IllustrationTROUBLE WITH MY STEERING!! IT'S BAD I FEAR THE SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY!!!THE PROBLEM HAPENNED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY 6!!
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 reportsTHE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND IS HARD TO TURN! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE I LOOKED IT UP AND IT WAS A RECALL!! I NEED TO KNOW THE STEPS TO ACCESS HOW TO GET IT FIXED!! THE VEHICLE WAS DRIP AT THE TIME AND THE INFORMATION CENTER HAS A LIGHT THAT CAME ON.
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.
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.
SPORADICALLY, UNABLE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND REMOVE IGNITION KEY. THIS ISSUE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL ON MY 2003 SATURN ION WHICH GENERAL MOTORS FIXED.
TRANSMISSION WON'T MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN THE CAR RUNNING NOW JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THIS CITUATION BECAUSE I CHECK ONLINE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS TYPE OF OF CAR COST A LOT OF MONEY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO CONTINUE REPAIRI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO CONTINUE REPAIRING THE POWER STEERING AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH POWER STEERING REPAIR LASTED ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM LINDSAY CHEVROLET (15605 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, WOODBRIDGE, VA 22191, (571) 200-4754). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
MY STEERING TIGTHRNS UP WHEN I AM IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AND THE WAY I GET IT TO LOSSEN IS PUTTING BACK BACK I DRIVE AND MOIVN THEN BACK IN REVERSE
MY VEHICLE HAD A WEBASTO 700 SUNROOF INSTALLED IN IT A FULLY RECTRACTABLE ONE AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE GLASS ITSELF FLEW OFF AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID IT. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED BUT NOW I HAVE A GIANT HOLE IN MY ROOF AND ITS AFTERMARKET SO NO SHOP I HAVE BEEN TO HAS A DIREC…
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MY VEHICLE HAD A WEBASTO 700 SUNROOF INSTALLED IN IT A FULLY RECTRACTABLE ONE AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE GLASS ITSELF FLEW OFF AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID IT. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED BUT NOW I HAVE A GIANT HOLE IN MY ROOF AND ITS AFTERMARKET SO NO SHOP I HAVE BEEN TO HAS A DIRECT REPLACEMENT. JUST THE GLASS ITSELF IS GONE THE FRAME AND MOTOR ARE STILL FUNCTIONAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
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.