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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
110,000 miles · Jun 10, 2018
Power Train

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND IT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. ITS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER IS SHIFT SOLENOID. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN WAVE PLATE BREAKS. CAR IS PAID FOR AND I LIKE IT. CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE TRA…

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WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND IT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR. ITS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER IS SHIFT SOLENOID. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN WAVE PLATE BREAKS. CAR IS PAID FOR AND I LIKE IT. CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I AM DISABLED NOW WITHOUT WHEELS AND NO WAY TO FIX IT. IS IT A RECALL? CAN THE AGENCY HELP FIX IT?

NHTSA ODI #11100805

110,000 miles · Jun 10, 2018
Power Train

WAS DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. HAS BEEN STICKING IN FIRST GEAR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER ONE IS SHIFT SOLENOID STUCK. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WAVE PLATE BREAKS. I AM DISABLED AND NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I LOVED THE CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU C…

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WAS DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 1ST GEAR. HAS BEEN STICKING IN FIRST GEAR. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS CODE PO700 AND PO752. THE FIRST IS TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND THE LATER ONE IS SHIFT SOLENOID STUCK. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE WAVE PLATE BREAKS. I AM DISABLED AND NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I LOVED THE CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11100801

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2018
SteeringVisibility/wiper

1.ENGINE WOULD STALL WHEN TURN ON HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TWICE AT ANY LOCATION. 2. POWER STEERING WHEN OUT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY 3. DOOR HANDLE ON MY DRIVER SIDE CAME OFF

NHTSA ODI #11100105

132,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (FIKE CHEVROLET, 213 MAIN STREET, MASONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 15461) WAS CONTACTED B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (FIKE CHEVROLET, 213 MAIN STREET, MASONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 15461) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-416-234-5315. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #11096983

97,000 miles · May 14, 2018
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP OR FAIL TO WORK AT ANY TIME. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A BY A CLICKING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL FLASH. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS HAS HAPPENED AT BOTH SLOW SPEED AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEAMS TO BE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER GM RECALL 14V1…

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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP OR FAIL TO WORK AT ANY TIME. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A BY A CLICKING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL FLASH. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS HAS HAPPENED AT BOTH SLOW SPEED AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEAMS TO BE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER GM RECALL 14V153000.

NHTSA ODI #11093671

40,000 miles · May 9, 2018
Air Bags

, A PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CONSTANT COME ON WHEN YOU SIT SOMETHING IN THE SEAT I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED TWO TIMES AND IT STILL COMES ON I THINK IT'S A DEFECT IN THAT SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #11092764

115,000 miles · Apr 13, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

NOW THIS IS LIKE THE 5TH TIME I THINK I HAVE WROTE A LETTER TO THIS COMPANY AND NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR BEING PARKED ON A HILL AND IT ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN NO ONE'S INSIDE OF IT AND OTHER LITTLE THINGS THATS ON THE SATURN RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT ON THE LIST. BUT NOW I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY BACK …

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NOW THIS IS LIKE THE 5TH TIME I THINK I HAVE WROTE A LETTER TO THIS COMPANY AND NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR BEING PARKED ON A HILL AND IT ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN NO ONE'S INSIDE OF IT AND OTHER LITTLE THINGS THATS ON THE SATURN RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT ON THE LIST. BUT NOW I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY BACK DOOR NOT SHUTTING WHEN I SHUT IT IT OPENS UNEXPECTENTLY. IN THE WORDS OF CAR TALK IT'S CALLED 1. TRANSMISSION CASE POROSITY AT PARK PAWL 2. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE STICKS/BIND. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE TRANS STICK IS OUT, MY WARNING DASH BOARDS LIGHT COME IN FOR NO REASON 1ST IT WAS OIL LIGHT WHICH I RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE A MONTH AGO AND NOW IT'S THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CAR ALARM GOES OFF WHEN THE BACK DOOR ACTS UP. NOW I HOPE TO HERE FROM SOMEONE SOON. I MIGHT GO TO THE NEWS CAUSE I NEED HELP AND YOU PEOPLE NOT HELPING SO THAT MIGHT MAKE U MOVE FASTER. BUT IF I DIE OF MY CAR ROLLS AWAY AND KILLS ONE OF THESE KIDS OUTSIDE I WILL SUE YOU PEOPLE SO HARD. WAITING FOR AN AWSER BYE. FYI IVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2014.

NHTSA ODI #11085014

72,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMPACT THRUST HER FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMPACT THRUST HER FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE, WHIPLASH, AND A LACERATION TO THE LEFT KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A FRIEND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REPURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO PRESERVE ANY EVIDENCE PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION, BUT THE EVIDENCE WAS INCONCLUSIVE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11083303

173,000 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Engine

NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION NOW EVERY TIME I KILL THE ENGINE I HAVE TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A JUMP STARTER CAMSHAFT AND TIMING ADVANCES PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11080985

131,102 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED MILTON RUBEN SUPERSTORE AT (888) 516-3797 (3512 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,102.

NHTSA ODI #11078990

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.