KnownCarProblems2009 Saturn Vue Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Saturn Vue, most often about the steering (32% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is 8th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2009 Saturn Vue problems
Steering
38 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist, column.
The electric power steering quits several times during a 2-3 mile trip. The wheel is extremely hard to turn but does pivot the front tires. It takes a lot of force to turn the wheel.
We purchased this car used now has under 90,000 miles on it and the engine started leaking from all seals. $2700 to repair this now the power steering seems to be not working making it difficult to impossible to drive this vehicle. No indication of any leaks just notices when the grinding started there was no power…
Electrical
35 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
Car would not start, when you put the key in the ignition will not start. After several attempts you can finally get it to connect. This is an ongoing issue I have had the car in the garage several times. I have been stranded three times in the last six months. It doesn't happen all the time and never happens when the…
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…
Transmission
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles.
I turned the corner to enter my street, there is a slight "s" curve to enter my street. I was no more than 50 yards from the corner when my vehicle revved loudly, RPM to 3500 and accelerated , I managed to avoid more damaged than was done, but in the interim I hit a 3' tall brick mail box and caused damage to my…
When I park the car, the automatic transmission does not fully shift to park unless I throw it very hard into park and I can not turn the key to the "off" position and take it out of the ignition. Sometimes it takes several very hard throws and other times it acts normally.
Air bags
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
Vehicle (2009 Saturn Vue) was travelling southbound through an intersection and was struck on the rear passenger side, by another vehicle (traveling eastbound) who did not stop for a red light. After being struck the Saturn veered toward the southwest corner where it road up a snowbank and then hit a telephone pole on…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into front and rear driver's side of the vehicle causing the contact to crash into a fire hydrant. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head that required medical attention. A police…
Engine
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.
Going onto 105 fwy, noticed smoke from rear view mirror, pedestrian waving me down, 2 people came up w/ext. Fire in engine car went up immediately, found there was recall of hose becoming lose that can cause fire in cab, ins. Determined this is what happened, went through gm, rep. Saying there not sure what there…
I turned the corner to enter my street, there is a slight "s" curve to enter my street. I was no more than 50 yards from the corner when my vehicle revved loudly, RPM to 3500 and accelerated , I managed to avoid more damaged than was done, but in the interim I hit a 3' tall brick mail box and caused damage to my…
Brakes
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles.
When brakes are lightly applied they continue to slow the vehicle until you place your foot under the brake pedal and pull it up to get it to release . The mechanic decided that the booster or the master cylinder was the problem. We fixed to the tune of $946.52. Five weeks later the problem reappeared. This time it…
On freeway @65 MPH, after 10-12 miles, sudden deceleration, attempted to accelerate, continued deceleration, no indicator lights. All 4 brakes applied without pedal movement. Pulled to side of rode. Turned off car, inspected tires and underside of car, nothing unusual. Parking brake cycled 2-3 times. Restarted car and…
Stability control
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
I was driving on the highway, cruising at 70 in the far left hand lane, and suddenly my vehicle speed dropped to 40 MPH and error codes started flashing on the dash (decrease engine, engine, stability track system, traction control, and others I don't remember). With semi trucks and a high volume of traffic behind me…
Traction control stays on and transmission engages then release slipping ..also hybrid system nit working at all never turn off and any stop like a hybrid .
Body and structure
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the driver's side visor retraction clip fractured and the visor would not properly retract. The contact also mentioned that the dome, door, and glove compartment lights failed to activate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made…
Tl contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side interior chrome door handles exhibited a sharp pointed edge. The contact sustained a severe laceration to the left finger from the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Saturn Vue recalls
Steering: arm
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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.
Questions about the 2009 Saturn Vue
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Saturn Vue?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (38 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); electrical (35 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles); transmission (14 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Saturn Vue have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 24, 2008 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Saturn Vue?
- It is 8th of 9 Vue model years by number of complaints, with 118 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.