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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports
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56,000 miles · May 4, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS MELTING, CAUSING ME TO LOOSE THE USE OF THAT HEADLIGHT. I HAVE ALREADY REPAIRED THE SITUATION TWICE, NOW I AM SEE THAT OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED GM AND THERE IS NO RECALL? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS. …

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THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS MELTING, CAUSING ME TO LOOSE THE USE OF THAT HEADLIGHT. I HAVE ALREADY REPAIRED THE SITUATION TWICE, NOW I AM SEE THAT OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED GM AND THERE IS NO RECALL? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, I CAN'T SEE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11091968

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

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

40,515 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

I HAVE A 2009 SATURN VUE XE WITH ONLY 40,515 MILES AND THE WIRING IN THE HEADLINER ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER SIDE VISOR CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A BURNED AREA ABOUT A FOOT AROUND IS NOW IN THE HEADLINER. IT BLACKENED THE WHITE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE ROOF. THE MELTING WIRING INSULATION IN…

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I HAVE A 2009 SATURN VUE XE WITH ONLY 40,515 MILES AND THE WIRING IN THE HEADLINER ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER SIDE VISOR CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A BURNED AREA ABOUT A FOOT AROUND IS NOW IN THE HEADLINER. IT BLACKENED THE WHITE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE ROOF. THE MELTING WIRING INSULATION IN THE HEADLINER DRIPPED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER LEATHER SEAT. WHAT A STINKY MESS! THANK GOD IT WAS PUT OUT QUICK ENOUGH AND DIDN'T CATCH THE WHOLE VEHICLE ON FIRE! OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED PROBLEM BASED ON MY GOOGLE SEARCH. I'VE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY SAID NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I SUSPECT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536928

64,000 miles · Jan 18, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2009 SATURN VUE XR. IN DECEMBER 2010 I NOTICED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY START FLICKERING, APPROX. 2 HZ RATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT; SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS SAID "PROBABLY A SHORT..." BUT I NEVER HAD ANYONE ACTUALLY TRY TO TROUBLESHOOT. ON JAN 15 2011 I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SPINDLE WAS…

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2009 SATURN VUE XR. IN DECEMBER 2010 I NOTICED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY START FLICKERING, APPROX. 2 HZ RATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT; SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS SAID "PROBABLY A SHORT..." BUT I NEVER HAD ANYONE ACTUALLY TRY TO TROUBLESHOOT. ON JAN 15 2011 I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SPINDLE WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I WAS CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT GET HOT ENOUGH TO START A FIRE. I TOOK THE VISOR DOWN FROM THE HEADLINER, HOPING TO FIND A CONNECTOR FOR THE WIRES, BUT IT WAS HARD WIRED, SO I SNIPPED AND TAPED OFF THE WIRES AND REMOUNTED THE VISOR. THE FLICKERING PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED, SO I BELIEVE THE TWO TO BE RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10377060

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.