IllustrationTRANSMISSION 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
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
What owners actually said
406 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO HAIR APPOINTMENT, TAKING A SHARP CURVE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A NOISE, AND I LOST ALL STEERING, WE VEERED OFF OF ROAD AND I GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THEIR WAS NOBODY COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY, OR A LITTLE FARTHER UP ROAD WAS A GULLY!! THE PINION WAS TOTALLY STRIPPED OUT FROM RAC…
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I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO HAIR APPOINTMENT, TAKING A SHARP CURVE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A NOISE, AND I LOST ALL STEERING, WE VEERED OFF OF ROAD AND I GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THEIR WAS NOBODY COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY, OR A LITTLE FARTHER UP ROAD WAS A GULLY!! THE PINION WAS TOTALLY STRIPPED OUT FROM RACK. IT REALLY WAS A SERIOUS UNSAFE SITUATION! AND I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO EXPERIENCE THIS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOST ITS POWER STEERING ASSIST MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN AND/OR UNABLE TO TURN AT ALL. THE WHEEL WOULD THEN LOCK ITSELF WITH EACH 30 DEGREE TURN. AT TIMES, THE WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ONLY BEING ABLE TO TURN IN 15 DEGREES IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY OCCURIN…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOST ITS POWER STEERING ASSIST MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN AND/OR UNABLE TO TURN AT ALL. THE WHEEL WOULD THEN LOCK ITSELF WITH EACH 30 DEGREE TURN. AT TIMES, THE WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ONLY BEING ABLE TO TURN IN 15 DEGREES IN EITHER DIRECTION. THIS HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY OCCURING SINCE FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012. THE SERVICE DEALERSHIPS STATE THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE ISSUE UPON APPOINTMENT. *TT
LEFT REAR ABS WIRE HARNESS SHORT DUE TO CORROSION ,ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON SAYING TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING /FAILED. DEALER SERVICE TECH. SAID HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE/MODEL AUTO.. HE REMOVED ABOUT 6 INCH TO 1 FT OF WIRE WERE IT WAS SHOWING G…
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LEFT REAR ABS WIRE HARNESS SHORT DUE TO CORROSION ,ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE AND DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON SAYING TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING /FAILED. DEALER SERVICE TECH. SAID HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE/MODEL AUTO.. HE REMOVED ABOUT 6 INCH TO 1 FT OF WIRE WERE IT WAS SHOWING GREEN FROM CORROSION.. HE ALSO SAID HE SOLDER NEW WIRE SLICE IN AND PUT SHRINK TAPE OVER THE REPAIRED WIRE HARNESS. HAVE REPAIR ORDER IF YOU LIKE TO SEE IT. *TR
LIGHT APPEARS, CONTINUES TO STAY ON.IS THIS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? *JS
ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH REAR WIPER AND HEATING ELEMENT(DEFOGGER) SYSTEM. PRESSING THE REAR DEFOGGER SWITCH TO TURN ON THE HEATING ELEMENT WOULD INSTEAD START DELIVERING WINDSHIELD WASHING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY. PRESSING THE REAR WIPER SWITCH WOULD START THE WIPER IN A VERY ERRATIC AND SCARY WAY. WHOLE SYSTEM WORKS IN A SPOOKY WAY. …
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ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH REAR WIPER AND HEATING ELEMENT(DEFOGGER) SYSTEM. PRESSING THE REAR DEFOGGER SWITCH TO TURN ON THE HEATING ELEMENT WOULD INSTEAD START DELIVERING WINDSHIELD WASHING FLUID CONTINUOUSLY. PRESSING THE REAR WIPER SWITCH WOULD START THE WIPER IN A VERY ERRATIC AND SCARY WAY. WHOLE SYSTEM WORKS IN A SPOOKY WAY. *KB
BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD; THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DRAWING POWER FROM THE BATTERY ALL THE TIME CAUSING IT TO DRAIN WITH NO START SITUATION. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR DOES NOT START IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN A PARKING LOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ELECTRICAL DRAW COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIE…
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BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD; THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DRAWING POWER FROM THE BATTERY ALL THE TIME CAUSING IT TO DRAIN WITH NO START SITUATION. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR DOES NOT START IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN A PARKING LOT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE ELECTRICAL DRAW COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. *KB
WHILE SATURN WAS STILL IN BUSINESS, THE FRONT ENGINE SEAL WENT OUT BETWEEN 25-30,000 MILES. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 55,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE RIGHT FRONT. REALLY,AT 55,000 MILES! WHAT'S NEXT? BY THE WAY THE FRONT CRANK SEAL IS LEAKING AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN PREMATURELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN PREMATURELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,430.
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT, BUT A NEW BULB DOESN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WIRING GOING TO THE LIGHT IS MELTED AND THERE ARE NOTICEABLE BURN MARKS AROUND THE LIGHT AND LIGHT HOUSING. *TR
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.