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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

406 reports
800 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 800.

NHTSA ODI #10239788

200 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT 200 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY DIDN'T PUT THE GAS CAP ON PROPERLY. THEY RE-SET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AT 800 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THEY WERE ABLE TO DETECT 2 ERROR CODES ON THE COMPUTER. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND …

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AT 200 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY DIDN'T PUT THE GAS CAP ON PROPERLY. THEY RE-SET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AT 800 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THEY WERE ABLE TO DETECT 2 ERROR CODES ON THE COMPUTER. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE ON THE FLANGE OF THE FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND RE-SET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE SINCE. OLD FUEL PUMP IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238696

8,723 miles · Aug 6, 2008
StructureInjury

UPON GETTING IN MY TRUCK THE CHANGE TRAY WAS SLIGHTLY OPEN . I GOT IN AND IT CUT MY RIGHT LEG ONE INCH DOWN FROM MY KNEE. IT BEGAN TO BLEED AND SKIN WAS LEFT ON THE SHARP PART OF THE TRAY. IT HAS LEFT A SCAR AND I WANT TO ADVISE YOU HOW SERIOUS IT WAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237290

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2008
Exterior Lighting

TAIL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234015

9,791 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Power Train

MY 2008 SATURN VUE REDLINE HAS EXHIBITED NEAR STALLING, SHUDDERING,AND BUCKING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL BE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS EVENT WILL OCCUR. IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, I CONTACTED TWO SATURN DEALERS, NEI…

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MY 2008 SATURN VUE REDLINE HAS EXHIBITED NEAR STALLING, SHUDDERING,AND BUCKING ON THREE (3) OCCASIONS WHEN SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY FEAR IS THAT I WILL BE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS EVENT WILL OCCUR. IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, I CONTACTED TWO SATURN DEALERS, NEITHER OF WHOM WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALER THAT I CONTACTED INFORMED ME THAT SATURN MAY NOW, AS OF JULY 5, 2008, HAVE SOME IDEA AS TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT. FOR THE RECORD, THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN APRIL 2008, WITH TWO SUBSEQUENT OCCURRENCES IN JULY OR 2008. THANK YOU, HDJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233541

135 miles · May 16, 2008
Visibility

I CAN NOT UTILIZE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR TOTALLY, BECAUSE THE TOP HALF OF THE INSIDE MIRROR IS TAKEN UP BY THE BACKSIDE OF THE ONSTAR PANEL, IT IS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR. ALSO, THE REAR SEAT HEAD REST TAKE UP THE LOWER HALF OF PORTIONS OF IT, SO I HAVE TO KEEP THE REAR SEATS LOWERED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO UTILIZE THE LO…

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I CAN NOT UTILIZE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR TOTALLY, BECAUSE THE TOP HALF OF THE INSIDE MIRROR IS TAKEN UP BY THE BACKSIDE OF THE ONSTAR PANEL, IT IS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR. ALSO, THE REAR SEAT HEAD REST TAKE UP THE LOWER HALF OF PORTIONS OF IT, SO I HAVE TO KEEP THE REAR SEATS LOWERED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO UTILIZE THE LOWER PORTION OF THE MIRROR. SO NOW I HAVE A 2 SEAT SUV. WHEN PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT, ESPECIALLY WITH 3 PEOPLE, YOU HAVE NO MIRROR VIEW AT ALL. DEALER SAID FRONT MIRROR CANNOT BE RELOCATED AND GLUED BECAUSE OF THE WIRE GOING TO IT AND THE RAIN SENSING WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE A LOT OF DEAD SPOTS IN THIS VEHICLE, AS TO SEEING YOUR WAY CLEAR! TRIED TO REMOVE REAR HEADREST BUT WAS UNABLE TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227993

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2008
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

2008 SATURN VUE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS DOWN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE ENGINE WILL SPEED UP TO ABOUT 80 MPH BEFORE GOING BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE KICKED INTO GEAR WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS…

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2008 SATURN VUE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS DOWN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE ENGINE WILL SPEED UP TO ABOUT 80 MPH BEFORE GOING BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE KICKED INTO GEAR WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS MILEAGE DOES NOT MEET THE STATED HIGHWAY DRIVING AVERAGE MILES PER GALLON FOR A 4 CYLINDER VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10227310

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKS ON OUR 2008 SATURN VUE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK. ALL FOUR DOORS UNLOCK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS FEATURE. I THINK THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN UNFAMILIAR AREAS. I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION OF HAVING THE DOORS REMAIN LOCKED …

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THE DOOR LOCKS ON OUR 2008 SATURN VUE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK. ALL FOUR DOORS UNLOCK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS FEATURE. I THINK THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN UNFAMILIAR AREAS. I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION OF HAVING THE DOORS REMAIN LOCKED UNTIL I WANT THEM UNLOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224183

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2008
Air Bags

AIRBAG ISSUE - REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WERE TESTED BY THE IIHS AND FOUND TO BE FAULTY - THEY DID NOT INFLATE QUICKLY ENOUGH, ALLOWING THE REAR OCCUPANTS' HEADS TO HIT THE WINDOW. IT IS STATED ON THE IIHS WEBSITE THAT GM REDESIGNED THESE AIRBAGS AND THAT MODELS MANUFACTURED AFTER DECEMBER 2007 HAVE THE NEW AIRBAGS THAT INFLATE…

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AIRBAG ISSUE - REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WERE TESTED BY THE IIHS AND FOUND TO BE FAULTY - THEY DID NOT INFLATE QUICKLY ENOUGH, ALLOWING THE REAR OCCUPANTS' HEADS TO HIT THE WINDOW. IT IS STATED ON THE IIHS WEBSITE THAT GM REDESIGNED THESE AIRBAGS AND THAT MODELS MANUFACTURED AFTER DECEMBER 2007 HAVE THE NEW AIRBAGS THAT INFLATE MORE QUICKLY AND EXTEND FURTHER AND HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM. UPON CONTACTING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE CANADA, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS INFORMATION AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO SAFETY ISSUES AND "MEETS AND EXCEEDS...GOVERNMENT STANDARDS." THEY TOLD ME THAT SHOULD A RECALL BE ISSUED, I WILL BE INFORMED. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM WOULD INVEST MONEY IN FIXING A PROBLEM THAT SUPPOSEDLY DOESN'T EXIST. WHEN I TOLD THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON THIS, THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTS AND THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE OLD AIRBAGS, THAT THEY REDESIGNED THEM ANYWAY. OF COURSE, WHEN I ASKED FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS IN MY VUE AND THAT THEY WILL PERFORM UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THE NEWLY DESIGNED AIRBAGS, THEY DECLINED. TYPICAL BUREAUCRATIC NONSENSE - I AM VERY UPSET AT GM'S ATTITUDE AND AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A DIFFERENT CAR MANUFACTURER FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE. I HOPE MY CHILDREN WILL BE SAFE WITH THE OLD AIRBAGS IN THE BACK SEAT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221417

3,200 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CAR IS IN CRUISE CONTROL IT IS CONSTANTLY DOWNSHIFTING TO MAINTAIN SPEED EVEN ON FLAT SURFACE. APPARENTLY THE GEARING ON THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SUPPORT TO WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT CANNOT MAINTAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218552

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.