KnownCarProblems2008 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 406 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Saturn Vue, most often about the transmission (30% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Vue model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Saturn Vue problems
Transmission
120 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Vehicle had no reverse and had the feeling of missed gears. Found 3-5-r went out and the wave plate snapped and had to have the transmission replaced as it was too costly to have it repaired.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate as the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the transmission would have to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA…
Electrical
88 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.
Multiple electrical issues. Sometimes car would start and other times it wouldn't. The radio would turn off when turn signal turned on. The ignition would try and eat my key and not release it. The cd player would continue to cycle with key out of ignition. All power in car would reset. Was just told that I would need…
While operating the vehicle, the engine began to sputter and steering became difficult. Once the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle would not start with the key being difficult to remove from the ignition. Electrical lights and operations became sporadic. Diagnosis was a defective body control module.
Steering
86 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
While driving, the steering wheel suddenly lost its power steering assist making it difficult to turn and/or unable to turn at all. The wheel would then lock itself with each 30 degree turn. At times, the wheel completely locked up only being able to turn in 15 degrees in either direction. This has been intermittently…
Transmission not engaging properly. Vehicle jerks while shifting and does not reach over 60 MPH without going to 6 rpms. While in heavy rush hour traffic, the car does not accelerate and the power steering locks.
Engine
51 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The c5 plate in the transmission snapped causing my vehicle to not shift into gear. No reverse either. Car would not go over 30, RPM's were high. Engine light came on. Cost to fix $1794. Researched problem, bunch of complaints came up, same problem, same make, model, and year. Transmission exchange in lackawanna ny…
I understand saturns have had issues in the past with timing chains for which they did a recall. I have a 2008 Saturn Vue that I have had ongoing issues with since I bought it. I was just told noise the vehicle is making is the timing chain however I cant find anywhere that they have a recall for the 2008 saturns. I…
Other or unspecified
44 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles.
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…
My car is having a problem thats on the recall list but my VIN# dont match. 1.transmission case porosty park power my driveway is on a hill and when it snows ill come outside and find my car at the bottom of the hill and then its hard to get it back up the hill even gunning it up does not work so ill leave it down…
Air bags
25 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash in which the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the failure of the air bags was not diagnosed but the vehicle was…
On a road trip the red air bag light went on and off a few time but is now on all the time. Chevy dealer says there are no known problems with the 2008 air bag system, which I do not believe, and they will troubleshoot for $100 an hour.
Visibility and wipers
23 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, rear window wiper/washer, sun/moon roof assembly.
The driver side vanity light/visor became damaged when the internal pins that stop the visor when sliding out to adjust broke and shorted out the wiring. The wires, which run through the metal visor pole would short out and heat the metal to extreme temperatures, causing burns to the hand and possibly be able to start…
Webasto hollandia 600 sun roof completely detached from the car while driving on the pa turnpike. I am the original owner of the car and it was installed prior to my picking it up at the faulkner dealership, Saturn of jenkintown. The roof was installed by.rsc restyling in levittown, pa. I took the car to faulkner gm…
Brakes
21 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Our 2008 Saturn Vue xe recently started locking up the ABS and brakes while driving. It happens in stop and go traffic and most frighteningly at freeway speeds. The vehicle will apply the brakes at will for no reason and the ABS and traction control indicators come on. We have had the vehicle serviced multiple times…
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving 60 MPH, the brakes applied automatically without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (airport chevrolet, 3001 biddle rd, medford, or 97504), but the failure could not be diagnosed due to lack of failure codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Saturn Vue recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: Driving with an unlatched door could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: The fluid could contact hot exhaust components resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Outside door handles stick unlatched
Summary
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 t
Questions about the 2008 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (120 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (88 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); steering (86 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 25, 2009 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Vue model year since 2000, with 406 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.