWO DIFFERENT REPAIRS WHICH WERE VERY EXPENSIVE. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT, WELL MAINTAINED AND IT ONLY HAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10957286
89,000 miles · Feb 20, 2017
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
TRAVELING AT 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE, STEPPED ON GAS TO CHANGE LANES, AND ENGINE REVVED, BUT NO POWER TO MOVE. HAD TO RUN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE GRASS BERM. BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN ACTING STRANGELY - MUCH VIBRATION AND PLAY. MY SISTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE CAR OVERTURNED OR SOMETHING A…
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TRAVELING AT 80 MPH ON INTERSTATE, STEPPED ON GAS TO CHANGE LANES, AND ENGINE REVVED, BUT NO POWER TO MOVE. HAD TO RUN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE GRASS BERM. BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN ACTING STRANGELY - MUCH VIBRATION AND PLAY. MY SISTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE CAR OVERTURNED OR SOMETHING AT THAT SPEED. NOW I AM TOLD THE CAR NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, STRUTS, AND POWER STEERING ISSUE STILL BEING LOOKED AT. CAN I GET ANY HELP FROM GM DEALER WITH THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I READ THAT THESE EXACT ISSUES AFFECTED MY MODEL AND YEAR, WITH RECALLS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE.
NHTSA ODI #10955607
50,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
EngineFire
LOUD EXPLOSION FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEN, SPARKS WITH FLAMES BEGAN, WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET. OTHER DRIVERS WAIVED & ALERTED US THAT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT. WE STOPPED & GOT OUT. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF OIL BEHIND. APPROX. 75 FT LONG. CHUNKS OF ENGINE METAL WAS RECOVERED OFF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10955298
56,178 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER ONE AND HALF YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT AND REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,178.
NHTSA ODI #10955240
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION AT THE MIDWAY POINT FROM THE CHANNEL TO THE FRAME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION AT THE MIDWAY POINT FROM THE CHANNEL TO THE FRAME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10947092
49,000 miles · Jan 21, 2017
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING CAR DROPPED DOWN TO LOW GEAR AND THE RPMS REVED UP CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR CAR ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT CAN WE BE REIMBURSED FROM GM
NHTSA ODI #10946837
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2017
Power Train
CAR DROPPED DOWN TO LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND RPMS REVED UP
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.
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> .
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.
2008 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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