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
134,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WOULD BEEP 3 TIME WHILE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH. I WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. ... USUALLY WOULD START BACK UP IF I WAITED LONG ENOUGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME QUITE A FEW TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ALSO ON A STREET GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. THE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WOULD BEEP 3 TIME WHILE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH. I WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. ... USUALLY WOULD START BACK UP IF I WAITED LONG ENOUGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME QUITE A FEW TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ALSO ON A STREET GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME I TRIED TO DRIVE IT I PUT MY KEYS IN AND CANT GET THEM OUT. .
NHTSA ODI #11361453
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2020
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY 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
NHTSA ODI #11361220
136,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Power TrainCrash
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.
NHTSA ODI #11354981
91,560 miles · Sep 7, 2020
Power Train
PUT IT IN GEAR , GOES ABOUT 6FT AND THEN STOPS AND WON'T GO ANY FURTHER
NHTSA ODI #11353549
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
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.
NHTSA ODI #11342863
88,000 miles · Jul 18, 2020
Engine
MY VEHICLE'S TIMING CHAIN BROKE WITH ONLY 88,000 MILES. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED AND NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11340066
181,500 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FLUID WILL NOT SPRAY ONTO THE WINDSHIELD
NHTSA ODI #11328784
179,000 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Electrical System
THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE SOMETIMES ON, SOMETIMES NOT ON OR SOME OF THE LIGHTS COME ON BUT NOT OTHERS. WE THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11328783
181,500 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Steering
MAY 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. SATURN WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
NHTSA ODI #11328782
156,000 miles · Apr 16, 2020
Suspension
THE CAR SHAKES/VIBRATES WHEN HITTING 45/50 MPH AND GETS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SHAKE IS BAD. FIND IT VIBRATES ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES, DID THE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. REPLACED MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS AND STILL THIS CAR SHAKES VERY BADLY. 3 AUTO REPA…
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THE CAR SHAKES/VIBRATES WHEN HITTING 45/50 MPH AND GETS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SHAKE IS BAD. FIND IT VIBRATES ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES, DID THE BALANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. REPLACED MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS AND STILL THIS CAR SHAKES VERY BADLY. 3 AUTO REPAIR SHOPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REPAIR. MY FAMILY TRAVELS IN THIS CAR AND I NEED ANSWERS. PLEASE ADVISE *TR
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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