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
194,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018, MY BATTERY DIED. I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THE TOW COMPANY DIAGNOSED IT. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS MALFUNCTIONG. MY CAR ON A BUSY INTERSECTION JUST DIED WITH ON COMING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT MOVE OR PUT IT IN NUETURAL TO MOVE IT. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE D…
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ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2018, MY BATTERY DIED. I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THE TOW COMPANY DIAGNOSED IT. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS MALFUNCTIONG. MY CAR ON A BUSY INTERSECTION JUST DIED WITH ON COMING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT MOVE OR PUT IT IN NUETURAL TO MOVE IT. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY CONCERN THAT THE CAR JUST LOCKED UP, NO POWER OR ABILITY TO MOVE. I COULD NOT USE MY HAZARD LIGHTS. A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THEN I WAS ACCELERATING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYTHING WENT DARK. PLEASE ADVISE OF WHAT TYPE OF DOCUMENTATION YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS FILE? I AM JUST WRITING BECAUSE THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED MALFUNCTIONING THAT WAS LIFE THREATENING.
NHTSA ODI #11144514
116,787 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Steering
TAKATA RECALL - NO POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS AND PULLING INTO PARKING SPOTS. TOOK TO DEALER WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING GEERS. MILEAGE 116787
NHTSA ODI #11132148
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2018
Service Brakes
EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING THE ABS BRAKES WILL START ENGAGING EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT HITTING THE BRAKES. THE ABS AND BOTH TRACTION LIGHTS COME ON. THEY ALSO ENGAGE WHILE I AM TRYING TO STOP EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT ON WET/ICY ROADS. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE FIX FOR THIS. WE HAVE CHECKED AND REPLACED EVERYTHING.
NHTSA ODI #11131576
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2018
Steering
THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING. UNLIKE THE FULLY FUNCTIONAL POWER STEERING WHEEL DOES, IT MAKES THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE FEEL UNSAFE. IT FEELS EXTREMELY OBVIOUS WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS, WHICH COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11129400
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2018
Electrical System
MY DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. IT MAY BE THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR UNLOCKS BUT NONE OF THE OTHERS AND AT TIMES NONE BUT THE REAR HATCH UNLOCK AND I HAVE TO CRAWL THRU THE SUV TO GET DOORS OPENED. WHEN NONE OF THE DOOR LOCKS OPEN, THE KEY WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR EITHER. ALSO, ABOUT 1/3 OF THE TIME WHEN YOU USE T…
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MY DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. IT MAY BE THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR UNLOCKS BUT NONE OF THE OTHERS AND AT TIMES NONE BUT THE REAR HATCH UNLOCK AND I HAVE TO CRAWL THRU THE SUV TO GET DOORS OPENED. WHEN NONE OF THE DOOR LOCKS OPEN, THE KEY WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR EITHER. ALSO, ABOUT 1/3 OF THE TIME WHEN YOU USE THE CLICKER TO LOCK THE DOORS, THE HORN SOUNDS INDICATING IT LOCKED BUT WHEN I CHECK, SOME OR NONE LOCKED. WHEN I SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM PARK OR BACK TO PARK, THE LOCKS DO NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE OR ONLY SOME DO. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID IT MIGHT BE THE LOCK ACTUATORS BUT HE SAID THAT IT COULDN'T BE IF THEY OPEN THE DOORS LOCKED OR UNLOCKED THE DOORS SOME OF THE TIME. HE SAID HE HAD ALSO HAD CUSTOMERS THAT OWNED GM CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF GM MODELS TO CORRECT IT. I JUST WANT TO KNOW MY LOCKS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. I WON'T LEAVE ANYTHING IN THE CAR WHEN SHOPPING OR PARKED BECAUSE I CAN'T TRUST THAT THE DOORS LOCKED. IF I FELT UNSAFE FOR ANY REASON GOING TO MY CAR, I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET IN AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN I COME OUT, IF SOMEONE IS ALREADY IN MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11121870
155,000 miles · Aug 23, 2018
Steering
POWER STEERING DOEN NOT WORK
NHTSA ODI #11121824
140,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT STEERING WHEEL FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT STEERING WHEEL FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #11114532
85,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE, I TRIED TO USE THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE CAR. IT DID NOTHING. I USED THE KEY THEN TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THE DOME LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HOWEVER, THE CAR STARTED UP WITH THE SECOND TURN OF THE KEY. AFTER DRIVING HOME, THE KEY FOB WORKED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE DOME LIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING AT SEVERAL OTHE…
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AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE, I TRIED TO USE THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE CAR. IT DID NOTHING. I USED THE KEY THEN TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THE DOME LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HOWEVER, THE CAR STARTED UP WITH THE SECOND TURN OF THE KEY. AFTER DRIVING HOME, THE KEY FOB WORKED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE DOME LIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING AT SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF AND THE CLOCK WILL RESET TO MIDNIGHT AND THE CALENDAR WILL RESET. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11113375
35,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND, STABILITY, ANTISKID LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY. THE CAR WILL DIE AND RESTART W HIKE DRIVING. THE AC BLOWS FROM BOTTOM HEATER VENTS. BATTERY WILL ACTS AS IF DEAD UNTIL I BANG TERMINAL WITH A HAMMER
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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