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2009 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

99 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Steering. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

35 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Electrical System

SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY 2009 SATURN VUE OFF I CANNOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WILL HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THEN BACK IN PARK BEFORE I CAN GET THE KEY OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10783220

80,000 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ACCELERATION SLOWED, ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON, LOSS FULL POWER STEERING & BRAKE FUNCTIONS, NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, MESSAGES ON DRIVER AIR BAG, STABILITRAK,TIRE AIR PRESSURE,ABS, EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING. ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO STOPPED, SUDDEN…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ACCELERATION SLOWED, ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON, LOSS FULL POWER STEERING & BRAKE FUNCTIONS, NO TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY, MESSAGES ON DRIVER AIR BAG, STABILITRAK,TIRE AIR PRESSURE,ABS, EVERYTHING WAS FLASHING. ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO STOPPED, SUDDEN INCREASED ACCELERATION THEN DECREASED AGAIN. I GOT PULLED OVER TO A PARKING LOT (WHICH WAS VERY HARD WITH BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO FLOOR & STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE), TURNED OFF CAR & REMOVED KEY. STILL HAD ALL (4) OPEN DOOR LIGHTS ON AND ALL THE DOORS WERE SHUT. THEY STAYED ON MORE THAN 5 MINUTES BEFORE FINALLY GOING OFF. I SAT THERE 30 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING TO START THE CAR AGAIN. WHEN I STARTED IT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING AGAIN AS IF IT HAD RESET ITSELF. YESTERDAY AUGUST 31, 2015 WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH OR MORE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I DRIVE DAILY ON HEAVILY TRAVELED PARKWAYS. DEALERSHIPS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WHEN I TAKE IT TO THEM. THEY JUST WANT TO RESET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IT JUST OCCURS AGAIN SO THAT IS NOT THE SOLUTION. NEED HELP GETTING THIS RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10760694

60,000 miles · May 12, 2015
Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY 2009 SATURN VUE SHORTS OUT CAUSING ALL KINDS OF ISSUES, THE FIRST TIME WAS IN LATE 2013 WHEN NOTHING ON THE DASH CAME ON, MY RADIO DID NOT PLAY, NO GAGES WORKED. DROVE IT TO THE FIRST DEALERSHIP IN WATERFORD AND THEY GOT THE GAGES WORKING BUT HAD LITTLE NEWS TO SAY ABOUT IT, IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE T…

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THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY 2009 SATURN VUE SHORTS OUT CAUSING ALL KINDS OF ISSUES, THE FIRST TIME WAS IN LATE 2013 WHEN NOTHING ON THE DASH CAME ON, MY RADIO DID NOT PLAY, NO GAGES WORKED. DROVE IT TO THE FIRST DEALERSHIP IN WATERFORD AND THEY GOT THE GAGES WORKING BUT HAD LITTLE NEWS TO SAY ABOUT IT, IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST. THE 2ND TIME IT DIED IN MY DRIVE WAY ( IT HAD A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN IT AT THE TIME)I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD AT FIRST THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE HOOD LATCH LIGHT WAS ON AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO GIVE IT BACK THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF EVEN WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED MANUALLY AND WAS CORRECT . THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REBOOT THE COMPUTER BOARD AND IT WAS FIXED. THIS TIME I DROVE MY CAR FOR OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD WHERE THE BLINKER WOULD CAUSE THE RADIO TO GO OUT, IF I TURNED ON THE BRIGHTS THE RADIO WOULD GO OUT, THEN ONE DAY I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND REALIZED THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO SHUT IT DOWN . LIGHTS FLICKER ON THE DASH AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. MY LAST STRAW WAS WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START, IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING, I SAT THERE FOR A MINUTE AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP, SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD THE CAR FORM APRIL 23 THRU MAY 8 AND SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN OCTOBER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP AND NO ONE HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM YET. I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE DROVE IT NOW FOR 4 DAYS AND NONE OF THE THINGS I DESCRIBED EARLIER HAS HAPPENED. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME, NOT FAIR TO HAVE THESE KINDS OF ISSUES ON A CAR OF THIS CALIPER.

NHTSA ODI #10716880

50,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

LEFT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH REMOTE OR WITH SWITCH VIA CAR INTERIOR. ADVISED TO REPLACE DOOR ACTUATOR. ONCE THE LEFT SIDE WAS REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR DOOR IS NOW NON OPERATIONAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DOOR LOCK FAILURES ARE NOT SAFE. IF THERE IS AN…

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LEFT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH REMOTE OR WITH SWITCH VIA CAR INTERIOR. ADVISED TO REPLACE DOOR ACTUATOR. ONCE THE LEFT SIDE WAS REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR DOOR IS NOW NON OPERATIONAL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DOOR LOCK FAILURES ARE NOT SAFE. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT SOMEONE COULD BE EJECTED IF THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK PROPERTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679057

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2009 SATURN VUE. DRIVER STATES THE ENGINE STALLED REPEATEDLY, KEYS BECAME STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE AIRBAG AND STABILITY LIGHTS CAME ON. *TA

NHTSA ODI #10660633

78,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AS THE AIR BAG AND STABILITY TRAC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AS THE AIR BAG AND STABILITY TRAC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10651721

25,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

CANNOT GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST ONE MINUTE OR MORE TO GET IT TO UNLOCK OR RELEASE TO TAKE KEY OUT, USES TOO MUCH BATTERY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640126

48,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical System

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY REDLINE STARTED CLICKING STABILITRAK OFF AND THEN WHEN TURNING IGNITION OFF, WOULD BE COMPLETELY DEAD. THIS CONTINUED AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BATTERY (THOUGHT THE BATTERY NEEDED REPLACING). I HAVE TAKEN TO A REPAIR MAN NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL CAN'T GET AN ANSWER. THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE BATTERY CABLES CO…

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SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY REDLINE STARTED CLICKING STABILITRAK OFF AND THEN WHEN TURNING IGNITION OFF, WOULD BE COMPLETELY DEAD. THIS CONTINUED AFTER INSTALLING A NEW BATTERY (THOUGHT THE BATTERY NEEDED REPLACING). I HAVE TAKEN TO A REPAIR MAN NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL CAN'T GET AN ANSWER. THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE BATTERY CABLES COMPLETELY AND THIS STOPPED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, THOUGHT WE HAD FOUND THE PROBLEM. WELL IT HAS SINCE CONTINUED TO HAVE A BAD CONNECTION SOMEWHERE. WHEN IT HAPPENS, I CAN "WIGGLE" THE BLACK ELECTRIC BOX ABOVE THE BATTERY AND POWER IS RESTORED. SOMETIMES, IT DISCONNECTS EVERYTIME I PUT IT IN PARK AND SWITCH OFF AND SOMETIMES I CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL/WIRING ISSUE CAUSING THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE LIES WITHIN THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM. I THINK THAT THE STABILITRAK TURNS OFF AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE VEHICLE LOSING THE ELECTRONIC CONNECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633116

59,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

APPROXIMATELY JULY 2013, MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO SHUT OFF. THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER MOVING THE BATTERY, THE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS LASTED FOR AN HOUR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND MOVING THE BA…

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APPROXIMATELY JULY 2013, MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO SHUT OFF. THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER MOVING THE BATTERY, THE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THIS LASTED FOR AN HOUR. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND MOVING THE BATTERY WORKED. I TOOK IT TO LOU FUSZ GMC BUICK. THEY TESTED THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND ALL OF THEIR COMPONENTS. THEY WERE FINE. I TOOK IT TO THEM IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY NOT BEING SECURED OR I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BY LOU FUSZ IN JANUARY 2014. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE UNTIL EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND ISSUES HAPPENED AGAIN. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE AT A GM SERVICE CENTER HOPING THEY CAN RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. MY CONCERN IS IT MAY BE OVERHEATING CAUSING THE WIRES TO BURN. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2009 SATURN VUE. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628258

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical System

THE LIGHTS (COURTESY LIGHTS, DASH, AND HEADLIGHTS) ON MY VEHICLE WERE FLICKERING. WHILE DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, BUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DID NOT HELP. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR AREA. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP A…

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THE LIGHTS (COURTESY LIGHTS, DASH, AND HEADLIGHTS) ON MY VEHICLE WERE FLICKERING. WHILE DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE, BUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS DID NOT HELP. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR AREA. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS ABOUT THE HEADLINER THAT GOES INTO THE SUNSHADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626260

Official recalls

2

08V616000 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm

Nov 24, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 2,149 MY 2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RIGHT AND/OR LEFT FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE. AS A RESULT OF THE INCORRECT KNUCKLE AND RESULTING INADEQUATE CLEARANCE, THE TIE ROD BALL STUD COULD PULL OUT OF, OR FRACTURE, THE TIE ROD HOUSING. THIS COULD CAUSE THE TIE ROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ALTHOUGH STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE MAINTAINED AFTER A TIE ROD SEPARATION BY THE UNAFFECTED WHEEL ON SMOOTH ROADS OR DURING LIGHT BRAKING, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT SUSPENSION OR BRAKING INPUTS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TURN OUT AND SKID. IF A VEHICLE BUILT WITH TWO INCORRECT STEERING KNUCKLES HAD BOTH TIE RODS SEPARATE AT THE SAME TIME, STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LOST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE(S) AND TIE ROD(S). THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 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> .

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> .

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.